The Model United Nations: Building Communication Skills
© by Mike Keenan
There are few vehicles as rich for students to practice communication techniques. Lifetime skills assist students to better pursue an education, profession and community interaction involving service club membership, assisting a hospital fundraising team or working out a family dispute. In addition, a wide knowledge base is fostered in history, geography, economics, culture, politics and world issues.
Writing Skills
Pre-conference position paper
Speeches
Notes to other delegates
Working papers to develop resolutions
Resolutions on the issue to be debated by the committee
Speaking Skills
Formal and informal speeches
Strategies for questions and answers
Caucusing: small and large groups
Lobbying: one-on-one with another delegate
Using procedural rules
Problem-Solving Skills
Goal identification, problem analysis from all sides, clarifying strategies
Lateral thinking, generating ideas,
Selecting, strengthening solutions
Planning for action, testing hypotheses
Conflict-Resolution Skills
Consensus building, win/win skills
Negotiation, mediation skills
Listening skills
Leadership, Team-Building, Social Skills
Cultivating allies and working with other delegates
Meeting delegates from other schools and countries
Research and Knowledge Skills
Utilizing reference books
Utilizing the Internet
Organizing information
Contacting NGO’s, embassies, people with expertise
Learning about world issues and diverse countries in the global community
Time-Management, Stress-Management Skills
Prioritizing
Working under pressure
Pacing, delegating, recognizing your leadership style, strengths and weaknesses