Hudson Montessori School sent a 44-student delegation to Manhattan to attend the 2023 Montessori Model United Nations. Since September, each student has studied their assigned country's population, government, and role in the United Nations. They addressed their committees on issues facing their countries and the global community.
The Montessori Model United Nations collaborates with the United Nations for Montessori students worldwide to act as delegates for an assigned nation. Students write, present, and debate issues facing their assigned country and the global community through role-playing. They act as a citizen of their selected country and fully develop an understanding of the country's needs and social justice issues, helping them truly take on their delegate role. During the Committee session, they debate and discuss with delegates representing other countries and draft a resolution. Their committee selected Trisha, Neil, and Vihaan to present their committee's work at the closing ceremony. The resolutions created by the committees were then shared with the UN Youth Envoy.
We are proud of each of the 44 delegates from our school who represented their assigned countries with dedication and pride. Below is a list of each representative and a summary of their work:
Aaron K. represented Estonia and addressed the Disarmament and International Security Committee on the role of science and technology in international security. He proposed that war technology like mini tanks can serve as multipurpose tools to fight fires or help with farming during peace.
Aaron T. addressed the Human Rights Council on behalf of South Sudan about children's rights. He suggested focusing on education to help raise children from poverty and offer access to clean water and sanitation.
Aditya A. discussed problems facing landlocked developing countries on behalf of South Sudan to the Economical and Financial Committee. Aditya asserted that South Sudan should focus their resources of fertile land, silver, gold, diamond, petroleum, copper, and oil to create jobs for its citizens.
Afsheen K. represented Ireland on the Disarmament and International Security Committee and spoke about the role of science and technology in international security. Afsheen expressed Ireland's dedication to eliminating specific categories of weapons or ensuring their spread and use are well controlled.
Alexandra B. presented on the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on global food security and related matters to the Food and Agriculture Organization on behalf of the Dominican Republic. Alexandra proposed several solutions, including training small farmers, foreigners, and refugees on plant and animal health and nutrition, assessing climate change, and increasing agricultural productivity.
Alice D. represented the African country of Gabon to the Food and Agricultural Organization on empowering rural women. She referenced Gabon's current "Decade of Women" initiative and its existing laws to reduce the risk of violence against women and offer them more rights at home and work.
Anish D. discussed the empowerment of rural women to the Food and Agricultural Organization on behalf of the Dominican Republic. Anish stated that a leading indicator of gender equality is the number of women in government and maintained the Dominican Republic's commitment to increasing rural women's representation in government.
Atharva A. represented the Dominican Republic on the Human Rights Committee and addressed children's rights. Atharva recommended the Dominican Republic directly fund schools so that the schools of the Dominican Republic can hire better teachers and increase the quality of education and increase national security to curb child sex trafficking.
Ava J. addressed the Disarmament and International Security Committee on youth, disarmament, and non-proliferation on behalf of Gabon. Ava encouraged other countries to join Gabon in educating their youth on the impacts of violence and increasing safety and security in schools.
Avi M. presented Malawi's stance on sustainable development in the special situation of landlocked developing countries to the Economic and Financial Council. Avi explained that 80% of Malawi's land is used for agriculture, while less than 3% of this land is irrigated, and suggested that Malawi improve its crop irrigation.
Azariya G. represented South Sudan to the Food and Agriculture Organization and presented on empowering rural women. Azariya proposed South Sudan focus on three primary ways to improve the lives of rural women: educate girls and women to read and write so that they can learn new and better ways to grow food, teach women how to use self-defense to protect themselves against violence, and provide free health care and medication they need.
Caeden S. spoke on behalf of China to the Disarmament And International Security Committee about youth disarmament and non-proliferation. Caeden recommended countries work to educate their youth around the world about weapons of mass destruction and their harmful effects so they will not repeat history and use them on other nations.
Representing Ireland, Christos S. addressed the Economic and Financial Committee on biological diversity. Christos explained how Ireland is writing more laws to protect biodiversity, creating a nationwide biodiversity awareness campaign, and encouraging citizens to recycle.
