Andrew Harris represented the Russian Federation at the model UN at St. Mary School. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

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Sharing and manipulating information on social media in the digital age is a hot topic and in Prince Albert, the model UN had it as their main agenda item.

Students from W.P. Sandin school in Shellbrook, Saint Mary High School and Carlton Comprehensive took on the real-life perspectives of certain countries as they debated the idea earlier today.

The Russian Federation was represented by Andrew Harris, a St. Mary student in Grade 11.

“I just use what Russia says because you have to use what they would say,” he said.

Having to use what is happening in real life as part of a school-based project is a learning experience.

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You learn a lot about the world and the different point of view of the different countries,” said Harris.

Harris doesn’t agree with the current activities of the Russian Federation but can speak about why Vladimir Putin has taken the stance he has.

Russia claims, for instance, that they were attacked by NATO and the US as a way to advance their position in Eastern Europe. Russian president Vladimir Putin says his country is defending itself and saving Russians in Ukraine from genocide by the Ukrainian government.

“I like the debating and it’s a good opportunity to public speak, you know,” he said.

For Grade 12 Carlton student Sanjana Brijlall, the model UN satisfies her desire for social interaction and political discourse at the same time.

“You get to meet so many people. Even here I got to meet so many new people and I enjoy talking about politics and foreign affairs,” she explained.

The assembly is run as a real-life assembly would be run and the countries are presented with the actual resolution.

“We’ve just had a little bit of discussion. Each country can go up and give their point of view,” said Brijlall.

By mid-morning, the 17 countries represented had broken up into caucuses to discuss the issue privately.

Brijlall has gone to the larger event in Winnipeg in the past which has over 100 countries represented.

Each school is given a set of countries. Each student, along with a partner, chose their country from a list shared by their teacher.

When it comes to politics and the internet, the truth can be argued to be subjective, however.

“I learned about Russia. They implemented a new law that would ban fake news but it’s not really fake news. It’s what they think is fake news which is real news,” Brijlall explained.

Students from Carlton, St. Mary and W.P. Sandin School in Shellbrook met today in a model UN. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

The Prince Albert Rotary Club sponsors the event and helps send students to the larger Winnipeg venue which will once again be done virtually this year.

In 1957, the Rotary Club of Winnipeg started the model United Nations of North America where it has run consistently, said Bob Twyver, a member of the club.

In Prince Albert, the event has run since 1967.

The students sent from Prince Albert to Winnipeg will combine with others from Manitoba, Ontario, North Dakota and Minnesota.

The Rotary organizations has multiple pillars, including education and promoting peace. The model UN promotes those concepts.

“Its huge in terms of them recognizing the involvement of the United Nations in the world and, in particular, right now,” said Twyver.

“They get to research the particular countries, represent their views whether it’s positive or negative on the resolution and understand how each country co-ordinates with other countries in the world.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow