Visit to Permanent Mission of the Netherlands to the UN
On the morning of Thursday, December 15th, 26 members of the Kew-Forest Model UN Club had a unique opportunity to visit the Netherlands Permanent Mission to the UN to attend a 90 minute foreign policy and question and answer session conducted by two diplomats and the Media Officer from the Mission. Faculty Advisor Mr. Gordon arranged for the visit to help Club members prepare for their upcoming model UN conference in Philadelphia where Kew-Forest will represent the Netherlands. The Ivy League Model UN Conference will be hosted by students from the University of Pennsylvania in late January, 2017. Admission Director Henry Horne and School Counselor Lu Zhao accompanied Mr. Gordon and the students on the visit.
The question and answer session was noteworthy, because it allowed students to gain insights that could not be gleaned from doing internet research. Students learned about the actual practice of diplomacy, the challenges facing the European Union, and the uncertainty caused by the recent US election. Among the topics addressed were climate change and the process of providing assistance to developing countries. The students also participated in a brief role play and the diplomats complimented them on their knowledge and public speaking skills. This was not a polite, obligatory complement, they were really good! Students enjoyed the visit and left the meeting feeling much better prepared to write their formal position statements for their upcoming Conference. Students also appreciated the willingness of these diplomats to take time out of their busy schedules to meet with a group of teenagers.
The Kew-Forest School
119-17 Union Turnpike
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
Forest Hills, NY 11375
(718) 268-4667
The oldest independent school in the borough of Queens, The Kew-Forest School is an independent co-educational, college preparatory school for students in Preschool through Grade 12.