Cincinnati, Ohio, March 17, 2015 – A group of Saint Ursula Academy students recently spent the weekend debating issues and creating resolutions dealing with trade, investment, environmental issues, health concerns, global politics and the war on terrorism. The opportunity was provided to them thanks to their participation in a student organization called “Model United Nations” (Model UN).
The Model UN Club was started by Alexandra Goss and Taryn Osborne after attending the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship's Student Congress last summer. Saint Ursula Academy math teacher Dave Stickel moderates the club as it meets throughout the school year and attends conferences “representing” various countries from around the world. These conferences encourage students to research policies and interests of a specific nation and present those findings to the other countries represented. Next, students work collaboratively with the other representatives to find solutions to national and global issues.
The guiding principle of MUN (Model United Nations) is: “Cooperative, hands-on learning allows students to confront a range of topics with the perspective of their assigned country or organization. Through these experiences ....students develop an appreciation of differing viewpoints, experience the challenges of negotiation, see the rewards of cooperation, broaden their world view, and discover the human side of international relations and diplomacy.”
The most recent conference, Model APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Conference), was held at the University of Cincinnati with six students from Saint Ursula Academy representing Hong Kong. After a day filled with debate, collaboration, and cooperation, Alexandra Goss was awarded the title “Best Delegate” in the Heads of State group which concentrated on free trade and economic cooperation.
Alexandra has enjoyed her participation in the organization and has learned much about the United Nations. “Participating in Model UN has allowed me to connect my passions for foreign affairs and debate, which has been eye-opening and incredibly fun! I have learned about the world and that compromise is essential to continue cooperation in a world where many entities are operating based on self-promotional ideologies.”
Moderator Dave Stickel believes the impact of Model UN reaches well beyond the doors of Saint Ursula Academy. “I believe MUN helps us learn about our brothers and sisters across the world by putting ourselves in their shoes. This education helps us to learn to live together without viewing each other with suspicion and distrust. To examine issues confronting people from different countries and cultures, we must also examine our own points of view, challenge our assumptions, and look at our own world from a different perspective. In the 21st century, this has to be one of the most important outcomes of a quality education.”
An increased awareness of international and global issues may be the ultimate goal of the Model UN organization, however the additional lessons learned by the students are invaluable. Students gain a greater sense of self confidence by speaking to large groups and, most importantly, they learn to be open minded leaders as they enter a world which often focuses on “winning” rather than a resolution that is mutually beneficial to all parties.
To learn more about St. Ursula Academy, please visit www.saintursula.org.
St. Ursula Academy is a Catholic, college-preparatory, secondary school for young women known for academic excellence and rich tradition. St. Ursula welcomes students from more than 70 grade schools in the Greater Cincinnati area. In 2002 the Academy was recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. The campus, located at 1339 E. McMillan Street in East Walnut Hills has been the home of St. Ursula Academy and Convent since 1910. The Class of 2014 earned college scholarships totaling more than $20-million.