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Honors Middle School Model UN Session a Great Success!
After a fantastic spring of Model UN sessions with middle school students from all over the St. Louis area and beyond, Civitas held its culminating Honors Model UN session this past Saturday at The Drury Inn in Creve Coeur. About 7% of all students who participated in Model UN this spring, those who were especially engaged in the process of preparing for and participating in their week day sessions, were invited to a final Model UN event on Saturday by their teachers and the Civitas staff.
Nearly-perfect attendance was just the start of an incredible morning with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from 17 different public and private schools. Their main task, designed by Civitas staffer Gloria Bilchik, was different from their earlier Model UN experiences. Instead of discussing previously written resolutions or creating a program to address a global issue, delegates were tasked with coming up with principles to address basic rights. Specifically, half of the students brainstormed in small groups to create a Bill of Rights for refugees fleeing to other countries because of conflict, persecution, environmental calamity, or dire economic circumstances. The other half of the students worked to create a Bill of Rights for the host countries receiving refugees. The results were fantastic. After 45 minutes of robust discussion, each group narrowed their selected Rights to three clauses to present to the larger group. The floor was then opened for others to ask questions for clarification; suggest changes in amendments; and/or speak in favor or against ideas, sharing reasons why. The insight regarding both sides of the issue, the empathy for others (peers in the room and refugees and host countries), and the critical thinking displayed in the questions and comments, were all very impressive.
The second task of the session was a quick, animated activity prioritizing UN work in the upcoming year. With just minutes to think, students shared with the large group what they thought was the most important task for the UN to tackle immediately. After all ideas were shared, an open caucus time of campaigning for votes took place. Things got very lively and loud as they discussed suggestions made including Preventing and stopping genocide, Promoting World Security by Preventing a World War, Stopping World Hunger, Helping Internally Displaced Citizens, Stopping Human Trafficking, and Addressing Climate Change. As is true with the real United Nations, not all problems can be addressed at once, which makes for tough prioritizing. After the brief "campaign" time to talk throughout the room, it was time for a final vote. All delegates got two votes. If these dynamic middle school students had their way, the United Nations would focus on the following two issues in the next year:
World Security/Preventing a World War
Preventing and Stopping Genocide
For the past several years during the Honors event, students have come up with different priority lists that reflect current global situations. Last year and the year before, Women's Rights earned a lot of support and Addressing Climate Change has frequently been a top priority. So it is no surprise that this year, these astute middle schoolers focused on concerns for the people caught in current conflicts and the rippling effects that could occur from those conflicts.
The morning concluded with a distribution of Certificates of Participation and an explanation of the free high school events offered by Civitas. We hope to see all of these students again next year to share more amazing ideas to tackle global, national, and local concerns. NOTE: Students who did not attend Honors are also welcome at future Civitas events!
Click here to see the full voting results from the Honors Session.
 Civitas thanks the Saigh Foundation for its continued strong support of our Model UN programs.
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Only two spots left for the Civitas Team at WUMUNS this Fall!
If you would like to be a part of the Civitas delegation, limited to 12 students, please email Stephanie at gavinstephanie89@gmail.com. We will add you to the delegate list and notify you in the fall when we have more details about the committee choices and schedule times.
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A Summer Opportunity for Middle and High School Students
Explore international challenges of the UN and the USA
 Dr. Robert Barnidge, Chaminade College Preparatory instructor, is offering two summer camps that might appeal to Model UN fans (and others!) at Chaminade (425 South Lindbergh Blvd., 63131) in June this summer:
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
June 17-20, Monday-Thursday, 9am-Noon
Boys & Girls Entering Grades 6-12
$200
This camp will explore the United Nations, a body founded after the Second World War to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Using a variety of active learning techniques, students will learn about some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Each student will represent a state in the United Nations Security Council, conduct research from that state’s perspective on a specific issue, and draft a Security Council resolution. On the last day of the camp, students will debate and vote on the draft resolutions in a simulation.
MODEL NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
June 24-27, Monday-Thursday, 9am-Noon
Boys & Girls Entering Grades 6-12
$200
This camp will explore the National Security Council, the President of the United States’ principal venue for national security and foreign policy decision making and main arm for coordinating such matters across federal agencies. Using a variety of active learning techniques, students will learn about some of the United States’ most pressing international challenges. Each student will represent a member of the National Security Council, conduct research from that member’s perspective on a specific issue, and draft a brief position paper. On the last day of the camp, students will participate in a simulation.
Click here for more information and to register.
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This is the last Civitas newsletter of the school year. Watch for a "Special Edition" in late July from our interns. We'll return to our weekly newsletters for next year on Tuesday, August 20.
Have a relaxing and fun summer!
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July 8-12 and Jul 15-19: Civitas Campaign '24 Internship
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Tuesday, August 20: Watch for the first Civitas newsletter of the 2024-2025 school year.
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