Strive to Make a Difference
In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. Students make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.
UNACOL Board Member Len Baldwin heads OURMUN, the chapter's Model United Nations program arm, which gives middle and high school and college students the opportunity to tackle and work through the very real world problems that face our world today, including terrorism, women's rights, the environment, and state relations. The Model United Nations is an educational program which uses creative problem solving, higher level thinking skills, and in-depth research as a springboard
for collaboration through real world experiences. The program is designed to enhance and enrich
each student’s knowledge base in the following areas: A. Cultural Awareness, B. Historical Implications and function of the United Nations
today and in the future, and C. Comparative
Issues facing world countries with regard to philosophical,
economical, and governmental structures.
This highly interactive leadership program is offered to all students
attending high schools and colleges in most states. Students
who participate with these activities will develop skills as leaders in the
student population. By creating a
sense of character and purpose, meaningful early leadership experiences will
carry over into adult life.
Investing in these young lives now, means a stronger, brighter future
for us all.
The skills developed and utilized through the Model United Nations Program include the following:
1. Written and oral communication,
2. In-Depth research, critical thinking and problem solving,
3. Analysis, classification, and evaluation of information,
4. Mediation, negotiation, and compromise in conflict resolution,
5. World issues and current trends as they apply to peace keeping,
6. Inter/intra personal skills in collaborating with diverse- team problem solving.