By Kaia Bodden
Aiden Aguirre is an eighth grader from St. Croix Central Middle School in Wisconsin. He and his younger sister, Ella, are here representing Zambia in the Annon ECOSOC Council. They are part of a group of students that, though young, have significant passion for policy-making. While observing their spirited discussions about money laundering, a unique topic, I noticed a collaborative nature among students from different backgrounds. They engaged in thoughtful conversation while working towards a resolution, having already completed a working paper for their first topic.
Aiden and I stepped aside to discuss his role at the conference and his thoughts about the significance of collaboration. Before we started, he noted his interest in joining the media team, and took the adjacent photo. He is passionate about electronics and taking photos, and thinks that media would be a fun thing to do.
When asked what he enjoys about being in Model UN, he said, “You get to see a bunch of people that you’ve never met, you get to make friends, and you get to hang out with your friends from school.” This perspective is common among all that attend the conference, as it provides an unmatched opportunity to meet new people and engage with peers. We both agreed that the people you meet at the conference are people you might otherwise never have met. These unique connections allow for the creation of unique ideas, and are essential to the development of successful policies that cater to diverse populations.
The day before this interview, his committee worked on the aforementioned resolution. He was part of the group that edited the working paper, and took on a vital role in the process. Curious about the making of the paper, I asked him how it felt to work with others to find a solution. He answered, “It felt pretty good because people listened to your ideas [and] they included your ideas in the paper.” Evidently, collaboration is not only a means of solving our world’s problems, but a means of empowerment. Sharing ideas with a group can affirm ideas or challenge thoughts to further develop, creating a safe and innovative space for solutions to grow. This sharing of ideas occurred at mass during caucus time in Annon ECOSOC, as it does in every committee. We discussed the challenges of making our voices heard, especially with adults, and noted that this conference facilitates a unique opportunity for all to make their voices heard. In a world where our youth are silenced by the traditions of age and power, Model UN proves excellent at challenging norms. Still, it can be difficult to have the confidence to speak up in a room full of people. He said that when you get on the speakers list in his committee you have to, “Walk in front of the room, so everyone is looking at you.” This can be a nightmare for some, and to increase the ability of all to participate, Aiden suggested that speakers gain the option to present from their seat in order to ease nerves. Changes like these are minimal, but can make all the difference for those with a fear of public speaking, and can allow for easier collaboration in our committees. The implementation of methods like this, that engage all delegates, will allow us to progress towards a more inclusive and comfortable future.
To people his age, of all backgrounds, Aiden says that you should do Model UN, “If you want to get better at speaking in front of people and if you want to learn more about the government and different countries.” He adds that the conference can help people better relate to each other, and stated that he plans to continue with it until he graduates.
From delegates like Aiden, we can learn about how our committees truly function, and the importance of creating an environment in which collaboration can thrive. It is vital that we accommodate all and entertain perspectives that differ from our own in order to create diverse, informed solutions to worldly problems. This is applicable not only to Model UN, but to all areas of our lives. Collaboration may be difficult to initiate, but once present, it can be more powerful than we know.