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Young Professionals: Stay Connected with IO:

IO Bureau Engagement

The Bureau of International Organizations is the U.S. Department of State’s focal point for all things Model UN. For more than a decade, the Bureau has partnered with the United Nations Association of the USA to host the Department’s signature annual Model UN Conference bringing hundreds of youth to the historic Harry S. Truman building for a day of debates and negotiations. The Bureau also has longstanding relationships with many other international affairs and academic organizations further allowing the Department to engage in Model UN activities across the country, by providing expert speakers to participate in conferences, simulations, and training exercises. Photos: State Department Model UN Engagement

If you have an upcoming conference and are interested in potential State Department participation, contact JacobsonY@state.gov, 6-8 weeks prior to your conference to discuss the possibilities.

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations is an educational program that places students into the shoes of UN Ambassadors and other diplomatic figures. The activity engages them in simulations of the United Nations, debating issues past, present, and future. More»

Model UN Simulations

The Bureau of International Organization Affairs in cooperation with the United Nations Association of the USA launched an exciting initiative designed to provide State Department employees worldwide with small-scale, classroom-ready Model UN materials for use in youth outreach activities, English language programs, and more. These materials, in the form of a thematic General Assembly debate, provide all the pieces for mission personnel to conduct a simple Model UN activity that will excite students, introduce important concepts of negotiation and cooperation, and allow missions to engage with youth on an issue of key importance to the United States. Simulation packages are available in the following themes in several languages:

• Gender and Science: English - Placards, Chinese - Placards, Russian - Placards, Spanish - Placards, Arabic - Placards, French - Placards
• Climate Change: English - Placards, Spanish - Placards, French - Placards, Arabic - Placards
• The Economics of Globalization: English - Placards, Spanish - Placards, French - Placards, Portuguese - Placards, Arabic - Placards, Chinese - Placards

Model UN App

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs, in partnership with the United Nations Association of the USA released the Model United Nations App. This app educates users through lesson plans on topics like climate change, poverty eradication, globalization, and even features a tongue-in-cheek simulation on the Zombie Apocalypse that is sure to engage youth in the important work that multilateral organizations do.

The iPhone app is free and available for download at the Apple store for iPhone. The mobile site can be accessed by all other mobile devices.

For more information and to download the app, visit the Model United Nations App Apple store page

Other Resources

• About the UN
• Best Delegate
• Osgood Center for International Studies
• United Nations
• UN Charter
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• UN Structure and Organization
• UN Main Committees
• UN Member States
• United Nations Association of the USA: Global Classrooms Model UN

Upcoming Conferences

• UNA USA Model UN Calendar
• Best Delegate Model UN Conference Database

Model UN Blog Roll

• Dipnote: State Department Blog
• United Nations Blog
• UN Foundation Blog
• Best Delegate High School -- College