INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Te Newman School
Students learn international skills through Model United Nations
Through the Model United Nations initiative, pupils in some US secondary schools can broaden their awareness of global and societal issues, make friends from different cultures, and develop their debating skills.
S
chools teaching students from an international community are often the first choice of the globally
mobile family, thanks to their f lexible admissions arrangements and their delivery of an internationally transferable curriculum – handy when you’re not sure when and where your next overseas assignment may be. Coupled with this flexibility is
the uniquely cosmopolitan, culturally diverse nature of the international-school environment, a set-up which, some might argue, places students in a unique position to navigate the global business world. Some schools are going even further
to encourage their students to develop international-mindedness and the skills required to collaborate with people across different cultures. The Model United Nations (MUN)
initiative has been running for many years, offering young people the opportunity to debate international issues. The MUN is a direct simulation of the United Nations system. Students assume
the roles of ambassadors to the United Nations and debate current issues on the UN agenda. Through diplomacy and negotiation,
Model UN students seek ways in which the world community can deal with complex global concerns such as the environment, economic development, refugees, AIDS, conflict resolution, disarmament and human rights.
A taste of the real world In the US, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has been hosting students from selected US secondary schools for many years. The Newman School, in Boston’s Back Bay, a private school that caters for boys and girls, has become a recent participant in the MIT- led MUN. “The MUN allows students to discuss
a spread of global issues, such as LGBT rights, women’s rights, implementation of advanced security and technology, and newly developed issues such as the refugee crisis,” says head of school Harry Lynch.
“Young people of all backgrounds and
walks of life participate in these educational exercises to experience first-hand decision- making processes and diplomatic work at the United Nations.” One of the three Newman team captains,
Rico Bronnimann, described the MUN experience. “It’s great practice for your debate skills, your public-speaking skills, and also to broaden your awareness of global issues and societal issues. It’s also a great way to make friends that are not just from your school or own community, but rather from all over the world. These friends are brought together by common interest in internal affairs and diplomacy.” The MUN Newman students from each
committee were required to apply their knowledge in this unique format and had to get to grips with international etiquette when representing a country on a set issue. It was a real challenge for many of the
participants, but the students also reported that the event was an excellent opportunity for character development and gave them a true taste of the real world.
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