In November 2006, our Lower and Upper Elementary teachers traveled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City to participate in the first Montessori Model UN Leaders Workshop. Upon their return, the teachers, along with two other volunteer coordinators, started a Model UN club. This was the beginning of what we will be an important extension of global studies of the Upper Elementary students at our school. The twelve members of the club meet once every week to learn about the UN and its work. They are currently learning the process of respectful debate and will soon write position papers for their countries.

In March 2007, the student delegates travelled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City to participate in the first Montessori Model United Nations simulation! Our delegates represented Ethiopia and Nepal in simulations of the General Assembly and UNESCO.

First Annual Montessori Model United Nations Teacher Training Conference
November 1-2, 2006

(from left to right) Darlene Sparling, teacher Harbourview Montessori School, Nova Scotia, Ambassador Francis Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic, Judith Cunningham, editor of M: The Magazine for Montessori Families, Dr. Gregory Julian, Chairman of Political Science of Pace University, Dr. Betsy Coe, principal of School of the Woods, Texas, Michelle Van, principal Harbourview Montessori School, Nova Scotia

 

Montessori Model United Nations

"Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war."
Maria Montessori

The topics on the agenda for the General Assembly were the following Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s) Review:

Best Practice of Member States and Room for Improvement
How Can Donor Nations Better Fulfill Their Obligations

The topics for the UNESCO Committee were:

Rights of the Child
Culture of Peace

Our experience at the Montessori Model UN was incredible! There were over 500 Montessori students from all over North America. In addition to being coached by a great team of Model UN coaches, we met Craig Kielberger, founder of Free the Children. He certainly was an inspiration to our student delegates.

Through the Model UN program, our students had the opportunity to:
Learn about cultures, governments and peoples of nations throughout the world,
Use research skills, written and oral communication skills,
Develop critical thinking skills, problem solving skills and evaluative skills,
Debate current global issues,
Practise and use leadership skills in real-life global situations,
Understand the need for peace and conflict resolution throughout the world while developing their own conflict resolution and debating skills.

Witnessing the final General Assembly with all of the student delegates in one room was breathtaking. It was an honour for the children to be seated in the seats of real UN delegates and to be experiencing the same process. The children had the opportunity to meet Ambassador Francis Lorenzo from the Dominican Republic. He also served as an inspiration to our delegates. Hearing that he would pass their resolutions to Ban Ki-moon, current Secretary-General was exciting news for our student delegates!

A big thanks to our very supportive parents! You made the workload lighter and the trip a little brighter! We are looking forward to Montessori Model UN 2008!

(from left to right)Michelle Van(principal Harbourview Montessori School)Carley Lilley (Student delegate), Ambassador Francis Lorenzo of the Dominican Republic, Ben Uhrich (Student Delegate), Darlene Sparling (Upper elementary teacher Harbourview Montessori School)