Two groups of Santa Margarita Catholic High School students attending near-simultaneous Model United Nations in England and Panama recently earned several awards for their work as representative delegates.
A total of 19 of the students attended the 33rd annual Royal Russell Model United Nations Conference held in East Croydon, just outside of London, while the other six attended PANAMUN XXII in Panama City. The conferences were so close together that the London group was flying home as the Panama group was preparing to leave at Los Angeles International Airport.
The conferences allow students to debate economic, political, and social issues facing the international community in a mock meeting of the United Nations. Topics such as child soldiers, hydraulic fracking, and the situation in Syria were among the topics that were discussed.
At the Royal Russell Conference, the students represented the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates. The Santa Margarita delegations won a record 10 individual awards and the students representing Mexico were recognized as a Highly Commendable Delegation.
A week later, PANAMUN opened with a keynote speech by President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela. SMCHS students represented the United Kingdom and took home five awards.