Year in Photos: Best Delegate & Model United Nations in 2020
byConna WalshonJanuary 4, 2021
We all entered the year 2020 with anticipation – we made New Year resolutions, we made travel plans, we got excited about everything the year would hold. When the COVID-19 pandemic jolted into our lives, it was difficult to grasp exactly how much of an impact this disease would have on the world.
As quarantines and lockdowns stretched from February and March through April and May, it became clear that this would be a long battle. Especially here in the United States, where Best Delegate is based, we realized that things would not be getting back to normal anytime soon. Like many different communities around the world, the global Model United Nations community decided to take action. Conferences moved online, teams met virtually, and everyone learned how to use Zoom breakout rooms. Students, educators, and parents around the world continued to dedicate themselves to empowering growth and change through Model UN.
Here at Best Delegate, we know it’s been a hard year for everyone. As we move into 2021, we want to celebrate the resilience and positivity in the global MUN community. In this photo review, we remember the amazing educational experiences of virtual Model UN, the difficult but necessary conversations of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the massive changes to our shared world. We will see you all in 2021 – let’s make it a wonderful year!
Pre-COVID: January to February
In January, Best Delegate team members Laurabeth Goldsmith and Ryan Villanueva traveled to the United Arab Emirates to host an educator training workshop all about how to implement Model United Nations in the classroom.
In February, Best Delegate Co-founder Ryan Villanueva gave the keynote speech at NHSMUN 2020, the opening ceremonies of which were hosted at the United Nations Headquarters.
Also in February, Ryan visited the MUN team at Lexington High School in Lexington, MA, where they discussed public speaking, research, and all things Model UN!
MUN in the Time of COVID: March to May
In light of the pandemic, Best Delegate cancelled all in-person programs and quickly pivoted to virtual Model United Nations. The first virtual program offered this year was MUN Online Debates (MUNOD) – over 870 students participated in spring semester MUNODs, including many students who joined multiple debates. Delegates discussed important topics like the COVID pandemic, Access to Clean Water & Sanitation, Ending Poverty, and more. Watch our webinar on how to teach Model UN online!
Best Delegate staff member Georgina Kenchington worked with Model UN students & Faculty Advisor John Remmell from Santa Margarita Catholic High School for a special MUN Online Debate.
In May, Model UN Students from Cerritos High School organized and participated in their own conference after their final events of the school year were canceled. Over 20 upperclassmen staffed the conference for 70 freshman delegates. Faculty Advisor Jason Watanabe wrote that the experience was a treasured memory for his students, especially for graduating seniors.
Also in May, Model UN students from the Korea International School in Jeju also hosted their own virtual MUN conference! Both middle and high school team members participated in the conference. Faculty Advisor Nick Harris wrote that the conference was educational and gave the students an opportunity to have a fun MUN experience during difficult times.
On May 25th, George Floyd was killed by police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His murder re-sparked massive global support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and the United States was once again confronting systemic racism, police brutality, and racial injustice. Recognizing that Black students and students of color have historically been severely underrepresented in Model United Nations in the United States, Best Delegate felt a need to amplify Black voices in Model UN. On June 8th, a virtual student panel was hosted to provide a platform to Black students and professionals with MUN experience. Additionally, community members reached out and provided insight into how to make Model UN more equitable overall.
Top Row, Left to Right: Madison Glenn-Lawson, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School ’20 Jamey Battle, UCLA ’21 – Panel Moderator Miles Nabritt, Bates College ’21
Bottom Row, Left to Right: Vyette Tiya, American University ’19 Nathan Snipes, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School ’20 Sarai Leon, Florida International University ’22 Momona Hadish, DC International School ’21
Virtual MUN in Summertime: June to August
Best Delegate started off the summer with the Virtual Model United Nations Institute (VMUNI) – an online version of our annual summer programs! This summer, the Virtual MUN Institute hosted hundreds of middle school and high school students to debate important global topics. VMUNI was a great way for students to stay connected while COVID-related lockdowns were still in place over the summer.
The Virtual MUN Institute would not have been possible without the amazing staff! From teaching classes to managing logistics, the Summer VMUNI staff was incredible. Learn more about the summer staff here!
In August, Global Leaders Online Model United Nations (GLOMUN) was hosted, and featured 12 committees to foster debate among Model UN delegates from around the world. With a leadership team comprised of students from 12+ countries, GLOMUN was a truly international endeavor. As one of many new virtual MUN conferences this year, GLOMUN was a wonderful way for students to stay involved in MUN during COVID.
In late August, Best Delegate announced a year-round version of the Virtual MUN Institute – a way for students to stay connected and dive deeper into MUN during the school year. Fall VMUNI included a brand new MUN learning model that included Courses, Conferences, and Community. Students were able to spend their time making new friends, learning about the world, and becoming leaders.
Back to Virtual School: September to December
The Virtual MUN Institute started off in September, with hundreds of students working together in their Courses, Conferences, and Community. This quote is from one student’s experience during VMUNI this past fall! Learn more about peer learning through Model United Nations here.
In October, Best Delegate hosted a panel of experts on how Model UN conferences and organizations could continue creating educational experiences in the era of COVID. Experts included Faculty Advisors, Secretaries-General, and MUN professionals. Watch a recording of the webinar here!
In November, the McGill University Model UN team hosted a virtual iteration of the annual Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium (SSUNS). Their keynote speaker was none other than Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada! Best Delegate Co-founder Kevin Felix Chan hosted a workshop for students about Model UN, and Co-founder Ryan Villanueva hosted an Advisor workshop as well as the Closing Ceremonies keynote.
Best Delegate launched Virtual Model UN Conferences (VMUNC) this fall as well! Open to VMUNI students and any other students who wish to join, VMUNC offers monthly Training Conferences for Model UN beginners and Invitationals for advanced delegates. The November & December VMUNC iterations hosted hundreds of students each – check out the November recap article!
In December, Best Delegate launched Model United Nations Teams! Model UN Teams are exactly what they sound like! It’s similar to being on a private sports team where students from different schools get together and compete for awards at national Model United Nations conferences. MUN Teams will meet once a week for an hour after school between February 15 – April 23 (ten weeks total) in preparation for two MUN Conferences in March and April. Early registration ends on January 15th– learn more here!
