Model United Nations is an activity organised within schools and universities to simulate the activities of the United Nations. It involves debating, research, making speeches, and a lot of diplomacy.
At Methody we started running our conference in 1998, and it has grown in population every year since, with delegates from 11 years old to 18 years old speaking on the same committees. Debates range from the problem in North Korea, to reaching an international solution to Climate Change. In all, around 40 countries are represented, by schools from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Europe, and beyond.
The UN gives this summary of its activities -
" The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. Due to its unique international character, and the powers vested in its founding Charter, the Organization can take action on a wide range of issues, and provide a forum for its 192 Member States to express their views, through the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies and committees.
The work of the United Nations reaches every corner of the globe. Although best known for peacekeeping, peacebuilding, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance, there are many other ways the United Nations and its System (specialized agencies, funds and programmes) affect our lives and make the world a better place. The Organization works on a broad range of fundamental issues, from sustainable development, environment and refugees protection, disaster relief, counter terrorism, disarmament and non-proliferation, to promoting democracy, human rights, governance, economic and social development and international health, clearing landmines, expanding food production, and more, in order to achieve its goals and coordinate efforts for a safer world for this and future generations."