Story by Elise Kidd

Junior United Nations Assembly of Alabama, otherwise known as JUNA, is gearing up to host its 32nd annual conference at Birmingham-Southern College in January 2023.

Similar to model U.N., JUNA allows students to participate in a conference that helps them build their public speaking, writing, researching and critical thinking skills. JUNA also promotes appreciation for diversity, encouraging students to learn more about international issues.

A delegate signing the opening greeting in ASL while a fellow delegate presents it in English.
Courtesy: JUNA of Alabama

Unlike Model U.N., JUNA is for sixth through eighth grade students. The students are assigned a country involved in the United Nations and then spend months researching and crafting speeches to help change a problem in their respective countries. Students then attend the conference in January representing the people of their country where they present their greetings in country’s native language, English and American Sign Language.

Susan Dulin, who will be entering her 22nd year as director of JUNA, explained the differences between a traditional model U.N. and JUNA.

“It’s organized as a model U.N., but it’s more than that,” Dunlin said. “It’s a place where you can meet others with similar interests and channel your energy into learning about solving some tremendous problems.”

Students from all over the state participate in JUNA. Dulin emphasizes that JUNA is “an energetic and exciting event where kids from across Alabama meet new friends, discuss international issues and learn how to solve problems. It’s about connecting people from different schools and regions and connecting us to different nations and issues.”

While the delegates may be students ranging from ages 11 to 14, most of JUNA is run by its student leaders. The student leaders are high school students who have applied to help run the general assembly, committees and security council.

The delegation from the Czech Republic presents their resolution at General Assembly in Bruno Great Hall.
Courtesy: JUNA of Alabama.

On average, there are about 40 student leaders helping run JUNA. These students are returners to JUNA after being delegates in middle school and frequently serve as leaders throughout all of their high school years.

Mary Ann Rickles, a Gadsden City High School senior, is about to experience her final year at JUNA.

“I keep coming back to JUNA because I have made lifelong friends, built connections and continue to learn something new every time I go,” Rickles said.

JUNA drew in Reagan Wesley, a junior at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate school, because it provided “the opportunity to surround myself with new people and do public speaking. I adore the atmosphere of young adults learning and developing their life skills while having an amazing time doing so.”

Many JUNA alumni even return after graduating or continue careers related to JUNA. Casey Rickles, a former student leader, just completed an internship with the U.N. in New York. Ashley Stanford, a college student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is returning for JUNA 2023 to serve as a new production assistant. While Carson Jones, son of former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, returns almost yearly.

Jones designed JUNA’s website and continues to serve as a board member for the organization, inviting his father to come and speak to some of the delegates and leaders.

Former Ambassador to the U.N., Kelly Craft, with JUNA Student Leaders and Director Susan Dulin in January 2020.
Courtesy: JUNA of Alabama.

Other guest speakers have been foreign exchange students from the Netherlands and Indonesia, JUNA alumni and even former ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft. Craft visited after former student leader, Lewis Clark, wrote her a letter asking if she’d be willing to film a video for the 2020 conference. Craft offered to come in person instead to share her insight, knowledge and first-hand experience with the U.N.

JUNA opens doors for the youth of Alabama to learn more about other communities, connect with peers who have similar interests and improve their world awareness. It allows them to meet individuals who experience the cultures and countries the students are representing.

“I think JUNA is a perfect combination of Gandhi’s famous quote, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’ and ‘Do something every day that scares you,’ which I think is from Eleanor Roosevelt. These students are getting after the problems in the world, so you can get to know them now or read about them later! I love that the kids feel empowered to speak their minds, generate ideas, and make great changes,” Dulin said.

If you’d like to tune into JUNA 2023 on Jan. 26 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., there will be a livestream of the conference on the organization’s Instagram. You can also find more information on their website, or you can contact Susan Dulin at sudulin@junaofalabama.com.