Area High School Students Tackle World’s Challenges In Contra Costa Model UN

PLEASANT HILL, CA – Approximately 225 Bay Area high school students are convening this weekend at Diablo Valley College for the 26th annual Contra Costa County Model United Nations Conference.

The annual event kicked off Friday and is produced and directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) and coordinated by Kevin Felix Chan, of Best Delegate, along with members of the Model United Nations Club at UC Davis.

The two-day event enhances high school students’ understanding of the United Nations and its role in global issues. Participating students -- "delegates" -- each represent a nation and negotiate on that country’s behalf.

During the conference, delegates debate international issues in 10 committees, including Disarmament and International Security Committee, Security Council, United Nations Women, and United Nations Children’s Fund. Topics discussed include Eradicating Child Labor, The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Cybersecurity, The Political Participation of Women, and Reducing Global Food Waste.

Participating this year are Bay Area high school teams from: Acalanes High (Lafayette); Athenian High (Danville); California High (San Ramon); Campolindo High (Moraga); Carondelet High (Concord); De La Salle High (Concord); Deer Valley High (Antioch); Dougherty Valley High (San Ramon); Foothill High (Pleasanton); Lycée de Francais San Francisco (San Francisco); Northgate High (Walnut Creek); Pittsburg High (Pittsburg); and Tilden High (Walnut Creek).

“We are pleased to see so many high school students throughout our county and the Bay Area take advantage of our Model UN program,” says Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata. “Model UN is an excellent opportunity for students to display all the hard work and preparation they have put in, as they successfully discuss, persuade, and work with fellow committee members on real-world problems and complex international relations. The skills they are currently refining with this program will be the same ones they’ll use in college and/or in their future careers.”

This academic event also offers students an opportunity to gain substantive knowledge about the cultures and policies of the countries they represent. They can learn the mechanisms for peaceful resolution of disputes, while at the same time honing their interpersonal skills. They must practice writing and speaking skills in order to persuade delegates from other attending schools.

Model UN differs from the CCCOE’s Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial academic-event programs, in that it is not so much a competition as it is an event. Participants are commended for outstanding committee work and certificates are awarded to committee rapporteurs. Individual delegate winners are recognized for their debate skills, leadership skills, knowledge of the issues, and presentation of key resolutions. The event closes with a ceremony that recognizes the outstanding delegates.

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--Image and info courtesy of Contra Costa County Office of Education