The Sacred Heart Greenwich Model United Nations (UN) team participated in the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference (ILMUNC) January 25 to 28. The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) hosted the convention this year, welcoming 2,000 student delegates from high schools across the United States (US) to their campus. Participants engaged in debates to propose solutions to global issues while advancing their public speaking and communication skills, according to ilmunc.com.
This year marks the fortieth annual ILMUNC conference, a student-led simulation of the UN where students participate in meaningful discussions of global issues. The theme for the 2024 assembly was “building bridges, not walls,” and ILMUNC hopes to cultivate an inclusive environment that hears and values the perspective of every delegate. The conference also seeks to provide a platform for students to converse about current topics and create lasting change through deciphering issues, according to ilmunc.com.
Senior Ella Breitenbach serves as club head for Sacred Heart’s Model UN team. She believes that Model UN is an intriguing opportunity that instills confidence in students to challenge the world and improve their skills and abilities.
“I think that going to conferences builds public speaking skills and confidence because you have to talk in big rooms, make sure your voice is heard, and be able to speak with complexity in front of many people,” Ella said. “You can talk about global issues that you have studied for about a month, and after immersing yourself so thoroughly in these topics, it’s cool to see how students come out of their shells.”
The Sacred Heart Model UN team at UPenn consisted of freshmen Catherine Ononye, Gianna Rodrigues, Gabrielle Hughes, Lucia Coviello, and Isabella Salerno, sophomores Ellie Furman, Caitlin Dean, Lily Broughton, Clare Junius, Michaela White, Dua Khan, Katya Kalinichenko, and Avery Quake, juniors Starr Boursiquot and Emma Cannon, and seniors Julia Pujadas, Camila Oliva, Sophia Sigro, Caitlin Costello, and Ella Breitenbach.
Before attending the convention, delegates worked either in pairs or individually to write position papers for their committee. Students from Sacred Heart represented the country of Slovakia through multiple committees. At the start of the conference, delegates first identified the most pressing issues for discussion. Then, they collaborated with other students and proposed solutions to global challenges. Mrs. Souad Malih, Upper School World Language Teacher and Upper School Coordinator of Student Activities, and Mrs. Aixa Candanosa, Academic Dean for the Classes of 2025 and 2026, served as faculty advisers for this trip. Mrs. Malih commented on Model UN’s influence on life skills and experiences from the trip.
“Model UN is an opportunity for students to gain leadership roles and is a platform that provides students with opportunities to develop and deepen their understanding of global issues,” Mrs. Malih said. “The primary hope for our students is to gain valuable insight into international affairs, diplomacy, and problem-solving. I hope that the students also develop critical thinking skills and abilities to solve problems, be aware of some cultural differences, and engage in diverse perspectives during the conference.”
Through the Model UN club, students have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and abilities in public speaking. The club aligns with Goal Three of Sacred Heart’s Goals and Criteria, “a social awareness which impels action.” This goal empowers young women as Sacred Heart students to become global leaders and work towards a brighter future. Mrs. Malih commented on the club’s influence on young women gaining leadership.
“Model UN is a way for girls to develop a sense of leadership, and it is important because it empowers students here and gives them a way to step into leadership roles,” Mrs. Malih said. “It provides them with a unique environment with opportunities to develop their voices and collaborate and lead discussions, as Model UN aims to empower women in a world of politics that men dominate.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ’26
