Tessa Shanahan ’28
Photo courtesy of EA Communications
As the Model UN club begins its next year of debating international relations, it hopes to continue its dedication to getting kids involved in issues that are not only domestic but also impact the scope of the entire world and open their eyes to different perspectives and opinions. Behind placards indicating which country a group will represent with labels like Brazil, Japan, or the United Kingdom, delegates speak passionately about issues of concern in the United Nations, like climate change or global security. These students collaborate with others from across the country to find real solutions to real problems. Model UN is an experience that not only helps students practice debate and diplomacy but also allows them to understand the complexities of the world.
Some may see Model UN as just another extracurricular, but it gives students the opportunity to engage in a meaningful event that gives them a deeper understanding of the United Nations. Head faculty advisor for EA’s Model UN club, David Mercante, remarks, “Model UN is not just an activity; it is an opportunity. It is where students step into the role of a country, research global issues, and work together to solve real-world problems.” Model UN serves as an outlet for students to research world issues that interest them, rather than subjects they are tasked to learn about. The experience involves mastering advocacy, negotiation, and collaborating with others.
The students of Model UN practice skills in public speaking, research, and writing, all while debating some of the most pressing issues in our modern world. The best delegates receive awards at large conferences; they represent their countries with skill and diplomacy. Every year, the club takes part in an overnight conference in Philadelphia, where thousands of students from across the country gather for days of debate. Mercante mentions, “The goal is for everyone to have a positive experience to learn, to have fun, and to interact with students from around the country and even the world.” However, before new members participate in the conference in Philadelphia, they must take part in a mini conference held at EA. Started in 2021, the mini-conference event gives members a hands-on introduction to the rules, procedures, and the fast-paced style of Model UN. The mini conference also includes workshops where students learn how to draft resolutions, deliver speeches, and propose motions, which are organized by a leadership team. Mr. Mercante explains, “It is a great way to prepare students; they get to experience what a real conference feels like before committing to a multi-day one.”
The Philadelphia conference, known as ILMUNC, is the highlight of the school year for Model UN. Hosted by students at the University of Pennsylvania, delegates spend several days debating topics ranging from cybersecurity to humanitarian issues. The sessions held in the conference last for up to four hours, and each committee discusses two major topics before drafting and voting on resolutions. Natalie Jiang ’27 expresses, “You are in committee for three or four hours at a time, you have to speak, negotiate, and collaborate with people from all over. By the end, you have practiced everything you have learned.” Yet, a multi-day conference has unserious moments as well. Delegates have time to explore the city of Philadelphia, have dinners with friends, and enjoy an intellectual environment. Mercante highlights, “We want students to go for the right reasons, go for the collaboration, for the challenge, for the learning, and have fun while doing it.”
Model UN ultimately gives students something more valuable than awards or recognition; the delegates have the opportunity to learn about perspective. Mercante stresses, “No one leaves a conference saying, ‘I want to be less informed.’ Everyone walks away knowing more about the world and hopefully, more about themselves.” Grace Shoenstein ’26 adds, “Model UN teaches you how to communicate effectively, overcome differences, and express your views in a sophisticated way. It is about understanding the world and your place in it.” Model UN reminds us that conversation, cooperation, and being understanding are still the best tools we have to solve problems in a world that often feels divided, especially in our generation.
