How Model United Nations Helps Create and Develop Better Citizens

Introduction

Model United Nations. Created in the early 1920s as the Model League of Nations, it's been around for a while. Having been a member of my school's MUN club all four years of high school, I went to the National High School Model United Nations Conference in New York City in 2023 and 2024 (and went into the United Nations General Assembly chamber). I've also competed in more local conferences than I can count, as both a delegate and a Presiding Officer. As I prepare to attend the 74th Annual Berkley Model United Nations (BMUN) Conference in a few months, after my last conference in April, and graduate this May, I'm reflecting on how it has shaped and developed me as a citizen and how it can do so for others.

How MUN Has Shaped Me

Not every Model United Nations (MUN) conference is the same. Some focus on one main idea for the topics debated in the three levels of committees: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Others have different topics for each level. It all depends on the conference's goals. However, all conferences share a common goal: to help students learn how to debate, think critically, and defend their positions against different viewpoints. Most importantly, they encourage students to work together to create thoughtful solutions to common issues.

During my four years in MUN, I've seen how it has shaped me as a person. I've developed my critical thinking skills, the ability to understand different perspectives, and learned when to stand firm on an issue and when to compromise. I gained these skills largely from MUN, not from regular schoolwork or classes.

How It Can Develop Better Citizens

The world is currently filled with strong opinions, with many individuals asserting that their viewpoint is the only correct one. This emphasizes the increasing need for critical thinking, nuance, and open-mindedness. MUN can help foster these skills. When participants are required to research a position on unfamiliar topics, especially a position they might not agree with, defend said position in a civilized manner, collaborate with opposing viewpoints to propose solutions, and understand that they may not get their way entirely, it cultivates a mindset that can positively influence everyday life. When a potentially polarizing topic arises, individuals can come together to debate it respectfully and, even in disagreement, maintain mutual respect. And this doesn't need to end in the public square. Eventually, it can help improve our governments, where officials on both sides of the aisle, unfortunately, more often than not, will engage in behavior that should be frowned upon by the citizenry. While energy in politics is fine, actions that can raise the temperature are not.

A perfect example of what energetic debate looks like is Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia. The two Supreme Court Justices, while complete opposites in their views on the Constitution, were good friends, with their families often celebrating New Year's Eve together. They would have each other review their legal opinions and argue against them, thus strengthening the argument.

Conclusion

The need for citizens to be able to calmly debate topics and positions in a civilized manner is more important than ever, especially with social media and the internet allowing people from across the world to discuss topics in minutes. Model United Nations can help meet that need. While participation in conferences cannot be made mandatory, the ideas generated from them can be incorporated into a required class. Alternatively, the club could be structured as a mandatory course, with assignments focused on preparing for conferences and conducting mock committees. As MUN becomes more widespread, its ideas and values will gradually permeate society, fostering both energized and civilized debate.