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In the first week of March, high-level negotiations involving the 15 countries of the United Nations Security Council were taking place at Miami Dade College. The goal was to peacefully resolve the Ukrainian conflict which began a year ago when Russia invaded its sovereign neighbor.
However, there weren’t be any adults at these negotiations, only Miami-Dade County Public School (M-DCPS) middle school and high school student scholars.
The Model United Nations conference takes place annually at Miami Dade College. This year, 275 middle school delegates and 790 high school delegates representing 52 schools met on Mar 3 and 4 and Mar. 11.
Established in 2013, the Miami Dade Model UN (MDMUN) program is an enrichment activity designed to build young people’s leadership skills and understanding of international affairs, and world cultures.
Delegates debate international issues, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts and prepare resolutions, all while learning the rules of procedure.
“What’s so special about Model UN is that these students come together from different schools, to engage with one another. They are talking about some complicated diplomacy issues in ways that would set an example for most adults,” said Amy Ruggiero, Foundations for Leadership executive director. “They come prepared and ready to work and the most impressive thing is to see these young people in action.”
In addition to the Security Council meeting, there was a General Assembly, Human Rights Council Committee on human rights of migrants, and a UN Children’s Fund Committee to discuss access to education. Three other groups also met to discuss the environment, information and communications technology, and sustainable energy for all.
The program was developed in collaboration with M-DCPS Department of Social Sciences and is managed by Foundations for Leadership, a nonprofit educational organization. As a result of partnerships with Miami Dade College, University of Miami, and UN Sustainable Development Goals Solutions Network SDG Academy, M-DCPS teachers and students are provided with year-round support and classroom resources.
Students prepare for this meeting in advance through their Model UN clubs at senior high and middle schools. This requires students to learn the inner workings of the UN and what it does.
“You have to learn the procedure that takes place at the UN, learn how to make motions and get action to happen on the floor,” said Jeffrey Dean, social studies department chair and Model UN advisor at Aventura Waterways K-8.
Each school generally represents one or several countries, and they are responsible for researching and writing position papers based on their assigned country’s viewpoint about whichever topic the committee is debating. Then the delegates give an opening statement on behalf of their country and work towards reaching viable solutions to complex global issues.
The best delegates learn what resolutions the real United Nations has passed on the issue.
These skills acquired become important in their academic career.
“They become well versed in what’s going on in the world,” said Rukayat Adebisi, social studies and legal studies magnet lead teacher at Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School.
“These skills are transferred wherever they go. They are not shy about speaking in public anymore and not only are they becoming knowledgeable, but they also learn how to research and look at different viewpoints. They learn how to think for themselves.”
Enrichment programs such as the Model United Nations are one of the many programs offered in M-DCPS through the Department of Social Sciences all designed with the intent of developing students’ skills to be able to engage in civil discourse and become informed citizens.
By Robert Brazofsky is director of the Department of Social Studies, Division of Academics, Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
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