Waldorf Students Represent United Arab Emirates
at National High School Model United Nations Conference
by Yarden Carmon, 11th Grade

Between March 17th and 20th, 14 high school students from the Waldorf School of Garden City attended the 36th annual National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) conference in New York City. This four-day conference was a simulation of international diplomacy with the specific mandate of educating high school delegates from across the globe about real-world solutions to some of the most eminent crises that threaten the political stability of the increasingly-globalized society. The conference hosted over 1,500 high school students. The National High School Model United Nations provides the most well-organized and intellectually stimulating conference available to high school students. As a non-governmental organization recognized by the United Nations, delegates are able to engage in debate at both the Hilton Hotel and the United Nations International Headquarters on Manhattan’s east side.

“Our school represented the United Arab Emirates at NHSMUN this year,” said Mrs. Emmie Yaeger, Waldorf’s Model UN advisor and high school history teacher. “The speakers at the conference were very inspirational. In particular we were fortunate to attend a lecture from the Central Asia Institute to hear about the amazing work Greg Mortenson (the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller Three Cups of Tea) is doing by building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Each year, our students take a larger role in drafting proposals and steering the debate in their committees. I am very proud of the work they have done and the dedication they have shown to solving some of the most pressing global issues.” Participating in Model UN allows students to deepen their understanding of global issues and to see the world through the eyes of the international community.

Within the committees, the students not only debated with others, but also came together to create constructive Resolutions on which the rest of the committee had to vote. In addition, the participants also visited the United Nations and heard many speakers there. The trip was an absolute success. One student remarked, “Model UN is a great program because it allows us to put ourselves in the feet of world leaders, and work to solve real issues affecting real people.”

The Waldorf School of Garden City is a coeducational day school with classes from nursery through twelfth grade, and is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at (516) 742-3434, ext. 129 or proctorc@waldorfgarden.org.

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