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Training Session 1 & 2:
The Global Classrooms(R) LAU Model United Nations (GC-LAUMUN) program has witnessed, on Saturday the 12th of January 2008, its first training session, as well as its second on Saturday the 19th of January. Both LAU campuses were overflowing with energy as over 360 high school students in Byblos and 710 in Beirut attended the first of this year's seven training sessions. The sessions were conducted by 38 LAU student-trainers that have been rigorously trained to meet the expectations of increasingly challenging participants whose eagerness to learn has been ignited by the two years of stunning success that this program has achieved. The enthusiastic high school students were divided into classes for an interactive first session that introduced them to GC-LAUMUN as well as to the UN system and its different organs. By entering the program, by attending the sessions, the students have become a part of the UN culture.
After taking a glimpse into MUN's cause of peace and diplomacy, the students attended a second training session the following Saturday throughout which they learned how to navigate the flow of debate through the rules of procedure. They also learned the techniques and tips of organization for their country research while they prepare for a rewarding MUN experience.
Pictures posted in the photo album section
Training Session 3:
On Saturday Feb 16th, 2008, the student participants of GC-LAUMUN attended their third training session after a three-week interval.
Students gained a general background about the UN and its respective committees in the first training session, and how to operate within these committees during the second training session.
This third session brings the previous two training sessions together by showing them how to research a topic in light of both the committee and represented country. As the final conference approaches, the students are gradually integrating into the roles of ambassadors, becoming a part of the UN culture, a culture of diplomacy and compromise. They are learning to view the world through the eyes of global citizens ready to rise to the challenge of discussing international issues on the UN agenda.
Pictures posted in the photo album section
Training Session 4:
High school student participants attended their fourth training session on Saturday February 23rd, 2008.
During the previous three training sessions, students were provided with knowledge essential to participating in a LAU-MUN conference. This fourth session has armed them with tools to communicate during that conference. They have learned the skills of speech writing and more so delivery, and were given tips to help overcome their fear of public speaking.
As ambassadors to member states, students must learn to role-play and set aside their personal convictions. They must transcend prejudices and stereotypes in order to focus on correctly representing their assigned country.
There's no one solution to any problem and there are two sides to every story.
Pictures posted in the photo album section
Training Session 5:
On Saturday March 1st, 2008, the high school participants attended their fifth training session.
This training session revealed to them a world of compromise and win-win attitude. Amidst the political reality of strife and a mentality of 'my way or the highway' in the country, the session showed them a whole new dimension of an established attitude of negotiations and conflict resolution. They have come to understand that conflicts are neutral and inevitable; however, how we respond to conflicts determines whether they are destructive or constructive.
Although the environment that surrounds us overflows with destructive reactions to conflicts, the session has sought to integrate within the students the possibility of change and that change starts with the self.
Pictures posted in the photo album section
Training Session 6:
The student participants attended their sixth and last training session on Saturday March 8th, 2008.
In a final session that would prepare them for the conference, the students learned one of the most important aspects of a MUN simulation: Caucusing. Through activities, the students in role play discussed and negotiated different points of view through moderated and un-moderated caucuses.
Over the past few sessions, they have acquired the skills of communication and negotiation essential to the conference. The end result of the students' negotiations is cognition manifested in creative and pragmatic resolutions to real issues on the UN agenda. They have discovered the different stages of reaching a final resolution. More so, they have come to understand that resolutions are the backbone of the conference.
By the end of the sessions, there was a sad air of goodbyes and farewells...till the conference where their transformation into young diplomats would be complete!
Pictures posted in the photo album section
Training Session 7:
Global Classrooms® LAU Model UN has witnessed the completion of its 6 training sessions, during which high school participants from all across the nation were distributed on both LAU campuses— Byblos and Beirut.
The first 3 sessions have given the students insight into the UN system and its different committees, how to function within a committee and how to write a position paper—the knowledge of which is essential for the final conference. Armed with such cognition, the subsequent 3 sessions provided the students with the tools of public speaking and negotiation skills.
On April 5th, the students came together at LAU Beirut campus to participate in the UN Day and Mock Simulation. The UN Day will host professionals from different UN agencies and non-governmental organizations to provide the students with tangible information about their committees from experienced professionals.
The Mock Simulation is their opportunity to rehearse and practice for the final conference, as they apply the rules of procedure to simulate real UN committees.
Pictures posted in the photo album section
