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The United Nations
Association of Minnesota
Global Classrooms
2007/2008 |
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The United Nations Association of
MN plans to host three Model UN Conferences this spring with as many as
900 students. It's always an exciting thing to see the students arrive
at the conferences and demonstrate their newly acquired skills in
research, public speaking and negotiation. Here is the spring schedule:
Global Classrooms Middle School Conference (250
students max)
Monday, March 10, 2008 - approx. 8:30am-4:30pm
Hamline University
Topic: Freshwater Resources
Global Classrooms High School Conference (400 students max)
Monday, April 21, 2008 - approx. 8:00am-4:30pm
University of St. Thomas
Topic: Human Trafficking
Global Classrooms Middle School Conference (250 students max)
Monday, April 28, 2008 - approx. 8:30am-4:30pm
Hamline University
Topic: Human Trafficking (including Child Labor)
  
Pictures from the April 21st Conference at St. Thomas
5th District U.S.Congressman Keith Ellison (right)
Global ClassroomsŪ
is an innovative educational program that engages public middle school and high
school students in an exploration of current world issues through interactive
simulations and curricular materials.
Global Classrooms cultivates
literacy and leadership as students explore important topics such as
peacekeeping, sustainable development and human rights.
During classroom simulations of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and
other UN organs, students tackle global concerns including poverty, refugee
protection and the environment as they role-play country, interest group, or
nongovernmental organization positions.At the heart
of UNA-USA's Global
Classrooms program is Model United
Nations, which for the past fifty years has been at the center of a
thriving community of young people interested in issues of international
cooperation. Model UN allows students to step into the shoes of
ambassadors from UN member states to debate international issues,
prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with supporters and adversaries,
resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN's rules of procedure - all in the
interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to solve global
problems.
The Mission of
Global
Classrooms
Global
Classrooms cultivates
global literacy, life skills and the attitudes necessary for active
citizenship by:Engaging
students through the exploration of international issues and
institutions;
Supporting educators through
professional development and innovative learning resources; and
Enriching communities by
nurturing respect among young people for diverse perspectives.
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Invitation
The
Global Classrooms Model UN Conferences
will teach both middle school and high school
students about the work of the United Nations by
encouraging them to role-play as ambassadors
from UN member states. Participants at the
conferences will discuss pertinent international
issues and will work to create solutions to
these engaging public concerns. Experienced
Model UN college students will facilitate the
conferences as students demonstrate their public
- speaking, negotiating and writing skills.
The Global Classrooms conception of
Model UN is based firmly on the realistic
portrayal of UN deliberations. Prior to the
conference, staff members will assign students
their countries. Students should then research
the topic by using the information found in the
background guide supplied by Global
Classrooms: Minneapolis-St. Paul.
This
event is FREE for all participants attending
public schools in St. Paul and Minneapolis,
thanks to the generous support of the Annenberg
Foundation, the Better World Fund, the Goldman
Sachs Foundation and the Merrill Lynch
Foundation.
For more
information about the 2008 conference or
Global Classrooms: Minneapolis-St. Paul,
contact: Kate VanSickle, Global Classrooms:
Minneapolis-St. Paul Consultant at 952-545-6272
or
katevansickle@gmail.com.
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Global Classrooms: St. Paul
Professional Development and Program Schedule:
September / October 2007 - Introduction
to Global Classrooms and Classroom
Implementation
St. Paul Public Schools teachers and
administrators will learn about the Global
Classrooms program and the United Nations
Association of the USA (UNA-USA). Teachers and
administrators will receive materials for the
classroom.
December 2007 / January 2008 - Model
UN Delegate Preparation
Participating teachers will learn strategies
for preparing their students for the Global
Classrooms: Minneapolis-St. Paul Model UN
Conferences. Program staff will discuss the
rules of procedure, flow of debate, the
conference topic, and will introduce college
student volunteers.
Global Classrooms Middle School Conference
(250 students max)
Monday, March 10, 2008 - approx. 8:30am-4:30pm
Hamline University
Topic: Freshwater Resources
Global Classrooms High School Conference
(400 students max)
Monday, April 21, 2008 - approx. 8:00am-4:30pm
University of St. Thomas
Topic: Human Trafficking
Global Classrooms Middle School Conference
(250 students max)
Monday, April 28, 2008 - approx. 8:30am-4:30pm
Hamline University
Topic: Human Trafficking (including Child Labor)
Date and Location TBD
Global Classrooms: Minneapolis-St.
Paul High School Model UN Conference
Date TBD
Global Classrooms: Minneapolis-St.
Paul Middle School and High School Model UN
Conference - University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis, MN
May 2008 - Global Classrooms:
Minneapolis-St. Paul Program Evaluation Meeting
Teachers will be thanked for their
participation, and asked to evaluate the program
and assist with strategic planning efforts for
the 2008-2009 academic year.
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United Nations Association of MN
Postal
address: 2104 Stevens Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Electronic
mail: info@unamn.org or call at 612-879-7512
Last
modified: April 24, 2008
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