The North Devon Model United Nations (MUN)Conference...
Students from three schools in North Devon met together in June 2006 for a one day Model United Nations (MUN) conference. The schools taking part were Braunton, Pilton and West Buckland.
Students used this website to help them prepare for this exciting one day event. The following links helped students in their research on the United Nations, the countries they were representing and on climate change.
Model United Nations links
Information about
the United Nations
Climate change links
Links to country information
More links
Links to help you prepare for the Model United Nations conference
Cyberschool bus
Model
United Nations section includes sections on FAQs and
tips
on research There are also details on how to contact
an expert
MUN toolkit
A useful toolkit on
developing the skills needed to take part effectively in MUN. Includes
sections on how to make a good speech, research tips and preparing position
papers.
United Nations Association of the United States
Probably the most helpful MUN
guide available with useful sections on research,
how
to write position papers, public
speaking, and tips
for effective caucusing (discussion, debate, lobbying)
United Nations Youth and Students Association
Questions and answers page
to help understanding of the MUN process.
Information about the United Nations
BBC Newsround guide
This useful guide
to the UN provides basic background information to
help set the scene.
Cyberschool bus
An introductory
guide to the UN for students includes the history of
the UN, its aims and its structure.
United Nations
A detailed guide to the UN
Climate change
BBC in depth
A
guide to climate change with useful information, articles and graphics.
DEFRA Global Warming site for students
A useful guide
on climate change written in student friendly language -
includes activities and a quiz.
Feeling
the heat
A very useful guide
to climate change and how the international community is responding.
Includes an introduction, the
science behind climate change, solutions to climate
change and details of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change - UNFCCC -
that has been ratified by 189 countries and the Kyoto
Protocol, which sets
legally binding targets and timetables for cutting greenhouse-gas
emissions.
Friends of the Earth: climate change
Provides an
environmental perspective on climate change, the Kyoto
Protocol and solutions to climate change.
Global Eye: climate change
Excellent interactive
guide to climate change written especially for
students.
Glossary on climate change
A very full glossary – some are very technical, others less so,
but whatever you are looking for in terms of climate change, this glossary
has it!
Greenpeace: climate change
A useful environmental
perspective on climate change and non-nuclear
solutions.
Kyoto protocol explained
A one
page summary on the Kyoto Protocol written for
young people.
New Scientist
Useful section
on climate change that includes a timeline,
frequently asked questions and quotes.
Country information
BBC Country profiles
Fing your country
profile with history, politics and economic background.
The CIA World Factbook
This provides a general
overview of each country as well as useful figures and statistics.
Country at a glance
Country
information from the United Nations Cyberschool bus with general
information as well as useful details on energy consumption and carbon
emissions under ‘environment’.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
this site contains country
profiles and a list of foreign
embassies in the UK - useful for contacts or looking at their own websites.
Permanent Missions to the United Nations
Find out information
about your country from the permanent mission to the UN. You can contact
the mission directly to ask questions or request a statement on the issue of
climate change.
Carbon emissions by country
Find out the carbon
emissions of your country
Energy Information Authority
Find out information on energy
use and carbon emissions for your country. Use the right hand side bar
links.
What is the Model United Nations (MUN)?
MUN is a simulation or role play of the United Nations. Students take on the role of delegates from countries who are members of the United Nations or take on the role of 'special interest' groups or 'lobbyists', e.g. scientists, business leaders or non -governmental organisations (NGOs).
The MUN conference involves debating a serious issue that affects all countries and deciding collectively on 'resolutions' - and agreement on the best ways to take action to address the issue.
Delegates must try to represent accurately and honestly the policies of the country or interest group they represent. This will need some thorough research!
The UN delegates will have to negotiate with other countries who may have different views on the issues being discussed. Reaching an agreed resolution may involve resolving conflict and compromise.
MUN will give you the chance to experience, practice and experiment with technical writing, debating, public speaking, listening , strategic thinking, conflict resolution, negotiation and decision making.
