Tustin High School sponsored its 21st annual Model United Nations Conference on Saturday and Sunday, November 23rd and 24th. Approximately 1,500 students from high schools throughout California participated in both Novice and Advanced committees. Thirty students and several teachers from the Czech Republic and Canada were in attendance as well.
At Opening Ceremonies, Tustin High MUN alumnus Brian Forde served as this year’s honorary Secretary General. Tustin has a long-standing tradition of inviting THSMUN alumni to speak about the impact of Model UN. Tustin High School’s MUN program was started in 1991 as an extracurricular activity and has evolved into a four-year academic leadership academy curriculum.
Opening Ceremonies in Tustin High’s Sport Pavilion
Through debate and collaboration, delegates discussed topics ranging from political legitimacy in Southeast Asia to the use of torture during war. In addition to GA and ECOSOC committees, THSMUN also hosted specialized committees such as the Papacy, Politburo, and a joint crisis with Iran, the U.S., and Israel. Novice committees were one day long, while Advanced committees lasted for the duration of the conference.
THSMUN XXI has seen an increase of around 100 delegates from last year’s conference, and it is one of the major high school-hosted conferences on the Southern California circuit. “This annual student-run conference serves as a vital fundraiser for the Model United Nations program. It’s the largest MUN conference held west of the Mississippi,” said Tustin High MUN Academy Director David Waldram.
Delegates of Novice WHO take notes during a speech
The Advanced Specialized NGO committee drafts solutions for expanding universal primary education
Tustin High School’s Principle Jonathan Blackmore (left) and Assistance Principle Troy Fresch (right)
Unmoderated caucus in Advanced GA Plenary
Advanced Commission on Science and Technology for Development (STDev) in an unmod caucus
This year THSMUN gave out General Assembly and ECOSOC awards; Santa Margarita Catholic High School took home the large school award for both both GA and ECOSOC, and Ghar High School won the GA and ECOSOC small school award.
Did you attend THSMUN XXI? Leave your comments, insights, or general musings about the conference below!
