Washington, DC – 26 October 2023 – Hundreds of thousands of students participate in Model UN every year across the globe. They often play the role of diplomats, representing the UN’s different Member States. Through researching national positions, drafting resolutions and holding debates, they learn about the UN. But in addition to the vital role played by ambassadors and representatives, the UN Secretariat – along with UN agencies, funds and programmes – work tirelessly to keep the Organization running and help people throughout the world. Learning about the UN’s various parts helps Model UN participants to better understand the organization they’re simulating. And storytelling is a good way to foster that.
That’s why the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) launched “The Real United Nations: An Interactive Briefing Series for Model UNs”. The goal is to give UN staff and diplomats a platform to share their stories with Model UN participants, put a human face on the organization, and explain what they actually do to achieve UN mandates.
Today “The Real United Nations” accomplished a number of firsts – its first in-person session outside of New York, its first event in the Washington, DC area, and its first interaction with middle school students.
The session was organized for nearly 30 students at Cabin John Middle School in Potomac, Maryland, who participate in Model UN through an educational organization called Global Minds LLC.
In line with past practice, the three-person UN panel included representatives of the UN Secretariat; UN Member States; and UN agencies, funds and programmes. Brenden Varma, the Deputy Director of the UN Information Center in Washington, DC, was joined by Deah James, an Attaché at the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Nikhila Gill, a Government Partnerships Officer at the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Showcasing the diversity of UN staff and diplomats, the panel included nationals from India, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the United States.
During the session, students asked Nikhila questions about the difference between WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), whether WFP is considered to be a non-profit, and how WFP delivers food in conflict zones. Deah got questions about how long Member States take to negotiate resolutions, whether they ever table rival resolutions, and whether diplomats’ personal views ever affect their work. Brenden was asked about whether permanent members of the Security Council can ever “veto a veto,” why New York was selected to host UN Headquarters, what the role of the Holy See is in the General Assembly, and which pieces of art at UN Headquarters were his favorites. The panel also took questions about how much they traveled for work, how they decided which areas of the UN or diplomacy to work in, what it was like to apply for a UN job, and how UN internships work.
Afterwards, Audré Park, Global Minds LLC founder and director – and director at large for the UN Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA) – said; “Our students learn a lot about the United Nations in Model UN - from its complex structure to its multiple agencies and goals. But the opportunity to hear from UN staff about their personal experiences made the United Nations more tangible, real and approachable. The process of how each staff member came to work at the UN was particularly impactful. It was exciting to watch our students envisioning how they might, too, consider a career at the United Nations."
Shreelata Durbhakula, Global Minds LLC co-director, added: "Our students were captivated by the visiting UN officials. The ‘real world’ perspective added a new dimension to the students’ Model UN experiences and generated a tremendous excitement in international policy and groundwork. The passion of the visiting officials for their careers resonated deeply with the students, energizing them to learn more about the UN. For many of them, it was the first time they could envision themselves pursuing a career in foreign policy. The students’ curiosity fueled an active and engaging conversation that will certainly propel them forward in learning about the United Nations and participating in Model UN activities."
