Closing Ceremony

Every YUNMUN has a closing ceremony in which the best delegates from each committee are recognized by their committee chairs. It is here where all of the preparations for YUNMUN bear fruit.

Delegations sit together in the main social hall of the hotel's conference center on shpilkes, hoping that their performance during the six committee sessions were recognized by their chairs. It is vital for each school delegation to have a cheer ready if/when a member of their team is recognized.

Unfortunately, this year's delegation did not win any awards at the conference. But that did not get anyone down. The experience was a positive one for everyone involved, with new lessons learned and new friends made.

Finnigan's Rule

BT sophomore Aaron F. ('13) shares some thoughts from his first YUNMUN experience

More like Gel-woman

Micaela G., a BT sophomore, relates some her experiences from her very first YUNMUN.

Kayla Kan

BT Sophomore Kayla K. shares some reflections on YUNMUN XXI

My experience at YUNMUN was both fun and educational. When we first got to the conference, we watched the Super Bowl. Though I am not a football fanatic, it gave me a chance to meet the people whom I would soon be working with. After the Super Bowl, we met with our committees. I represented Austria in the World Health Organization, otherwise known as the WHO. Besides creating resolutions, we laughed a lot and passed notes. Speaking in front of the entire committee was frightening, but I am now more comfortable speaking in front of crowds. Also, the food was delicious. Though our team didn’t win, we came back from the conference with confidence and a lot of inside jokes.

"Lip" Service

BT Sophomore Josh L. shares some reflections on YUNMUN XXI

As a novice in Model UN, I entered my first committee meeting rather confused as to the formalities and procedures of a United Nations session. When the seasoned delegate from Panama enthusiastically raised his placard and requested a ten-minute "caucus," I immediately sifted through my delegate handbook to learn the meaning of that technical term. I quickly became comfortable with the workings of my committee, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

My committee received a relatively silly crisis from the Secretary General stating that aliens descended from outer space and murdered people on an Azerbaijani beach and the UN Security Council. Striving to formulate a feasible resolution quickly, several countries motioned to present their resolutions within minutes of receiving this "alarming" emergency.

After engaging in intriguing debates regarding the issues of space debris and the formation of an international space agency, I feel knowledgeable on topics I likely would have never researched. The YUNMUN experience exposed me to dealing with world issues diplomatically as I discussed and often debated a means to solve these pivotal issues.

I definitely plan upon attending YUNMUN in the future because I feel that not only did the experience prove educational, but also I met the most amazing, intelligent people at the conference.

A Fresh Perspective

BT Freshman Caitlyn F. ('14) shares some of her reflections from the second day of Model UN

As a first timer at YUNMUN and one of very few freshmen, I was intimidated by the other delegates and how skilled they were. But after a day here, I’ve made so many new friends and I feel very comfortable in my committee.

My committee, UNEP (United Nations Environmental Protection), was assigned to a crisis: Yemen was going through a severe drought. We had one hour to decide on a resolution to solve this problem, otherwise the people of Yemen would die. Every country incorporated resolutions and ideas as to how to properly supply water to Yemen. However, after the final votes, none of the resolutions were passed and Yemen’s people died.

So now I can say that my committee was responsible for the death of a country. What a great way to start a conversation.

The Gift of Gab(e)

Second-year YUNMUN veteran and BT Junior Gabe Z. performed admirably at this year's conference.