Students to take part in Montessori Model United Nations

If you channel the minds of young children in the right direction, they are ready to accept serious socio-political topics, said Almas Menon, the UAE Representative of the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN).

At the 2012 MMUN teacher workshop in Geneva. — Supplied photo

For the first time in the UAE, children between the ages of 9 and 15 will be able to participate in the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) sporting the tagline, ‘Inspiring Youth to create a better world.’

The MMUN conference is a platform that allows children to assume the role of an ambassador to the United Nations. Scheduled to take place from February 7 to 11 in Dubai and January 31 to February 4 in Abu Dhabi, the mock UN conferences already have participation from several schools across the UAE.

The MMUN is due to happen in partnership with Gems World Academy, Dubai, and Aldar Academies, Abu Dhabi. MMUN is the only International UN programme for students developed in collaboration with UN agencies, which aims to educate students on current world events, topics in international relations, and diplomacy. The conferences consist of intensive training programmes for both students and teachers. The Dubai conference is set to take place at the Gems World Academy in Al Barsha and the Abu Dhabi one will take place at the Al Bateen School.

“The MMUN is strictly based on Maria Montessori’s principles. It is not a competition,” said Menon. Speaking about the age of children participating in the event, Menon said: “When you channel the focus of young children in the right direction, especially towards social issues, they tend to take it more seriously.” Menon added: “The trainers come down from New York to speak to the students and teachers. The whole system is very hands on, and all preparatory material is coming directly from trainers who are flown in from New York, USA.” Menon said. Before the conference, students are made to undergo a pre-cursor conference, where students are first educated about the specifics of Model United Nations and the Montessori and United Nations way of Collaboration to solve the most difficult of issues.

The first two days of Training for future delegates is focused on preoperational procedures of how to become the ideal MMUN Delegate. They learn how to deal with specific international issues, debate and gain an elevated understanding of what actual Delegates at the United Nations encounter when international relationships and possible conflicts coincide on a world stage.

She specified that the MMUN conferences are not a competition. “Students and teachers are taught on how to go about a proper UN debate. They are allowed to hold discussion in proper break out rooms and it is not a competition because there is no aggression involved. The students come together to find solutions in a collaborative way, just like in a UN discussion,” said Menon.

Speaking about the teacher training programmes, Menon said that only a qualified and certified teacher could start a MMUN club in their respective schools.

Creativity is important at every level of a Montessori education, and MMUN students are taught through use of drama and role-playing. Students shall be taught rules of procedure, making of position papers, how to prepare projects and displays for the country assigned to them, it’s flags, historical dress, and important historical events. In the classroom as well as in the course of the conference, students also have the opportunity to learn: research skills, time-management skills, world affairs and issues, partnership among countries, debating and negotiating, showing tolerance for other cultures, and leadership forums among other qualities. -dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com