methodist college belfast model united nations 2011 invitation to all schools

8/7/2019 Methodist College Belfast Model United Nations 2011 Invitation to all schools

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Invitaon 02

WhatisMUN? 04

OurConference 06

Getintouch 08

We the peoples of theUnited Nations are

determined...

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TO TEACHERSAN D PUPILS,

I am happy to invite you to Methodist College's annual MUN conference. As faculty advisor to the Model

UN programme I facilitate many of the logistics of the conference and am a key contact for all students and

advisors.

I believe the MCB conference is an exciting opportunity to cultivate political and global awareness in your

school. It is a chance to develop pivotal presentation and persuasion skills and interact with peers in a healthy and

constructive manner. Most of all, it is a structured challenge to pupils to leave their comfort zones and explore new

countries, cultures, and political scenarios.

I left my own comfort zone this year to lead this group and it has been a highly rewarding experience. I

understand the trepidation and uncertainty you may be feeling as you consider promoting and assembling this

program at your school. We are keen this year to open up the conference to Northern Ireland in particular as

politics is an important aspect of the community and this is an invaluable opportunity for students to engage with

each other in a peaceful and productive manner, free from sectarian attitudes.

MCB has a well established MUN programme. The students are experienced and eager to help your students

prepare for the conference. In these tight times I am aware of the financial restraints on schools, families, and

teachers. Belfast is an affordable and intimate city, meaning accommodation, food, and transportation can be

organised with relatively little hassle. Additionally, we are exploring every possible avenue to make this conference

affordable. More details will follow as negotiations progress.

I recently listened to an account of a small primary school in the USA that is - like the MUN conference - run

by its students. Whereas many thought the experiment would result in disaster, exactly the opposite transpired.

When given the responsibility of 'free reign' students took it upon themselves to create a social environment built

on diplomacy and consensus seeking. Like this school, Model UN serves as a microcosm for the 'real world'. Pupils

do not simply gain valuable communication and debate skills - they gain first-hand experience of diplomacy.

If you have any questions or want to express your intention to attend, I can be reached at

[email protected]. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warmly,

SAR A KALLOCK | DIRECTOROF MUN AT METHODIST COLLEGE BELFAST


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DEA R SIR/MADAM,

I am writing to invite you to attend the 13th Model United Nations (MUN) conference to be held in my

school, Methodist College Belfast (Methody). Each year since 1998 we have hosted a conference for 400 young

people who are informed, passionate and eloquent in their interest in politics. This is not only because activism is

inherent to our youthful minds, but because we have had these passions channelled, informed and developed

through Model United Nations.

Weinviteyoutoattendour13th

ModelUnitedNationsconference...

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Model United Nations is an activity of growing prominence in the UK and Ireland, since 2008 we have seenthe first conferences in Scotland (George Watsons College) and our sister school, Wesley College Dublin, started

the first MUN conference in the Republic of Ireland. Despite this growth, we still feel that there are far too many

young people who have not been provided with the opportunity to take part in a Model United Nations conference.

That is why we are making an extra effort this year to reach not only the long established schools, but also schools

who have never taken part in an MUN conference or schools who are new on the scene and are looking to increase

their involvement.

It is my hope that once you have read about our programme you will bring your pupils to our conference, so

they can benefit from the same opportunities as I have. I look forward to seeing you this July!

EDWARD NICKELL| SECRETARYGENERALOF MCBMUN, YEAR13


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WhatisMUN?ModelUnitedNationsisanactivityorganisedwithinschoolsanduniversitiestosimulatetheactivitiesoftheUnitedNations.It

involvesdebating,research,makingspeeches,andalotofdiplomacy.

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MUN stands for Model United Nations . This is a type of debating which follows the format of the real United

Nations. Participants known as delegates represent a world nation, and bring the views of that nation to the

metaphorical table when debating a world issue. MUN debating uses and develops a number of skills.

Research is undertaken by Delegates into their allocated country, as well as on the specific issues they will be

discussing. The chairs the students who take charge of and direct debate provide briefing papers to help

delegates with their research. These briefing papers give background information on the issues for debate, as well

as giving delegates guidance on what to research, and suggesting useful starting points to find the necessary

information. Most delegates will write a resolutiona document outlining ideas that could resolve or improvethe situation that they have researched.

Debate takes place in committees. These committees include The Security Council, Human Rights,

Environment, Health, Political, Science and Technology, Economic and Social. Each nation is represented by a

team of six or seven delegates, known as a delegation. Each member of the delegation specialises in one of the

committees, spending the majority of their time there. Example topics for debate and information on each

committee can be found on pages 6 and 7 of this booklet.

