Our History
Bergen County Academies has always had a very strong tradition of Model United Nations. The club was started by Mr. Kramer, a History teacher at Bergen County Academies, at the founding of Bergen County Academies itself. The club was established on ideals of introducing a global perspective to the student body of BCA, and instilling in each participating student a sense of worldwide unity. Model United Nations itself dates back to 1927, when Harvard University held a first Model League of Nations. Since then, students all over the world have joined in on this exciting activity, with more than 400 Model UN conferences being held today throughout the world. While Model UN is global, BCA Model UN is especially effective in providing participants with an individual, enriching experience. Mr. Kramer still acts as a guiding advisor of the club today.
What is BCA Model UN
BCA Model UN is a club that meets during clubs hour on Wednesdays, and is open to students of all grades. Students of varying Model UN experience are encouraged to join. During clubs hour, participants can expect to learn lessons on specific aspects of Model UN conferences, tips and strategies for conferences, and how to become an active delegate through participation in committee simulations. Leaders of the club, profiles of whom you can find on the Meet the Directors page, will chair discussions and lessons for other delegates.
Who Should Join
BCA Model UN club is for those who have a genuine passion for international relations, politics, global discussion, debate, and the work of the United Nations. BCA Model UN club is looking for students that are willing to devote a portion of their time to Model UN, especially before committee simulations in which students will be encouraged to do research on their country's policy. Furthermore, due to the give-and-take nature of learning in Model UN, students need to be willing to actively participate during discussions in the club; giving feedback as well as getting feedback from other club members is a great way to ensure all club members grow and improve. Students should also possess an overall liking for working with others, or be seeking to improve their debate and negotiation skills.
What You'll Gain
Being a part of Model United Nations as a whole is an extremely beneficial experience. The simple act of participating in a committee helps students achieve a more global perspective on the world. Additionally, paper-writing skills, negotiation skills, public speaking skills, and social skills are always improved upon. One must also never forget that students are given a chance to think of solutions to the most pressing issues of today's world. Especially for BCA Model UN club, students who join will in turn receive a wealth of knowledge. Through group discussions on strategies and tactics to be used in committee as well as accurate Model UN conference simulations, students will leave the club being completely prepared to actively get involved as delegates in large conferences. Subsequently, club members are all eligible to be a part of overnight conferences such as PMUNC, YMUN, and WAMUNC.
Large-Scale Conferences
Students that participate in the BCA Model UN club are automatically eligible to attend any of several large-scale overnight conferences. Because Model UN is such a hands-on event, experiences gained during such large-scale conferences is vital to a student’s growth in Model UN. In the 2014-2015 school year, BCA plans to attend three overnight conferences: Princeton Model United Nations Conference (PMUNC), Yale Model United Nations (YMUN), and Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC). Below is a run down of how large-scale overnight conferences run:
- Leave from BCA on a Thursday
- Attend opening ceremonies
- Attend committee sessions
- Tours of location and seminars
- Delegate Social and Dance
- Closing ceremonies
- Return to BCA on Sunday evening