Model United Nations
Model United Nations, also known as Model UN, Mock UN or MUN, is an educational simulation and/or academic competition in which students can learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN involves and teaches researching, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, in addition to critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
Participants in Model UN conferences, known as delegates, are placed in committees and assigned countries, or occasionally other organizations or political figures, where they represent members of that body. They are presented with their assignments in advance, along with a topic or topics that their committee will discuss. Delegates conduct research before conferences and formulate positions that they will then debate with their fellow delegates in the committee, staying true to the actual position of the member they represent. At the end of a conference, the best-performing delegates in each committee, as well as delegations, are recognized with awards.
Model UN participants include students at middle school, high school, and college/university levels, with most conferences catering to just one of these three levels (high school and college conferences being most common). Delegates usually attend conferences together as delegations sent by their respective schools’ Model UN clubs.
Students are welcome to request to join the MUN teams. Reach out to Mrs. Gustafson via email: lgustafson@helenaschools.org to receive the invite.
HELENA HIGH STUDENTS DEBATE WORLD ISSUES AT UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA
November 13, 2020
“The HHS Model United Nations Program recently participated in the 55th annual Montana Model United Nations Conference on Friday November 13th. During the conference, 8 schools participated with roughly 130 students in attendance. For the first time in the 55-year history of MUN at the University of MT, it was held completely online.
At Model UN conferences, students participate in simulations of United Nations sessions, debating, negotiating, caucusing, drafting, and voting on resolutions that address world problems.
The 7 Helena High School students represented different countries in five different committees: General Assembly First Committee (disarmament & security issues), General Assembly Second Committee (Economic and Financial), UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), UN Human Settlements Programme (UN Habitat), and Security Council.
Individual, country, and school awards were announced during the closing ceremonies on Saturday, also virtually.”
NOTE: Here is the link for further detail regarding the ‘sample press release’ the information above is derived from. It is placed in quotations to show what information was provided, with HHS specific content included by the adviser. The press release is given to all schools to use as a template when preparing for media release. This year I am posting information using old and pre-press release formatting and detail. For more detailed and additional information please visit the following: http://hs.umt.edu/mun/hs-conference/default.php
HELENA HIGH SCHOOL AWARDS GUIDE
Helena High students prepared for the conference under the direction of social studies teacher Lauren Gustafson.
Montana Model United Nations High School Conference Awards 2020 Results
NOTE: Here is the link for detail regarding a more specific look at how and why schools are chosen for their awards as well as an updated list of ALL recipients. Scroll to the bottom to access the tab, ‘awards guide.:’ http://hs.umt.edu/mun/hs-conference/delegates-tools.php
- School Awards
“The following awards are given to the schools that show overall preparedness, participation, and excellence at the conference.”
–Outstanding School (top 10% of schools, plaque)*
–Distinguished Schools (top 20% of schools, certificate)
–Honorable Schools (top 30% of schools attending the conference, verbal commendation)
Outstanding School For a Small Delegation:
**Helena High School receives top award of outstanding school representing the small delegation.**
2. Top 25 Senior Awards
“This award is given to the top 25 seniors at the conference. The top five seniors are offered a $1,000 scholarship to attend the University of MT.”
HHS Johnson, Grace – TOP 5, $1,000 scholarship offered
HHS Cleary, Owen – TOP 25
HHS Cuddy, Tim – TOP 25
- Position Paper Awards
“Winning papers adhere to the formatting instructions, exhibit excellent research and diplomatic writing, and are true to the country’s actual or likely positions.”
— Outstanding Position Paper (best 1-2 papers per committee, medal)
— Distinguished Position Paper (top 10%, certificate)
— Honorable Position Paper, (top 20%, verbal commendation)
Honorable
HHS Cleary, Owen (Representing the Dominican Republic)
Distinguished
HHS Johnson, Grace (Representing Japan)
HHS DeWald, Jonathan (Representing the Dominican Republic)
Outstanding
HHS Cuddy, Tim (Representing the Dominican Republic)
- Delegate Awards
NOTE: See scoring system used to determine award selection in link provided
–Outstanding Delegate (top 1-2%, medal)
–Distinguished Delegate (top 10%, certificate)
–Honorable Delegate (top 20% of delegates in the committee, verbal commendation)
Honorable
HHS Nehring, Isaac (Representing Japan)
HHS Cuddy, Tim (Representing the Dominican Republic)
Distinguished
HHS Cleary, Owen (Representing the Dominican Republic)
HHS Johnson, Grace (Representing Japan)
Outstanding
HHS DeWald, Jonathan (Representing the Dominican Republic)
- 2020 List of Delegates that Participated (listed with country represented and committee)
- Jonathan DeWald (Dominican Republic, UNEA)
- Brynja Severtson (Japan, UNEA)
- Lenny Triem (Brazil, UNEA)
- Owen Cleary (Dominican Republic, GA-2)
- Isaac Nehring (Japan, GA-1)
- Grace Johnson (Japan, UN Habitat)
- Tim Cuddy (Dominican Republic, Security Council)