Model U.N. is back. On October 24, 2008, ten students and three advisors from Ogdensburg Free Academy went to the annual Canton Model United Nations conference. Model U.N. has been inactive in Ogdensburg for two years with the retirement of Ed Barr and has recently been reintroduced to students in the High School by Elizabeth Ladouceur and Susan Stewart, both Social Studies Teachers in the district. Jake Morley, a substitute and former model U.N. delegate and Dan Buckley, a student teacher at OFA this year have also been co-advising to get the Ogdensburg delegates on their feet and prepared for their first conference.

Model U.N. is an authentic simulation of the United Nations General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. Model U.N. promotes student and teacher interest in international relations and related subjects, increases the capacity for students to engage in problem solving, teaches aspects of conflict resolution, research skills, and communication skills, and creates the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

The Canton Conference had four committees: Eco-Soc-discussing environmental sustainability and education for the poor, Security Council-discussing the conflict in Georgia, and Regulating private military corporation, a Nuremburg Tribunal, and Eco-Soc committee-focusing on African Issues. The Ogdensburg students that participated did a great job and we are very proud of their performance. The following students participated in the Canton conference: Amanda Calton, Katie Heiss, Meghan O’Brian, Jenna Amo, Amy Ogden, Lyndon Pressler, Carole Shattuck, Brent Gauthier, Brendan Merna, and Hana Qudsi.

The Canton conference had 170 students involved from seven schools. The next conference is at Lisbon Central School on November 21st and we are expecting a higher volume of interest after the great experience had by all in Canton. Currently, the membership of Model U.N. here at OFA is over twenty students and still counting.