Imagine being able to address world leaders and represent Australia on a global stage?
What if you had the opportunity to examine policies and procedures, make changes and provide recommendations on the worlds most pressing issues such as human rights, climate change or education? How would it feel to get the opportunity to interact with other nations and get your voice heard?
This is the main objection for the Model UN Conference. The program simulates a UN General assembly through a debate and allows students to learn communications skills, negotiation and diplomacy to make sure they are heard. Students are prepped with research on the chosen topic and have the opportunity to present their views, recommendations and adopt a cohesive resolution.
Last week, I was lucky enough to help implement my very own Model UN Conference with the year 10 students at Woodleigh High school. My main role involved the event management for before and after, distributing marketing materials and engaging with teachers and students during the conference. All students and teachers were given a Model UN Toolkit, similar to a press kit, which had all the essential information required for the event including fact sheets and backgrounders.
The students were absolutely amazing and many of them were very well researched and loved the experience. It was incredibly rewarding to hear from the students and gain an insight into how they see the world and global issues. With many of our programs based on education and advocacy, it was important for us to choose a really topical issue such as climate change and really challenge the students to think critically about it. Education is the main way that the United Nations Association engages the community and I found it to be very effective.
For one whole day, we were able to maintain engagement with nearly 100 students and this is something that they will always remember. This has really made me think of Education as a tool for engagement. Woodleigh high school has now participated in its 7th Model UN Conference and this has shown that the program itself is a great way to engage with the community and this is despite my supervisor informing me that getting schools involved at the start is actually very difficult. This is because many schools don't have the time, resources or the teachers help to get involved in such a program. However, the program exists because it is completely different, unique and unforgettable for its students.
For an organisation such as the United Nations Association, I think this is one of their greatest tools for engagement because despite the trouble to get new schools involved, those that are involved have become long term investments as education is sustainable. Sometimes it isn't how many people, but the type of people or type of program thats worth investing in. Community engagement is a large focus for the UNA so I think this is a great way to engage with the public and spread awareness of the UN's aims and ideals.
This experience has really shown me that engagement with young people is the kind of Public Relations I would love to be involved in. Take inspiration from this Video by Kid President. It's another interesting way of engaging the community by getting an insight into the leaders of tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o
What if you had the opportunity to examine policies and procedures, make changes and provide recommendations on the worlds most pressing issues such as human rights, climate change or education? How would it feel to get the opportunity to interact with other nations and get your voice heard?
This is the main objection for the Model UN Conference. The program simulates a UN General assembly through a debate and allows students to learn communications skills, negotiation and diplomacy to make sure they are heard. Students are prepped with research on the chosen topic and have the opportunity to present their views, recommendations and adopt a cohesive resolution.
Last week, I was lucky enough to help implement my very own Model UN Conference with the year 10 students at Woodleigh High school. My main role involved the event management for before and after, distributing marketing materials and engaging with teachers and students during the conference. All students and teachers were given a Model UN Toolkit, similar to a press kit, which had all the essential information required for the event including fact sheets and backgrounders.
The students were absolutely amazing and many of them were very well researched and loved the experience. It was incredibly rewarding to hear from the students and gain an insight into how they see the world and global issues. With many of our programs based on education and advocacy, it was important for us to choose a really topical issue such as climate change and really challenge the students to think critically about it. Education is the main way that the United Nations Association engages the community and I found it to be very effective.
For one whole day, we were able to maintain engagement with nearly 100 students and this is something that they will always remember. This has really made me think of Education as a tool for engagement. Woodleigh high school has now participated in its 7th Model UN Conference and this has shown that the program itself is a great way to engage with the community and this is despite my supervisor informing me that getting schools involved at the start is actually very difficult. This is because many schools don't have the time, resources or the teachers help to get involved in such a program. However, the program exists because it is completely different, unique and unforgettable for its students.
For an organisation such as the United Nations Association, I think this is one of their greatest tools for engagement because despite the trouble to get new schools involved, those that are involved have become long term investments as education is sustainable. Sometimes it isn't how many people, but the type of people or type of program thats worth investing in. Community engagement is a large focus for the UNA so I think this is a great way to engage with the public and spread awareness of the UN's aims and ideals.
This experience has really shown me that engagement with young people is the kind of Public Relations I would love to be involved in. Take inspiration from this Video by Kid President. It's another interesting way of engaging the community by getting an insight into the leaders of tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-gQLqv9f4o
