Students mimic U.N.

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 5, 2003 by Alicia Henrikson Capital-Journal

The program

How and When:

Topeka's Model United Nations began in 1964 in a social studies class at Topeka West High School. Twenty-five students were involved.

About 1,000 people, including students and teachers, attended the 39th annual Topeka Model United Nations on Monday and Tuesday.

The topics:

Students discussed several topics, including the weapons inspections policy toward Iraq, independence for Tibet, victims of sex crimes in male-dominated societies, protecting water systems from bio-terrorists, compensation to civilians during acts of war, vaccinations in case of biological warfare, capital punishment for minors, detection and disposal of land mines, freezing terrorist funds, and guidelines for the capture and punishment of international terrorists.

By Alicia Henrikson

The Capital-Journal

Iraq attempted to declare war on the United States on Tuesday morning at Topeka's 39th annual Model United Nations, but the action failed.

Model U.N. Iraq delegate Lindsey Smith, an Emporia High School student, was told to formally withdraw her war resolution by the the U.N. Security Council.

At least 880 students from across Kansas participated in the event on Monday and Tuesday at the Maner Conference Centre and Capitol Plaza Hotel. Model U.N. coordinator Jenay Weekly, who is the gifted student facilitator for Robinson Middle School, said the Model U.N. in Kansas is probably the second largest in the Midwest, the largest being in Chicago.

With the United States leaning toward war with Iraq and media attention focused on the United Nations, Kingman High School student Kelsey McCabe, who served as secretary general at the Model U.N., said she thinks students have taken the event more seriously than in the past.

"I think people are more passionate this year," she said.

McCabe has participated in the Model U.N. for four years.

"It's not just about a possible war either, but that is part of it," she said.

McCabe said the Model U.N. allows students to think more globally and try to view and react to issues the same way the country they are representing would.

Weekly said providing students the opportunity to think globally is just one asset of the program. Students also improve research and speaking skills, and the program provides confidence, she said.

"These are all top students and they are going to be our future leaders," she said.

Topeka's Model U.N., however, is in financial trouble. For several years, Weekly said, tight finances have caused a lot of nail-biting.

The Model U.N., an independent organization, separated from Topeka Unified School District 501 years ago after the district opted not to fund the event. The program cost about $3,000 at that time. Student attendance has more than doubled since then.

Weekly said she has applied for grants through USD 501 and has been told other schools involved and corporations should help with funding.

"None of the schools have money to spare right now, and some of the corporations I have gone to say the schools should pay for it," Weekly said. "Everybody loves the program, but I can't get anyone to help pay for it."

Weekly said it costs $10 per student attending, a total of about $8,800. The amount doesn't cover the charge to use the Maner Conference Centre, which Weekly said is a perfect place to house the event. Renting Maner costs between $11,000 to $12,000, she said.

Weekly said she and other coordinators bring in overhead projectors, rather that renting screens from the conference center, as a way to cut costs.

"There's really nothing else we can cut unless we cut out the medals for students, and that's the fun part," she said.

Weekly said Topeka Model U.N. recently received nonprofit status. She said she hopes to find several corporations willing to give at least $2,000 so the money will be there for the 40th annual Topeka Model U.N. in 2004.

Alicia Henrikson can be reached at

(785) 295-1192 or ahenrikson@cjonline.com.

ANTHONY S. BUSH/The Capital-Journal

Model United Nation's Iraq delegate Lindsey Smith, from Emporia High School, answers questions from the Security Council after reading her resolution to declare war on the United States. Students from around Kansas took part in the 39th annual Model U.N. in Topeka.

See U.N., page 4C

U.N.: Program in cash crunch