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Model UN

About

ISU Model UN

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What is the Model United Nations?

The Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which catapults students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors of UN member states, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe to debate current issues on the Organization's vast agenda. The students, better known as "delegates" in Model UN parlance, prepare draft resolutions, strategize, 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 almost every country on Earth.

The 2002 ISU delegation listening to the committee reports.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in Model UN, students do research on the particular global problems that are part of their committee assignment. The problems are drawn from today's headlines. Model UN'ers learn how the international community acts on concerns about:
· peace and security
· human rights
· the environment
· food and hunger
· economic development
· globalization
and more.

Model UN delegates look closely at the needs, aspirations, and foreign policy of the country they represent. The insight they gain from their exploration of history, geography, mathematics, culture, economics, and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation once the actual role-playing gets under way--and ensures a lively and memorable experience.

For over 50 years now, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience that not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives:
· Research
· Writing
· Public speaking
· Problem solving
· Consensus building
· Conflict resolution
· Compromise and cooperation

The popularity of Model UN'ing has contributed to the rapid growth of this activity over several decades, and today upwards of 200,000 high school and college/university students participate in a Model UN each year. Some are classroom exercises, others school-wide, and still others regional, national, or international. Those in the last group are called conferences because of their larger size, and bring participants from all over the world. Many conference participants are repeaters, since the spirit and substance of these simulations create an appetite for this activity, more commonly known as "MUN Fever". Those with MUN Fever may continue on as adults to seek out inter generational simulations.

In fact, quite a few of today's leaders in law, government, business, and the arts participated in Model UN during their academic career--from US Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and World Court Justice Stephen M. Schwebel to actor Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, A Time to Kill). And yes, Chelsea Clinton is a Model UN veteran as well.