The high school students write position papers on the topics from the perspective of the states they are to represent. Once of the conference, their objective is to arrive at a consensus on these issues and to pass a final resolution.

"It's about asking what are the realitics? What can you reasonably expect from a resolution? What can the U.N. do? Where are the boundaries of national sovereignty?" Khan said.

Certain special committees face more challenging circumstances. Two years ago, Khan recalled, conference delegates to the Security Council were awakened at 3 a.m. and told that the secretary-general had been captured by a freedom fighter and that they could not return to sleep until they had reached a consensus on the matter.

During the committee meetings, Harvard students serve as moderators and assistants, keeping order and helping the delegates to reach a consensus, Khan said.

The conference gives out awards to the best delegates in each committee based on the quality of the position paper, performance in formal debate, participation in discussion and personal improvement, Khan said, though "we really emphasize that the awards are not important."

Indeed, participants interviewed appreciated the conference move for its less tangible benefits.

"The discussions here have been excellent and we're getting a lot done" said Jeffrey Roizen, a senior at the University of Chicago's Lab School who was representing France on the International Court of Justice. "This conference is the top, since the intellectual competition far surpasses that at all the other conferences.