Model United Nations

Malik Moore, Director of Community Youth Services
(216) 263-6805
mmoore@clevelandymca.org

Model United Nations (Model U.N.) provides area youth an opportunity for hands-on involvement with international issues and solutions, fostering a greater appreciation for our global community.

The goal of the program is to increase awareness of international affairs by learning about U.S. policies and international organizations. This is accomplished by learning the cultural traditions, history and policies of foreign countries and providing first-hand experience with the compromises and trade-offs faced to reach agreements on major issues.

Teens from the Greater Cleveland area increase their knowledge of international affairs and foreign countries while becoming familiar with national policies.

Program participants join their peers at the culminating regional conference, the General Assembly, where they build international consciousness through their role-play as members of the United Nations.

Participants are expected to:

Develop an understanding of local, state and international issues
Gain public speaking skills to express individual viewpoints
Practice and embrace the four core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility
Explore world issues and resolutions through group workshops and resolution writing
Participate in the General Assembly as a representative from a foreign nation

How You Can Help
As a nonprofit agency, the YMCA offers many of its programs at minimal cost to youth, making support from the community vital. There are a number of ways the community can help:

Volunteer to work directly with youth or serve on a program committee
Provide financial support
Host company visits and tours
Be a guest speaker