East Leyden’s Model United Nations club is preparing for their next meet in Lansing, Michigan on December 7 and 8 following their attendance at the St. Ignatius meet.

 A meeting was held on November 15 to help focus the research and there will be “23 kids participating,” co-sponsor Alex Jomarron said. This will be the fourth year Mr. Jomarron will participate in the MUN meet in Lansing.

“What they have to do is research their country, research their committee and figure out what that country’s stance on the issues would be,” Mr. Jomarron said. He added that students must show preparation and the ability to communicate their country’s stance.

Model UN is a club where members roleplay the United Nations as delegates and are assigned a country in a committee to discuss. Club meetings are often before actual meets and Mr. Jomarron encourages communication through the club’s discussion page and with him directly through his email.

“The purpose is to increase young people’s global awareness, [as] this world is ever increasing,” Mr. Jomarron said.

Model UN meets are large and not intentionally competitive, though there are occasionally rewards offered for the top delegates and teams. “The idea is to create resolutions and agreements,” Mr. Jomarron added.

According to Mr. Jomarron, the St. Ignatius MUN meet last month was a learning experience for Leyden’s four rookies and a confidence booster for the two returning students. At the meet there were over 500 students from dozens of schools representing countries from all around the world.

Any student interested in getting involved with MUN should contact Mr. Jomarron.