What is Model United Nations?
In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's vast agenda. Student "delegates" in Model UN prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN's rules of procedure—all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.
Through a simulation of the workings of the United Nations, delegates gain the opportunity to attempt to arrive at an acceptable solution to major international problems. Students are prepared for each simulation through a series of evening meetings which demonstrate how to write position papers, working papers and United Nations Resolutions. In addition, preparation sessions will help students to gain an understanding of parliamentary procedure, and formal and informal debate skills.
Delegates will be assigned a country or person to represent and one or more topics to research. The delegate's responsibility is to gain a thorough understanding of the problems related to their topics, as well as their country or person's view of the best solutions. At the actual simulation, delegates will represent those views as they attempt to gain consensus with other delegates to solve the problems. Depending on the size of the conference, students will work with anywhere from 20 to 200 other delegates at the simulation.
