Model United Nations Assemblies

A Model United Nations (UN) Assembly is a simulation or role play of the United Nations. Participants take on the role of delegates from countries who are members of the United Nations and debateg serious global issues such as climate change and poverty that impact on all countries. They try to decide through negotiation and consensus a 'resolution': an agreement on the best ways to take action to address the issues.

Delegates must try to represent accurately the policies of the country or interest group they represent.

Model UN Assemblies enable participants to experience, practice and experiment with technical writing, debating, public speaking, listening, strategic thinking, conflict resolution, negotiation and decision making.

Three highly successful Model United Nations Assemblies have now taken place, in North Devon, Exeter and Torbay, with a forth planned for Plymouth.

The Assemblies have all debated climate change and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), both critical issues globally and both debated within the UN. The Assemblies are targeted at gifted and able KS4 students and sixth formers.

The learning objectives of MUN Assemblies are to enable participants to:
• Gain insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by providing opportunities to assume the roles of UN representatives
• Understand relations between countries and particularly power relations between rich and poor countries
• Carry out in-depth research which will include geography, history, science and economics related to climate change and issues of global poverty and the MDGs
• Debate the issues that confront world leaders and draft resolutions in response to these global issues
• Develop and experience important social skills such as teamwork and group cooperation, conflict resolution, negotiation, consensus-building, critical thinking, public speaking and listening.

Please contact Andrew Bell at the Global Centre if you are interested or need further information.

To read about the successful Model United Nations Assemblies that have taken place across Devon click on the links below:

North Devon Model UN Assembly involving secondary school students in 2006.

Exeter adult Model UN Assembly held at Devon County Hall in June 2007.

Torbay Model UN Assembly involving sixth formers from 8 Torbay schools held in March 2008.