Students from Theodore Roosevelt High School participated in the Sr. Ohio Model United Nations (O.M.U.N.) three day conference January 10, 11, and 12 held in Columbus at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Each year over 2000 students from throughout the state participate in Ohio’s largest global education program. Sr. O.M.U.N. is sponsored by Ohio Leadership Institute in order to help Ohio’s young people develop a greater understanding of world issues, global connections and international understanding, while focusing on the workings of the United Nations, the world’s largest peace keeping and humanitarian organization.

During the conference through the process of role-playing, students become delegates of a selected nation in order to write, present and debate issues affecting the selected nation and people all over the world. Roosevelt delegates selected and represented the nation of New Zealand and focused research on censorship and free speech while the Greenland delegation focused its research on climate change and geo engineering. The delegations are involved in conducting extensive research, writing resolutions, developing support for their resolutions, learning debate procedures and preparing to present their nation in council sessions and in front of the O.M.U.N. general assembly.

In addition to the O.M.U.N. simulation and global experience students are involved in numerous global education contests during the weekend. Students serve as leaders of the simulation and are eligible for numerous contests and leadership awards during the conference. Students also attend the International Summit and end the conference with an International Celebration. 

Ohio Model United Nations provides students an opportunity to:

•  Learn about cultures, governments, and peoples of nations throughout the world.
• Use research, writing, written and oral communication skills.
• Develop critical thinking, problem solving, and evaluative skills.
• Debate current global issues and world problems.
• Practice and use leadership skills in a global simulation.
• Understand the need for peace and conflict resolution throughout the world.

This year the club earned the runner – up trophy for the second year in a row for a service fundraiser collecting money for the I Open Project supporting education in Nigeria.

The delegation of New Zealand was awarded an Outstanding Resolution trophy for its resolution on censorship and free speech. Only 15 resolutions earn this distinction out of  160 resolutions.   

The Theodore Roosevelt High School O.M.U.N. Club meets every Friday after school with social studies teachers Larry Picicco and Mike Markulis to plan fundraisers and to select and prepare for the conferences.  These students will be participating in an upcoming conference at Youngtown State University in April.