1,500 Students to Attend International Model UN at United Nations Headquarters
May 15, 2014
“Today students from around the globe will gather to tackle some of the vexing problems of our age,” said UNA-USA Executive Director Chris Whatley. “Global Classrooms® International Model UN builds young people’s skills and prepares them for vibrant and dynamic careers.”
Participants from 17 U.S. states and 20 countries are role-playing as ambassadors from UN member states, interest groups, and nongovernmental organizations in a simulation of the United Nations. Topics being discussed include climate change, peace and security, and sustainable agriculture.
Participants in this week’s UNA-USA Global Classrooms International Model UN Conference are part of a time-honored tradition of young people expanding their horizons and building for their own futures by participating in leading Model UN programs. At the 2012 International Model UN Conference, several participating students were part of the making of a documentary film called “Decorum” which detailed their preparations for and ultimate success at the conference. Today, all of the students featured in the film are attending college, and they credit Model UN with equipping them with the skills needed for such a bright future.
Ayah Innab, featured in “Decorum,” plans to become a lawyer, and said, “MUN showed me what I wanted to become. Everyone has a talent, and it showed me what my talents are.” Jamal Harun, studying to become a nurse, remarked that Model UN “is one of best opportunities you’ll ever have. It gives you real life experience to move toward college and beyond.” Narifa Aziz, now a biology major, said, “Model UN gave me a lot of exposure and [helped me] to be more open minded. It helped to build confidence in myself.”
Model UN has been the premier vehicle for building young people’s leadership skills and understanding of international affairs, world cultures, and the workings of the United Nations for over 60 years. In 1999, UNA-USA created Global Classrooms to bridge the gap in the Model UN community between experienced programs and traditionally underserved public schools worldwide.
For more information, please visit http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un
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Media Contact
Amy Auguston
202.213.7918
aauguston@unausa.org
About UNA-USA
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a membership organization dedicated to informing, inspiring, and mobilizing the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years, UNA-USA has worked to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the United Nations Foundation. UNA-USA and its sister organization the Better World Campaign represent the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. Learn more about UNA-USA’s programs and initiatives at www.unausa.org.
About Global Classrooms
The United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Classrooms Model UN is an educational program that engages public middle school and high school students in the United States and abroad in an exploration of current world issues through interactive simulations and curricular materials. Global Classrooms is the only comprehensive program of study and instruction based on Model UN, the largest Model UN network both inside and outside the United States, and the only Model UN provider focused on underserved populations. Impacting more than 25,000 students and teachers annually, Global Classrooms is implemented as a stand-alone curriculum, co-curricular, and as an after school program. For more information, visit www.unausa.org/globalclassrooms.
About the United Nations Foundation
The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.
