When children negotiate the world
As the only Montessori school in Switzerland, we take part in this exciting international programme. Take a little time to learn more about it here.
Programme
MMUN (Montessori Model United Nations) is a worldwide simulation of the United Nations, developed specifically for children and young people aged 9 to 15. It combines political debate with the principles of Montessori pedagogy.
Concept: diplomacy instead of competition
While traditional UN simulations often focus on rhetorical contests and on “winning” a debate, MMUN takes a completely different approach:
- Consensus instead of majority vote — Participants learn that real global problems are not solved by outvoting a minority. The goal is to draft resolutions that all delegates can agree to.
- Cooperation instead of competition — There are no prizes for the “best speaker”. Success is measured by how well a group manages to reach compromises and build bridges.
- Empathy and a change of perspective — The young people (delegates) represent a country assigned to them. In doing so, they learn to see the world through the eyes of another culture or nation – often with completely different economic and social conditions.
The process: from research to the conference in Rome
The journey to an MMUN conference is a months-long, intensive learning process that usually unfolds in three phases:
Preparation (at school)
The young people delve deeply into the geography, culture, economy and politics of “their” country. At the same time, they research real global topics from the current UN agenda, such as climate change, child labour, disarmament or clean drinking water. They write a position paper summarising the official stance of “their” country.
The conference in Rome
The conference, with hundreds of young people from around the world, takes place in a large conference hotel in Rome. Its vast conference area transforms into a “mini UN headquarters”. The young people work in the various UN committees (e.g. UNICEF, the General Assembly or UNHCR). Here they give opening speeches, debate and wrestle for shared solutions.
The highlight: voting in the great conference hall
The absolute highlight of every Rome conference is the conclusion: at the final plenary session in the great conference hall, the elected committee representatives present their resolutions. The MMUN delegates then vote on them. These documents are afterwards officially handed over to the UN Secretariat.
Why is MMUN so valuable?
MMUN takes young people seriously and gives them a voice. In the process, they acquire key competencies for the 21st century:
- Global community — They develop a deep understanding of complex global interconnections and the UN's sustainability goals.
- Language and negotiation skills — As the conferences take place almost exclusively in English, participants improve their language skills rapidly and learn to argue precisely and respectfully.
- Self-confidence — Speaking on a large stage in front of hundreds of people lets young people grow beyond themselves.
MMUN is far more than role play. It inspires the next generation to think globally and act with empathy, and gives them a deep understanding of democracy.