New York, NY (PRWEB) February 04, 2012
Nearly 1,000 students from New York City are attending the United Nations Association of the USA’s (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms® New York City Model UN Conference today at the City College of New York (CCNY). Students from 46 schools around the city will role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups and nongovernmental organizations in simulations of United Nations bodies. The popularity of Model UN simulations in the U.S. has grown steadily at the high school level. Most simulations are sponsored and conducted by private academic institutions. With the expansion of the Global Classrooms program over the last decade, UNA-USA seeks to bring the experience to an increasing number of public schools and their students.
“Model UN gives students a better roadmap with which to negotiate their understanding of the world. Global Classrooms is perhaps the single most effective vehicle I know of for teaching students the skills they need for higher education and the workplace,” said Bronx Design and Construction Academy English Teacher Michael Mahrer. “My former students who participated in Model UN often tell me that more than anything else, Model UN gave them the skills and confidence they needed for academic success.”
This year’s conference includes opening ceremonies in the Great Hall at CCNY, featuring a keynote address by United Nations Foundation Senior Advisor Gillian Sorensen. CCNY’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer Martin Moskovits will help welcome students to the campus. The conference features eight committees; debate is focused on current and pressing international issues such as HIV and young people, women and development and religious intolerance.
“Students participating in Model UN today will open doors to their future and help forge relationships that last a lifetime,” said UNA-USA Executive Director Patrick Madden. “Our Global Classrooms New York City Model UN is a shining example of how students who are passionate about the world can connect with the UN and develop skills they will use the rest of their lives.”
The Global Classrooms New York City Conference provides the opportunity for students to participate in a professional conference setting and the chance to debate with hundreds of other students across the city. More information on the New York City Conference can be found at http://www.unausa.org/gcnyc. UNA-USA and its Global Classrooms program are initiatives of the UN Foundation, furthering its mission to connect people, ideas and resources to help the UN solve global problems.
Watch the Global Classrooms Model UN Documentary “Decorum” at http://www.unausa.org/decorum.
Tweet This: Nearly 1000 students are in NYC today w/ @GCModelUN to tackle the world's most complex problems! Learn more: http://bit.ly/xObWpb.
Media Contact
Joseph Catapano
202.294.9322
jcatapano(at)unausa(dot)org
ABOUT UNA-USA
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), a program of the UN Foundation, is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire and mobilize the American people to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations. UNA-USA works to accomplish its mission through its national network of chapters, advocacy efforts, education programs, and public events. UNA-USA and the UN Foundation create the single largest network of advocates and supporters of the United Nations in the world. For more information on UNA-USA, visit http://www.unausa.org.
ABOUT GLOBAL CLASSROOMS
Global Classrooms is UNA-USA’s innovative educational program that engages middle school and high school students in an exploration of current world issues through interactive simulations and curricular materials. Global Classrooms cultivates literacy, life skills and the attitudes necessary for active citizenship. For more information on Global Classrooms, visit http://www.unausa.org/globalclassrooms/.
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