Next-generation climate leaders take the stage at NII’s Model UN
- NII
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Unique opportunity for students to participate in a Model UN close to home
While world leaders recently gathered in Brazil for COP30, much closer to home, the Nuclear Innovation Institute welcomed 60 students from across Bruce and Grey counties for its NII Model UN. Stepping into the role of global climate action representatives, local students tackled the same big questions about energy, land use and emissions reductions as those being debated on the global stage.
Working in small committees, students balanced the urgency of climate action with the unique interests of their assigned nations. They debated real climate and energy directives, sharpened their skills in collaboration and diplomacy, and aimed for the same shared goal the world is pursuing: keeping global temperature rise under two degrees.
“Events like the NI Model United Nations Conference are so important to help the students in our area grow into their full potential,” said Jon Farrell, teacher at Kincardine District Senior School. “Our students are big thinkers. They're well informed. They are so passionate about everything that's going on in the world—I’m really seeing all the traits of leadership and potential in these kids that give me a lot of hope and inspiration.”
Students discussed global energy systems, the world’s use of land, and how future changes can reduce environmental impacts. For many, this event was a rare chance to participate in a Model UN close to home.
Said Kendra Newton, a grade 11 student from Kincardine District Senior School: “I think this is important because in small areas such as our own… this gives opportunity for students to consider other sides that they might have never seen before.”
Grade 11 student Aria Thomas from Saugeen District Senior School described how “It’s great to meet new people from all over the region and talk with them about the future, about different ideas on how we can fix things.”
At the end of the conference, delegates were recognized with committee awards and overall rankings for “Best Country Delegation”:
First place: Tuvalu – Spoorthi Vijayakumar, Stella Huang and Pal Patel from Saugeen District Senior School, taking home a $500 cheque from 2m Power to participate in a future Model UN event
Second place: Canada – Mohamed Lila, Ibrahim Syed and Gethin Brandon from Kincardine District Senior School
Third place: India – Emerson Loblaw, James Barclay and Nova Finlay from Georgian Bay Community School
“The Nuclear Innovation Institute’s Model UN conference has provided our students with the opportunity to engage in material at a local level rather than traveling to a larger area, and that's sometimes a barrier for some of our students,” said Anita Koeslag, Experiential Learning Teacher with Bluewater District School Board. “So it's been really incredible to have this opportunity locally.”
Phillip Craig, NII’s Director of STEM Education, said the day captured the spirit of what climate education should be. “The defining issue of this generation will be climate change, so to equip these students early with an understanding of the issues and a vocabulary to discuss it with can make all the difference.”
Learn more about all of NII’s work at nii.ca and check out localized research on climate change’s effects on this region at climateproject.ca.
