By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Some high school students in Sitka are learning about the world but from the perspective of a small country in West Africa.
Sitka High’s Model United Nations team is to represent Cote d’Ivoire at the diplomacy simulation exercise Feb. 21-23 at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and is asking the community for a little help with lodging costs.
“I was interested because there was another girl on the team (who encouraged me),” said freshman Juel Fowler. “Also I saw it on ‘The Simpsons’ and I thought it would be fun to try.”
The teens, led by student teacher Owen Fulton, practice after school, and research for their roles serving on such committees as Convention on the Law of the Seas, the World Health Organization and the Industrial Development Committee.
Being on the Model U.N. team requires a lot of research, and thinking about the world from the perspective of another nation. UAA, which is organizing the event, assigned Cote d’Ivoire to Sitka.
“I’ve always known about the U.N.,” said junior Nellie Onalik. “Once I heard we were going to have this group to replicate what they go through, it interested me.”
Ariel Popelka, a sophomore, said the idea was brought up at her most recent parent-teacher conference, with Fulton.
“They told me it would be good for college, and Juel was an influence,” Ariel said. “It’s been an interesting experience for me. I didn’t know anything about geography, different countries or problems they face. With the research, I go way more in-depth than I thought I would.”
“It brings a whole new perspective,” agreed Nellie.
The students said they’ve been enjoying their time on the team, although it has meant extra work.
“You can take a break from worrying about U.S. problems; it’s interesting to learn about how other countries deal with (issues). You get a new opinion about how the world is run,” said Juel.
Model UN is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and its other multilateral bodies where students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more, said the website for Model U.N. Through the exercises students participate in, they learn about the United Nations, international relations and diplomacy, and develop such skills as public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership.
In the exercise, Fulton said, “students break up into committees, and within the committees, they propose different solutions to global problems.”
Fulton, 22, said the University of Alaska Fairbanks Model U.N. program had been dormant a number of years when his political science professor suggested starting it up again. Fulton ended up not only participating in the UA conference that year, but traveling to New York City for the exercise at the United Nations.
He said the activity isn’t competitive in a traditional away, although prizes and scholarships are awarded. He said the main benefit is the research, policy-making and public speaking skills that participants gain.
“It’s introducing you to new perspectives,” Fulton said. “You don’t just handle preventing wars and global security, but you talk about global warming, migration. ... Any committee you end up on you get experience relevant to what your goals are in life.”
Sitka High will be among 13 high schools to participate in Model U.N. at the upcoming exercise, in addition to teams from UAA and UAF. Four of Sitka High team members and Fulton will attend the conference.
Those interested in donating to the team’s trip can go to gofundme.com, and type in Sitka High Model United Nations.
