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What should I know about Simulations?
Q: Why should I participate in a Model Organization?
A: Model Organizations promote students' and teachers' interest in the world around them and broaden a student's knowledge in a variety of subjects. They generally teach vital skills in negotiation, public speaking, problem solving, conflict resolution, research and communication. Model Organizations also give students and teachers the opportunity to meet interesting new people and make new friends.
Q: Who can participate?
A: Model Organizations draw students from a wide variety of backgrounds, most of them high school or college age. Virtually anyone who has an interest in global affairs can get involved in Model Organizations. All you need is a certain amount of dedication and access to a local library or the internet. The easiest way to partake in conferences is to find a supervisor and form a club with other students. However, individual students can attend conferences on their own, even if their school does not have the resources to form a Model Organization Club. In most instances, conference hosts require a teacher or advisor to assume responsibility for a student.
Q: How do simulations work?
A: In almost all prominent Model Organizations, students are asked to step into the shoes of representatives from their Organization's member states. The students represent their assigned country and debate issues on the organization's agenda. During conferences, student "delegates" make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the conference rules of procedure. Members of a Model Organization Club typically attend a number of conferences a year. These conferences are usually hosted by other schools and universities. In the weeks before the conferences students spend time researching assigned topics, and familiarizing themselves with the countries they represent.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The first thing to do is to decide what kind of simulation will best serve your needs. Your choice will depend on a number of factors. It will depend upon the availability of local conferences - some are more widely available than others. It will also depend upon your interests as a teacher/ student. Model Nato has a strong focus on National Security issues. Students will learn about the challenges of cooperative defense and how to bring stability to areas of conflict and intervention. Model EU will expose the student to a variety of issues facing the European community, among them immigration, terrorism, and trade. Model Arab League focuses on programs - educational, social, political, and cultural - designed to promote the interests of Arab States. By far the most prominent of these simulations is Model UN. This is great for students interested in "international cooperation" and resolving problems that affect countries all over the world. To learn more about these simulations you may find it helpful to visit the following sites: Links. As with all School Organizations, once you have decided to start a club, you will have to get it approved by the authorities and begin recruiting members for your first conferences. Then it is just a question of preparing them.
Q: How do I prepare my students?
A: You will need to help your students learn to do two things: 1) research a topic and help them understand how it relates to a country they may represent and 2) familiarize them with the parliamentary procedures of your chosen organization. For your students to do well at a specific conference, you must ensure that they are well prepared in terms of research and are thoroughly familiar with the conference's format. Many excellent resources are available to you in libraries and online, and with institutions that host Model Organization Events. Most Conferences publish Research Guides, Parliamentary Procedure Guides and Background Guides for each committee and topic, these will be very valuable in helping your students prepare. You should also encourage your students to read the newspapers and pay close attention to current events. This will serve them well in a conference setting.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: The cost of the participating in simulations comes from attending conferences. The prices of these conferences range anywhere from $10 to $250 depending on who is hosting the event and what kind of conference it is. For more professional or longer conferences the prices may be higher, but the experience is often well worth it. Many financial aid options exist and it is always possible to fundraise or get sponsors at the local level.
