Tackling Issues on Global Scale : A Model U.N. Conference Draws Student Delegates to Mission Viejo

More than 1,500 high school students from throughout California and New Mexico assumed the roles of world leaders and began debating international issues during the Model United Nations conference at Mission Viejo High School.

For the past several weeks, students have been rehearsing for the event, representing countries, groups and organizations, such as the World Bank, the European Union and the Organization of African Unity for the conference, which began Friday.

“They’ll discuss the relevant issues of the day, from the events happening in North Korea to Bosnia,” said Debbie Kund, adviser for the host school.

Model United Nations is an international, nonprofit group that has heavy participation from students on each coast and overseas. Mission Viejo has been the site for the West Coast conference for the past 12 years.

Today, the group will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, complete with cake and speeches.

In addition to current world issues, the weekend also will include a look into critical events of the world’s past. Kund said students will focus on the year 1968 and the Vietnam War.

“This is the best kind of college preparatory course,” she said. “It gives confidence in public speaking, research and writing skills. Their level of understanding about world problems is light years ahead of normal kids in high school.”

In past years, Mission Viejo High School Model United Nations students have traveled to conferences at Stanford and Harvard universities, among other places.

For information about the conference, which ends Sunday, call (714) 837-7722.