Eleanor T. discussed youth, disarmament, and non-proliferation on behalf of Palau to the Disarmament and International Security Committee. Eleanor urged fellow countries to follow Palau's leadership and refrain from developing a nuclear program.
Elijah M. represented Gabon on The Economic and Social Council and presented on space as a driver of sustainable development. Elijah explained several ways that Gabon plans to support the space development of its allies as it takes steps to one day have its space program.
Ella S. spoke on behalf of Ireland on youth disarmament and non-proliferation to the Disarmament and International Security Council. She stated that Ireland would head up a treaty that makes dangerous weapons illegal and must be destroyed.
Indira N. represented China and presented the child's rights to the Human Rights Council. Indira shared China's progress in substantially lowering the nation's mortality rate for children five and under through several critical programs they will continue supporting.
Jackson L. discussed Estonia's commitment to youth disarmament and non-proliferation with the Disarmament International Security Economic Committee. Jackson referenced recent treaties Estonia has signed that focus on young people and promotes education and will hopefully deter youth from choosing violence.
Jiraiya A. addressed the Human Rights Council on behalf of South Sudan about adequate housing. Jiraiya explained that due to climate change, South Sudan must pivot from their current building materials of grass and mud to materials less tied to the climate, like cement or brick.
Jaanvi C. spoke on behalf of Palau about the role of science and technology in the context of international security to the Disarmament and International Security Committee. Jaanvi expressed how hard Palau is working to implement an approved national or sector-specific cybersecurity framework.
Joel V. represented Barbados to the Disarmament and International Security Committee and addressed youth disarmament and non-proliferation. Joel stated that Barbados is committed to reducing poverty and increasing the standard of living for citizens of Barbados so their citizens will feel safe and there will be less violence.
Kaelyn S. addressed the Economic and Financial Affairs Council on behalf of Malawi about biological diversity. Kaelyn spoke about Malawi's need to limit deforestation and use its limited resources without causing even more complex problems for the ecology or industries, including tobacco farming.
Kalyani A. spoke on behalf of Gabon to The Economic and Social Council on creating a culture of peace. Kalyani asserts peace is more than the absence of war; peace education includes promoting sustainable development, respect towards human rights, confrontation of racism and discrimination, gender equality, harmony with nature, disarmament, and freedom of information.
Kashika J. represented Ireland's stance on the culture of peace to The Economic and Social Council. Kashika explained that transforming individual behavior and institutional practices are required to shift the world from a war culture to peace.
Katerina D. addressed the Economic and Financial Committee on behalf of South Sudan on biological diversity. Katerina recognized that South Sudan's main current focus is on funding its military and combating its humanitarian crisis, but urged the other countries on the Committee to dedicate themselves to protecting biological diversity in the face of climate change.
Maddox B. represented Estonia for the Food and Agriculture Organization and presented the nation's plan to support rural women. He recommended Estonia educate rural girls on sustainable farming practices, offer more equality in the household division of labor, and have broader access to education.
Matthew G. spoke for Barbados to the Disarmament and International Security Committee on the role of science and technology in the context of international security. Matthew recommended Barbados invest in genetically modified crops designed to withstand higher temperatures as the United Nations works together to address climate change.
Mia K. discussed biological diversity on behalf of China to the Economic and Financial Committee. Mia advised that although China is an economic superpower, many citizens still use firewood to heat their homes, which plays a significant role in the nation's deforestation. She recommended an energy-efficient stove initiative to reduce firewood cuts and thus protect pandas from further habitat loss.
Mia L. addressed the Food Agriculture Organization on behalf of Gabon on the impact of the Ukraine-Russia Conflict on global food security and related matters. Mia explained Gabon's struggles to grow enough food to be self-sustaining and stressed how conflict anywhere in the world threatens international trade. She proposed several solutions, including teaching new farming techniques, including hydroponics, to use less water to grow food.
Michael B. represented Barbados on the Economic and Social Council and presented on space as a driver of sustainable development. Many citizens of Barbados need access to the internet. As such, Barbados is trying to close its digital infrastructure gap and invested $40 million US dollars into technology.
