Model United Nations (MUN) is a simulation for students that imitates the United Nations in its General Assembly, Security Council and International Court of Justice. This activity encourages thinking and working internationally, in roles that takes students ouside themselves, to consider the problems of others from others’ points of view. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, as delegates, ambassadors or judges, they debate issues on the international agenda. MUN students research problems, plot strategy, prepare resolutions negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, issue judgments, while correctly navigating the UN's procedure s – cooperating with others to resolve problems besetting any on our planet. They devise well-informed propositions, commanding majority support, on issues concerning for example:
- peace and security
- fundamental rights
- the environment
- health and welfare
- economic and social development
- international collaboration
- Communicating internationally through the medium of a second language
- Independent, in-depth research on issues of concern
- Team work and leadership
- Working to deadlines
- Speaking and writing to persuade and convince
- Formal public speaking
- Detailed discussion and debate, focusing on decision-making for problem solving
- Democratic consensus building
- Conflict resolution and the maintenance of peace
- Chairing meetings structured by an agreed agenda and timetable
- Public relations and journalism
The Hisar School JMUN has been the first of its kind in the world. This conference is a special, junior version of MUN, which is more usually dedicated to university-level and high-school students. It is a three-day event for inexperienced youngsters from the 11 to 14 age group. JMUN provides a series of introductory workshops, training pre-lycée students in all the skills and knowledge required for successful participation in a simplified, mini-MUN conference that follows. No prior knowledge is needed, be it of the United Nations or conference procedure, UN rules and language or the topics for debate.
All communication is in English, with structured support constantly available from teacher-advisors and student organisers. JMUN an intensive, immersion activity, that provides excellent opportunities for rapid language development, with substantial gains to be made in confidence. As such, it is suitable for students whose English is at the Council of Europe’s ‘B’, or intermediate levels of language proficiency.
Besides this, commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to work in an international context with other students, in teams, is all that is needed. All workshops and conference events are organised and run by experienced, committed MUN student enthusiasts, from lycée clubs in our own and other internationally-minded MUN schools of high standing.
Hisar School JMUN is affiliated to THIMUN, the world’s senior MUN conference in The Hague, Netherlands. THIMUN is itself, officially affiliated to the United Nations in New York. (See: www.thimun.org)
Comenius Programmes: Europe in the classroomComenius programmes are part of the European Union’s overall educational development and support programme, Socrates. Turkey has been a full member of Socrates for many years. Projects focus on different phases of school education, from pre-school to lycée. They are relevant to all concerned with education: students, teachers, educational authorities, parents’ associations, non-government organisations, teacher-training institutes, universities.
The Programme aims to develop knowledge and understanding, fostering positive, critical appreciation of European cultures, languages and values. Through projects, participants improve basic life skills and competences for personal development, employment and active citizenship in their future world. They have the following, common goals:
- To increase mobility amongst students and staff in schools in Socrates Member States, including Turkey;
- To foster partnerships between schools in different states, with at least 3,000,000 overall, involved in joint activities by 2010;
- To encourage language-learning, innovative Information and Computer Technology-based activities, and better teaching techniques and practice;
- To enhance the quality and European dimension of teacher-training;
- To improve pedagogy and school management ;
- Deepening motivation for learning and skills in learning-to-learn:
- Improvements in language learning, greater literacy, making science more attractive, supporting entrepreneurship and developing creativity and innovation
- Digital educational content and services
- School management
- Addressing socio-economic disadvantage and reducing numbers leaving education
- Participation in sports
- Teaching diverse groups of students
- Early and pre-primary learning
(See: http://ec.europa.eu/education/lifelong-learning-programme/doc84_en.htm See also: Comenius Bureau website, Ankara http://www.eun.org/portal/index.htm Avrupa Birliði Komisyonu European Schoolnet Web sitesi) At Hisar School, two Comenius projects have already been completed: R Cubed and Regards Croisés. For further details consult the websites dedicated to these projects at:
About European Schoolnet European Schoolnet is an international partnership of 31 European Ministries of Education developing learning for schools, teachers and students across Europe.
What is eTwinning? eTwinning is an action by the European Union Commission that supports online-based projects between at least two schools from at least two different European countries. Schools form a project and use Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to carry out their work.
What can we do through an eTwinning project? Schools can work on any topic they wish to work on, in partnership with other schools. Projects are required to have a good balance of ICT use and classroom activities, and should preferably fit into the national curricula of the schools participating in the project. One of the key objectives of eTwinning is to improve abilities in ICT and to make it part of daily life in the classroom.
Who can participate? An eTwinning project can be carried out by two or more teachers, teams of teachers or subject departments, librarians, head teachers and pupils from schools across Europe. Collaboration can be within the same subject or cross-curricular through the use of ICT. Pre-school, primary, secondary and upper secondary schools can all participate (age range of pupils, 3-19).
Which countries are part of eTwinning? eTwinning applies to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Spring Day for Europe: "Schools Celebrating Europe" Spring Day for Europe is an annual, citizen-driven event project on democracy and citizenship where young people learn and make their voice heard on topical European issues. This is a campaign of debate and dialogue prepared several months in advance through pedagogical activities in the classroom and with the participation of national and European decision-makers.
Set up to stimulate interest and debate about the principles, achievements and future of the EU, Spring Day for Europe is a unique opportunity for students to meet, exchange ideas and share their hopes and concerns with EU experts and political leaders.
Each year, a wide-range of events place in schools across Europe such as competitions, exhibitions, debates, conferences and online chats between students from different countries and political leaders at European, national and local levels. Primary and secondary schools are invited to take part in their own way, in line with their own resources. Communicating, listening and connecting with young citizens in the European Union are primary concerns of the EU.
By taking part in Spring Day for Europe, schools contribute to celebrating Europe!