Model UN: A View from
Eden Prairie

Normally a visit to the United Nations requires a trip to New York City. But, for one weekend in March, you can take part in the YMCA Youth in Government Model United Nations right here in the Twin Cities. Students in grades 7-12 from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa spend 3 days and 2 nights at an area hotel, working together to find solutions to global problems.

It all starts in January, when delegations of up to 6 students enroll and get assigned a nation to represent. Led by a YMCA Youth in Government representative, they research their nation’s history, culture, economy and system of government. They use their research to formulate position papers on specific issues to be debated at the Model UN session and prepare to participate in those UN councils and committees their country belongs to in the actual UN.

In March, all this preparation comes together in 3 exciting days of discussion, debate and negotiation. Security Council members can expect to be awakened in the middle of the night to deal with an international crisis. All participants get experience solving international disputes with negotiation and the tools of peaceful change.

The Model UN includes opportunities to have fun with fellow delegates, too. Recent years have included banquets, dances and trips to the Mall of America. But parents should be assured that delegates are closely chaperoned at all times. All Model UN activities are kept separate from other hotel events, and curfew is strictly enforced. All delegates are expected to follow both a dress code and code of conduct.

Recent Eden Prairie delegates had a great time and plan to participate again this year. What makes them want to come back? Fun working with students from other schools, the excitement of staying away from home without their parents, the challenge of representing a nation’s point of view totally opposite of their own and the value of the experience of learning about national politics. Best of all, EP delegates remember their successful resolution last year to merge the countries of Singapore and Brazil into the nation of Singazil, so all the EP students could sit together for closing ceremonies!

Interested? Check the YMCA Youth in Government web site, www.mnyig.org for the exact dates and location to be announced soon. Then, watch for Model UN sign-ups in January. Assemble your delegation and put in your choices of nations to represent early, since the best nations to research get taken quickly!

• Weekly, 90-minute meetings will be scheduled after school or evenings to accommodate attendance by both CMS and EPHS students.
• Delegates should plan on an additional hour per week of independent research.
• Delegates will miss 2 days of school in March and should make advance arrangements with their teachers.
• Tuition covering materials, hotel room and all but one meal was $280 in 2003, with $100 due in January. Scholarships may be available.