Mira S. presented on behalf of Tajikistan about biological diversity to the Economic and Social Affairs Council. Mira expressed how deforestation impacted Tajikistan's biodiversity and suggested the nation stop cutting trees, plant more trees, and make land available for habitats instead of cutting trees.
Rayaan H. discussed Ireland's position on sustainable development and the special situation of landlocked developing countries to the Economic & Financial Committee. Rayaan expressed Ireland's development cooperation program goals, including ending poverty, hunger, and humanitarian need, primarily focusing on sub-Saharan Africa.
Rea R. spoke on behalf of Estonia on children's rights to the Human Rights Council. Rea explained the laws Estonia has passed to protect children and encouraged other nations to pass laws protecting children and granting them a legal right to education.
Rowan J. represented the Dominican Republic on the Human Rights Council and proposed ways to ensure adequate housing for citizens. Rowan spoke of the recent 100 million dollar loan that the Dominican Republic took out with the World Bank to fix their housing situation and affirmed their commitment to spending it to ensure more adequate housing becomes available.
Savir S. addressed the Food and Agriculture Organization on behalf of South Sudan on the impact of the Ukraine and Russia conflict on global food security and related matters. Savir urged the other nations to strive for peace, for larger countries to divert resources to feed less developed nations and focus on reducing the cost of goods and technology so all nations can share in advancements.
Scarlet G. represented Barbados to the Human Rights Council about adequate housing. Scarlet affirmed Barbados' commitment to the UN-HABITAT and UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States to provide adequate housing for its citizens.
Sebastian R. spoke on behalf of Barbados to the Human Rights Council about children's rights. Sebastian explained that even though education is free and required for children under 16 in Barbados, many families struggle to afford transportation to and from school and suggest programs to ensure all children have access to education.
Seher K. represented Tajikistan on the Economic and Financial Affairs Council and spoke about sustainable development in the special situation of landlocked developing countries. Seher spoke about Tajikistan's plan to protect and improve their current landscape through their Resilient Landscape Restoration Project, initiated on February 25, 2022, when the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors approved the $45 million for the project.
Sophia C. discussed China's position on the unique situation of landlocked developing countries to the Economic and Financial Committee. Sophia urged other countries to join the Belt and Road Initiative to create new infrastructure in China to support trade with South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Germany, Malaysia, and more.
Sophia H. addressed the Economic and Social Council on China's role in creating a culture of peace. Sophia recognized the importance of teaching youth the value of peace in schools and restated China's commitment to the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty.
Sophie L. spoke for Estonia about affordable housing to the Human Rights Council. Sophie recommended that Estonia and other member states facing homelessness open up more homeless shelters with access to water and electricity, offer quality education, and help people get jobs.
Trisha K. represented Gabon's stance on the role of science and technology in international security to the Disarmament and International Security Committee. Trisha explained how Gabon uses nuclear energy to power their cities and encouraged other nations to use their resources for peaceful purposes to decrease global feelings of insecurity.
Vera B. discussed the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict on global food security and related matters to the Food and Agricultural Organization on behalf of Estonia. Vera stressed Estonia's role in taking on Ukrainian refugees and urged countries to lend humanitarian aid to the refugees currently in Estonia through food donations.
Vihaan R. spoke for China about space as a diver of sustainable development to the Economic and Social Council. Vihaan pointed to China's satellite called "SDGSAT-1" as a concrete commitment from the Chinese government to fund space technology as a possible green frontier.
Zach C. presented on the role of science and technology in the context of international security on behalf of the Dominican Republic to the Disarmament and International Security Committee. Zach reaffirmed the Dominican Republic's commitment to the previous disarmament treaties it has signed dating back to 1967.
To learn more about enrichment programs like the Montessori Model United Nations, our Upper and Lower Elementary or Middle School classes, or the array of other programs Hudson Montessori School offers for students ages 2 to 6th grade, contact us to learn more about us and our admissions process.