Guest Speakers offer delegates a unique opportunity to be privy to the experience of individuals at the top of the

world of current affairs. Past speakers have include Rt. Hon Naomi Long MP, Lord David Hannay former UNSC

diplomat, Moazzam Begg and Bill Neely of ITN.

Debate format is fairly typical and easily picked up by those with no or little prior experience. Delegates debate the

resolution (similar to a motion) proposed to them, with speakers for (in support of) the resolution and speakers

against. There is also the opportunity for questions, known as points of information.

Teamworkis vital for the General Assembly at the end of the conference. General Assembly or GA features all

the delegates from every committee. This provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience with

public speaking in front of a larger group of people.

TheRoadtoanMUN

Conference

RegistraonOnline

Eachschoolregisterstheirstudentstotakepart

andisallocatedanaon.Registraonoccurs

online,simplifyingandautomangtheprocess.

Teacherswillbeprovidedwithadviceabout

accommodaon,cateringandtransport.


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Research

Studentsresearchtheirnaonandtopics

fordebate.Someofthisresearchis

independentandsomeisprovidedbythe

conferenceorganisersthrough

documentsandemailcontactwiththe

students.

Debate

Studentsaendthethreedayconference.

Most meisspentincommieedebates

witharound40otherdelegates.Students

willalsotakepartinaGeneralAssembly

debatewithover350others.

Taking part in an MUN conference is an extraordinarily

enjoyable, educational, and worthwhile undertaking.

Students gain confidence through public speaking, and

develop an active and informed interest in politics and

current affairs. They get the opportunity to meet and to

work together with - other young people from a variety of

backgrounds and traditions. The process of debating in

committee improves public speaking abilities, but also helpsstudents to learn to think on their feet.

MUN can be particularly beneficial to students of politics

and social sciences such as Geography, Economics and

Social Policy or those considering the vocation of law. This

style of debating has more general benefits to other career

paths and subjects. Skills such as research, evidence based argument and problem solving are necessary to the

study of arts, humanities and sciences. The variety of committees can accommodate students interests, for

example Health committee for those interested in medicine. The experience of MUN is frequently a talking point

in interviews with both universities and employers who recognise the merit of the experience it provides.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, attending an MUN conference is an excellent opportunity to learn newskills, meet new friends, and have a lot of fun while doing so. At MCB MUN, we run a social evening during the

conference. Its quite normal for delegates to stay in touch for years after the conference and often MUN creates

contacts that last through many future conferences and even to university.

CHARLOTTE HIGGINS| PRESIDENTOFTHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, YEAR13

PastGuests


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The conference held at Methody is unique in several ways. We typically

include between 250-400 delegates from about 15 different schools.

These delegates are divided up into around 6 committees.

Our conference is student run . This includes chairing debates, ad-

ministration, the website, choice of committees and topics for debate,

the press team and the majority of other jobs.

Our conference is the longest established runn ing conference in Ireland.

Our conferences system of committees and debate was chosen to be the basis for the first Scottish conference

at George Watsons College.

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Issuesfordebate:

geoengineering,

climaterefugees,TBA,

Environment

prisonervotes,

rightsofthedeceased,TBA,

HumanRights

womenshealth,

medicaltourism,TBA,

Health

travellingcommunities,bankingregulation,

TBA,(EconomicandSocial)

EcoSoc

unpluggingtheinternet,anonymoushackers,

TBA,(ScienceandTechnology)

SciTech

arabrevolution,wikileaks,

TBA,

Political

OurConference

RunasapartnershipbetweenMCBMUN,QueensUniversityBelfast(QUBMUN)andTheUnitedNationsAssocia


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Belfast

LocationBelfast is an ideal location, for the MUN conference.Transport is cheap and quick with two airports both

within a short bus journey of the city. The confer-ence takes place in Methodist College Belfast andQueens University Belfast, both of which are within10 minutes walk of over a dozen hotels, lodges andmotels.

Belfast is a city, large enough to offer a number of sites of historical interest butsmall enough to be seen over a weekend.

DateThe conference will take place from the evening of Friday the 24th of June to theafternoon of Sunday the 26th of June.

The conference date has been chosen to avoid any clashes with GCSE or GCE for-mal examinations on the boards CCEA, AQA, OCR and EDEXCEL. This is an ide-al wind down of the academic year, but also a climax for your students.

NorthKorea,

TheIvoryCoast,

TBA,(SecurityCouncil)

SC

UK.


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MCB MUN .CO M is the easiest source for information on Model United Nations. You may be inter-

ested in our guide to MUN and help for advisors regarding accommodation. The technologically

advanced website built by students automates the administrative process and is also used to pro-

vide useful links and research to delegates who are preparing for debates.

Getintouch web:www.mcbmun.comemail:[email protected]

post:1MaloneRd,BT96BYBelfast

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methodist college belfast model united nations 2011 invitation to all schools

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