Model UN Club hosts simulation

Last week marked a significant milestone for our Model United Nations (MUN) Club as we held our first conference on December 6 at Eastern Mennonite High School. This inaugural simulation welcomed students from both Harrisonburg High School and the newly opened Rocktown High School, creating a collaborative and local MUN educational experience for all participants. 

The event took place in the school auditorium, where students had the opportunity to step into the roles of global leaders and engage in discussions on pressing international issues. Our club leaders demonstrated exceptional leadership and hospitality throughout the event, ensuring that everything ran smoothly and professionally. Their hard work and dedication set a positive tone for the day, fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and respect among the participants.

Nathan Hershberger, co-sponsor of the MUN club said about the event,“The students came up with a solution that combined pragmatism with a sense of the common good. It was so impressive not only to see students engaged at such a high level but also watch our student leaders’ behind the scenes work to bring it together.” 

One of the standout EMS student leaders planning up to and during the simulation was senior Isaac Ott. His commitment to excellence and ability to guide the students were instrumental in making the event a success. 

Ott explains what MUN is and how it works, “Model UN teaches its participants to approach conflicts with the goal of finding a multilateral solution through diplomatic conduct, and in the process, it informs the participants about the broader events in our world today.”

The keynote speaker for the event was Katie Cohen, the Lead Organizer from Valley Interfaith Action. She engaged the students about the distinction between power over and power with, highlighting the relational model of the latter as a means for genuine, enduring change. Additionally, she shared a compelling story about her experiences with incremental change, illustrating its connection to power for local transformation in Harrisonburg and beyond.

Our MUN Club has set a promising precedent for collaboration with students from other schools and will enrich our understanding of global diplomacy and create friendships and networks among future leaders. We look forward to future MUN events!