Delegates make speeches on the topic of blood diamonds in General Assembly Plenary at Mira Costa LAIMUN
I visited the Los Angeles Invitational Model United Nations Conference (LAIMUN) hosted by Mira Costa High School this past Saturday. Over 850 delegates from 17 schools participated across 22 committees at the novice conference, which aimed to introduce students to Model UN.
LAIMUN featured a “docket-style” debate format, which differs from most Model UN conferences in the United States. Mira Costa required delegates to submit resolutions before the conference instead of position papers, which is typically required at other conferences. The chairs of each committee selected the best resolutions, assembled them into a docket, and posted them online. This docket served as the basis of each committee’s debate and delegates were expected to write amendments instead of resolutions during the conference. The only exception to this were LAIMUN’s Security Council committees.
The conference was a great opportunity for me to learn more about what makes Mira Costa, last year’s #1 ranked high school Model UN team, so successful. I had a chance to speak with several Mira Costa student leaders, including Secretary-General Mackenzie Austin and Under-Secretary-General Michael Powell, as well as advisors Bob Timberlake and Wayne Knutson, about how they research and prepare for every conference. I plan to write about what the Model UN community can learn from Mira Costa later this week.
In the meantime, click here for my LAIMUN photoblog!
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- Delegates make speeches on the topic of blood diamonds in General Assembly Plenary at Mira Costa LAIMUN
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- Delegates discuss the docket on the situation on the Korean Peninsula in 1st Committee DISEC
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- The dais staff of 1st Committee DISEC
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- The dais staff of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime
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- The student advisors of University High School
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- Mira Costa Advisors Bob Timberlake and Wayne Knutson decked out in Christmas swag
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- The dais staff of the double-delegation Security Council
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- For every conference, Mira Costa delegates prepare one-page “laminates” summarizing their research, country policy, and possible solutions in bullet points and images, which they can easily refer to during speeches and caucuses
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- A crisis update in the double-delegation Historical Security Council
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- Local middle school students served as committee pages, helping delegates and dais staff pass notes. They also get to learn about Model UN and determine whether they want to join in high school.
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- The dais staff of the double-delegation Historical Security Council
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- The International Maritime Organization
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- The IAEA dais staff used this comment key to provide feedback on delegates’ resolutions
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- The dais staff of the IAEA
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- The Korean American Coalition represented South Korea at LAIMUN, which was the first MUN conference for many of their delegates
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- University High School delegates at closing ceremonies
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- Cerritos delegates at closing ceremonies
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- The LAIMUN staff wait to present awards at closing ceremonies
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- A Korean American Coalition delegate receives an award at his first MUN conference
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- LAIMUN Secretary-General Mackenzie Austin (right) with Mira Costa alumni
Special thanks to Mackenzie, Michael, T, and K for showing me around the conference and speaking with me about Mira Costa Model UN! Congratulations to all LAIMUN delegates and staff on a wonderful conference!
