Model United Nations

The Model UN Project is a joint initiative of the UN System in Albania, the Ministry of Education and Science, the US Embassy in Tirana and the Peace Corps Albania.  For 2008-9, ELTA has collaborated with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in accordance with the Model UN Project. ELTA had also the duty to manage the Budget and updates to the subsequent release of funds.  With this financial support, Model UN teams were able to cover research, printing and logistical expenses. 

Model UN is teaches students the principles of negotiation, peace-building, conflict resolution, international cooperation and development, through role-play and participation. Acting as representatives of member countries to the UN, students have to think, act and approach problems as the country’s real delegates would. Participants are encouraged to think critically, analyze problems, and develop strategies in order to achieve their country goals in the conference.

Model UN teams are composed of 4 – 9 students and are led by a teacher and a Peace Corps volunteer. 120 students in 15 Model UN teams participated in the 2009 Model UN conference held in Tirana, each coming from different schools across Albania.

Project Components

1. Teams supported by Albanian counterparts and Peace Corps Volunteers were trained in debate, caucusing, resolution and position paper writing, research, public speaking, effectively using United Nations and international relations terminology and teamwork.
2. Organizing an opening ceremony which included key note speakers, including representatives from several embassies to congratulate students on their achievements.
3. Utilizing several UN branches accommodated simultaneous debates during the conference.  Students in the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council and Security Council each had their own respective issues. 
4. Students and their trainers in groups visited various institutions such as the US Embassy, the French Embassy, UNDP Albania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc., to highlight the future impacts of such projects.

An important part of the Model UN project included each team developing and implementing original volunteer-based community projects.  The implemented projects not only promoted volunteerism and team spirit, but addressed important community issues.