Freshman Negheen Kamkar has never visited Palestine before, but last weekend she found herself speaking on the country’s behalf at the Northwest Model United Nations Conference, finding solutions to world issues with other students from across the country.

“I think it really allows a vehicle for dialogue between students,” said senior Zeck Donahue, representing Turkey from Western Washington University (WWU). “It is kind of refreshing to see students working together to solve real world issues.”

Students from across the country participated in the conference Friday through Sunday, hosted by the UW and WWU. Schools are assigned countries, and students represent those nations on the U.N. committees chosen for the conference. Delegates draft position papers for their country before the conference. They come prepared to convince other countries to support the resolution that they develop and vote on in committees that operate as simulations of the actual U.N.

“It gives them the chance to practice what they learn in class and apply it to an actual simulation,” said senior Chis Esh, president of Model U.N. at the UW (UW-MUN).

The five committees at this year’s conference included the General Assembly Fourth Committee, the Commission on Sustainable Development, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Security Council, and the Reformed Security Council. All the committees are currently represented in the U.N., except the Reformed Security Council, which is meant to simulate proposed changes to the countries that comprise the committee.

“Probably the hardest part is accomplishing your policy goals among diverse interests, and honestly, that’s the most fun part as well,” said senior Neil Rotta, representing the Dominican Republic. “Going to a conference like this forces you to put yourself in the mindset of the country that you’re representing.”

Rotta said that the Northwest Conference is unique in that it’s easily accessible to new and experienced members, with upper-level committees catering to veteran delegates and others providing a welcoming atmosphere for new students.

“I was very intimidated by how many people were in the General Assembly,” Kamkar said. “I knew that there [were] people who hadn’t been in Model U.N. before, so I wasn’t alone, but you’re still by yourself representing your own country, and you have to have done a lot of research beforehand and be really well prepared.”

Kamkar represented Palestine at the conference, and as one of the topics in her committee was assistance to Palestinian Refugees, she quickly learned parliamentary procedure through trial and error, coming to an agreement with other delegates representing two extreme sides.

“Part of the intimidation was everyone coming to me and asking me what my position was, if I would sign their position paper and their working resolution, but once you get the hang of it, you just start being able to set a priority of what your country wants,” Kamkar said. “I’m very tired … but I would do this every day. It’s been a thrilling experience.”

Reach reporter Lexie Krell at news@dailyuw.com.