Some local students need some help getting to New York in April.
The group of nine- to 14-year-olds are heading to the Big Apple in early April to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations, a program developed for students to learn the work of the UN by actually participating in it.
Students from around the world are assigned a country for the mock UN and become ambassadors for that country. The Grade 4-9 classmates from Roots & Wings are divided into two groups, one representing Norway and the other, Bulgaria.
To help them get there, the public is invited to the MMUN New York Gala on Friday, March 14 at the school, 982 200th St. Tickets are available at 604-510-2588 or info@rootsandwingsbc.com. Donations are also welcome.
The evening includes student performances, a silent auction, a multicultural dinner and Model UN speeches.
The trip will cost about $10,000 and so far about $3,500 has been raised. The Model UN is April 1-13.
“When we go to the UN we need to know everything about our countries,†said student Maxime Labrecque.
The students have identified a lengthy list of problems facing the world, such as capital punishment, intellectual property rights, human rights on the internet, education in Malawi, and freedom of religion and belief.
The youth will participate in smaller discussion groups and potential solutions they come up with will be sent to the actual UN Secretary General to take into consideration.