Model UN Project:
The Model United Nations project is one that high school and college students take on all over the world. During the model United Nations project, students focus on finding solutions to a major global issue. Representing an individual country, students write policy papers and resolutions to solve the issue from their country’s perspective. At the end of the project, students participate in a model United Nations Conference. This conference is a simulation of a real United Nations Conference. In the conference, students debate and amend resolutions to be passed for the purpose of coming to a global solution each country can support.
My country during this project was Pakistan. This middle eastern country was one I had almost no previous knowledge on, so it was an amazing opportunity to not only learn about but to become an expert on its policies. Although I was Pakistan, during the Climate Change portion of the project, I was chosen to participate in the conference as a chair. As a chair, I became an expert on Parliamentary procedure, helped the conference run smoothly, and acted as a guide for the delegates. |
The Model United Nations project gave me a much better view on how the UN works towards solutions. In the process of researching and writing resolutions, I learned how difficult it is to factor in not only your country’s perspective but the perspective of the world. For example, when I was writing my resolution on the global refugee crisis I learned that Pakistan was very opposed to allowing refugees from countries they were in conflict with. In order to represent my country and its values, I knew I had to include this point in my resolution even if it meant countries weren’t as likely to support it. This perspective completely changed how I see international relationships. I learned that it is a lot of compromise and conflict resolution when countries come together to discuss policy. I observed this in particular at our Model United Nations conference. During the portion of the night when delegates were debating and amending the proposed resolutions, I heard countries fight for policy they could not support without. For example, the delegate from The United States made it very clear that the US would not vote for the proposal unless the portion of the GDP decreased. This eventually was amended, and the US proceeded to vote for the amended proposal. It is experiences like this that I learned international policy and how important it is for countries to stay true to their values and needs, no matter what. For as long as I live, I will always remember my experience with the model UN when I hear about international conflicts, learn about policy or travel. This is a perspective that I am so thankful to have gained this semester during the Animas High School Model United Nations!
My role as chair really gave me an opportunity to strengthen my leadership and problem-solving skills. If someone asked me my proudest part of this project, it would be my role as chair. As chair, I got to read proposed resolutions for the conference, and most importantly, run the conference. This role definitely strengthened my leadership skills, but especially sharpened my problem solving-skills. During the conference, if a delegate asked a question, or they presented a problem with the resolutions, the chair had to quickly problem solve a solution. This caused me to think extremely on the spot to make sure the conference was running as smoothly as possible. This skill is one that I will use for the rest of high school, but also the rest of my life.
Another skill I really strengthened during this project was my research paper writing skills. As delegates (before I was chair) we were given the task of writing extensive policy papers on our country’s perspective on the issue. Writing at this level with the amount of research that was required, is something I had never done on my own before. I learned the correct way to cite sources, and additional information from my research to add evidence. The first policy paper we wrote was on the global refugee crisis. Writing this paper taught me many things about advanced level research based writing. With the guidance from our teacher, Ally, we learned how to correctly site sources in-text. This skill helped me write the most professional and best quality paper I have ever written. Below is my Refugee Crisis policy paper from the perspective of Pakistan.
Another skill I really strengthened during this project was my research paper writing skills. As delegates (before I was chair) we were given the task of writing extensive policy papers on our country’s perspective on the issue. Writing at this level with the amount of research that was required, is something I had never done on my own before. I learned the correct way to cite sources, and additional information from my research to add evidence. The first policy paper we wrote was on the global refugee crisis. Writing this paper taught me many things about advanced level research based writing. With the guidance from our teacher, Ally, we learned how to correctly site sources in-text. This skill helped me write the most professional and best quality paper I have ever written. Below is my Refugee Crisis policy paper from the perspective of Pakistan.