Model United Nations
Continuing from the previous section, another way of encouraging pupils to engage in critical reflection and debate on important local and global issues is through a model United Nations (UN). This is a simulation of the UN General Assembly in which pupils represent different countries on the General Assembly and explore an important global issue around a proposed motion. The exercises can take place in the classroom or can be school wide. There is also a series of regional, national, and even international model UN conferences. The process aims to promote pupil and teacher interest in international relations and teaches research and communication skills. Through participation in such a process pupils have a chance to develop important active citizenship skills, such as public speaking, problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution, compromise and co-operation.
Now complete the activity on the right.
Activity Resources:
- Images
- Interactive
- Sound
- Text
- Video
Activity
- Choose a topical issue on which nations have different views and different interests, such as climate change or global warming, and propose a resolution on which to base the discussion. This could be, for example, 'The Assembly is deeply concerned about the social and ecological impact of climate change and calls for rich developed nations to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions by 20% by 2010'. Further information on how to write a resolution is provided in the 'Writing a MUNGA resolution' section of the Model United Nations General Assembly (MUNGA) website. MUNGA website
- Browse the 'Model UN Headquarters' section of the UN Cyberschoolbus website for further information about a model UN. Click, for example, on the 'Getting started' and 'Prepare for a conference' links. The 'Research tips' in the latter area are particularly useful. UN Cyberschoolbus
