The University of Lethbridge Model United Nations Club takes on delegates from around the world with their largest ever delegation – 28 students – at the Harvard National Model United Nations Conference (HNMUN) in Boston, Mass.

Attending as two separate teams, the group represents the Philippines and Micronesia, and has spent the past months boning up on the political and cultural challenges each country faces.

As well, team members participate in sub-groups which debate and discuss topics from cyber-terrorism to ethics in drug research and development and human trafficking.

"Students get a first-hand experience of international relations in action," says MUN Club president Vanessa Lodermeier, a fifth-year anthropology, sociology and political science student.

Lodermeier won an Outstanding Delegate Award last year for her debate topic on Somali Pirates.

"We learn skills of diplomacy, debate and compromise – all skills which transfer not only back to the classroom, but also to the workplace," says Lodermeier. "As well, learning the research process is very valuable for classes that require research papers."

Lodermeier adds that many students who join the club also go on to pursue graduate school or professional schools, such as law and medicine.

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