Future Diplomats in Action: Janesville Students Make Their Mark at Model United Nations

A group of bright and ambitious students from Janesville CSD recently had the opportunity to step into the shoes of real-world diplomats at a Model United Nations (MUN) conference (a simulation of the actual United Nations where students debate and collaborate to solve pressing global issues).

Representing the countries of Japan and Sweden, Janesville students joined peers from other schools to tackle topics ranging from access to education to limiting the use of space weapons. Each student took on the role of a country delegate, working to form alliances, debate global policy, and ultimately draft a resolution that addresses the issue assigned to their 25-country committee.

While the goal of the conference is to pass a well-crafted resolution, students also had the chance to be recognized for their individual performance. The highly sought-after Best Delegate Award goes to the top-performing student diplomat in each committee (out of nearly 40 delegates competing).

Preparation for the conference was no small task. Students first mastered the formal parliamentary procedure, the structured format used in all MUN debates. From there, they dove deep into research, examining real United Nations resolutions, learning about their assigned country's foreign policy, and building evidence-based proposals to bring to the table.

According to students, one of the biggest takeaways was the intensity of debate and the depth of knowledge needed to engage meaningfully with other countries. It was a powerful learning experience, and the Janesville team is already looking ahead to competing at a higher level at next year’s conferences.

The two-day event at the University of Northern Iowa was full of highlights:

Marshal Davison made Janesville MUN history by passing the team’s first-ever law, which defined Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems…a major contribution that helped set the tone for his entire committee’s debate.

Jillian Anderson and Isabela Burch passed a resolution that promoted global music initiatives, creatively blending diplomacy with cultural advocacy.

Dalton Brinkman drafted and passed a resolution on refugee security, which passed with a significant majority (an impressive and rare accomplishment).

“This experience pushes students to grow in so many ways,” said Riley Hamilton, the group’s advisor. “They develop confidence in public speaking, improve their ability to think on their feet, and learn how to collaborate and negotiate effectively with others—all skills that will benefit them long after the conference ends.”

The future of global diplomacy looks bright!