Model UN in the classroom

Students act as country delegations and seek a common solution to a simple problem.

Steps

1. Brief introduction: what the UN is, when it was founded, and what it does.
2. Groups draw countries and receive an information sheet about them.
3. Problem to solve: e.g. how to share water from a river flowing through three countries.
4. Delegations present their positions and negotiate.
5. Finally, voting on a resolution and a conversation about why reaching an agreement is difficult.

Tip: Appoint a chairperson of the debate who keeps track of speaking time.