1,500 Students to Take On Global Issues At International Middle School Model UN
March 27, 2014
“Today these students begin their journey as committed global citizens,” said UNA-USA Executive Director Chris Whatley. “Model UN is a unique opportunity for young people to increase their global literacy, learn critical thinking, and hone their leadership skills.”
The U.S. Youth Observer to the UN, Tiffany Taylor, will give a keynote address to students from 13 U.S. states and 14 countries. Participants 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, and a special “Summit on Women” will focus on empowering women.
Participating students are eager to demonstrate their knowledge at Model UN. “I can’t wait to show everything that I’ve learned about other countries and cultures,” said Ommar Watson, a student at Queens Collegiate Academy in Queens, New York. “The best part will be meeting other students from around the world,” said Elizabeth Singh, also of Queens Collegiate Academy.
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 www.unausa.org/msmun.
Tweet This: Nearly 1500 students, @unausa & @USYouthObserver are in NYC today tackling global problems w/ @GCModelUN! Learn more http://bit.ly/FOklMw
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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.
