HUNTINGDON - When it comes to politics, there usually is more than meets the eye.
Students from Mifflin and Juniata county high schools opened their eyes to new viewpoints during the 11th annual Model United Nations Conference, held Monday at Juniata College in Huntingdon.
"It makes you think about what countries other than the U.S. decide and why," said Juniata High School student Jennifer Welsh, who represented Austria in General Assembly 3, which discussed the legalization of prostitution and preventing illicit drugs to global youth.
In Austria, prostitution is legal, a view point that directly opposes the United States' stance, Welsh said.
"As an American, you don't think it is acceptable," Welsh said. "But to meet the needs of all people (as a UN representative) is a very difficult goal."
Juniata student Ji-Young Park added, "It's realizing that there are two sides to a story."
While Welsh said her personal stance on the topic did not change, she better understands the reasons why countries argue for the legalization of prostitution.
Poverty is a major factor in prostitution, because women sometimes have few ways to support their families, the students said.
Welsh said she believes that learning about different countries' perspectives can inspire students to be more knowledgeable and involved in global issues.
"We're the next generation," Welsh said. "It's up to us to help these women in other countries."
One of six sessions, the General Assembly 3 included approximately 35 students.
In a United Nations Environmental Programs session, students from Juniata and Indian Valley high schools also found that some issues were more complicated than they seem, said Juniata student Lucas Wright, who represented Argentina.
The UNEP group debated sustainable agriculture: subsistence farming versus corporate farming, and the use of genetically modified organisms.
John Cottrill, a student from Indian Valley, said his country, Germany, switched positions after a recent election put a new party into power.
Previously, the country opposed GMOs; however, they now are willing to support the modified crops if research backs their effectiveness, Cottrill said.
For Uruguay, subsistence versus corporate farming is a major issue, said IVHS student Ben Fowler. The South American country has few corporate crop producers, but it is trying to promote industry farms, he said.
"But small farms are just as, if not more, important," Fowler said, of the balance that the country is trying to maintain.
Cottrill said he and the other students found it difficult to not argue from an American perspective.
"But it's been cool to see the different points of view," IVHS student Drew Picketts said.
" ... rather than focus on ourselves," Cottrill added.
And, unsurprisingly for governments, Fowler realized: "It's hard to get things done with all the people. It takes awhile."
Other conference topics included the war in Afghanistan, narcoterrorism, human trafficking and protecting civilians in armed conflict.
The goal of each session was to create a resolution or resolutions that address its topics, using UN procedures to discuss, draft and vote on the proposed solutions.
Model UN gives students the chance to get out of the classroom and into a real-life experience, said Richard Mahoney, professor of peace studies and director of the college's Baker Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, who directs the conference.
"Who knows? Some (of these students) may be in the White House someday," Mahoney said. "It's fun for these guys. They get to dress up, sit in meetings, get permission to speak and persuade."
Sometimes, students have to argue issues that are contradictory to their personal beliefs, Mahoney said.
"It's a really good thing to take on perspectives of other countries," he added.
Prior to the conference, students can select their topic and the country they wish to represent, Lewistown Area High School student Ziyu Ye said. This year, Ye said she didn't get her No. 1 choice for a country, China, but North Korea was her second pick.
After the students know who they will represent, they research their country's stance on the conference topic and prepare to debate those points of view, Ye said. Each Model UN participant also had to write a position paper based on their topic, she said.
The conference attracts more students to the college every year, and record registrations reached above 250 this fall, said Emil Nagengast, a previous Model UN conference director who still assists with the program.
