Recently, OBHS sophomore Rose Lindstrom decided to take a tour of the United Nations in Manhattan. Why did this intrepid student make the trip into the city? “I joined the OBHS Model United Nations club when I was a freshman. I realized it would be a perfect club to boost my debate skills and learn about real world problems. Model UN inspired me to visit the real United Nations building in New York City”.

Rose was very impressed with the United Nations, and she also explained how the club prepared her for her visit. “As I learned in Model UN, very important human concerns are discussed at the UN. Seeing the General Assembly Hall, where members of the UN gather annually, was really eye opening to me”. While Rose was inspired by the physical building itself, she was even more inspired by the mission of the United Nations. “The UN has 17 enormous goals, including ending poverty and hunger, gender equality, education, and access to clean water, and combating climate change. Overall, they want to work to build a better world, and create peace and prosperity while doing it”.

“What is great about Model United Nations is that we debate the same issues as at the real United Nations, and we also attempt to reach solutions, as they do,” Rose said, explaining how her time in Model United Nations prepared her for her visit. “To me, learning the skills to attempt to combat these complex problems is extremely important. Mrs. Harris [one of the club advisors] is extremely knowledgeable in the historical background of these issues, and she is always encouraging students to examine an issue from all sides to fully understand the weight of them.”

Ms. Jessica Bader, Director of Humanities for the Oyster Bay East Norwich School District, met with Rose, and they discussed Rose’s time at Model UN and her decision to visit the real United Nations. “We need more civic-minded young adults like Rose who want to learn to work with people of different cultures, backgrounds, and identities in order to address global concerns.”

Rose was positively excited by her time at the real United Nations. “I recommend that other students visit the United Nations because it really puts the world into perspective. In this building, representatives from countries all over the world meet with a common goal: to maintain peace and make a better world”. Rose concluded that “If you visit the UN, you will feel absolutely captivated!”

Date Added: 12/15/2022