Model United Nations Team Competes in The Hague, Netherlands

Last week, 11 Upper School students and two faculty members traveled to The Hague, Netherlands, to participate in the 56th Annual The Hague Model United Nations Conference (THIMUN). Held from January 23-26 at The World Forum Conference Center, THIMUN is the largest MUN conference in the world, with over 3500 secondary school participants from 178 schools worldwide. 

Participants explored world issues such as child exploitation, AI and labor protection, sustainable agricultural practices, promoting education in LEDCs, and many others. While focusing on these issues, delegates devised solutions through discussion, negotiation, and debate. 

The Saint Andrew’s Model UN Team represented the Delegation of Sweden. Students simulated roles as delegates on the UN General Assembly, Human Rights Commission, Environment Commission, Sustainable Development Commission, and ECOSOC. The main goal of a delegate is to be the lead architect/submitter of a resolution that the entire committee approves or to be a co-submitter of an approved resolution. 

“We are so pleased to say that every Saint Andrew’s delegate was a lead submitter or co-submitter on an approved resolution,” noted faculty advisor Dr. Jason Schipper. “The SA Model UN Team had one of the best performances of any school at THIMUN.”

Before the conference began, the SA MUN Team traveled to Amsterdam for a day and had the opportunity to tour the Anne Frank House, explore the city center, and take an evening canal cruise through various central waterways. Throughout the trip, the SA MUN participants continued to share their thoughts on what an incredibly social, educational, and cultural experience the trip was for everyone involved. 

Matthew Forkey, ’24, was one of the 11 students who attended the conference. As Delegation Ambassador and Team President for SA MUN, he noted that the team worked hard and was very productive during the conference. When asked about what specifically interested him the most about the conference, he said, 

“One of the most interesting things for me was all the new students we met. Since it was an International conference, I met people from India, Germany, Uzbekistan, and other places.” 

SA MUN faculty advisors Dr. Jason Schipper and Mrs. Anita Orr and the students listed below would like to thank the entire SA Community for all its support of Saint Andrew’s Model United Nations! 

Emma Bachrodt ’26

Ashley Canelon ’26

Ainara De La Torre ’26

Morgan Ellis ’24

Matthew Forkey ’24

Bree Goggins ’26

Katherine Goodman ’24

Alesya Karpov ’24

Morgan Mattson ’24

George Meehan ’25

Daniel Stoica ’26