While we have learned a lot about these issues, our real focus has always been the art of diplomacy, the quiet, behind-the-scenes strategizing, debating, and, in some cases, backstabbing art of diplomacy. We have seceded from the African Union, blocked the passage of resolutions that bigger countries tried to railroad through committee, and negotiated to have all Iraqi oil funneled through our country– all this together with more than 2000 other students from around the world. As any one of us can attest, being new to committee work can be intimidating. Committees of 500 can be downright frightening, but through this work we have all picked up the tools necessary to carry on the vital and important work of diplomacy. Because we all know what the failure of diplomacy can mean.

The students who attended the Model U.N. this year were 9th graders Danny Melchiorre, Josiah Smith, and Cassandra LePouttre; and 10th graders Brendan Gaffney, Ian Curtis, Charlie Weems, Rhys Evans, Alan Berman, and Gabe Isman.

– Thomas Heineman

Resolutions adopted by this year’s Harvard Model U.N.

[We] support the following proposals for the establishment of a NWFZ:
All countries must include a commitment not to produce or acquire nuclear weapons of any kind. A strict penalty must be set for anyone who violates this. Because of the need for energy, countries should be able to support peaceful nuclear programs, however this must be an explicit and clear proposal since there could be many loopholes in such a law that would be easy to exploit.

Sectarian Violence in Iraq:
Military force alone will not solve longstanding conflicts. It is necessary to provide a supportive socioeconomic platform for peace. Once we have established a plentiful way of life for these impoverished people, peace will come of its own accord.

Immigration from African countries into Europe:
The governments of African countries should analyze the situation and determine a way to maximize the potentials of their respective countries.

Immigration from African countries into Europe:
The governments of African countries should analyze the situation and determine a way to maximize the potentials of their respective countries.

The Spratly Island issue:
Without an immediate fair decision, this could very well be the first spark of an international war. And with our proposed plan, we could quickly settle this in 5 years, and swiftly ensure justice.

Reflections by 9th grader Danny Melchiorre on the Harvard Model U.N.

HMUN, or Harvard Model United Nations, was amazing. Around 2,500 international high school students from around the world attended. I have never before seen so many people crowded into one room. This shows how pressing and real the issues we discussed really are. These schools came from all over South America, Europe, Asia, including China, India, and Singapore, to name just a few. What we did over the course of four days was discuss a major world topic, create a working paper and resolution, and after much hard work and many hours we came to a very realistic conclusion or resolution and then voted on it in the end. For example, the topic our committee discussed was the establishment of a nuclear weapon-free zone in the Middle East. Each day we had two conferences, each about four hours long. Our committee sessions usually ended at 11:45pm, and we had to wake up early. HMUN is first of all a simulation of the actual UN: its entire body is set up like the UN, and we follow formal conference procedures, which was really neat. One day our conference took place at Harvard, which was really cool to see. The model U.N. is trying to accomplish many things, and there are many things I learned from it.

Each school represents a country. Our school represented Cote d’Ivoire. I can see the purpose of international cooperation at this time more than ever before, when divisions threaten the idea of an international community. I have developed a deeper understanding of the need for international cooperation to seek global solutions to global problems, where all countries are represented, their opinions and views expressed and heard by all. Everyone will have a different opinion as to what the threat is to our global community, but if we want our thoughts to be considered we must also listen to everyone else’s different views. As Kofi Annan said: “ understanding is the essence of the international cooperation for which the United Nations exists.” Also, as Benjamin Zimmer said: “ The future of humankind may not lie in the immediate balance; but should we at HMUN fail, what hope is there for the rest of the world?” It was a rigorous four days, but well worth it.