Intro to Model UN
In Model UN, students (or delegates, as we refer to them!) step into the role of diplomats as they address complex global issues. In a simulation of a United Nations committee session, students represent the perspective of their assigned country as they address issues like human rights, global health, climate change, and more.
Just like the “real UN,” delegates use what’s called parliamentary procedure to structure the debate. Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules that make it possible for each delegate to speak and be heard while negotiating their perspective.
Be a diplomat for a day.
Represent a country’s position.
Find new solutions to the world’s most complex problems.
How Does Model UN Work?
Sometimes, the best way to learn something is to see it in action (and practice!). For an introduction to Model UN, watch the video to the left, produced by SelangorMUN 2016.
To learn more about the Model UN group that developed this video, visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/malaysianmuners/
Key Elements of Model UN
Students step into the role of a diplomat as they represent an assigned country.
Students (or delegates, as we refer to them!) address a specific global issue — such as human rights, climate change, or global health — to name a few.
Model UN is a simulation that mirrors a UN Committee or Agency meeting.
The goal: develop written solutions on how to address the problem at hand (this is called “a resolution” in Model UN). Propose these resolutions to the entire group, and the group will vote whether to pass the resolution or not. (Check out our resolution template here.)
Skills
In Model UN, students have the opportunity to practice many skills in an experiential format. Students leave the program with skills for:
Communication through civic discourse
Collaboration to overcome differences
Problem-solving by considering multiple solutions
Critical thinking about complex global challenges
Perspective taking from the view of an assigned country
