The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), along with New York-based Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., has brought the Model United Nations to schools in Tampa. Originally, only four high schools participated and only as an extracurricular activity. Now, more than 50 teachers teach the Global Classrooms curriculum to students in more than 120 classrooms in 35 Tampa schools. The program is supported by Tampa School District Social Studies Supervisors Dennis Holt and Martha Ford, as well as administrators from Tampa Schools, the University of South Florida, and the University of Tampa.
The Model United Nations Global Classrooms program was developed by UNA to enhance students’ understanding of international issues. His hope is to develop strong leadership and critical thinking skills in our youth necessary to shape a globally informed workforce in the future. To that end, a special UN Model teacher training program was recently developed that includes trade, finance and global development.
Global Classrooms addresses critical global issues such as the human rights of refugees, the prevention of nuclear terrorism, the global economy, the post-conflict transition, and the reform of the UN Security Council – the same issues that global diplomats address. newspaper at the United Nations. It is an excellent educational opportunity for students in Tampa schools.
Tampa schools’ participation increased in the Model United Nations program after the April 2006 conference, held at the Tampa Convention Center. More than 500 high schools and 600 middle schools participated in the Global Classrooms conference.
Ambassador William H. Luers, President of UNA-USA, addressed students from Tampa schools and students from other areas within Hillsborough and Pinellas County Public Schools. Luers pointed out that today’s children must learn about the world to be prepared for tomorrow. The smaller the child, the more open the mind will be.
Another speaker was Shaun King, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, current Detroit Lions player, and a favorite of Tampa school students. Like Luers, King wants young people to use all that talent they have. He believes that it really makes a difference, especially for children from single parent and / or disadvantaged families.
UNA-USA is a nonprofit organization that develops innovative programs to engage Americans, especially children, on issues of global concern. It promotes educational and humanitarian campaigns, as well as policy and advocacy programs. UNA’s mission is to enable people to have a global impact at the local level.
The Model United Nations program would not be possible without the support of business. Merrill Lynch has donated more than $ 37 million in 2005 to charities with educational organizations receiving more than half. They are responsible for bringing the April Model United Nations conference to Tampa and funding the cost of implementing the program in Tampa schools.
Together, UNA and Merrill Lynch hope to bring the Model UN experience to urban public schools across the country, as well as to a wide range of schools around the world.
It is a fact that the United States is losing its global economic advantage by falling far behind other countries in preparing its youth for the global troubles of tomorrow. With programs like No Child Left Behind that focus solely on reading and math skills, children in the US are missing out on the world and its problems. Bringing the Model United Nations program to students in areas like Tampa schools is an essential step. Hopefully more Tampa schools will participate in the future.
