Students test diplomacy skills in huge model UN conference

Eden Prairie High senior Nibir Sarma is 'president' of the YMCA Model UN.
Eden Prairie High School senior Nibir Sarma is "president" of the YMCA Model UN Conference held Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
Nina Moini | MPR News

More than 800 students from across the state traveled to downtown Minneapolis for this weekend's YMCA Model UN conference.

Students worked together at the Model UN Conference.
Students from across the state with Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government came together for the Model UN Conference held Friday, April 6, 2018 at the Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minn.
Nina Moini | MPR News

Heading up the three-day conference, is the president of the assembly, 17-year-old Eden Prairie High School senior Nibir Sarma.

"My job is to make sure discussion flows smoothly and we are able to have a healthy debate," Sarma said.

YMCA program organizer Orville Lindquist says this year's Model United Nations delegation is the largest in the program's 32-year history.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

"Students want to be heard and have an impact and they want to find new and interesting ways to do that," Lindquist said.

Minnesota's program is open to grades 7 through 12.

Students from across the state with Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government
Students from across the state with Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government came together for the Model UN Conference.
Nina Moini | MPR News

Students work on their policy proposals for weeks at their individual schools leading up to the conference and Sarma said the goal is for delegates reach a compromise in several policy areas.

"It's a really intriguing experience for anyone who comes and visits so I'm sure even members of Congress would have a lot to say and learn from what we do here," Sarma said.

The conference runs through Saturday at the City Center Marriott Hotel.