Adding to an already impressive array of clubs and extracurricular organizations available to students at Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, the school's administration has given the go-ahead to initiate a Model United Nations program, or MUN, for students in the upper division.
With roots going back to the early 20th century at Harvard University, Model United Nations is a high school- and college-based simulation of the United Nations General Assembly located in New York City. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors from UN member states to debate current issues on the organization's agenda. While playing their roles as ambassadors, student "delegates" make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure—all in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world.
Other area schools as well as those around the U.S. currently have MUN clubs or teams, including Cranbrook, Roeper, St. Ignatius (Chicago), Dalton (NYC), Trinity (NYC) and Bloomfield Hills High School.
Upper-division social studies teacher Dave Osiecki will mentor the program, which will be open to all grades at Notre Dame Prep. He says the club is in the very early stages and he is looking to gauge overall interest from the students.
NDP social studies teacher Dave Osiecki is mentoring the school’s Model United Nations club beginning next school year. He says the club will be a real skills builder for those who join. The first meeting is June 3.
Osiecki said topics he plans to explore with club members will include issues of peace and security, human rights, the environment, and economic development. Students will act as diplomatic representatives of a nation (ambassadors) on various committees, write position papers and participate in committee discussions.
"By doing so, the hope is that there will be significant enhancement of skills for members, including those used in research, analysis, public speaking, negotiation, etc.," he said. "I envision in-school meetings to review the operations and procedures of the UN as well as to conduct extensive research on our nation."
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.