The International Institute of Buffalo hosted its most successful Model United Nations competition to date, its 21st year of sponsoring the event. This year’s gathering topped last year’s competition as the largest ever, registering 883 students from 47 area high schools. The delegates represented 76 countries. The students gathered at Knox and Norton Halls on SUNY Buffalo’s North Campus.
“There are no other events like this in scope or size; Model UN is the marquee event of our education mission,” said Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, executive director of the International Institute of Buffalo. “I can’t think of another educational experience that convenes such a large number of eager, goals-oriented students dedicated to learning about the world beyond our borders. While they are doing that, they are improving their research, writing, debate, public speaking, and negotiation skills.”
Model UN allows students to experience a day in the life of UN diplomats and has had a strong and positive impact on the youth of Western New York. Student delegates prepared, debated, amended, and voted on resolutions, resolved conflicts, created alliances, and ultimately followed the actual UN General Assembly procedures. Student delegates take months to prepare for their diplomatic roles.
To effectively demonstrate their diplomatic roles, students researched their country to sustain authentic representation at the Assembly. Through their participation, they learned how the international community addresses today’s concerns, such as peace and security, economic development, human rights, food and hunger, and globalization.
At the closing ceremonies, awards were presented to the best resolution, the top delegation in each committee, and the top delegations overall. congratulations to this year’s winners. You can view the full list below.
Best Resolution: City Honors (Germany) “Increasing the Jurisdiction and Outreach of the International Criminal Court”
School Submitting the Most Selected Resolutions: City Honors (17)
Delegation Winners
Best Delegation Overall: Kenmore East (Begium)
Second Place Overall: Williamsville East (China)
Third Place Overall: St Joseph’s Collegiate Institute (Argentina)
Special Merit (4): Alden High School (United Kingdom)
Special Merit (5): City Honors (Ireland)
Special Merit (6): City Honors (Germany)
Special Merit (7) Tie: Lancaster (Turkey)
Special Merit (7) Tie: Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart (Venezuela)
Special Mention (9): Lancaster (Finland)
Special Merit (10) Tie: North Collins (Brazil)
Special Merit (10) Tie: Williamsville East (USA)
Committee Winners
Excellence in Committee/ Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian: Kenmore East (Belgium)
Excellence in Committee/ Ad Hoc Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian: Williamsville East (China)
Excellence in Committee/ Special Political: Alden (United Kingdom)
Excellence in Committee/ Ad Hoc Special and Political: Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart (Venezuela)
Excellence in Committee/ Political and Security: Kenmore East (Belgium)
Excellence in Committee/ United Nations Environment Programme: Lancaster (Turkey)
Excellence in Committee/ World Health Organization: Alden (United Kingdom
Excellence in Committee/ Economic and Finance TIE: Lancaster (Finland)
Excellence in Committee/ Economic and Finance TIE: Williamsville East (China) and Lancaster (Finland)
This year’s competition concluded with an address delivered by this year’s keynote speaker, S. Todd Brown, Dean of the University at Buffalo School of Law, whose insights inspired delegates to pursue global understanding and leadership.
