Chapin represents at the Model United Nations
by Zoe Pangalos, Class 10
 “Motion for a 10-minute unmoderated caucus?”
This phrase and many other points of parliamentary procedure echoed around the halls of Harvard University and the Sheraton Boston this past weekend. What was going on? The 55th annual Harvard Model United Nations Conference, where 20 students from Chapin — along with more than 2,500 other delegates from around the world — sat in conference after conference, debating world and political issues and trying desperately to reach resolutions.
On the morning of December 6, as most Chapin girls rushed to their first class, those of us who would represent Chapin boarded a bus for New England, accompanied by three wonderful faculty members: Lauren Tartaglia, Ellen Baylor and Harmony Skillman.
We arrived at our hotel around lunchtime and had a few hours to see Boston before our first committee session. Some of us explored the city and found various boutiques, coffee shops, markets and restaurants, while others shopped. By evening, we were back in our rooms preparing for our first committee session. We were allowed to represent either Yemen or Pakistan and to serve on various committees such as world health, disarmament and security, legal, World Bank, UNICEF and others. All these conferences were led by Harvard students.
Over the next few days, we sat in committee sessions for more than 25 hours and debated, wrote and argued with other students in order to pass working papers and resolutions. We tried to propose solutions for issues such as illegal child-trafficking, education for females in Muslim countries, the development of slums, drug-resistant diseases, state-sponsored terrorism and freedom of religious expression.
Also attending the Harvard Model United Nations were representatives from various non-governmental organizations. Delegates could meet with these representatives to try to get funding for their ideas.
A particular highlight of the conference was the visit to the university campus on December 7. All the delegates toured the grounds and held committee sessions in Harvard classrooms. It was great to have exposure to such a famous university.
Overall, the trip was a great success. It was a terrific way to meet other students from around the world and to participate in debates about current issues that affect cultures everywhere, as well as to get the feel of life in a “college town.” I know I speak for everyone when I say that all of the Chapin girls are eagerly anticipating next year’s trip.
|
