By Dr. Regina McDuffie

Last weekend our Model UN students, led by Coach Cavener, attended the CondorMUN VI Middle School & High School Conference at California High School in Whittier. Pegasus's inaugural MUN conference was a resounding success, with seven delegates contributing to the team's impressive achievement of two Best Delegate Awards and one Outstanding Delegate Award.

At Pegasus, our mission is to inspire bright, curious minds to be confident and compassionate leaders. Every program we offer is thoughtfully aligned with this mission, including our Model United Nations (Model UN) program. While some might view traditional debate as the pinnacle of skill-building, we believe Model UN provides a broader and more aligned platform to prepare students for the future.

Unlike traditional debate, which focuses on arguing and defending a single point of view, Model UN teaches students to approach issues collaboratively. Delegates represent countries with diverse interests, and their goal is to find common ground. This process mirrors the complexities of real-world problem-solving, where leaders must work across divides to achieve meaningful progress. Compassionate leadership requires understanding and collaboration, not just the ability to argue persuasively.

In Model UN, students immerse themselves in the perspectives of other nations and cultures, often ones vastly different from their own. This practice develops empathy and a global mindset—two critical skills for compassionate leadership. By learning to advocate for a position that may not align with their own beliefs, students expand their capacity for understanding and respect.

Model UN challenges students to think critically about complex global issues, such as climate change, human rights, and international security. It also requires them to craft solutions that are not only logical but also sensitive to the needs of diverse stakeholders. This dual focus on analysis and diplomacy sets Model UN apart as a unique, future-forward learning experience.

The leaders of tomorrow must navigate an interconnected world where success depends on collaboration, communication, and the ability to build consensus. Model UN equips students with these tools. It prepares them for roles in diplomacy, international relations, and leadership in any field by fostering skills like negotiation, public speaking, research, and teamwork.

At Pegasus, we are committed to developing confident and compassionate leaders. Model UN embodies this vision by teaching students to balance advocacy with empathy, collaboration with conviction, and intellect with understanding. These are the qualities that will set our students apart as they navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world.

Compassionate leadership, a tenant of our mission statement is not about winning an argument—it’s about solving problems and inspiring positive change in the world. Through Model UN, we equip our students to do just that.