This year, more than 40 students from Eastside Connections Middle School are participating in a Model United Nations club. The exercise is part of a global program helping students acquire and improve skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and in-depth research.
Model UN club activities include learning and practicing parliamentary procedure, researching and proposing solutions to current world problems, and representing a country’s position during a simulated United Nations conference.
“This is an engaging opportunity for students to identify and understand real-world challenges and research ways to solve problems,” said ECS Principal Joe Racht. “The Model UN is a great way for students to learn about international affairs, gain leadership skills and build coalitions with others.”
As part of the program ECS sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students will participate in a simulated United Nations conference at Michigan State University in East Lansing on Saturday, Feb. 25.
Hundreds of middle school students from across Michigan will gather at the conference to debate resolutions on a range of topics including health care, literacy, and natural resources. Students can also participate in committees regarding George Washington’s Cabinet, King Tutankhamun’s Court and life on Mars. In preparation for the conference, students are working with student advisors from Michigan State University and Notre Dame.
Model UN Clubs exist in middle schools, high schools, and colleges around the world. The program is recognized as a premier public speaking and debate club providing an international college and career networking alumni network. According to Michigan State University Model UN officials, Eastside Connections is one of only 15 middle schools in Michigan participating in this year’s conference.
“Participating in MSU’s Middle School Model UN conference provides student delegates the opportunity to network with other students throughout Michigan and gain valuable experience in leadership, public speaking, writing and interpreting problems to provide solutions,” said Felicity Davila, the MSU Model UN Feb. 25, 2017, conference organizer. “MSU Model UN advisors have a great tradition of helping students prepare, learn new skills and then prosper at the conference.”
In addition to Model UN, Eastside Connections Middle School offers other academic and cultural enrichment programs including music, theatre, safety patrol, student council, and the largest science, technology, math, and engineering club in Southwest Michigan.