Select Page

On Thursday, November 5 the Canisius College International Relations Program will welcome more than 380 students from 18 area high schools to campus for the 37th Annual High School Model United Nations Conference. Student-delegates will represent countries from around the world – some 188 delegations in all – and will discuss, debate and attempt to formulate resolutions on pressing issues of the day, including but not limited to the migration crisis, the situation in Yemen, problems associated with trans-border drug trafficking and the economic empowerment of women around the world.

The conference features six concurrent simulated sessions of international deliberative bodies including the United Nations Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Human Rights Council, as well as a historic simulation of the UN Security Council in May 1965. A volunteer staff of nearly two dozen Canisius College students will moderate and adjudicate the proceedings, which challenge participants to learn rules of parliamentary procedure as well as information about specific countries’ positions on controversial international issues. Our volunteer staff is largely drawn from our new student club, the Model UN Diplomacy Organization (MUNDO).

Please take special care when driving near Montante Cultural Center and the Student Center between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. as there may be student delegates and school buses present in these areas. I thank you in advance for showing that warm Canisius College hospitality to our guests.

The International Relations Program also thanks the Canisius College staff (including events management, public safety, dining services, admissions, and especially Amy Beiter of the Political Science Department and the work-study students there) and our hardworking college volunteers for making this stimulating and educational experience possible for our guests.

Submitted by: Jonathan M. DiCicco, PhD, associate professor, political science, director, international relations program