Purple Haze
Not just a debate team
By Lauren Bagian

Feb. 19, 2009

Northern’s Model United Nations Club is currently at their annual conference held at the Penn State Harrisburg campus. The members of the club were at the conference last night and will wrap up tomorrow. Preparation for the conference has been taking place all year.

When one thinks of a Model United Nations Club, a debate team may come to mind, and that is part of the process. At weekly meetings throughout the year, club members posing as delegates from different countries argue issues with apposing viewpoints such as the conflict in the Gaza Strip. It’s not really approving or disapproving of a certain country’s actions, but whether or not the UN should get involved or provide aid, and if the answer is “yes,” then how and to whom. Some other examples of discussion topics are world hunger, infectious diseases, civil wars in Africa and nuclear proliferation. Obviously, many topics are up for debate.

To participate in the club, one doesn’t need to know everything about global events or history to be successful and if one comes to the club expecting to know everything, he or she will most likely not enjoy their experience. What I love about the Model UN Club is that you learn an incredible amount of information from may different viewpoints, as well as important foreign relations procedures. With everything that is going on the world today, it’s great that our school provides an opportunity for curious kids to learn about what’s happening and how our political leaders deal with it all.

Though it is often overlooked, the Model United Nations Club has inspired some of Northern’s graduates to go into political science or participate in similar activities at their colleges. The club teaches writing and public speaking skills as well, which are vital in life. So if you know someone who is part of the club or if you are a parent of one of the participants, ask them about their experiences. Who knows, you might just learn something about our world.