Spring semester 2009 proved a busy time for the St. Francis Model United Nations team ("MUN"). After weeks of research, committee simulation, and writing, twenty-seven SF delegates engaged over ninety other schools at the Model United Nations mega-conference at Berkeley. This event highlighted major international issues while promoting the spirit of diplomacy through the simulated action of the UN. Students of every level came together to realize their potential in public speaking, negotiation, and policy debate.

The hotel accommodations were cramped and poor, the delegate dance wild, and hours of sleep few. Through it all our SF committees - World Health, Disarmament, World Trade, International Security, and others - underwent hours of caucusing, speeches, and debate to go for that golden finish line: the pristine committee resolution! There are simply no words to adequately describe both the thrill and the exhaustion of MUN.

This year our St. Francis Model United Nations (MUN) students will join 1,600 peers from across America at the Berkeley MUN conference, February 27-March 1, 2009. Our team will represent Belgium and Libya in over thirteen committees including UNICEF, Disarmament and International Security, World Trade Organization, Sustainable Development, Crises Security Council, and International Criminal Court. Skills in research, speechmaking, parliamentary procedure, caucusing, debate, and writing prove crucial when forming resolutions in committee. It will be a weekend to remember!

St. Francis delegates meet at least once weekly from September through February, research current world issues and the positions of their assigned nations and practice writing and speaking skills in preparation for the biggest California MUN conference.