VCS Hosts Model UN Conference

March 22, 2022

On Saturday, March 19, Vermont Commons School hosted the state’s largest conference of the Model United Nations, a simulation of the UN General Assembly where high school students perform an ambassador role while debating topics such as gender equality, climate action, global health, and more.

The conference, currently the only in-person Model UN in Vermont at either the high school or collegiate level, host 25+ students from 5 high schools to debate for 8.5 hours taking on two weighty topics: the Syrian civil war and the Watergate scandal. Students from Vermont Commons were joined by delegations from Seton Catholic School (Plattsburgh, NY), Rice Memorial High School (South Burlington, VT), and St. Johnsbury Academy (St. Johnsbury, VT).

Vermont Commons social studies instructor and Model UN faculty advisor Mark Cline Lucey has been instrumental in supporting the Model UN program at Vermont Commons. He noted, “Back in 2010, when I brought our first crew of students to the Dartmouth Model United Nations Conference, I had no idea that it would become such a powerful and defining part of the Vermont Commons experience and our mission of global responsibility. Our students don’t shy away from learning about and wrestling with important global issues. I’m really proud of our team for carrying on the tradition!”