This past Tuesday, the Rambam MUN team competed in the Yeshiva League Model United Nations competition at the Young Israel of Woodmere.
Students participated in five unique committees, debating a wide variety of issues including abortion, the war in Yemen, artificial intelligence, and more.
What makes Model UN different from other forms of speech and debate is its emphasis on collaboration and real-world practicality, while still leaving room for the occasional silly bit. To succeed, delegates must work together, carefully balancing domestic interests with compromise and diplomacy.
Students represented either Cyprus or Iran and took special care in drafting their UN resolutions, keeping in mind not only their country's stance, but also committee budget constraints, the jurisdiction and authority of the United Nations, and the importance of national sovereignty.
The debates were not limited to prepared topics, however, because this conference also featured crises. A fictional Hantavirus outbreak spread throughout the MUN, infecting victims through their feet. Delegates were forced to craft creative and often hilarious solutions for containing the virus. Some proposed wearing stilts to keep the economy functioning while avoiding contagion, while others argued it was a biological weapon created by the West and demanded retaliation. To make matters even more chaotic, rhyming was one of the "symptoms" of the MUN Hantavirus, forcing delegates to debate in rhyme.
Due to their creative solutions, strong preparation, and outstanding speaking, Yosef Harris (12th grade) and Avichai Yosipov (12th grade) both earned honorable mentions in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and Security Council (SC), respectively. Congratulations to them and the rest of the team for their hard work and dedication throughout the session.