Students show concern for international issues

Sunday, November 26, 2006

By Lucille Rice

The leaders of tomorrow have spoken: They care about issues and international conflicts far beyond the valley, and are working toward a safer, cleaner, brighter world. The first Teton County Model United Nations Conference was held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Journeys School. Seventy-three students from the Jackson Hole High School, the Jackson Hole Community School, and the Journeys School participated in the simulation of the United Nations and three of its main bodies. Each student represented a nation of the world and its political agenda, and demonstrated the clout it holds in the world order. Each committee ­ chaired by teachers and volunteers ­ debated, proposed resolutions and voted on important issues, all while following United Nations protocol. The Teton County Model UN was sponsored by Interconnections 21, a local nonprofit with worldwide reach that works with schools and communities to promote global awareness through educational workshops, hosting guest speakers and organizing student conferences, among many other programs. The Global Connections club is one of the many ways that IC21 works with valley schools to educate students on international affairs. For years, the club has sponsored trips to model UN conferences around the nation and in Mexico. When JHHS history teacher Jeff Brazil chaperoned one of the trips, he saw the potential of incorporating model UN in schools, said Susie Rauch, founder of IC21.

The three valley schools have since incorporated the program into their curricula through history classes or general requirements and have collaborated in an effort to educate students on global issues.

"I think it is our role as educators to help students see the world from a more international perspective," said Amy Fulwyer, history teacher at the JH Community School and chair of the conference's UN Environmental Program.

"Living in Jackson, we have a particular responsibility to being informed of world issues. The conference raises awareness of current issues and helps students find ways to solve them." Participating students have a strong interest in international issues such as global warming, human rights and nuclear proliferation

"If you don't pay attention to what's happening on the global stage, how can you be an educated voter?" asked Zeke Trautenberg, a junior at the JH Community School and the conference's Secretary General. "So much of what happens in the outside world affects what happens here ­ like global warming and the price of fuel. Our whole economy [in Jackson Hole] is touristbased, so if fuel prices go up, it will affect tourism and how many people visit the valley." Student delegates represented 16 countries throughout the three UN committees simulated. The Security Council, chaired by Brazil, discussed the genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan and North Korea's nuclear intentions. The UN Environmental Program, chaired by Fulwyer, passed resolutions on the availability of clean water to all. And the Human Rights Council, chaired by IC21 volunteer Leah Schlachter, debated immigration and its effect on individuals and nations.

"The maturity level has impressed me," said Jordan Schreiver, a JHHS junior representing Venezuela on the Security Council. "We have been having better conversations than the college student conferences I have been to."

Some students had prior model UN experience while others were newcomers to the conference.

"Event though it's my first MUN conference, I really like the atmosphere," said Journeys School freshman Brandon Kapelo, who represented France on the Environmental committee and helped sponsor a resolution on clean water. "There is a good mix between debating current world issues and acting, because you get into character while representing your country."

Students, teachers and volunteers spent months preparing for the conference, researching their assigned countries, studying the issues extensively, looking at what the UN is and how it proceeds, said Fulwyer. An awards ceremony concluded the twoday event and recognized outstanding delegates. One student from each committee was chosen based on performance, preparedness and recommendations from fellow students and the chairs for being outstanding delegates. Garnet Henderson from the UN Environmental Programme, Ian Johnston from the Human Rights Council, and Dexter Patterson from the Security Council were recognized as outstanding delegates at the conference. All three students attend JHHS.

"For me, it's a way of life," said JHHS senior Tanya Zaist. "Being more aware of global issues and trying to educate others about them is a way of giving back to the world. Learning about international issues or conflicts such as the genocide in Darfur makes you realize how fortunate you are. It makes you conscious of your everyday actions and how they can be modified to have lesser impacts [on the environment]."

- editor@planetjh.com

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Students show concern for international issues | Planet JH News Article: Journeys School

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