The BCC 2003 Model United Nations is going to be an authentic simulation of the U.N. Security Council, which catapults students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. In Model U.N., students step into the shoes of ambassadors of U.N. member states to debate current issues on the Organization's vast agenda. The students, better known as “delegates” in Model U.N., prepare draft resolutions, plot strategies, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the U.N.'s rules of procedure-all in the interest of mobilizing “international cooperation” to resolve problems that affect almost every country on Earth.
Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in Model U.N., students do research on the particular global problems to be addressed. The problems are drawn from today's headlines. Model U.N.ers learn how the international community acts on its concerns about peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development, globalization and more.
Model U.N. “delegates” also look closely at the needs, aspirations, and foreign policy of the country they will “represent” at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of history, geography, culture, economics and science contribute to the authenticity of the simulation once the actual role-playing gets under way and ensures a lively and memorable experience.
For over 50 years now, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience that not only involves students in the study and discussion of global issues but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives: Research, Writing, Public speaking, Problem solving, Consensus building, Conflict resolution, Compromise and cooperation.
The popularity of Model U.N. has contributed to the rapid growth of this activity over several decades, and today upwards of 200,000 high school and college/university students participate in a Model U.N. each year. Some are classroom exercises, others school-wide, and still others regional, national, or international. Those in the last group are called “conferences” because of their larger sizes bringing participants from all over.
Many conference participants are “repeaters,” since the spirit and substance of these simulations create an appetite for this activity more commonly known as “MUN Fever”. Those with MUN Fever may continue on as adults to seek out “intergenerational” simulations.
Students come together to learn from one another. They come together to teach one another. Model UN gives our future leaders an understanding of the problems our world faces, and the knowledge of how to best deal with those problems.
A Model United Nations is an exciting, educational strategy for students to learn about global issues. Again, the object is to seek, through discussion, negotiation and debate, solutions to the various problems of the world. The delegates, in seeking solutions to these problems, can learn to break away from narrow, national self-interest and develop true international cooperation. The research and preparation required, the adoption of views and attitudes other than their own, the involvement and interaction with other students from SEE, all combine to give students a deep insight into the world's problems, to make them aware of the causes of conflict between nations and to lead them to a better understanding of the interests and motivation of others.
15 delegations will enter this conference. Each delegation consists of two or three members. Delegations will be selected based on the information provided by participants in the application form. The delegations will not consist of students from a single university, but will be mixed. It is of utmost importance that each team member is a real team player. If you do not feel comfortable with the idea of a mixed team this event is not for you. The BCC 2003 Model United Nations will be conducted entirely in English.