University School Model United Nations

SUNMUN I

Introduction

This is the first year the University School International Relations Club have been participating in Model United Nations conferences, and so far it has been tremendous fun and a great success! So far, University school students have attended--and distinguished themselves--at Model United Nations held at Nova Southeaster (NSUMUN) and the University of Miami (MICSUN).  We intend to continue our participation in Model United Nations conferences next year at the University of Central Florida (KnightMUN), the University of North Carolina (MUNCH), and one of the premier Model United Nations in the country:  the University of Chicago (MUNUC).

 This year will mark the first Model United Nations held at University School put on by the University School International Relations Club.

But first, what is a Model United Nations Conference?

A Model UN simulates the activities of a representative body of the United Nations, usually the Security Council or the General Assembly and its committees. Delegates assume the roles of the diplomatic representatives of the member states of the United Nations. They meet to consider, debate, and possibly resolve controversial items from the UN’s vast agenda. Through this role-playing, students are able to gain a greater understanding of global issues and the complexities of the international system. Model United Nations generally range in size from 15 students in a single classroom, simulating the Security Council, to thousands of students in a convention hotel, covering the full range of UN activities. Over 100 major Model United Nations are held annually around the world, and there are well over 60,000 people who participate in one or more Model UN Conferences or events each year.

The Model UN Program is by no means an “elite” activity just for young people with demonstrated leadership abilities. There is room for everyone who seeks a better understanding of the world, and how change and progress is made at the international level. The demands on a delegation representing the complex interests of a country in the UN requires a wide range of expertise, abilities, and skills: both leaders and followers, negotiators and debaters, writers and spokesmen, experts and diplomats. A delegation participating in a Model United Nations needs many different types of people, and it should be clear that every individual in a delegation is equally important to the success of the group.

SUNMUN is a unique opportunity for cooperative education in politics, diplomacy, history, current issues, and foreign affairs. The experience of Model United Nations Conferences, in which participants represent their assigned country’s position in various committees and work towards writing resolutions to address debated topics, brings to life the problems that face nations in the real world. The stated purpose of the University School International Relations Club and the SUNMUN is:

• to educate high school students in the arts of debate, negotiation, and public speaking by providing a forum in which they can test and enrich their skills.
• to introduce students to the fascinating realities and complexities of international relations through simulations of international organizations.
• to demonstrate the potential of the United Nations to resolve global conflicts and problems while showing its limitations as well.
• to allow the students to participate in “living” historical situations and recognize the fact that they, too, are a part of history.
• and, of course, to meet, work with, and socialize with other students in both cooperative and competitive situations.

The University School International Relations Club is excited to present the First Annual University School Model United Nations  (SUNMUN) and we hope to see YOU there!!

Information

WHEN: Thursday, May  22, 2014

WHERE: Sonken Building, University School
Media Center
TIME: 8:00 - 2:00

SPONSOR: University School International Relations Club
-Luna Perez, Club Secretary-General
-Mr. Crawford, Faculty Sponsor

REGISTRATION FEE: $10 per student

UNITED NATIONS MAIN ORGANS AND COMMITTEES IN OPERATION:
Security Council (SC) - 15 member nations

ELIGIBLE STUDENTS:
High School students, Ninth through Eleventh grade.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS PER DELEGATION:
two

COUNTRIES YOU CAN REPRESENT:
Choose from our official list of member nations of the Security Council of the United Nations:

China                        France                        Russia

UK                            Argentina                    Brazil

Iran                            Japan                         USA

Ukraine                      Syria                          Rwanda

Korea                        Nigeria                         Lithuania

List your top five choices on the application, and make sure each group fills in only one application. Countries will be chosen by lottery with preference given to those who turned in their applications first, and you will be informed of your country on the Club Facebook site or by email.

PREPARATION:
Each Delegation will be responsible for researching and writing a short position paragraph on the issues involved from the point of view of the assigned country. Time and credit for preparation and participation in the Pine Crest Model United Nations will be given to those who participate at the discretion of the appropriate Social Studies teacher.

You will find information on

Position Papers Here

Parliamentary Procedure Here

Resolutions Here

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR CLARIFICATIONS:
Contact Mr. Crawford in 213

go to Topics for the University School Model United Nations

Robert A. Crawford.
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