Support
Model UN is supported by many organizations, private groups, non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental organizations, and national governments. United Nations Associations around the world and its international organization, the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), have supported MUNs for decades. WFUNA organized the first collegiate MUN in China and works with MUNs all over the world. In the United States, the main support is given by UNA-USA's Global Classrooms program. Global Classrooms offers professional development workshops for educators and four curricula on peacekeeping, human rights, sustainable development, and the economics of globalization. UNA-Dominican Republic introduced MUN to the Dominican Republic and it is now a part of the national education curriculum. In Europe, support comes from THIMUN, which has affiliate conferences throughout Europe and around the world. MUN International has just created a new global membership association to help "expand and increase MUN activities"; the MUN International Network and has aided conferences in Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and the US. Rotary International chapters around the world support MUNs, (e.g., the first international MUN in Hong Kong was organized and funded by three local Rotary Chapters.)
Many intergovernmental organizations also support MUN activities. The European Union published a policy paper just for Model UN participants. The Organization of American States oversaw the earliest Model OAS conferences. NATO often provides speakers and experts to Model NATO conferences. The United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) supports Model United Nations in three key ways:
- the Model United Nations Discussion Area on the United Nations CyberSchoolBus
- the Public Inquiries Section in New York
- the United Nations of the United Nations conferences to use its rooms for committee space.
The CyberSchoolBus is the on-line education program created by the United Nations. It features a Model United Nations discussion area and a list of Model United Nations experts who answer inquiries as well as providing research tools for country research. UNA-USA offers an online guide to the UN CyberSchoolBus.
The Public Inquiries Section at UNHQ assists by helping Model United Nations groups to find speakers as well as arranging briefings at its New York offices. UNICs in Argentina, Mexico, Panama, and the UK have been extremely involved in Model United Nations activities, helping with research, Model United Nations support, and sometimes facilities. United Nations offices in The Hague, Netherlands; Nairobi, Kenya; Istanbul, Turkey; Vienna, Austria; and Geneva, Switzerland, also support Model United Nations and serve as hosts for at least one conference each year.
The Organization of American States has been involved from the very beginning in the support to international civic simulations. North Atlantic Treaty Organization annually supports the Model NATO conference in Washington, DC with speakers, consultations, and advisers. Other IGOs provide research assistance to simulations, conferences, and students. Additionally, many UN missions and embassies support Model United Nations activities. Many mission and embassy websites have recently added sections created specifically for Model United Nations. Embassies and consulates will often invite groups to discuss country positions or send a speaker out to speak to Model United Nations clubs, classes, or conferences. The overall support of simulation education activities by the international community is increasing yearly.
Additionally, national governments support or sponsor MUN programs. The US Department of State has been working in Washington, DC public schools for over fifteen years as well as providing speakers to MUN conferences around the world. In the Dominican Republic, MUN is part of the national education curriculum. Embassies and UN missions around the world have been providing consultation, speakers, and research documents for over forty years. Many have even reviewed students' MUN resolutions for policy accuracy.
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