Three Upper School students from Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut participated in Yeshiva University’s 35th Annual National Model United Nations (YUNMUN). This conference brought together teams from 45 Jewish schools from across the country to participate in a high-level competition, where students are tasked with working together to solve global issues.

The conference took place from February 23 through the 25, and the theme for this year’s gathering was Justice Around the Globe: Empowering the Next Generation to Make a Better World.

Yeshiva University describes this event as “a student-run simulation of the workings of the real United Nations that gives students an opportunity to experience and learn about the complex landscape of international diplomacy. In advocating for a given country, students must conduct thorough research of that country’s interests and policies across a wide range of issues and concerns, adding both to their knowledge of world affairs and to their appreciation of and facility with research, preparation, communication and critical evaluation.”

“Our students represented us well in many hours of committee meetings and through collaboration with peers from across the country,” said Upper and Middle School Jewish Studies instructor Devorah Kove. “By working hard and immersing themselves in a variety of geopolitical issues, they came away with a greater appreciation for the important work they have as future leaders.”

Students engaged in diplomacy and debates, prepared papers and negotiated treaties to address a variety of global issues. Students learned to think on their feet and collaborate with diverse viewpoints in their committees to achieve their goals.