At Model UN, students work to solve global issues

When Harpeth Hall students see a problem, local or global, they work together to solve it. This year, 33 middle school students had the opportunity to research worldwide issues and write resolutions that could help solve them through Model U.N.

Model U.N. is an academic simulation of the United Nations where students play the role of delegates from different countries and attempt to solve real-world issues from the perspective of their assigned country. Using weeks of research to better understand their country’s physical, cultural, political, and economic geography, students identify a topic to be addressed and write policy that offers possible solutions. Those resolutions are then presented to their peers at a daylong conference for students from schools throughout the Nashville area. This year, Harpeth Hall students conducted research and presented resolutions designed to improve the safety of women in France, reduce domestic violence against women in Denmark, reduce the global gender pay gap, encourage countries to switch to renewable energy sources across the globe, and more.

Model U.N. captures the spirit of Harpeth Hall’s mission to “develop responsible citizens who have global perspectives and make meaningful contributions to their communities and the world.” It also builds students’ public speaking, critical thinking, and in-depth research skills as they prepare to become the next generation of leaders.

“I love the leadership opportunities that are involved with Model U.N. and seeing how problems throughout different countries are

Harpeth Hall’s 2022 Model UN Delegates

• The French team of Arabella Jodway, Helen Kempf, and Eliza Martin penned a resolution designed to improve the safety of women.

• Francie Beck, Liddy McEvoy, Margaret Simmons, and Sophia Huddleston represented Denmark and created a plan to reduce domestic violence against women.

• The delegates from Iraq, Abby Perkins, Lillian Floyd-Thomas, Sophie Hong, and Abrielle Davis, sought to use education to help solve the methamphetamine problem.

actually solved in the world,” said Annie Cooper, a 7th grade student and a winner of an Outstanding Delegate award at this year’s conference. “I presented a bill to prevent suicide throughout the world on behalf of Iran. I believe that this bill is important because if we are going to help the world in the future one thing we must do is create a safe environment and make sure people know someone is there to talk to them and help them through difficult times. This support could eventually prevent suicide.”

Of the nine resolutions presented by Harpeth Hall students to the conference assembly in the fall, one earned a place on the afternoon docket through the support of peer delegates, one was passed by the Model U.N. General Assembly, and three won the Outstanding Resolution Award. In addition to Annie, 8th grade students Sophia Huddleston and Abby Perkins were named as Outstanding Delegates.

“Model U.N. taught me that you must speak up,” Annie said, “and if you put yourself out there you can do great things in life.”

• The representatives of Iran, Graci Hodges, Zoe Johnson, and Annie Cooper, sought to prevent suicide by providing counseling resources to people throughout the world.

• The Belgium team of Aza Scheele, Christine Hagerty, Mary Kidd Lindsey, and Rebecca Settle created a resolution designed to combat drug trafficking and earned a place on the afternoon docket.

• Representing India, Mimi Steele, Asa Gibson, Anushri Ray, and Jia Tipnis urged Model U.N. countries to make a voluntary agreement to lower air pollution in their home countries. This resolution was passed by the Model U.N. General Assembly.

• Freya Heard, Parker Holley, Eliya Brandes, and Adelle Pitts represented Germany and won an outstanding resolution award for their plan to encourage countries to switch to renewable energy sources.

• Representing Equatorial Guinea, Elyana Borek, Betsy Thomas, and Sarah Turcotte, earned an outstanding resolution award for their plan to combat rising sea levels.

• Elise Amara, Olivia Stahl, Megan Uchrin, and Sanjana Geevarghese represented the Czech Republic and won an outstanding resolution award for their plan to reduce the global gender pay gap.