(Posted November 18, 2014)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- High school students from central Pennsylvania will address global issues such as disarmament and international security, the recent Ebola outbreak in West-Central Africa, and the displacement of refugees as part of a Model United Nations conference for local high school students to be held at Juniata College Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in various campus locations.

The conference is coordinated and sponsored by Juniata College.
Ten high schools from the surrounding area will participate in the conference including Bellefonte Area High School, Hershey High School, Huntingdon Area High School, Juniata High School (in Mifflintown, Pa.), Northeastern High School (in Manchester, Pa.), Northern York County School, Octorara Area High School (in Atglen, Pa.), State College Area High, Susquenita High School (in Duncannon, Pa.), and York Country Day School.

"Juniata's high school Model United Nations conference is designed to provide a realistic simulation of the United Nations' work in international peace and security."

Polly Walker, assistant professor of peace and conflict studies,


Student representatives will discuss topics to mimic real-life scenarios in five committees of the United Nations. There will be two topics discussed in each committee. General Assembly 1 is a beginner committee that will meet on "Enabling Regional Disarmament in Areas of Conflict or Violence" and "Halting Sale and Transportation of Illegal Small Arms Across International Borders to Conflict Zones."

The World Health Organization (WHO) is also a beginner committee that will focus on "Methods for Containing Ebola Outbreak in West-Central African States" and "Frameworks for Allowing WHO Personnel into State Territories to Treat Disease Outbreaks."

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) intermediate committee will take a stab at "Solutions for the Displacement of Refugees in the Middle East" and "Improving Conditions and International Responsibility to Displaced Persons."

The advanced Security Council 1 will discuss the current situation in the Ukraine and ways to modify the benefits of global peacekeeping operations.

The advanced Security Council 2 will focus on "Actions and Aftermath in the Gaza Strip" and the "Continuing Threat of International Terrorism."

"Juniata's high school Model United Nations conference is designed to provide a realistic simulation of the United Nations' work in international peace and security," says Polly Walker, assistant professor of peace and conflict studies, "Students are assigned a country and a U.N. committee, and they conduct research on that country's position in relation to contemporary issues. Juniata College Model U.N. students are involved in the planning and execution of the conference, serving as role models in the skills of international diplomacy."

The regional Model U.N. conference is in its 16th consecutive year at Juniata. The Juniata students serving as committee chairs are as follows. General Assembly 1: Nathan Kohl-Wyatt, a sophomore from Helena, Mont. and Kevin Vanegas-Correa, a freshman from Keezletown, Va.; World Health Organization: Nicholas Good, a freshman from New Holland, Pa. and Louise Marion, an international student from Amiens, France; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees: Drew Goodwin, a freshman from Harrisburg, Pa. and Alexis Stone, a sophomore from James Creek, Pa.; Security Council 1: Stephanie Farfan, a senior from Sunrise, Fla. and Yadir Lakehal, a junior from Casablanca, Morocco; and Security Council 2: Maria Nachbor, a senior from Plymouth, Minn. and Jung Bin Park, a senior from Daegu, South Korea.

By:

Laura Bancroft '15

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.