To anyone who is interested in Jr. Model UN:
The Student Diplomat program is for kids age 10-14 (grades 6-8). It introduces kids to how the United Nations works, as well as world cultures, geography, public speaking, debate, writing, and diplomacy. The details of the schedule are below.
If you are interested, contact Eryn Utz by Oct. 18th, because the deadline for registration with the WAC is Oct. 22nd. My email address is erynutz@comcast.net and my phone number is (610) 539-7095. Please provide me with the names and ages of the children, your name and address, your e-mail address, and 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices of countries for the kids.
If you have a high schooler interested in Model UN, please e-mail or call me soon, because the informational meeting for the high school Model UN is Oct. 9th at the World Affairs Council in Philadelphia.
Jr. Model UN is a chance for kids to become UN representatives for a particular country. They research the customs, history, and culture of that country especially as it relates to certain issues that are the topics for resolutions this year. In April they come together to hold a general session of the UN, and they are the delegates. They debate a subset of the resolutions that were submitted, making amendments and debating the issues, then vote on the resolutions. This is an awesome opportunity for kids to experience the United Nations, learn the ideals of the UN, and practice critical thinking skills and leadership. There is no other program that comes close to this!
The schedule is as follows:
Nov. 5th (Tuesday): a World of Cultures field trip to the Art Museum in Philadelphia. This is a specially designed field trip with an emphasis on seeing culture through art, with a special session at the end to talk about the Model UN program. Kids receive culture sheets to guide their research on their chosen country.
At date TBD between Dec. 1st and Feb. 1st, at a location we determine: a spokesman from the World Affairs Council (WAC) comes to us to give an introduction to the United Nations and resolution writing. Culture sheets are turned in.
Feb. 19 (Wednesday), at the Haverford School: Prep conference – topics include public speaking, debate, and resolution writing.
Mar. 21st (Friday): Due date for resolutions submitted to the World Affairs Council (via E-mail).
Apr. 9th (Wednesday): Model UN conference at the Haverford School.
The students work in groups of 4 delegates per country, 2 on each of the two issues for this year. The issues for this year are child soldiers and child access to education. In addition to the meetings above, each delegation (or pair working on the same issue) should get together at least once to discuss the resolution, and should be willing to e-mail back and forth because together they have to produce one resolution from their country on that issue.
The cost per child will vary depending on how many children sign up. There is a flat fee for up to 33 children, and if we get 33 it will be $14/child, and that includes the art museum field trip, and all the other classes on the above schedule. It does not include transportation. They did not include a visit to the UN in New York, but if we are interested in doing that they are willing to help with arrangements. Last year one of the moms arranged a bus trip to the UN and the Museum of Natural History, with a planetarium show, all for about $30/person.
Last Update: 12/04/2004 07:09 AM