High schoolers show UN how it's done
By Vinu Ilakkuvan | December 4, 2007Nearly 800 business suit-clad high schoolers descended onto Grounds the weekend of Nov. 16. Though this was all many University students saw of the the International Relations Organization's annual Virginia Model United Nations conference, behind the scenes, 16 committee chairs and vice chairs, four staff directors, seven crisis directors, 30 staff members and a secretariat of seven people had worked hard throughout the past year to make the event a success. Participants debated issues ranging from arms deals in South Africa to the Iranian nuclear program, toured the University, wrote working papers, voted on resolutions and attended a dance during their time on Grounds. Third-year College student Charlotte Slaiman was this year's secretary-general of VAMUN, placing her in charge of the entire conference. "It's a huge undertaking," she said, citing the presence of hundreds of high school students, all accompanied by adults, along with a significant staff of University students.
