News Releases

USM Hosts Maine Model United Nations Conference for High School Students

May 8, 2007

This year’s University of Southern Maine Model United Nations Conference (MeMUNC) for high school students is bursting at the seams with 477 confirmed attendees. Participating students will stay on USM’s Gorham campus from Tuesday, May 15, through Thursday, May 17, while competing in sessions that also will take place on the Gorham campus.  A schedule appears below.  While most students are from Maine schools, representatives from Vermont, Connecticut, and Massachusetts will also participate.

Seeds of Peace Camp Director Tim Wilson will present the opening address during Tuesday’s opening ceremonies slated for 6 p.m. in the Brooks Student Center. Seeds of Peace is an international camp based in Otisfield where youth from the Middle East, South Asia, the Balkans and Cyprus come to meet on neutral ground to develop empathy, respect, and confidence for each other.

This year’s MeMUNC will be demonstrating to participants what it means to “go green.” Each conference participant will be sent home with a compact fluorescent light bulb, which uses two-thirds the energy of a traditional bulb and which, over time, can prevent more than 450 pounds of emissions from a power plant. All told the combined impact of the 477 bulbs will prevent 225,000 pounds of waste and save $15,000 on energy costs. Instead of using plastic conference binders this year’s participants will use binders made from recycled paper.  

Teams from the following high schools will be participating: Bonny Eagle High School, Boothbay High School, Brunswick High School, Cape Elizabeth High School, Casco Bay High School, Catherine McAuley, Colchester High School, Vt., Deering High School, East Lyme High School, Conn., Foxcroft Academy, Freeport High School, Gorham High School, Greater Portland Christian School, Greely High School, Hall-Dale High School, Kents Hill School, Mt. Ararat High School, Newburyport High School, Mass., Portland High School, Scarborough High School, Richmond High School, South Portland High School, Thorton Academy, Westbrook High School, and Yarmouth High School.

This year’s conference is co-sponsored by the United Nations Association-Maine Chapter.

Conference Highlights:

A = General Assembly (legal) 6th Committee, African Union, International Court of Justice

B = Organization of American States, Security Council, High Committee for Refugees, and the UN Environmental Program

Tuesday, May 15

Opening Ceremonies: 6-7 p.m.: Brooks Student Center Dining Room

Session I: A&B: 7:15 - 9:45 p.m.: Bailey Hall & Mitchell Center

VIP Reception: 7:15 to 9:15 p.m.: Brooks Student Center, Lower Level

Head Delegate Meeting: 9:45 - 10:15 p.m.: Husky Hut, Brooks Student Center

Wednesday, May 16

Session II (A): 8:45 - 11:45 a.m.: Bailey Hall & Mitchell Center

Session II (B): 9:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Bailey Hall & Mitchell Center

Session III (A): 12:45 - 4:15 p.m.: Bailey Hall/Brooks Center/Mitchell Center

Session III (B): 1:15 - 4:45 p.m.: Bailey Hall/Brooks Center/Mitchell Center

Session IV (A): 6 - 8:30 p.m.: Bailey Hall/Mitchell Center

Session IV (B): 6:15 - 8:45 p.m.: Bailey Hall/Mitchell Center

Thursday, May 17

Session V (B): 8:45 - 11:30 a.m.: Bailey Hall/Mitchell Center

Session V (A): 9- 11:45 a.m.: Bailey Hall/Mitchell Center

Banquet/Awards Ceremony: 12 noon – 2 p.m.: Brooks Dining Room

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