Storm King School’s Model UN Team has spent countless hours preparing for their upcoming National High School Model UN Conference (NHSMUN). The conference is being held at the United Nations Headquarters and the New York Hilton Midtown from March 2-5. As the world’s largest Model UN conference, hundreds of schools and thousands of delegates from all over the world will be in attendance.
Student delegates at NHSMUN 2017, during an unmoderated caucus; Photo © nhsmun.com
This event will provide our students the opportunity to interact with high-profile United Nations delegates, including an in-person visit with diplomatic representatives from the country they are representing—Niger; further authenticating the experience, and giving our students an insight into the challenges of international diplomacy.
Student Delegates at NHSMUN 2017 in the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations Headquarters in New York; Photo © nhsmun.com
To gain an edge in this highly competitive environment, Storm King students set up a conference call Thursday, Feb. 28, to Stuttgart, Germany in order to speak with Mr. Brian Ross of the United States Africa Command. Mr. Ross, who currently serves as the “desk officer” for Tunisia at the US-Africa Command, has also served in the Department of Defense as the desk officer for Niger and other nations in the region.
Our students delegates for NHSMUN 2018, speaking with Mr. Brian Ross of the United States Africa Command
Each of Storm King’s six delegates, namely Alex Neighbors ’22, Dominique Gooden ’21, Pierce Pramuka ’20, Asia Raacke ’19, Kakazi Kacyira ’18 and Joe Dawson ’18, prepared questions for Mr. Ross on issues which they will address when representing Niger at the NHSMUN Conference. The subjects included terrorism, security, piracy, human rights, women’s issues, the protection of minorities, and other social, economic, and policy issues.
Kakazi Kacyira ’18 speaking with Mr. Ross
While he answered their oftentimes difficult and complex questions, Mr. Ross provided valuable insights about Niger and other central African nations, and his in-depth experience of the region proved to be a great resource for our students.
As they finalize their strategies and presentations using Mr. Ross’ input, we wish the Storm King MUN Team good luck at the conference and cannot wait to hear all about it when they return!
Pierce Pramuka ’20 speaking with Mr. Ross