It’s been four years, punctuated by one pandemic, since Model UN advisors have been able to meet for a staff training day.  MUN advisors are  secondary-school teachers who coordinate model diplomacy at their schools, and who mentor their pupils to understand and take part in diplomatic simulations.  At its best, model diplomacy like MUN is an unparalleled form of experiential education, which teaches pupils not only about global affairs, but also builds valuable skills in public speaking, active listening, negotation and working with others who disagree.

Now, a new organisation called MUN Connect has been established in the UK to support MUN advisors in their vital educational role.  As its initial offering, MUN Connect organised a third staff training day for MUN advisors.   The training day took place at Benenden School in Kent, which was the host of the first-ever MUN advisor conference.  Many thanks to them for hosting.

So yesterday I had the privilege of giving a brief presentation about my Model Arctic Council (MAC) programmes to assembled MUN advisors.  As at the second such conference four years ago, I focused on MAC as an exciting alternative to MUN, with an emphasis on real diplomacy rather than parliamentary rules, and on building consensus rather than winning debate.  In particular, I emphasised the features that set both MAC and the real Arctic Council apart—the emphasis on collaborative problem-solving, the participation of Indigenous peoples, and the thematic focus on the fascinating and fast-changing Arctic.

MUN advisors and others interested in MAC can download the slides from my presentation from this website.  And pupils from secondary-schools around the world are most welcome to participate in one of my schools MACs next year!