Schools

350 Students To Participate In Model UN Conference In East Bay

Teens from Lamorinda and nearby will tackle such global issues as universal health coverage, drone use, migrants and climate during event.

PLEASANT HILL, CA – Approximately 350 Bay Area high school students, including from Lamorinda's Acalanes, Campolindo and Miramonte high schools, will take on the challenges of global diplomacy Friday and Saturday at the 28th annual Contra Costa County Model United Nations Conference.

Held at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, the two-day event gives high school students an understanding of the United Nations as participants act as "delegates," each representing a nation and negotiating on that country’s behalf.

This academic event is produced and directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education and coordinated by Erik Leiden, of Best Delegate, along with members of the Model United Nations Club at U.C. Davis.

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“Model UN is an excellent opportunity for students to display all the hard work and preparation they have put in, as they successfully discuss, persuade, and work with fellow committee members on real-world problems and complex international relations,” Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata said. “The skills they are currently refining with this program will be the same ones they’ll use in college and/or in their future careers.”

During the conference, delegates will debate international issues in 10 committees as Disarmament and International Security Committee, Security Council, United Nations Environment Programme and International Organization of Migration. Topics will include the use of drones, universal health coverage, global climate and migrants.

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The 15 high school teams participating in this year’s Contra Costa County Model UN are:

  • Acalanes High (Lafayette);
  • Athenian High (Danville);
  • Berean Christian (Walnut Creek);
  • California High (San Ramon);
  • Campolindo High (Moraga);
  • Carondelet High (Concord);
  • Christian Brothers High (Sacramento);
  • College Park High (Pleasant Hill);
  • De La Salle High (Concord);
  • Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon);
  • Foothill High (Pleasanton);
  • Liberty High (Brentwood);
  • Lycée de Francais San Francisco (San Francisco);
  • Miramonte High (Orinda);
  • and Northgate High (Walnut Creek).

Through the conference, students learn about cultures and policies of the countries they represent, along with mechanisms for peaceful resolution of disputes as they hone writing and speaking skills in order to persuade delegates from the various schools.

Model UN differs from other CCCOE programs, such as Mock Trial, as it is more "event" than "competition," according to organizers. Participants are commended for outstanding committee work, and certificates are awarded to committee rapporteurs. Individual delegate winners are recognized for debate and leadership skills, knowledge of issues and presentation of key resolutions. The event closes with a ceremony that recognizes the outstanding delegates.

To read more on the Model UN, click here.

-Image from 2017 Contra Costa County Model United Nations Conference, via Jonathan Lance, CCCOE


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