Maggie Walker’s 19th annual Model United Nations conference, GSMUN, will take place on March 11-12, 2016. The event, consisting of 22 independent committees, expects to bring in delegates from 30+ schools across Virginia and Maryland. Over 600 middle and high school students will debate policy issues ranging from the role of the aristocracy in 14th century Japan to the ethics of modern stem-cell research.
GSMUN strives to promote awareness of international issues in our community. To carry out this goal, the conference invites a keynote figure to speak to delegates about pertinent global matters. This year, GSMUN XIX is excited to welcome former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard. As the first female Prime Minister of Australia, Gillard served from 2010 to 2013 and brought reforms to Australia despite facing harsh economic conditions following the aftermath of the global financial crisis. She reformed Australian education and environmental policies and oversaw a tumultuous debate regarding immigration and the treatment of asylum seekers.
Headed by a student Secretariat, GSMUN is also dedicated to raising money for global charities. Model United Nations students from all grade levels participate in school fundraisers, culminating in conference donations and merchandise sales during the weekend of GSMUN. Previously, the conference has supported charities like Free the Children and the Afghan Institute of Learning, and last year, the conference raised over $10,000 for Apne Aap, an Indian organization dedicated to stopping sex trafficking. This year, GSMUN XIX will raise money for One Hundred Pounds of Hope, an organization that provides education and emergency relief to the people of Cambodia. Already, the students have coordinated three bake sales, candy gram sales, and a benefit concert featuring international cuisine and student performers.
The theme of this year’s conference is Wake the Nations. Much of the current leadership team has participated in Model UN all four years at Maggie Walker, and several even attended GSMUN as middle schoolers. John Metz, the Secretary-General of the conference stated, “I’m excited about the opportunity to see the same sense of wonder in the eyes of our delegates that brought me to Model UN when I was their age.”
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at the event, contact John Metz ([email protected]) or Mr. Smith ([email protected]) for more details!
