Janesville Model United Nations Club Shines at Iowa Youth Symposium
/On October 29th and 30th, the Janesville Model United Nations (MUN) Club proudly represented their school at the Iowa Youth Symposium held at the State Capitol in Des Moines. This prestigious event brought together 389 students from 23 high schools across Iowa, all stepping into the shoes of U.S. diplomats to tackle pressing global issues through collaboration and diplomacy.
Throughout the two-day symposium, students participated in five specialized committees, each focused on a unique international challenge:
Tariffs and Free Trade Agreements on Agricultural Products
The Status of Unrecognized States
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Shipping Industry
Compelling Member States to Include Women on International Delegations
Addressing the Development of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems
Janesville students demonstrated exceptional leadership and diplomatic skill as they worked to build consensus and draft resolutions. Among the standout moments:
Jillian Anderson successfully passed an amendment urging citizens in electoral democracies to vote for candidates who prioritize integrating women into international delegations. Her amendment read:
“Calls upon citizens of member states, which have electoral systems, to vote for candidates who prioritize allowing women to be integrated into international delegations.”Anders Stowe and Noah Gansen played a key role in their committee by passing an amendment that clarified the nature of emerging military technologies:
“Acknowledged that Lethal Autonomous Weapons are weapons capable of killing without direct human intervention.”
These contributions not only showcased Janesville’s commitment to global awareness and civic engagement but also highlighted the students’ ability to think critically and advocate for meaningful change.
With the fall symposium now behind them, the Janesville MUN Club will take a short break before gearing up for the Spring Conference at the University of Northern Iowa in January. Their performance in Des Moines sets a strong foundation for continued success and impact in future events.
