By Regan Simpson – Contributor

On Sunday, Oct. 22, Bishop’s University was the site of the Model United Nations Fun Run. Despite the cold and rainy weather, runners made their way around campus completing a five km loop. The run was led by Midge Cadeau and marks the first of many fundraising events the Bishop’s Model United Nations delegates will be running this year. 

Model United Nations (UN) at Bishop’s University began as a club in 1997 and became a credit-granting course the following year. The POL 352/354 practicum is a year-long course offered through the department of politics and international studies, currently taught by Prof. Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé. The course is designed to prepare a team of students to participate in the National Model United Nations Simulation in New York City in March. Over a week in New York, the delegates will work with students from over one hundred countries to create solutions to global problems such as food insecurity, climate change and nuclear weapon management. This year, Bishop’s has been selected to represent Poland on nine different committees.

While the national simulation is the course’s capstone event, the delegates participate in several simulations before their departure to New York to perfect their negotiations, writing and public speaking skills. Included in this is the Quebec Model United Nations simulation, which will take place at Bishop’s University on Feb. 3, 2024. QMUN invites delegations from CEGEPs and universities all across Quebec to participate in a larger simulation before New York and gives the delegates further experience towards perfecting their understanding of the rules of the game and diplomatic interactions. Falling on Winterfest weekend, QMUN will showcase Bishop’s campus to potential future students and other Quebec universities alike. This will be the 25th year of Model United Nations at Bishop’s University.

Delegates will be selling CJMQ radio-bingo cards in the Student Union Building over the next few months, as well as unveiling a United Nations-styled beer at Doolittle’s. Each of these efforts will contribute to achieving one common goal: funding a trip to New York City to compete in the most prestigious university-level United Nations simulation in the world. 

Model UN continues to foster critical thinking and global awareness among those involved, nurturing the next generation of leaders adept at diplomacy and international relations. Through simulating the complexities of real-world diplomacy, Model UN encourages empathy, collaboration and a deeper understanding of global issues, promoting a more interconnected and peaceful world. 

Anyone with an interest in governance or international relations can consider applying for the next cycle of Model UN at Bishop’s in 2025-2026. It is one of the staple experiential learning opportunities Bishop’s has to offer. 

If you have any questions about Model UN at Bishop’s, you can reach out to this year’s head delegates Mikael Worku (mworku20@ubishops.ca) and Regan Simpson (rsimpson20@ubishops.ca) or Prof. Martin-Brûlé herself. You can follow @ubishops.mun on Instagram to stay updated.