With new nations arising, old nations crumbling and challenges between nations everywhere you look, has there ever been a more urgent and interesting time to be part of a Model United Nations?
The roughly 30,000 high school students who have participated at Gannon University's annual Model U.N. gatherings are uniquely qualified to take the long view to answer that question. Now in its 62nd year, Gannon's Model U.N. is believed to be the longest-running Model U.N. in North America.
This year, some 500 students representing 40 high schools in the tri-state area converged in the Hammermill Center on Nov. 7 and 8 to gain valuable debating and interpersonal skills, and to discuss and vote on pressing international issues, such as peaceful conflict resolution, economic development and human trafficking.
They might not be able to solve the intractable world problems of today, but with the skills gained at Model U.N., who knows what the future might hold for these leaders of tomorrow.