"As the millennium dawns, I believe the world is gaining clearer understanding of its problems and of the need to tackle them through collective action. I hope and trust that this new clarity will shine through during the millennium year and will be matched by a determination to act, especially when heads of State and government assemble for the Millennium Summit here in New York."

-- Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

MODEL UNITED NATIONS

Assignment

You are required to research and represent the position of a country at a model United Nations Assembly. We will be discussing a total of five issues at our Model United Nations. You will be required to prepare an opening speech and debate each of the resolutions from the perspective of your chosen country.

As there will be more than one debate going on at the same time, you may be required to videotape or act as the moderator for your group during one of the debates.

You will also be required to prepare a name card for your country that will be visible to the rest of the delegates. (use a blank sheet of 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper folded lengthwise in thirds) Be sure that the letters are large enough and dark enough to be clearly visible. Include a symbol on the name card that is representative of your country. You are also asked to dress as befitting a delegate to the United Nations. Consider using a simple prop such as a turban, tie, sombrero etc. that would give some indication of the country you are representing. Remember that you are representing the views of your chosen country NOT Canada.

Preparing Your Speech and Debating the Resolutions

Research - Copy and paste the following guiding questions into a word document. Gather general research information about the issue and paste it into the word document under the specific question that it addresses.

• What is the issue?
• What are the various viewpoints for and against the resolution?
• What would my country's position be regarding the issue?
• What 3 reasons and supporting evidence can I provide to support my country's position?
• What arguments can I anticipate from opposing viewpoints?
• What arguments and evidence can I use to counter these opposing viewpoints?

Save these notes as your name and submit them to the appropriate folder inside the teacher's drop box.

Write the Speech - Use the information that you have gathered to write a speech that convinces the other UN members to adopt your position on the resolution.

• Use a provocative question, strong statement, quotation, or powerful statistic to make your introduction interesting.
• Make your position clear and provide reasons and evidence to support it.
• Create a conclusion that reinforces your position in a convincing manner.
• Use language and organize your ideas to make your speech persuasive and convincing.

Parent Edit - Have a parent, guardian or other adult review your written speech using the assessment rubric as a guide.

Save this draft as your name and submit it with the editing comments to the designated folder inside the teacher's drop box.

Rehearse Your Speech - Practice your speech until you can deliver it with confidence. Refer to the presentation component of the assessment rubric to ensure that you have met all the necessary requirements.

Prepare for Open Debate

• create a list of arguments and evidence that you can introduce during the open debate
• consider the arguments that the opposing side might use against your position and decide how you will counter those arguments
• bring a pen and paper to record ideas and make notes as you listen to the speeches of the other UN delegates
• listen carefully to the speeches made by other delegates noting contradictions, inconsistencies and flaws in their logic.

Assess Your Performance

• Use the debate rubric as a guide for writing a self-assessment of your speech performance. Determine your mark for each of the categories and use the criteria specified in the rubric to justify them.

Save this document as your name and submit your written self-assessment to the designated folder

Resolutions

• The Environment
• Industrialization and Urbanization
• Fair Trade Practices
• The Status of Women
• Foreign Aid and Debt Forgiveness
• Peace and Security

• Costume and name card -15 marks
• Opening speech on a resolution - 20 marks (X 2) Speech Assessment Rubric
• Participation in debate -10 marks (X 2)
• Defense of position on each remaining resolution -10 marks (X 4)