Skip to main content
Intellect

Utah teens take on global issues at 21st Annual BYU Model United Nations Conference

It’s not your typical Saturday when junior high and high school students from across Utah come together to discuss global issues and search for solutions. Last weekend, Brigham Young University’s David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies hosted its 21st annual Model United Nations High School Conference in the Wilkinson Student Center.

Woods Cross, West and Timpview High Schools took top honors, with Canda Patterson of Butler Middle School and Karen Miner of Bonneville High School being recognized as outstanding faculty advisors. Six students on each of the seven overall committees also received recognition from their peers.

At the opening ceremony, BYU professor Ray Christensen grounded the students with his analysis on international organizations, noting that they won’t solve the world’s problems, but the study of some institutions, such as the International Criminal Court, can be useful and important.

For their part, students were assigned countries to represent, given global topics to research and then asked to negotiate in-depth over a long day. Students were required to write their policy ideas in the form of resolutions, similar to that of the United Nations or other parliamentary bodies.

This year, students participated in simulation of the General Assembly, Security Council, Commission on Human Rights, Economic and Social Council, Commission on the Status of Women, UNESCO and the Organization of American States. The latter committee — conducted entirely in Spanish — is one of the only language-focused committees in the U.S. and affords a unique opportunity for heritage speakers as well as immersion students in Utah schools to put their foreign language study into practice.

“We hope to encourage more AP Spanish and ESL teachers to participate,” said Cynthia Penaflor, committee director and a graduate student in the MPA program at the Marriott School of Management, from Lima, Peru.

The BYUMUN program organized the logistics and directs the committees on which the high school students participate. This facilitated learning and cooperation among all students and provides a way for BYU to give back to the community.

“These types of outreach efforts are critical,” notes Cory Leonard, assistant director of the David M. Kennedy Center. “In an era of increased economic competition and with national security challenges constantly around us, we need educated, globally competent citizens.”

In addition to facing down such intractable problems as terrorism, disease and environmental degradation, students improved their abilities to think, reason and persuade — both orally and in writing.

“The school advisors play a critical role,” said Andrew Ludlow, executive director of the conference. “We all work together to provide these learning opportunities — but it’s the teachers who help the students prepare.”

The conference is conducted by Model United Nations students at BYU. Sponsored by the David M. Kennedy Center, BYU students on the MUN team learn about and develop skills in diplomacy, public speaking, policy research and negotiation, as well as learn to become effective global leaders.

Competing all over the world, the team has visited many cities including Philadelphia, New York City, Boston, Beijing, Mexico City and, most recently, Olomouc in the Czech Republic. BYU students from all majors are invited to enroll in IAS 351 during fall semester and then can apply for the winter semester course.

For more information, contact (801) 422-6921, mun@byu.edu or mun.byu.edu.

Writer: Lee Simons

Related Articles

data-content-type="article"

Wildflowers not wildfires: How BYU and Provo City are helping to restore Rock Canyon Trailhead

July 10, 2025
At Rock Canyon Trailhead in Provo, Utah, BYU researchers are fighting fires with flowers. By replacing a problematic weed called cheatgrass with wildflowers, students and faculty are working to protect and restore one of Provo’s most popular hiking spots.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Wildfires in residential areas are on the rise; why hydrants and the water system behind them were never meant to stop those fires

July 01, 2025
BYU professor Rob Sowby teaches and studies environmental engineering, urban water infrastructure and sustainability. He has particular expertise in the planning, design, construction and operation of public water systems. That expertise has been increasingly important (and regularly sought out) in the wake of apocalyptic wildfires that have taxed those public water systems.
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
data-content-type="article"

Meet the BYU math student helping make wildfire predictions faster and smarter

June 25, 2025
Using machine learning and math, a BYU student improved a key tool firefighters rely on during wildfire season
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText= promoTextAlignment=
overrideBackgroundColorOrImage= overrideTextColor= promoTextAlignment= overrideCardHideSection=false overrideCardHideByline=false overrideCardHideDescription=false overridebuttonBgColor= overrideButtonText=