We are pleased to report that UC has been offering a MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations) enrichment to our Grade Seven and Grade Eight students. We are proud to be sending several members of our MMUN enrichment team to New York City to attend the Montessori Model United Nation conference.
Upon arriving at the conference, students first educate themselves about specific international issues, and when the debate begins, students gain an elevated understanding of what actual delegates encounter when international relationships and possible conflicts coincide on a world stage.
The students who are a part of the enrichment not attending the conference will participate in a ‘mock’ UC MMUN which will be held at UC. This UC MMUN conference will be modeled after the NYC conference. The Grade Eight students that attend the NYC conference (as well as some former graduate students from UC) will act as the Dias, helping to lead and guide discussions.
During the MMUN enrichment classes, students learned about how the United Nations works, by having them take on the roles of delegates from all over the world. Students were given a committee and a specific world issue that they researched, with the end means of working together to create a resolution. Creativity is important in every level of a Montessori education, and MMUN students use drama and role-playing when undertaking the important part of a delegate discussing serious issues that affect the world’s population. Projects involving art also help students while displaying their countries’ flags, historical dress, and important historical events.
Our MMUN students have also had the opportunity to gain rich experience developing further knowledge and experience in Research skills, Time-management skills, World affairs and issues, Partnerships among countries, Debating and negotiating, Showing tolerance for other cultures, Leadership forums, Written communication in a variety of formats, Public speaking opportunities, Real-world applications of class-room material, Interactions with students of different cultures and countries, Role-playing situations, Projects using creative outlets, and Empathy concerning the plight of the world’s citizens. We wish our MMUN students safe travels and the best of luck in this unique experience. Stay tuned for future updates.
