Model United Nations - Peace Building With Youth

an article by Sean Tanaka

I was first introduced to Model United Nations during my freshman year of high school and since then, have become a strong proponent of its merit.

High school and college students across the globe have embraced this program. MUN Conferences can be found across the United States and in other countries such as Egypt, Cuba, United States of America, Japan, France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

MUN is a program that allows students to participate in an educational simulation that focuses on communication, collaboration, and multilateral diplomacy, three vital abilities of any future world leader. Full United Nations procedures and rules are followed and enforced by the directors of the committee to create a realistic simulation of the United Nations. Students are required to conduct extensive research on current affairs, economics, geography, and history, thus increasing youth involvement in international affairs.

During a MUN conference, student delegates step into the shoes of foreign ambassadors and represent a member state of the UN in various committees ranging from the General Assembly (GA), Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and some Secretariat Committees. Model United Nations also includes regional committees such as the European Union, Arab Union, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the World Bank.

Through collaborative efforts with other representatives of other nations, delegates work to draft a UN resolution pertaining to their specific topic. This process allows students to resolve issues based on their research, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, utilizing doctrines such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Charter, and Millennium Goals.

Model United Nations, a program that began in the 1920s as a simulation of the League of Nations (the predecessor of the United Nations) by a small group of students at Harvard University, has grown to become one of the essential initiatives of the UN, preparing our youth as future Peace builders in the United Nations.

For more information on MUN Conferences visit their web page.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Youth as Future Peacebuilders, What project-based learning initiatives are available?

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Latest reader comment:

Yes! Youth can and does make a difference, if given the opportunity.

In all of our inter-action on Peace youth played a very important role.

Million Minutes of Peace: Signing of the Manifesto initiative, more than 900 signature were submitted by us.

In 2001 at 1pm. we had a young man of 10 lead the City Officials in the First Steps into the International Decade of Peace 2001 -2010

Every year on September 21st an activity led by youth is held, the last two years we planted trees in memory of those who lost their lives to natural disasters, or participated in a walk led by the Minister of Education with many schools involved.

Yes! Youth can and does play a very important role in the promotion of peace.  

iearntnt

Trinidad and Tobago

This report was posted on July 13, 2006.

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