What is Model United Nations?
MUN (Model United Nations) is an academic simulation of the United
Nations that aims to educate participants about civics, effective
communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. In Model UN,
students take on roles as foreign diplomats and participate in a
simulated session of an intergovernmental organization (IGO).
Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate
international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop
solutions to world problems.
What is the Arizona Model United Nations High School
Conference?
The Arizona Model United Nations program was
founded in 1963 by Dr. Clifton E. Wilson, a full professor in the
Department of Political Science at the University of Arizona.
Through the program, Dr. Wilson hoped to provide an interactive
learning experience in international politics, law and diplomacy for
both high school and university students.
The first Arizona Model United Nations high school
conference was held on January 18th and 19th,
1963. Because the
conference was being held on an “experimental basis”, it was initially
limited to Tucson, Arizona
area high schools. Ten Tucson high schools sent 200 delegates and
sponsors to the session which consisted only of the General Assembly.
The topics considered at the first General Assembly session were
the Representation of Communist China in the United Nations and Nuclear
Testing. Because of the
enthusiastic response to this “experimental” conference, it was decided
not only to make the session an annual event, but to extend it to
include all Arizona high schools.
In its forty six years of existence, AMUN has
reached out of more than 60 schools within the state of Arizona as well as schools in
California
and Sonora, Mexico.
The AMUN sessions have grown to include the Security Council, the
Economic and Social Council, specialized committees dealing with topics
such as the status of women and crime prevention, and regional bodies
such as the Arab League and African Union.
AMUN has also expanded to include a Spanish-language component
which now simulates a meeting of the Organization of American States as
well as a Spanish-language Security Council.
An enormous amount of preparation goes on behind
the scenes to get ready for the actual AMUN session
High schools select countries, research, write position papers,
and send students as delegates.
Faculty advisors and student leaders help prepare their
delegations by using materials of their own as well as materials
provided by AMUN. Some
Schools offer AMUN as a regular class, while others offer it as a club
or special activity.
The University of Arizona
group or ‘club’ consists of about 40 students who act as the Secretariat
for the conference, running committee sessions, helping with research,
facilitating crisis simulations, etc. These full-time university
students organize the program, write background materials to help the
high schools prepare and
meet with the high school student to advise and instruct them.
The activities of these students are run primarily through an
eleven-member executive committee supervised by a Secretary General and
a Faculty Advisor.
The session is held at the University of Arizona Student Union and last for two
days. One of the highlights
of the two day program is the International Banquet which feature a
keynote speaker. Students
meet in committee sessions to form strategy, debate, then draft and vote
on resolutions. The session
ends with the Plenary Session where Special Rapporteurs report on the
highlights of their committees and awards are given out to exceptional
delegates.
The educational value of high school Model United
Nations simulations is immeasurable.
Student Delegates take on the role of the countries they
represent. Through this,
they learn how other nations of the world view important issues while
also learning how these nations work together.
This simulation provides a better understanding of global
cooperation and the use of peaceful means to solve programs while also
acting as a great introduction to the fields of international relations
and international law.
Students gain a better knowledge of diplomacy and a realization that
many of the problems facing our modern world truly know no geographic
boundaries.
AMUN is one of the oldest and most enduring student
organizations at the
University
of Arizona.
We are proud that the AMUN has grown to become an integral part
of the University
of Arizona and of
the educational program at many high schools.
The AMUN program has attracted the attention of the community and
has gained national recognition both for its high school conference and
for the performance of its University club-members as they participate
at international conferences.
We hope that participating students can absorb all that is
offered by this unique experience.
Our sincere thanks goes out to all of those special people who
have worked hard over the last five decades to make AMUN what it is
today.
Model United Nations is a club devoted to world
cultures...
Model United Nations is about leadership...
Model United Nations is about global debate...
Model United Nations is about making friends...
