Last Step: Attending Cornell Model UN Conference

This weekend from April 16th- 19th, 20 Emma Students, including myself, attended a four day conference at Cornell University. With more than 200 delegates and 20 different committees, we spend four days debating different topics and experiencing more of what it feels like to be an ambassador of the UN. 

We had the opportunity to listen to Ravi Karkara at the Opening Ceremony. Ravi Karkara "is a trained Social Worker with commitment to advancing human rights, gender equality, inclusion, and social justice". All of the Emma students were amazed by the speaker especially because of what he had to say about gender equality. He spoke about the He for She campaign, and encouraged young men to sign the pledge. The most interesting part of his speech was the way he began. He portrayed the way the United Nations work, and how it is not Me, We, or Them, it is Us. In addition to speaking about Gender Equality, he also spoke about his time in India, and the important things he had learned from his mother and from his education. He reiterated that education is vital for us, and it is crucial that we are able to support children who are in need of an education. 


This was an amazing conference to attend, and the Emma Willard delegation had an amazing time and learned more about Model UN and its complex uses. In addition, we got to see Cornell, experience how the College Town is during the day, attend a delegate Dance, and meet students from different states and countries who are also passionate about MUN.

At the Closing Ceremony, students were awarded, and although Emma Willard did not receive any awards, Mary R'16 received a verbal commendation in her committee. I am very happy for everyone's work at the Conference, and I hope the Model UN Club decides to attend again next year.