Advisor:  Matt McMerty-Brummer

A simulation in which students, representing UN member states, meet to find solutions to common problems. It offers a world of opportunity where concepts and principles from the classroom can come to life. Join us and change your world.

What is Model United Nations? 

As our hosts at the YMCA state, "For three days every spring, students take part in an experiential learning process as Ambassadors and UN Officials in simulated international diplomacy. Students in grades 7-12 can choose to serve in the General Assembly, International Court of Justice, Economic and Social Council, Security Council, Human Rights Council, or the Media. Model UN offers students the chance to experience the richness of different cultures around the world, develop empathy, and hone their critical thinking skills while engaging with a wide variety of perspectives and global issues."

What are the benefits of Model United Nations?

According to the YMCA, "Participants in Model UN learn how countries interact with each other and gain a global perspective on the issues that impact our everyday lives."  During the three-day conference, the students will: "Learn and practice vital life skills -- critical thinking, complex problem-solving, public speaking and emotional intelligence. Work as a team to discover ways to make positive change."

March, 2023:

Thank you all for your support of Model United Nations this year. BSM had a very successful showing at the state conference

• 27 Red Knights in grades 9-12 participated
• 32 schools represented from across Minnesota and western Wisconsin
• 505 students participated
• 3 days - Thursday, March 30 - Saturday, March 31
• BSM represented the 7 countries of Portugal, Belgium, Peru, Israel, Slovakia, China and Ukraine
• BSM earned best delegate awards (like a state championship) in three of the nine categories: Francesca Lichtenberger, Milla Mirkovic and Al Brown
• Francesca won best delegate for the third consecutive year, a first for a BSM student
• Michael McDonald was elected as president of the International Court of Justice for the 2024 conference, the first BSM student to serve in a state-wide leadership role
• BSM students participated in the following committee and debated the following topics
  • Economic and Social Council
    • Economic Colonization
    • Water Scarcity & Accessibility
  • Human Rights 
    • Protecting Human Rights on the Internet
    • Ukraine Refugees
  • Social, Humanitarian & Cultural
    • Digital Divide in Education
    • Reproductive Healthcare and Access
  • Special Political
    • Environmental Impact of Pharmaceutical Industry
    • Floods & Rising Sea Levels
  • International Court of Justice
    • our representative from China issued a memorial against India
    • our representative from Slovakia issued a memorial against Belarus
  • Political & Security
    • Journalists in Conflict Zones
    • Election Legitimacy & Oversight
  • Global Forum
    • Feeding the World
  • Legal
    • International Drug Policy
    • Rights of Children with Incarcerated Parents
  • Economic & Financial
    • Compensation for Colonialism
    • Global Debt Crisis

February, 2023

The Model United Nations conference at the University of Minnesota is off to a great start. Several students rose to share their opening speeches, effectively representing the researched positions of their respective countries. We have enjoyed watching all of the students debate and collaborate with 282 peers from 13 schools across the metro to create solutions to their topics. 

This year we have students representing the following countries

United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA)

topic - Drastically Reducing Maritime Pollution, including Plastic

General Assembly Third Committee: Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues (GA3)

topic - The Right to Privacy in a Digital Age

March, 2022

Congratulations to Elizabeth Gallager, Jonathan McMerty-Brummer, Michael McDonald, Francesca Lichtenberger, Luke Evans, Max Jackson and Elijah Vroman for representing BSM at the Minnesota State Model United Nations Conference (March 25-27). Special congratulations to Francesca and Luke for earning state champion honors as the Best Delegate in their respective committees! With over 400 participants, BSM earned 2 of the 9 Best Delegate awards. Well done!