Student diplomats shine at Model United Nations conference

The art of diplomacy and negotiation come easily to Rebecca Sangster-Kelly and Mike Boomer.

These Malaspina University-College Global Studies students won Best Diplomat awards at a Model United Nations (UN) conference in Vancouver recently. Malaspina student Patrick Edgerton was named Best Delegate.

“Our students performed extremely well,” said Global Studies professor Dr. Catherine Schittecatte, who encourages students to participate in Model UN activities.

“This type of conference is a valuable complement to classroom learning. It enriches students’ understanding of world politics, and engages their interest in important issues. Students quickly realize that studies in International Relations and Global Studies can be applied in the real world and potentially lead to interesting careers.”

The annual Model United Nations conference brings together more than 300 high school and post-secondary students from Western Canada and the United States who represent various countries on committees replicating United Nations multilateral forums. Student diplomats debate and negotiate world issues ranging from illegal invasions of countries, to Aids, to sex trafficking. 

Sangster-Kelly, a graduate of Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville, got involved with Model United Nations activities at Malaspina during her second year of studies.  Last year, she won an honorable mention for her diplomacy skills at the Model UN conference.

This year, she represented Brazil on the World Health Organization committee, while Boomer represented Ecuador on the United Nations Human Rights Council.“It’s a lot of extra work to prepare for conferences like this, but it is fun,” said Sangster-Kelly. “You learn so much.”

Edgerton, a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts student at Malaspina,  plans to pursue a law degree. "The conference is a great way to meet like-minded people, and an excellent experience for me personally ," he said. "My role as Chief Justice on a Model UN committee tied in perfectly to my area of interest.”

Sangster-Kelly said student delegates spend hours preparing for their diplomatic roles at conferences. "It takes a lot of reading, research and planning," she said. "All this is over and above our regular studies. As a delegate, you must be well prepared at these conferences. The goal is to reach consensus on foreign policy. Model UN conferences are a fantastic way to learn about how an international body like the United Nations operates, and what it takes to be a diplomat."

Sangster-Kelly currently serves as the president of Malaspina’s Model United Nations club. The club is looking for first and second year students who are interested in joining. For information, send an email to rsangsterkelly@gmail.com