07 January 2012
The Triunfo YMCA is offering a simulation program of the United Nations
to give students a global perspective.
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| Photo courtesy of Triunfo YMCA |
If your child is interested in foreign affairs, human rights and the
inner workings of the United Nations, then have him or her sign up for
the Triunfo YMCA‘s Model
United Nations program. The first meeting is scheduled on Thursday,
February 6 at 6 p.m., at Sumac
Elementary School.
This simulation of the real-life UN is designed for students in sixth
to eighth grade and is part of the national YMCA’s youth and government
program.
“Students will learn about cultural diversity and global concerns,”
said Jenna Grossman, program director for the Y, which serves Agoura,
Westlake and Oak Park. “They can also improve their self-confidence and
public speaking skills.”
The program will offer opportunities to meet other teens from across
the state, and there will be a training conference at Camp Roberts in
Paso Robles being held March 30 to April 1.
The Model UN Summit Conference will take place in Irvine on May 3-6.
"Delegates will use what they have learned during several months of
preparation and research as they perform their roles," said Grossman.
During the conference, the student ambassadors will take on the roles
of UN members, chairs and presiding officers. They will write, debate,
vote on resolutions, hear court cases, deal with human rights issues,
write newspaper articles, settle border disputes and “crisis issues.”
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| Photo courtesy of Triunfo YMCA |
Students can be part of several organizations that make up the real
UN, such as the General Assembly, Security Council, International Court
of Justice, the Economic and Social Council and an international press
delegation. They can also participate in caucuses representing different
areas of the world, such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and the
Caribbean states, among others.
“Just like in the real UN, they’ll discuss issues that have a global
impact and get a better understanding of the world we live in,” said
Grossman.
“I was really in awe the first time I went to a conference as a
sixth-grader,” said Ryan Moorman, a senior at Agoura High School. “You
see how the real UN works.”
Moorman has served in the International Court of Justice twice and
ran for youth governor in the entire state but lost by one vote. After
the Model UN program, Moorman transitioned to the YMCA’s Model
Legislature and Court, geared towards high school students.
“Being in the two programs has also taught me how to re-evaluate
things and weigh what’s good for the majority,” said Moorman, who is
headed to George Washington University this fall as a political science
major.
Public policy will be his primary focus. “My Model UN stint has
definitely influenced my choice of college major,” he said.
College is a bit far off for Anna Moss, but she has been reaping
great benefits from the program. “It’s very educational and I’m bonding
with friends while discussing world matters,” said the seventh-grader at
Medea Creek Middle School in Oak Park, who also wants to bridge to the
model legislature and court program once she starts high school.
This will be Moss’ second year in the program. “It’s giving me a new
outlook and a better understanding of social studies and world events,”
she said.
"The program appeals to students because it’s not correlated to
sports or school but it gives them a broad, global perspective,” said
Grossman.
For more information, contact Jenna Grossman at 818.707.9622 or
e-mail jgrossman@triunfoymca.org.
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