Over the weekend of November 22-24, 70 students ranging from Grades 8 to 12 attended the 2013 session of the Connect Model United Nations. High school students with all levels of experience came from all over the Lower Mainland to attend this Model United Nations conference. Students became delegates of their assigned countries in various committees, ranging from the all-powerful Security Council, the economic World Bank, to the environmentally-friendly Environment Programme. Students were presented topics that required the cooperation and deliberation between countries to solve the issue at hand while still keeping their own country’s self-interests in mind. The aim of Model United Nations is for the delegates to leave the conference with a renewed sense of global awareness and international relations.

St. George’s School has been planning for this conference since mid-September under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Verne Becott, Dr. John Hughes,  Ms. Christine Wessler, Ms. Tanya Jones, Ms. Sarah McLean, and head delegate Kenneth Huang (10). The ever-growing list of forms and payments were well organized by these individuals before the conference and their patience in chaperoning the students was exceptional during the conference. The entire St. George’s School delegation would like to express their appreciation to these faculty members taking time off their much-needed long weekend to make ConnectMUN 2013 a remarkable experience for all.

Many delegates from the school displayed high level diplomacy, debate, and knowledge of international affairs. These students were nominated and selected by the dais, or the group in charge of a committee.

Quinton Huang (11): Best Delegate (Russia for UNSC)

Chris Pang (9): Best Delegate (Commonwealth)

Kieran Halliday (11): Best Delegate (Cote d’Ivoire for SOCHUM)

William Guo (10): Best Delegate (United States of America for DISEC)

Jason Qu (9): Outstanding Delegate (United Arab Emirates for the OIC)

David Yang (10): Honourable Mention (Argentina for DISEC)

Eshan Cheema (10): Honourable Mention (Australia for WHO)

Evan Johnson (10): Honourable Mention (Togo for IBC)

Along with boys who won awards were St. George’s students who were on the dais in various committees. These boys were given the challenge to oversee and moderate debate in their respective committees:

Spencer Louie (11): Director of DISEC

Ian Tai (11): Chair of NATO

Alan Wong (11): Chair of WHO