What is Model United Nations?

Introduction:
A Model United Nations (Model UN) is an interactive opportunity for students to become familiar with international issues and the workings of the United Nations organization. At a Model UN conference, students assume roles of diplomats representing various member-states of the UN and simulate various committees, agencies, specific organs, and programmes of the United Nations system. By simulating the discussions held between states at the UN and by striving towards a majority agreement in the form of a resolution, delegates learn about the challenges facing the UN today and learn how to put international issues in a more local and personal context.
Goals and Benefits of a Model UN conference:
The goal of a Model UN is to have students learn and debate the policies of the state they are representing with other students with the same aim. By participating in Model UN activities, students will learn about matters of international importance, about the unique challenges nations face in UN deliberations, and about the many factors that influence political outcomes. At the heart of every Model UN simulation - be it the General Assembly, the Security Council, a crisis committee, or a tribunal simulation - there are several objectives. In addition, students will also gain considerable experience at a personal level including:
• Increasing the student’s awareness of international events, issues, and trends, with particular emphasis on the role and limits of the United Nations;
• Gaining a comprehensive understanding of other states viewpoints, motives, and actions relevant to the context of the UN;
• Understanding the interaction of various national policies and the kinds of pressures each one brings to the discussion of world issues;
• Identify the limitations within the international system when confronting trivial global issues such as conflict or war;
• Developing skills in research, personal expression, cross-cultural understanding, creativity, and negotiation;
• Encouraging awareness of global issues through applied research on states, their national and foreign policies and their culture.
• Developing organizational skills;
• Strengthening ability to negotiate and debate;
• Sharpening intellectual aptitudes;
• Learning about diplomatic behaviour and tolerance;
• Improving leadership skills;
• Improving public speaking skills;
• Learning outside of the classroom context;
• Meeting people with interesting and varied backgrounds;
• Engaging in regional and international interconnectivity;
• Learning about the value of multilateral discussions; and
• Realizing the value in role-playing.