ANTIGONISH – A contingent of a dozen students from Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School is busily preparing to participate in the prestigious John Peters Humphrey Model United Nations (JPHMUN), scheduled for May 1-3 at St. Thomas University in Fredericton.
Organizers have assigned a country and a topic to each participating student from across the Maritimes. At the weekend gathering, the Regional students – like their counterparts – will speak on their nation’s behalf and help create a resolution to a pressing global issue for adoption by the United Nations (UN), according to Coralie Cameron, a teacher and Model UN advisor at the Antigonish high school. She noted that the wide-ranging list of topics includes vaccine distribution, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated material and its impact on youth, and the Sudanese Civil War.
The Regional representatives, who have been gathering twice a week since early January to ready for the challenge, include Matt Encio and Aron Tacang. The Grade 12 students are veteran team leaders, having participated in the JPHMUN in 2025.
“I love problem solving,” Aron said of what interested him in being a member of the Model UN, along with learning about the global organization founded in 1945 and made up of 193 member states. As a global citizen – someone who has lived around the world – it also fuelled his interest.
Matt was drawn by the teamwork involved, not to mention having the opportunity to debate important global issues.
Both teenagers have embraced sharing their experience from last spring with their newcomer teammates.
“It is more beginner-friendly,” Matt offered of the approach the Model UN group at the Regional has taken this season.
They stressed the importance of collaborating with others in crafting their resolution, while noting that – although “you may not agree” with your country’s position – “you have to fight for your side.”
Matt noted that “doing your research” is key, while echoing his advice to his teammates to be willing “to speak out.”
Matt, who represented Mongolia in 2025, will tackle the issue of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Bangladesh, while Aron will be part of the Argentinian contingent dealing with AI issues. Last year, he represented Poland and worked on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Arianna Fuller – a Grade 9 student – is one of the newcomers. Although it is her first time participating in the Model UN, she has been part of a mock parliament during her time with Girl Guides.
“I am really excited,” she said of travelling to the JPHMUN, noting that the UN has always interested her. She offered the experience also meshes well with her aspirations of becoming a politician and a lawyer.
Arianna, who noted her “passion” for youth advocacy and rights, will represent the United Kingdom on the issue of UNICEF’s work on synthetic child abuse.
“It’s perfect,” she said of the assignment matching her interests.
Noting that she is considering working in government when she gets older, Grade 10 student Clara Spearin said the “unique opportunity” offered through the Regional’s Model UN was appealing. She added, “I wanted to try something new.”
Clara will be working on a resolution related to the Sudanese Civil War as a representative of Egypt.
“I think it is going to be a lot of fun, and a great learning experience,” she said.
Grade 9 student Marcus Fuller wanted to learn more about politics and procedure, as part of “gaining experience” in areas of interest, such as human rights law and foreign policy.
“It should be great,” he said of representing Turkey in covering the topic of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
As for the commitment the students have made over the past couple of months, Cameron said, “You really have to dive in.”
She described the upcoming three-day JPHMUN as “pretty intense,” noting how each student must deliver the ideas of their respective nations.
Cameron offered that the Model UN provides a prime opportunity “to learn by doing.”
Noting that “not a lot of schools from Nova Scotia” attend the JPHMUN, it provides a “tremendous experience” for participating Regional students. She pointed out that several of them, if they attend StFX, join the Model UN on the Antigonish campus.
That organization is one of those that has provided financial support for the Regional contingent’s trip to Fredericton, along with East Coast Credit Union. If people or groups would like to help the Regional’s Model UN with financing their three-day learning adventure, Cameron said they can contact her or administration at the school.
Just more than one week away from the JPHMUN, Aron noted that plenty of work remains.
“Right now, we are on a tight schedule, but everything will be fine,” he said.
