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Acalanes club a model for diplomatic relationships

By Sandy Mouat
CORRESPONDENT

       The Acalanes High School Model United Nations Club, sponsored by the Lafayette Arts & Science Foundation, gives students an exciting and educational way to learn about global issues.
       Student delegates participate in a Model UN Conference competition, where they assume the roles of diplomatic representatives, to simulate the activities of the General Assembly or other body of the UN. This gives them a unique opportunity to fully appreciate the cultural and political differences of the country they represent.  Through this engaging activity, they learn about the real life functions of the UN diplomatic corps and gain in-depth knowledge of the member countries.
       An excellent learning strategy, this kind of role-playing keeps the students engrossed in their UN committee work, as they conduct themselves just as their adult counterparts do, developing a greater understanding of world problems and international relations.
       The first step for UN club members is to form an extensive research base from which to work, in trying to find solutions to predetermined problems which represent the real interests of their adopted country. There is much information available to them from the United Nations and its sub-organizations.  The UNA-USA/UNICEF Center in Berkeley has a wealth of materials available to Model UN delegates, with center volunteers eager to lend a hand to these budding diplomats.
       The students must learn about the UN itself; including the duties of the officers and the functions of the Chairs, procedures for introducing proposals, for writing resolutions and amendments, formal and informal debate, and lobbying for cooperative support between countries.                   
       Delegates must also have comprehensive knowledge about the country they represent, such as it’s current form of government and its political history, any political or economic ties the country may have, as well as its literacy rate, life expectancy, and languages spoken. They must understand the biggest problems currently facing their country. If recognized by the chairman, they must be ready to speak knowledgeably, and according to strict protocol.
       Top delegates are those who not only represent their country's views accurately but also work actively in their committees, such as the World Health Committee or UN Committee on Economic Development, to resolve the problems proposed.
       Throughout the conference, there is a great deal of interaction among the various committees.  There is often lobbying and deal making to trade support.  Sometimes a more experienced committee will co-sponsor a proposal, to help out a more inexperienced group.
       For the past two years, Acalanes Model UN Club has won the "best delegation" award at both the Santa Clara Conference and at Berkeley, while also providing the committee chairs and Secretary General for the Contra Costa Middle School Model UN.
       This year, both the club and the AP Comparative Government classes at Acalanes are working to provide a Model UN for Stanley Middle School in late May.  They will prepare a course outline for the Stanley students, which encompasses all of the requirements of the Model UN conference, including all preparatory work expected, sources of research information, the rules of protocol, instructions for forming and writing proposals, resolutions, and amendments, and general rules of procedure.
       At the recent Contra Costa Model UN conference, March 2nd  and 3rd, Acalanes students were awarded four gavels, (Contra Costa does not award a "best delegation"), and fifteen commendations.
       Ramsay Thomas, teacher/mentor for the Acalanes Club, said, “Model UN allows students to be fully in charge of a great learning experience without teacher interference. Their success in working in committee is completely up to their research, skills, and courage in working with others. Model UN allows them to test their skills at persuasion and research in a simulation which closely mirrors the real world and, also, is lots of fun.

03/01 Reprinted with permission. Visit the Contra Costa Times on the web at www.contracostatimes.com.

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