How Does Participating In Model United Nations Help You?

Surely in your childhood you must have engaged in pretend play. Pretending to be your teacher, your mom or dad, used to be fun right? You could discipline younger siblings and cousins, or teach multiplication to neighbour’s kids. Now that you’re all grown up this of course is out of the question. However, this “pretend play” has advanced to “educational stimulation.” How you may ask? Take a long and insightful look at Model United Nations activities undertaken at school and college level where you get to participate as a United Nations delegate. You read that right, you can debate, discuss and conduct yourself as a representative of any country across the world.

Participants from MUN registered schools and colleges role-play as members of committees, representing specific countries, and engage in debates on assigned global issues. The MUN India is much more than an extra-curricular activity that works on the holistic development of the students.

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What Are MUN Activities?

Model United Nations is a famous activity through which students all over the world explore how the United Nations (UN) functions. It familiarises the students with concepts like diplomacy, and international relations making them skilled at debate, public speaking, writing etc. The MUN onboards many students to participate in this programme through schools, colleges or other affiliated organisations. This programme is aimed at nurturing and strengthening the bond between UN and Model UN participants across the world.

How Is A Typical MUN Conducted?

Each session has an appointed chairperson who leads discussions. The student delegates then take turns giving speeches using a speaker’s list. They then have focused debates on specific issues or work together with allies to write draft resolutions or formal proposals to discuss a solution to an issue. These resolutions are later presented, and voted upon by the panel of appointed countries. It's the decision of the delegates to agree or disagree with a resolution passed at the conference. This is how a typical MUN is conducted. However, there can be modifications in the way it is conducted depending on the preference of the conference.

How Can You Participate?

Participation in Model United Nations is possible through affiliations via schools or organisations. Some of the renowned committees of MUN held by schools, colleges or organisations are the KIIT International Model United Nations, Doon School MUN, India's International Movement to the United Nations and more. These organisations can conduct conferences at inter, intra or international levels.

For you to be eligible to participate in MUN you have to search for local organisers online or through your school. You can also inquire at the United Nations Information Centre in your area for opportunities and resources.

Your school can join a network of over 1000 schools by affiliating with India MUN, which is committed to climate action. This offers access to UN-based programs and events, providing a unique and impactful experience for students. India MUN provides extensive support, including teacher and student training, and ensures engaging and interactive programmes. There is no nodal government agency for Model UN. Every school is free to make its own Model UN team and register for any Model UN conference circuit.

What Is A MUN Circuit?

The Indian Model United Nations (MUN) circuit is a list of conferences held across India held by educational institutions or other affiliated organisations. Students from schools and colleges all over India conduct sessions comparable to those conducted by the UN. The MUN sessions involve the participation of students as delegates of other countries while putting out their opinion on global issues. This platform allows young students to become global citizens aware of the prevalent worldwide scenario and take steps and bring about positive changes.

Programmes Of MUN India 2023

Youth Leadership Programme: This programme is specifically designed for school students led by industry leaders and climate influencers. It focuses on developing individual leadership styles and life skills, helping students excel in their chosen fields.

India's Young Forest Ambassador: This is a youth-led initiative for school and college students, funding steps and schemes undertaken to restore degraded forest systems. This initiative involves introducing the participant to the ecological and social impact of the restoration of forests and its relevance to your own life. Registration for this ambassador programme is still open for applications.

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Climate Hackathon Schools: This intense hackathon is for school and university students. It addresses relevant climate change issues faced by Indian businesses and communities. The participants in this session strategies measures for giving new directions for climate action involving tech products, policy evaluations, and business proposals.

Helps Develop Higher Order Thinking Skills

Critical Skills: MUN encourages critical analysis of global issues from multiple perspectives.

Team Skills: Students enhance collaboration and goal achievement through MUN activities. Participants in MUN work together to achieve the desired result of the delegation.

Problem-Solving Skills: MUN develops problem-solving abilities by understanding complex political and economic aspects for not our own country but also our allies.

Communication Skills: Participants in MUN represent an entire community of people as a member country. It is thus important for them to sound politically and diplomatically correct in their communication. This in the process improves their communication skills.

Personal Skills: MUN fosters personal growth, recognising the value of extracurricular activities. This learning activity might be a helpful support in future.

Autonomous Skills: MUN instils independence and result-oriented approaches. Participants during the delegation make extra effort to meet deadlines without any external support.

Adaptability Skills: MUN teaches adaptability and effective planning in dynamic environments. MUN participants gain adaptability skills through effective planning, adjusting to change, and systematic goal-setting. These skills prepare them for real-life challenges.

Time Skills: MUN enhances time management for research and resolutions. The participants during the delegation devise a plan for themselves and others to achieve the deadline for tasks. The planning and prioritisation of activities instil time management skills in the participant.

Creative Skills: MUN encourages historical awareness and current relevance of a global problem. It promotes innovative thinking to address global challenges. Applying innovative ideas using their knowledge, creativity and intuition carves creativity skills in the participant.

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Organising Model United Nations (MUN) conferences at various levels provide students with the chance to interact with peers from across the globe. These international delegations not only enrich students' experiences but also raise their awareness of global affairs.