By Dale Miller
Another Model UN conference, another U of C win. Seems logical, but this time we lost.
Traveling to Montreal last weekend, the University of Calgary Model UN lost the conference, but not their good reputation.
“There are two categories in the Model UN conference: big delegations, and small delegations,” said Patrick Boyle, Model UN President after losing to Florida State. “This is the first time in six years that we’ve been big enough to be considered a large delegation.”
After winning four consecutive conferences and establishing a reputation as one of the best small delegations, the U of C Model UN team decided to enter the conference in Montreal as a large delegation, increasing the team’s size.
“In many respects this was a training conference for us,” said Activities Officer Colleen Potter. “Our first time participants had to compete in committees of over 100 people in which only two or three awards were given.”
“Regardless of our loss, the U of C had a definite presence,” interjected Boyle. “This does not do any harm to our reputation. Besides, you have to learn to crawl before you can walk.”
The larger delegation size is in response to increased interest in the Model UN at the U of C–their size has doubled over the last year.
“While support from the faculties of Engineering, Social Science, and Communication and Culture are appreciated, we would like to see a central source of stable funding from the U of C,” said Potter.
The Model UN is listed on the U of C’s annual report as one of the university’s accomplishments, and is one of few sources of pride the university can claim on the national scene.