With the theme "Climate Change", the Humanities and Social Sciences Division hosted the first session of Model Untied Nations at UIC. Prof. Joel Eisen, an expert on environmental issues, helped students with background information. Twenty four students majoring in GIR or IJ took part in the program.
Model Untied Nations (also known as MUN) originated in the United States and aims to educate participants about civics, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy. Students took on roles as diplomats and participate in a simulated session of an intergovernmental organization. During the conference, participants follow the rules of the conference and employ a variety of communication and critical thinking skills to present the policies of their countries.
A total of eight teams participated, representing these countries: a) Developing countries: Jamaica, Brazil, China and India; b) Non-EU Developed Countries: Russia and United States; c) European Union Members: France and United Kingdom. Each team took an active part in discussing the problems and in negotiating with other teams.
Prof. Eisen believed this kind of activity was entirely new in China. Through participation in Model Untied Nations, students could expand their horizons as well as elevate their sense of responsibility as international citizens, which had a positive effect in improving their ability to cooperate with each other.
Doctor Ken Lan hoped that the next session of the MUN in UIC could be much bigger. He welcomed all the students in UIC to participate in this activity saying they could be rewarded by things they could not learn from class.
by Susan Ma, Doris Xu, Micky Mai.
