Watching the Next Generation of New Minds Solving the World's Challenges: 44th University of Calgary High School Model UN 2018 Feb 24-25 2018

With the participation of over 500 students from 25 different high schools in Calgary, the 44th High School Model UN took place February 24-25 2018. Looking at a wide range of issues - from the weaponization of space, to cyber-security - these students bring with them a brain power and desire to understand the international system that places them at the top of their peer groups. It is amazing to watch their ability to understand the worlds challenges and even more hopeful to see the solutions that they propose.

We were fortunate to have Dr. Ian Brodie come to give the keynote address at the closing banquet. We asked him partly because as chief of staff to former Prime Minister Steven Harper and as such he has had the opportunity to watch and participate very closely in the creation of Canadian foreign policy. But we also asked him because he was a model UN participant during his university days. Thus he was able to talk about how his model UN experience helped him to develop the skills needed later in the career. As such he gave a very enjoyable and enlightening speech.

The list of those who have been able to build on their experiences at MUN of course does not stop with Dr. Brodie. Both Pierre Poilievre -Conservative MP- and Naheed Nenshi -Mayor of Calgary were former participants in the High School model UN at the University of Calgary. They represent different ideological schools of thought, but both have needed to have the ability to understand complex issues, to be able to work in a group to address these issues and to emerge as dominate actors within their chosen field to ensure that solutions are developed in which they play a key role. These are the skills that we saw the entire weekend being developed and perfected among some young but very smart students. For those of us that have been involved in supporting the Model UN for a long time, one of its best pleasures is watching the development of the careers of so many of the participants as they continue their intellectual path to success.

With the active support of the University of Calgary, Faculty of Arts, VP International and Department of Political Science and the hard work of Davina Basse and her student team and Bonnie Walters among others, this years event proved to be the biggest and best yet. We are already looking forward to next year!