Costa MUN will compete in annual UPenn conference

unspecified-1 — Model UN students participate in a conference. Costa’s Model UN program will attend the 53rd annual conference at the University of Pennsylvania from Jan. 31- Feb 3.

Sam Bell

Staff Writer

Mira Costa’s Model United Nations program will attend the 53rd annual conference at the University of Pennsylvania from Jan. 31- Feb 3 competing against schools from across the country.

Costa MUN has been preparing for the conference for months, which includes weeks of research and writing position papers. The conference will contain 28 distinct committees: 8 large General Assembly (GA) committees, 4 medium-sized Economic and Social Councils (ECOSOC), 8 Specialized Agencies, and 8 fast-paced Crisis simulations.

“It is important for the youth, as a growing generation, to be able to stay involved with world news and understand what problems need to be addressed,” senior delegate Lauren Goldston said. “Understanding the potential problems and discussing solutions is an essential part of the high students’ involvement in the debate.”

The conference, taking place at the University of Penn, is just a short trip from many of Philadelphia’s iconic cultural and historical stops, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Reading Terminal Market, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the historic Old City.

“While in the city, we tour Philadelphia and see some of the important sites such as the Liberty Bell and participate in team building activities,” Goldston said. “We also continue to prepare for debate throughout the week and our debate starts the Thursday of the week we are there and goes until Sunday.”

Over 300 UPenn student staffers will be attending the conference in addition to high school students from around the world coming together for a stimulating debate. The conference is a platform from which the world’s next generation of young leaders can unite to solve the globe’s most pressing issues.

“All the of the topics debated are extremely relevant in the international community today,” Goldston said. “It is extremely beneficial for us to discuss possible solutions to these important issues.”
Ivy League Model United Nations (ILMUNC) is considered Costa’s most competitive conference of the year. Some of the most skilled delegates are invited to compete against the best teams in the country, according to Goldston.

“People from all over the country from different levels of expertise will be at the conference,” Goldston said. “The debate is quite competitive and we have a good, skilled group going on the trip to represent Mira Costa. ”