The UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute, which will take place from Sunday, June 21 to Saturday, June 27, 2015, is a week-long intensive in-residence program for high school students who are interested in international diplomacy and foreign affairs. During the Summer Institute, students will take on the role of a diplomat, engage in independent research, debate a country’s position on one of the many committees of the United Nations, and become well-versed Model UN delegates. Unlike typical MUN conferences where teams of students from various schools compete against each other, often accompanied by their faculty advisor, the UCLA Model UN Summer Institute is primarily designed for individual students from across the United States and abroad to come together and hone their Model UN abilities during an intensive yet fun-filled week.
Students will be led by UCLA faculty and members of the Executive Board of the Model UN at UCLA through a series of workshops and lectures that will cover a wide range of topics and areas of study. From political science theory to the most pressing international relations issues of today, students will acquire the tools and knowledge necessary to become active global citizens. These lectures will also incorporate formal lessons on public speaking, and emphasize research skills that will benefit students for both MUN and non-MUN academic endeavors. Students will also choose to participate from a host of committees, which in the past have ranged from such topics as human rights in Myanmar, self-determination in Kosovo, international wildlife trafficking, Mexico and the war on drugs, the crisis in Syria, and nuclear weapons in Iran.
The UCLA Model UN Summer Institute is for students of any level of Model United Nations experience, with committees and academic simulations for both novice and experienced MUN delegates to learn and improve their abilities to research, debate, caucus, and speak publicly. In addition, the Institute provides students with some wonderful benefits:
· Two units of University of California college credit (Global Studies 10: International Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs)
· Full stay throughout the week in UCLA Residential Housing
· Interaction/mentorship with current UCLA students and college-level Model UN participants
· College admissions presentation and discussion of what to expect as a university student
· Excursions around Los Angeles for sight-seeing and fun
· Summer Scholars Support: A limited number of full and partial need-based scholarships for California high school students
For more information, including registration for the 2015 UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute, visit our website at http://www.summer.ucla.edu/institutes/ModelUN.
You are also welcome to read this article to learn more about one of our previous MUN Summer Institutes.
And finally, please feel free to email me personally at MUN@international.ucla.edu if you have any questions or comments!
Sincerely,
Andy Leung
Program Coordinator | UCLA Model United Nations Summer Institute