Students meet as Model United Nations

The Triunfo YMCA will hold the first meeting of its Model United Nations program at 6:30 p.m. today, Jan. 8 at Sumac Elementary School YMCA facility, 6050 Calmfield Ave., Agoura Hills.

The program is for children in grade 6 to 8 in Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park.

Model United Nations is part of the national YMCA Youth and Government program. Participants learn about cultural diversity, improve their public speaking skills and become more aware of global concerns.

The program will meet twice a month in January and February and then once a week through May.

Participants have the opportunity to meet teens from across the state by attending two conferences: a training conference near Paso Robles on March 13 through 15, and the Model UN Summit conference in Pasadena on April 30 through May 3.

During the main conference, student ambassadors take on the roles of UN members, chairs, and presiding officers. They discuss international issues that have a global impact.

For more information, call Veronica Rodarte, Triunfo YMCA program director, at (818) 707-9622 or e-mail vrodarte @triunfoymca.org.