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 debate serious global issues such as climate change, the Millennium Development Goals and conflict that impact on all countries. They try to decide through negotiation and consensus a 'resolution' 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.

Several successful Model United Nations Assemblies have now taken place in North Devon, Exeter, Torbay and Plymouth. The programme is currently trying to expand across the South West to involve schools and colleges in Bristol, East Devon and Cornwall. As part of this process a new interactive website has recently been launched: www.munsw.org.uk

The Assemblies are targeted at gifted and able KS3 and 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 use the links below:

Plymouth Model UN Assembly 2009 involving sixth formers from five schools.

Torbay Model UN Assembly 2009 involving sixth formers from five schools.

Plymouth Model UN Assembly 2008 involving sixth formers from five schools.

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

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