by Marielle Alexander, Director of Public Image, Rotary Club of Grenada (RCG)
Interactors from the Presentation Brothers College, Hosea Sylvester and Jesse Logie, recently attended the Model UN (MUN) Conference in Trinidad on 20 November 2024, accompanied by Darvin Clouden, Head Interact Teacher and Rotaractor.
Interact is a Rotary International service club for young people ages 12 to 18 that focuses on community and international service.
MUN was hosted by The Rotary Club of Central Port of Spain, in collaboration with the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Nations (UN). Under the theme of “Gender and Climate Change” our Interactors had the opportunity to engage with officials and 96 other students from Trinidad and Curaçao, discussing how these factors affect “Lives, Livelihood and the Future of our Planet.”
MUN gives students the opportunity to roleplay as UN Delegates, stimulate UN committees, and learn about diplomacy, international relations, current world issues and about the UN itself. The UN and Rotary both support Peace Building, and MUN encourages discussions that support these missions.
Model United Nations
MUN is an interactive training and development activity aimed at high school-aged students. Model UNs take place across the globe, and are unique opportunities to teach young people about the wider world. Our club has been hosting MUN for the past 20 years.
The objectives of the MUN programme are to:
- Educate young people about topics such as the structure and operations of the United Nations, key themes in international relations and global politics, the system of international diplomacy, and the mission of the UN itself
- Provide students with the chance to expand their understanding and knowledge of international issues, debate, diplomacy and negotiation, while providing insight into the complexities of satisfying the different political positions of the international community
- Ensure young people gain a more acute understanding of the world we live in, find inspiration to help find solutions to global issues, and develop valuable skills to help make it happen
- Teach essential life skills such as public speaking, diplomacy, negotiation and compromise
- Focus youth on the in-depth examination and resolution of pressing issues, emphasising process over product. It is not about the destination; it is about the journey
