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HMUN 2022 January 27-30th

Austin Prep strives to guide students in their growth from good to great by engaging in an ongoing process of learning that is innovative and taps into their interests. Our Model UN delegation promotes enhanced engagement with other students as they consider the most pressing issues of our times.

The sixty-ninth session of Harvard Model United Nations was held from Thursday, January 27 to Sunday, January 30, 2022 in an in-person format.

Delegates gathered in the lobby

In this unprecedented time in world history, the value of Model United Nations has never been clearer. From pandemics to financial crises, the dangers our world faces demand responsible and equitable action rooted in the spirit of international collaboration. This January, more than 4,000 high school delegates and their faculty advisors will joined the staff of over 230 Harvard University undergraduates at the Boston Sheraton and Marriott to learn about diplomacy, to connect with friends from around the world, and to offer solutions to some of the most pressing issues faced by our world today. Every year, Harvard Model United Nation attracts some of the most promising young leaders from around the world, and this year, these young leaders are needed more than ever.

Austin Prep's 2022 HMUN Team

Harvard Model United Nations is the oldest, largest, and one of the most international conferences of its kind, with delegates hailing from roughly 60 countries at the most recent session. The size and international nature of the conference make it an opportunity for learning that extends beyond the confines of a committee session. Delegates truly teach and learn from their fellow young leaders as well as from the Harvard undergraduate staff members who devote a year of research and passion into the crafting of background guides, committees, and other programming.

Leadership Team
Thank you to our leadership team

One of the highlights of this year was our senior leadership team. Dante, Cat, and Paige were instrumental in helping to organize this event along with training and preparing younger delegates on the team. We want to wish them the best of luck moving forward and we thank them for their tireless efforts to Austin Prep's Model UN program.

(From L to R): Dante Bertoli, Cat Jalbert, and Paige Barlow

Arrival

With COVID precautions and an impending snowstorm on the way, 16 delegates from Austin Prep arrived at the Sheraton Hotel Boston for what would be 3 days of committee sessions and fruitful debates on the issues that challenge (or have challenged) the global community. This year, our team consisted of representatives from all 4 Upper School grade levels with a varying degree of Model UN experience.

Delegates ready for their committees to start
Committee Sessions
Leadership members Paige Barlow and Cat Jalbert keeping the team hydrated

"Model UN at Austin has grown along with me through my high school career and has created an awesome opportunity for me to meet people from many backgrounds and has taught the basis for delegating, quick situational analysis and critical-thinking skills. I really believe that this club has set me up for a successful future especially in political science, foreign affairs and political communications!" - Paige Barlow '22

flag of Sierra Leone

As a team, we represented the country of Sierra Leone and participated in 10 committees. For this, we had a combination of single representatives and partnered representatives.

Keep scrolling to see this year's delegates and committee assignments:

Disarmament and International Security Committee:

Neve Fitzgerald '25 and Imogen Moro '25

World Health Organization:

Dante Bertoli '22

Special Political and Decolonization Committee:

Paige Barlow '22 and Jordan Wang '23

Special Summit on Terrorism:

Cat Jalbert '22

Economic and Financial Committee:

Avi Mishra '24 and Ryan O'Malley '24

United Nations Development Program:

Chloe Russell '25 and Alyx Rossi '25

Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee:

Shae Garofalo '25 and Isabella Tenreiro '23

United Nations Environmental Program:

Jaya Gupta '24

Legal Committee:

William Zhao '22 and Isabella Fountain '25

International Children's Fund:

Allie Jenks '25

"I have loved my experience with MUN over the past four years. Through it I have been able to strengthen my public speaking skills, international knowledge and professionalism while developing lasting friendships with delegates from across the globe. I will truly miss Austin MUN." - Cat Jalbert '22

"I didn’t expect committee to be as fun as it was, even if my experience wasn’t exactly normal. During the first two days when we focused on UNICEF I really got a feel for what other countries situations were and it was fascinating. I find myself even wondering if this will be a career I pursue in the future. I made wonderful friends there and the whole experience was really eye opening." - Allie Jenks '25

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Harvard conference. I had so much fun both in and out of committee." - Jaya Gupta '24

Closing Ceremonies

As HMUN 2022 came to a close, the entire delegation was exhausted, but at the same time energized by the events of the week. It was truly a remarkable effort by all involved and delegates are already looking forward to next year's event.

Recognitions from HMUN:

Dante Bertoli '22 - Informal Honorable Mention

Allie Jenks '25 - Honorable Mention

On behalf of myself and the Austin Prep community, I want to personally thank this year's delegates for such a resilient performance despite the challenges of COVID and storms and all the little speed bumps that happen when preparing for an event such as this. It was a proud moment to see all of the progress and confidence gained in such a short time frame. I especially want to congratulate our four seniors who will be moving on: Paige Barlow, Dante Bertoli, Cat Jalbert, and William Zhao. Everyone represented themselves, their families, and their greater school community which such elegance and poise. I congratulate you all on a fantastic performance.

-Jon Whalen, Faculty Advisor for Model UN

See you next year

Credits:

Created with images by chabotphoto - "boston memorialdrive fenwaypark" • Tanya Rozhnovskaya - "Flag of Sierra Leone"