As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. Mohandas Gandhi
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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Model United Nations?
- How did Model UN begin?
- What is the relationship of Montessori Model United Nations to Model United Nations?
- Who participates in Model United Nations?
- What types of topics are discussed in Model United Nations conferences?
- What is a Model United Nations delegate?
- Why should I participate in Model United Nations?
- What are some of the educational benefits of Model United Nations?
- What will workshop participants receive?
- Who will advise, guide and direct the teachers, students, and the conference?
What is Model United Nations?
Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other
multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors
from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda.
While playing their roles as ambassadors, student "delegates" make speeches,
prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts,
and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure - all in the interest
of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries
all over the world.
Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in a Model UN simulation, students research the issue that their committee will address. Model UN participants learn how the international community acts on its concerns about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development and globalization. Model UN delegates also look closely at the needs, goals and foreign policies of the countries they will represent at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation when the role playing gets under way. The delegates' in-depth knowledge of their countries guarantees a lively and memorable experience.
How did Model UN begin?
While there is no official record of how Model UN began, we do know that Model UN is the successor of a series of student-led Model League of Nations simulations. Some people believe that the first Model UN conference was held at Harvard University, although other colleges claim they held the first conference. Regardless, simulations of international organizations began even before the birth of the United Nations!
What is the relationship of Montessori Model United Nations to Model United Nations?
Model UN is not officially owned by any individual organization. The Model UN program in the United States is actually a decentralized community that is driven predominately by its student participants.
Who participates in Model United Nations?
The popularity of Model UN continues to grow and more than 400,000 middle
school, high school and college/university students worldwide participate every
year. Many of today's leaders in law, government, business and the arts participated
in Model UN during their academic careers - from US Supreme Court Justice Stephen
Breyer and former World Court Justice Stephen M. Schwebel to ABC This Week
anchor George Stephanapolis. Former first-daughter Chelsea Clinton is a Model
UN veteran as well.
More recently, Model UN has been receiving attention in the main stream media and has been featured in television programs including The Simpson's, Like Family, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Will and Grace. Model UN was the theme of the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen movie Winning London and was referred to in The Sure Thing, Along Came Polly and The OC. And at least one Jeopardy question was correctly answered with "What is Model UN?"
What types of topics are discussed in Model United Nations conferences?
The agenda items discussed in committee vary at each conference. Most conferences tend to focus on current affairs issues that are being discussed in the United Nations. These issues can highlight political, financial and/or social concerns. However, the task of come committees might be to address hypothetical concerns or issues from the past of future. For example, many conferences have "crisis" committees, in which delegates must react to a hypothetical or actual crisis situation. Other conferences host historical or future Security Council simulations.
What is a Model United Nations delegate?
A Model UN delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations in a Model UN simulation. Prior to a conference or event, a Model UN delegate does not need extensive experience in international relations. Anyone can participate in Model UN, so long as they have the ambition to learn something new and to work with people to try and make a difference in the world. Model UN students tend to go on to become great leaders in politics, law, business, education and medicine.
Why should I participate in Model United Nations?
Model UN promotes students' and teachers' interest in world around them and broadens a student's knowledge in a variety of subjects. Model UN also teaches vital skills in problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication. Model UN also gives students and teachers the opportunity to meet interesting new people and make new friends.
What are some of the educational benefits of Model United Nations?
For almost 60 years teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience. It not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues, but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives, such as research, writing, public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and compromise and cooperation.
>What will workshop participants receive?
Each participating educator will:
- Receive the Montessori Model United Nations Handbook with links to the Montessori curriculum
- Learn how to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations
- Learn to use global education activities in the classroom
- Meet Ambassadors and other UN and Model UN leaders.
- Receive a private tour of the UN
- Meet with Model UN students and view a mock session
Who will advise, guide and direct the teachers, students, and the conference?
The Montessori Model UN Conference is directed by Judith Cunningham & Heidi Walters. Throughout the year, the staff will be preparing the background guides and answering your questions in preparing for this conference. During the conference, the staff will direct committees, conduct teacher workshops and advise students on the progress of their resolutions. The Model UN staff come from a diverse background in life and education that makes our team not only unique but also very successful.
