Schools
Super-sized Model U.N. Event Invades SMCHS
Santa Margarita Catholic High plays host to nearly 1,300 students, the biggest one-day Model United Nations conference on the planet.
Nearly 1,300 students from 20 different high schools attended the South Orange County Model United Nations Conference (SOCOMUN) on Saturday at Santa Margarita Catholic High.
The SOCOMUN conference is the largest one-day MUN conference in the world. Students from all over California and Arizona attended. The event was organized by students Garrett Williams of Coto de Caza and Kate McNally of Rancho Santa Margarita.
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SOCOMUN is a chance for high school students to learn about the Model United Nations Program, which simulates the workings of the United Nations.
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On Sept. 24, the 67th session of the real United Nation's General Assembly began formal meetings. As the real UN went back to business, so did student delegates at SMCHS.
The SOCOMUN conference is unique in that it is a training conference, said John Remmell, the MUN advisor at Santa Margarita.
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"The conference starts off with instructions and explanations and then lets students give it a try in a safe atmosphere,” Remmell said.
High school students serve as delegates discussing global issues such as state-sponsored terrorism, HIV/AIDs, drug control, deforestation, and child labor.
“SOCOMUN is a great way for first-year delegates to become emerged into the world of MUN," said Garrett Williams.
One of the delegates in attendance, Bob Timberlake of Manhattan Beach Mira Costa, called the event, "A great way to start the year off for MUN."
