High School Model U.N.

Saturday, November 21, 2009, Alberici Enterprises (map);
9:00AM - 2:30 PM

HSMUN-November 22, 2009

Link to 'How the Model U.N. Works'

Compromise.  If Civitas could pick just one word to summarize our High School Model United Nations Program, compromise would be it.  In our modern world of Us vs. Them, Red states vs. Blue states, walled borders, and foreign wars, it seems impossible for students to find an open forum where in the words of former Missouri Senator John Danforth, they can have “more thoughtful, and hopefully, more civil political discourse.”   We want to provide a place where there are no right answers or trick questions, a place where the ideas are as diverse as the participants.  We’re trying to change the adversarial mindset of so many model U.N. programs.

Under the banner of the United Nations students are encouraged to immerse themselves in the politics, cultures, and problems of the 192 member nations. They research, write resolutions, and serve as delegates during all-day sessions that showcases what they’ve learned about solving the world’s problems.  During this time most students see that to make a difference everyone has to work together to get things done, whether it be curing AIDs, extreme poverty, or global warming. Compromise has always been and will always be the keystone to peace and the Civitas program tries to both promote and model this approach.

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How the Model U.N. Works:

 

High School Model United Nations in a Nutshell:

Before the General Assembly Session:

  1. Attend the country draft.  October 17, 2009 is the date of this year’s country draft. (It’s being held at Crossroads College Preparatory School -- map). It’s very simple. You show up, you confer with the other delegates from your school about which countries you’d like to represent, we draw school names from a hat, and that’s the order everyone gets to pick their countries.
  2. Research your country. You don’t need to know everything about your country. (Obviously the more you know the better, but you don’t have to be an expert.) You just need to know enough to be comfortable playing the role of ambassador. Know where your country is on a map. Learn who your friends & enemies are. See if you’ve been in the news lately.
  3. Preview the resolutions. Unlike previous years, in 2009 Civitas will be providing the resolutions for the day of the session. We’ll be posting them online before the day of the General Assembly so that all the delegates can see what they’ll be discussing. Of course, if a delegate would like to submit a resolution we’re more than happy to add it to the day’s agenda.

At the General Assembly:

  1. Arrive a bit early.  The Model United Nations Session is November 21st at 9:00 AM. (The location is at Alberici Enterprises -- map) --  We’d like you to show up early so you can grab your placard and the handouts for the day. This is a great chance to see if any new resolutions have been added and chat with your fellow delegates. Also, the number of committees has been condensed to just form a General Assembly. That means everyone will be in the same committee, so you might want to scope out where your allies are sitting.
  2. Amend, debate, and pass resolutions.  You will represent your country by asking questions, adding your amendment suggestions, providing your country’s view in discussion, and voting on resolutions.  Remember: during a U.N. session, you are no longer an American, but a delegate of your chosen country.
  3. Have fun.  The whole point of Model United Nations is to learn something, meet students from other schools, and have a good time.


After the General Assembly Session:

  • Discuss the day’s outcome.  A brief wrap-up will highlight the progress made and the resolutions passed.