Sachem Hosts Model United Nations Conference

Sachem High School North hosted its first Model United Nations Conference this week.

Students from high schools on Long Island and Queens traveled to Lake Ronkonkoma to take part in debate sessions mocking the actual world organization's set up.

From cyber terrorism to biodiversity and every economic and environmental issue that impacts the world at-large, hundreds of students debated and came to resolutions.

"This helps you become a better world citizen because you're learning to debate international world topics that are affecting us all right now," said Garima Yadav, the conference's public relations officer, and a junior at Sachem.

Delegates were give a 55-page packet explaining everything from intricate details about each discussion topic, to the formal way of presenting ideas on the floor of each session.

There were four breakout groups: United Nations Environment Programme, General Assembly, Security Council and World Health Organization.

What are your thoughts about the weaponization of outer space? How about the evaluation of the environmental crisis response throughout the United Nations' system? Maybe you have thoughts on reforming the International Energy Agency?

That's just a sampling of what students spoke of Friday and Saturday.

"The is the most wonderful experience a high school student can have, especially those interested in political sciences and humanities," said Dr. Georgia Afxendiou, one of the club's advisors at Sachem. "It allows them to compete against other kids with the same interests and allows them to form friendships outside of this school."

"It allows me not only to engage in public speaking and research skills," added Kimberly Nentwich, the Secretary General, but to get involved in current events, see what's going on around the world."

Patchogue-Medford, Connetquot, Plainview-Old Bethpage and St. Francis Prep all traveled to Sachem to take part in the conference.

Sachem's group will travel to Johns Hopkins University in February for a larger scale debate.

"These are the guys and girls who are going to be running the world," said Kevin Miller, the club's other advisor. "They are going to be professors and lawyers and doctors and scientists. It's the beginning of everything for them."