CRITICAL THINKING / GLOBAL AWARENESS

This session is divided into two weeks. The first week concentrates on building up the skills necessary to participate in formal debates and air articulate opinions, and the second applies those skills in mock conferences on international issues. Topics discussed and debated include climate change, denuclearization, and the current pandemic, among many others. 

 

Model UN is an extremely fun, collaborative activity where participants get to role-play countries or individuals and try to accomplish their agendas. They must do so within the confines of democratic procedure, and therefore need to rely on persuasion and diplomacy to create alliances and realize their goals. 

 

Formal Debate gives participants the opportunity to analyze a topic from every angle, pulling relevant information to advance their case. After learning to construct a sound argument, they will apply those skills to debate complex international topics. From first premsises and logical fallacies to full rebuttals and cases, participants will gain confidence speaking, persuading, and researching

 

Seminars are held on a weekly basis and investigate issues relevant to our MUN and debate topics. These seminars will require readings in advance, and will include videos, interactive activities, and guest speakers. 

 

After the program, participants will have;

• An introduction to the popular high school activity of Model United Nations as well as debating skills

  • The ability to argue various positions on issues across the world, as well as the procedural knowledge required to successfully voice these arguments in MUN

  • An understanding of current events and the ability to place areas of dispute into the broader context of competing national interest.

• The ability to apply documents like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UN Security Council Resolutions to specific scenarios, and determine whether justice is being served. This kind of document analysis is indispensable in school and beyond

• Interaction with Guest Speakers well-versed in international issues