Every Monday, a group of MSMS students gather to debate mock international security resolutions and act as delegates for various nations. This group is known as the Model Security Council.

In the United Nations, there is a branch called the Security Council that legislates international security issues such as terrorism, disease and peacekeeping. Much like the many Model UNs that exist, there are also Model Security Councils. As explained by co-president Nathan Barlow of MSMS’s Model Security Council, “Members pick a country and write resolutions that address a certain security issue. Then, using parliamentary procedure and Robert’s Rules of Order, members of Mississippi Model Security Council debate resolutions.”

At the upcoming MMSC competition, held at Mississippi State University, members of Model Security Councils from across the state will debate resolutions created by various members.

“Awards are given at the end, and MSMS usually brings home quite a few,” Barlow stated. Last year, there were teams from MSMS representing 16 different countries. The two teams representing the United Kingdom won Best Delegation and Best Resolution respectively, with the same happening for the two teams representing France. Another team from MSMS, this one representing Russia, won Best Delegation.

In order to prepare for the competition, Barlow said, “We meet roughly every Monday to practice debating our resolutions.” The competition will be held on Feb. 25-26.

Senior Connor McNamee expressed good feelings towards his time and experiences in the Security Council, saying “I like almost every person in the council. The only ones I don’t like are the ones I don’t know.” Junior Mayukh Datta had similar feelings about the club. When asked if he had enjoyed his experiences in the club, he said “Yeah, definitely. Even though I don’t often raise my voice, I do think the club in and of itself is a good way to learn global politics and expand my views on that.”