Students Recognized for Model Government Simulations
In late February, Principia College students made their mark at two separate government simulations—the 2021 Midwest Model United Nations and Model Illinois Government. Due to pandemic restrictions, these annual events were virtual. But this did not inhibit the opportunities for students to build their negotiation and consensus-building skills and gain in-depth knowledge of specific international issues.
Midwest Model UN
The Midwest Model United Nations (MMUN) conference simulates the governing process of the United Nations for regional students interested in government and world affairs. Junior Caroline Carlson, senior Sammy Keller, and sophomore Samuel Robalino participated in the simulation February 18–20. Caroline and Sammy represented Afghanistan on UN General Assembly committees focused on specific issues, and Samuel represented Tunisia on the UN Security Council.
Samuel won an Outstanding Delegation award within the Security Council. Caroline won an award for her position paper. And Caroline’s and Sammy’s committees each adopted resolutions sponsored by Afghanistan.
“My main takeaway from taking part in MMUN is an affirmation that in my career I want to somehow be involved with international affairs,” Caroline says. “Additionally, this experience showed me that I do have the knowledge, confidence, and ability to successfully take part in an event like MMUN.”
Model Illinois Government
On February 26 and 27, three College juniors—Delaney Gatine, Sophie Hills, and Erin Demaree—participated in the Model Illinois Government (MIG) simulation. The simulation mirrors the workings of the Illinois Legislative Assembly.
Delaney, Sophie, and Erin assumed the role of legislators in the model Illinois House of Representatives, debating legislation from the prior year's actual Illinois proceedings. Organizers selected Delaney as majority spokesperson for her House committee, and she received the simulation’s award for the Outstanding Committee Person in the House.
“With my role having been on opposite political sides of the House over the last two simulations,” Delaney says, “I have learned that every bill is debatable but also that bipartisanship is not as uncommon as it is made to seem.”
As the students attest, the simulation helps build knowledge of leading state-level public policy issues, parliamentary procedure, and public-speaking skills. “Representing a constituency is complicated,” Delaney says, “and requires representatives to work with each other if anything is to get done.”