Sacred Heart Greenwich Model United Nations (UN) team traveled to New Jersey, November 21 to 24, to participate in the Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC). Princeton University hosted the conference and opened their doors to over 1,000 delegates for the 14th year, according to princetonirc.org. Once at the conference, students split up into their respective committees to find a solution to their previously assigned dilemmas.
A staff of over 100 Princeton University students underwent months of training to make sure delegates have an immersive experience, allowing them to participate in impactful discussions. The conference encourages delegates to grow by creating an environment where they can discuss a wide range of global issues, each with their own historical, social and political context. They hope delegates gain a better understanding of the ethical implications of countries’ past actions, according to princetonirc.org.
The Sacred Heart team who participated in PMUNC consisted of freshmen Erin McCooey, Caitlin Ungari, Chloe Clarke, Leila Cortes, and Stephanie Stibler, sophomores Gabrielle Hughes, Natalia Wright, Catherine Ononye, Blaire Williamson, Meghan Marshall, Emilia Oliva, Miranda Zapata-Mardini, Gianna Rodrigues and Lucia Coviello, juniors Lexi Parsons, Dua Khan, Eloise Liggitt, Ellie Furman, Avery Quake, Caitlin Dean and Lily Broughton, and seniors Isabella Salerno, Starr Ramsey Boursiquot, and Emma Cannon.
These students worked individually as well as in pairs to prepare for this conference by writing position papers representing their assigned country. These position papers include the delegates’ countries’ beliefs on how to resolve a global issue they were assigned. Sacred Heart students represented several countries, including Mexico in nine different committees, Ghana in two different committees, as well as Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In their respective committees, delegates take turns addressing the issue at hand, representing their country’s position, proposing solutions, and engaging with others’ viewpoints. At the end of the conference, delegates collaborate to draft resolutions that reflect the view point of the committee. These resolutions are then put to a vote and must pass by a majority to be adopted, according to munprep.org.
Opening Ceremonies started at 5:00 p.m. November 21, and delegates then headed to dinner, followed by Committee Session I. The following day opened with Committee session II at 3:00 p.m., dinner, and then Committee Session III at 8:00 p.m. The weekend kicked off with committee session IV at 9:15 a.m. and a Committee Session V at 11 a.m. Committee Session VI began an 1:30 p.m., with the next Committee Session at 4:30 p.m. The final day of the conference commenced with Committee Session VIII and finally ended with closing ceremonies at 12:00 p.m., according to princetonirc.org.
Model UN at Sacred Heart provides students with opportunities to enhance their public speaking, writing, and research abilities. It fosters leadership skills and encourages engagement with both peers and the broader community. Through participation, students gain a deeper understanding of global issues and the ways in which internal matters influence the world. Junior Dua Khan commented on the impact the Model UN club has on her as well as her fellow club members.
“Model UN allows students to improve public speaking and confidence which adds a sense of achievement,” Dua said. “Passing a resolution paper and solving a real world problem in committee is the goal and also provides a sense of achievement. It helps students to understand and be aware of real world issues and their sensitivity. It fosters growth and encourages collaboration to expand our education on pressing issues which global citizens face.”
Featured Image by Eloise Liggitt ’26
