Model United Nations (MUN), an organization where students all over the nation can imitate delegates of the United Nations and brainstorm solutions to current issues such as the right to privacy in the digital era or combating racial discrimination, has come to Benilde- St. Margaret’s with the help of seniors Ronan Brew and Ma “Frank” Kaichen. 

This club provides many opportunities for students that are interested in improving their critical thinking skills. The organization offers separate branches for various age groups, such as International Model United Nations Associations (IMUNA) that hosts global conferences, National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) for high school students, and Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) for those aged 9-15. “[Model UN is] a form of public speaking to start off with and allows people to solve problems and work together to find solutions,” Brew said. 

Over the past three years, students in Mr. Josh Belanger’s Life Skills class were offered the opportunity to participate in the MMUN, which was held in New York City. At the conference, the students were able to experience a new way of learning outside the classroom. 

This year, Brew and Kaichen were able to introduce MUN to the Senior High. Kaichen originally spoke with Ronan Brew about an idea to begin MUN. The seniors were then able to bring this idea to life with the help of Mr. Matthew McMerty-Brummer. “[Model UN] was in Junior High but no one was passionate enough to start the club [in senior high],” Brew said. 

Now, Senior High students can learn the skills taught by this organization and communicate with others on social issues. BSM Model UN members will meet every Friday with the first few practices covering the basics of MUN. This will help those who are new to the club to have a broader idea of what the club will entail. “Soon we’ll probably start to stimulate the actual conferences that we’ll be going to by breaking off into different groups to try and find solutions to things like gas emissions, world hunger, etc,” Brew said. 

The members are planning on attending a few conferences around the metro area to further enhance their MUN skills. These lessons taught through MUN are limitless. “[It is an] opportunity to experience Model UN and meet new people with the same interest,” Brew said.