Kadena, Kubasaki practice for Model UN

OKINAWA, JAPAN – Twenty-three students from Kadena and Kubasaki high schools recently gathered to practice and prepare for Yale Model United Nations Singapore.

This March, DoDEA Pacific will send five students from each of its 12 high schools to Singapore to participate in the Yale Model United Nations (MUN) simulation. In previous years, DoDEA Pacific has participated in Harvard Model Congress Asia. While similar programs, MUN focuses more on regional and global topics issues.

“It is going to be different because there are multiple sides and arguments,” explained Ms. Alexandria Haley, Kubasaki High School social studies teacher and club sponsor. “It’s a little different for the kids. We have practiced Model Congress so many times, but Model UN is getting that global perspective, which is really interesting.”

In addition to getting familiar with the procedures of Model UN, participating students practice skills in public speaking, communication, conducting research, preparing an argument, collaboration, and cooperation.

“This gives them insight into how government works,” said Kevin Taylor, Kadena High School teacher and club sponsor. “How does an idea become a law? The idea of you don’t always get what you want, but you can cooperate to get closer to what you think should be.”

With students in grades 9-12 active in the club, both Haley and Taylor said it would be challenging to determine who earns a spot to participate in Yale MUN Singapore.

“How cool is it they get to fly someplace, and this time they are going to Singapore,” Haley said. “How many high schoolers get to say that? Not very many. They get to meet kids from other parts of the world.”

“It adds a flavor of reality to it that you wouldn’t get if you were just going down to the next county,” added Taylor.