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We are the Johnson County affiliate of the United Nations Association - USA, a national, non-partisan, non-governmental movement advocating for the life-changing and life-saving work of the United Nations.
Board of Directors: Jerry Anthony, President; Britta Loftus, Vice President; Amy Brewster, Secretary; Meredith Gall, Treasurer; Mercedes Bern-Klug, Stefanie Bowers, Jenna Eastman, Barbara Eckstein,
Farnaz Fatahi, John W. Fuller, Wangui Gathua, Sara Haroun, Donna Hirst, Bijou Maliabo, Lucie Mordecai,
Jean Paul Mugemuzi, Stefanie Munsterman, Blake Rupe, Sanaa Sebaaly, Claudia Suazo, and Sarah Terlouw
E-Newsletter Co-Editors, Jenna Eastman and Jim Olson
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Iowa City Students Attend Model UN Conference
Nearly 50 students from Iowa City High School and Iowa City West High School attended the University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) annual Model United Nations Conference on March 26th and March 27th last month. Nearly 450 students from across the state of Iowa gathered on UNI’s campus to discuss global issues, practice diplomacy, and forge connections with other student leaders. The conference this year had record-breaking attendance, a massive accomplishment for the student-run organization.
Over the course of the conference, delegates step into the role of UN ambassadors, representing nations from around the world as they debate pressing international issues, negotiate solutions, and work together to draft resolutions. The UNI conference simulates real UN committees, including Legal, Economic and Social, Political and Security, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural, Disarmament, the International Court of Justice, and Security Council. Students from City High and West High represented Liberia, Ireland, El Salvador, Germany, Spain, and Qatar.
| | | | | City High students had the opportunity to serve on the Security Council, a highly sought-after committee, due to their representation of Liberia. This committee is the only committee that restricts spots, only allowing active Security Council nations in the room. City High Senior, Tobiah Collins, spent over a month preparing for the conference and won an award for his position paper on the conflict between China and Taiwan. He described the committee as a “high-level and high-stakes experience”. He appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with students who were experienced in Model UN and experts on their assigned topics. | | |
The following Iowa City High and Iowa City West High students were honored with awards at the conference:
Loren Barjis: Outstanding Paper
Tobiah Collins: Outstanding Paper
Emelia Eapen: Outstanding Paper
Alex Forbes: Outstanding Paper
Aahana Gupta: Outstanding Paper
Zariah Jahangir: Outstanding Paper
Abby Lee: Outstanding Delegate
Awards were based on the research paper students wrote before the conference, on their country’s position, and on students’ performance within their committees at the conference.
Overall, students left the conference with newly forged friendships, a better understanding of international issues, and an appreciation for the work of the UN. All committees achieved their goals of achieving resolution on their assigned issues, demonstrating the power of diplomacy and of the youth.
JCUNA member dues and fundraising efforts assist with registration costs and travel costs for the Iowa City Model UN programs. Many of these same students volunteered for our celebration of International Human Rights Day this past December and Night of 1000 Dinners last month. Your membership and donations allow us to continue supporting these student leaders.
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JCUNA Intern, Lulu Rongerude, Awarded Fulbright
JCUNA intern Lulu Rongerude has been chosen to receive a Fulbright Student Award and will be going to Colombia in August. In addition to Lulu’s work as JCUNA’s intern, she serves on our membership committee.
Lulu will graduate this spring with majors in Spanish and Linguistics from the University of Iowa. Congratulations, Lulu!
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UNA-USA 2026 Advocacy Summit Applications Due May 1st
The UNA-USA 2026 Advocacy Summit: Red, White, and UN Blue will be held in Washington, D.C. from June 29th to June 30th, 2026.
150 UNA-USA members will meet for two days for UN programming, diplomatic conversations, and hands-on advocacy training.
A link to the application form and further information is available HERE.
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Local Earth Day Celebrations in Johnson County
April is designated internationally as Earth month. Earth Day is observed globally on April 22nd. Numerous events celebrating Earth Day will be hosted in Johnson County.
A link to the University of Iowa's Earth Month Hub that features both University and local events is found HERE.
A link to the City of Iowa City's Monthly Bulletin that features local community events is found HERE.
Check out both the University and City's website to find an event you would like to attend.
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Johnson County Chapter
United Nations Association- USA
308 E. Burlington St, 245, Iowa City, IA 52240
johnsoncountyuna.org
unajohnsoncounty@gmail.com
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