Have you ever run a project as part of your Model United Nations (MUN) conference, or taken part in a campaign to raise awareness or solve a problem in your community?

MUN delegates understand the complicated issues we face in the world. They research them, debate them, and try to find solutions through their resolutions or committee work. There are delegates who even take that extra step to address those problems in their community, either individually or part of a larger group. Some MUN clubs or conferences make action a core part of their ethos, working to solve real-world problems and trying to bring positive change.

The United Nations Model UN Youth Summit is providing a platform to share these inspiring stories. This one-day event, organized by the UN Department of Global Communications' Education Outreach Section, will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 12 April 2019 in New York. Whether currently active in MUN or interested in becoming involved, participants will leave with a toolkit of ideas, a network of support and a new action-oriented vision for their MUN clubs or conferences.

The Summit will start with an opening ceremony, featuring talks by UN experts and student leaders, as well as a hip hop performance linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following a substantive discussion on how the UN is working to implement the SDGs around the world, workshop sessions will be held, including among others:

 

 

  • UN in Action: Discover how UN bodies are supporting the Global Goals 
  • Standing up for the SDGs: Inspiring stories from MUN participants who have taken real action to advance the SDGs
  • Planning for Impact: Concrete ways to bring action and service to your MUN conference
  • UN Connect: Learning how to tap into current UN campaigns and initiatives to connect your MUN program to the UN
  • Spreading the Word: Learn how to develop a successful social media campaign that will inspire students to take meaningful action in support of the SDGs

This event will be open to students between the ages of 15 and 24. Students under 18 must be accompanied by a chaperone. Selected participants will have the opportunity to present projects, detailing specific actions they have taken to advance the SDGs. A press team led by students will manage social media outreach throughout the day, helping to raise awareness of the SDGs and motivate other students to join this worldwide effort.