By Nisali Fernando (Entertainment Editor) and Maeve Rourke (Sports Editor)

Jonathan Law’s Model U.N. classes recently experienced the impact of the United Nations first-hand.

Mr. Evanko’s Model U.N. classes attended an interactive conference at Yale University in New Haven from January 19-22. Over the course of four days, students were involved in an international relations simulation crafted just for high schoolers.

During the semester, the Model U.N. class has been learning about prominent conflicts happening globally. The class centers on current relations within countries around the world in order to prepare for this conference.

“Students can expect to learn about international relations and the focus is on current events,” Evanko said. “We do cover the history of the United Nations and a few big conflicts, but I try to keep the focus on current issues such as climate change, cyber security, the situation in Syria, and other current topics.”

At the conference, students were immersed in intense, challenging situations that members of the United Nations are faced with everyday.  

“I was in was the World Health Organization (WHO) what we did was discuss the distribution of pharmaceuticals to developing countries and combating emerging infectious diseases,” senior Jordan Negron said. “Our goal was to work together to make resolution(s) that would effectively tackle the issue.”

Throughout this four day conference, participants found themselves learning valuable skills that they can apply both inside and outside of the classroom.

“It taught me to always be prepared to compromise, and that preparation is key,” senior Owen Paiva said. “[The conference] helped me with public speaking and conveying important information in front of people.”  

The conference has been running for the past 43 years. This year alone, 1,400 delegates from 40 countries gathered in the prestigious university to solve pressing problems.

Most students acted as delegates for a specific country in certain committees to solve a wide array of modern day issues. In official U.N. fashion, members were able to sponsor and offer resolutions during discussions.

“I was a signatory on Denmark’s resolution dealing with worker’s rights by establishing a committee inside SOCHUM to hear accusations of workers rights violations and setting a global guideline for the treatment of workers,” senior Tyler Chavez said. “I was also a sponsor and co-wrote a resolution for women’s reproductive rights that established a global standard on abortions, and worked with non-governmental organizations to provide clean clinics related to women’s health and classes about sexual education for men and women. This resolution actually passed.”

Many students found themselves at home during the fun-filled, hectic conference.

“My favorite moment of the conference happened during my first committee session… After several “inflammatory” remarks about the Chinese head of state, a YMUN staff member, pretending to be a Chinese police official, kicked open the door and declared the immediate arrest of the two press corp members,” Krois said. “The two press corp members were then escorted out by the police with their hands behind their back. Throughout this, the whole committee laughed and joked around until the chair finally brought order back.”

Students were also able to engage in the bustling city of New Haven, finding opportunities to enjoy themselves outside of the conference.

“My favorite part of the conference was seeing the Donald Trump protest (off-campus) and I joined in,” Rossi said.

The Model U.N. class may be offered as a half year course at Jonathan Law, but the experiences gained in the classroom transcend one semester.

“This conference not only better educated me on Model UN but also granted me experience negotiating with new people, overcoming language barriers and how to better structure and prepare arguments in parliamentary procedure,” Krois said.