GORHAM – More than 500 high school students, most of them from Maine, will gather at the campus of the University of Southern Maine from May 15 to 17 for the ninth annual Maine Model United Nations Conference.

The event, in which students learn by simulating sessions of the UN, is sponsored by the Maine chapter of the United Nations Association.

The conference is planned and run by USM students, and the public is invited to observe. Lewiston area high schools are among the almost 25 schools participating.

The high school students move on campus for three days to take on assigned roles, representing more than 100 countries as UN delegates. Teachers and selected USM students have prepared them for their task.

Keynote speaker will be Tim Wilson, Seeds of Peace, a summer camp in Otisfield, which brings Israeli, Arab and other children from war-torn regions together to participate in programs that help the children see each other as persons, not adversaries.

UNA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that fosters citizen awareness of the work of the United Nations.

Membership in UNA’s Maine chapter helps support Maine’s version of the growing international model UN movement. The chapter’s home office is in Augusta, and new members are welcome. Call 495-2675 for details.