The 42nd Annual Central New York Model United Nations (CNYMUN) conference took place at Syracuse University on January 10th and 11th. Students from around the state gathered at the university to experience two days of rigorous debate regarding problems the world faces. CNYMUN is one of the largest and longest-running high school-led Model United Nations conferences in the United States, and it is a conference run by Fayetteville-Manlius High School’s Model UN Club.
On the morning of January 10th, students gathered in Hendrick’s Chapel for opening ceremonies. The executive council presented the CNYMUN theme “Pathways for Peace and Prosperity” in hopes that delegates find ways to find solutions to problems that promote future tranquility. The ceremony featured a keynote address by Ms. Betania Allo, a cyber lawyer and policy expert who traveled from Argentina. She discussed her work with the United Nations as a Program Management Specialist, as well as her role in balancing the digital age with politics in the evolving world.
The opening ceremony also featured a presentation on PEACE Incorporated, a charity to which CNYMUN delegates had the chance to donate. PEACE Incorporated aims to eliminate poverty through providing relief programs across Central New York. Proceeds from jar wars between committees and flower sales went to this charity.
Delegates were soon dismissed to head to their respective committees. Committees ranged across four topics: General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Specialized, and Crisis Committees. Delegates in each committee perform high-style debate and political correspondence as they propose resolutions to various topics and form alliances with one another to solve a problem.
The conference came to a close with a delegate’s motion to end CNYMUN 2025. This conference would not be possible without the help of FM Model UN advisors Ms. Gross and Mr. McGuigan, as well as the countless students who served on the steering committee of the conference. Whether it be the secretariat who tirelessly typed resolutions from committees, or the chairs who controlled the flow of debate, many students from FM helped make CNYMUN a memorable experience for many.
