National High School Model United Nations

National High School Model United Nations
Name	National High School Model United Nations
Formation	20th century
Type	Educational organization
Headquarters	United States
Region served	North America

Contents

National High School Model United Nations is a student-run simulation of the United Nations that convenes secondary school delegates to debate international issues, draft resolutions, and practice diplomacy. The organization connects participants with institutions and events modeled on institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, and United Nations Human Rights Council, while drawing pedagogical influence from competitions tied to Johns Hopkins University, Harvard University, and Yale University. It interacts with academic programs associated with Columbia University, Stanford University, Georgetown University, Princeton University, and Brown University.

Overview

Origins trace to early twentieth-century student diplomacy influenced by events like the Washington Naval Conference, Paris Peace Conference, and the evolution of the League of Nations. Postwar expansion paralleled institutions such as United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and programs at universities including University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, and University of California, Berkeley. The movement grew alongside national debates over the Marshall Plan, North Atlantic Treaty, and United Nations Charter, adopting parliamentary procedures derived from Robert's Rules of Order and diplomatic practice reflected in Cuban Missile Crisis simulations. Media coverage and educational research referencing the Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, and American Council on Education influenced curricular standards and competitive formats.

Governing bodies mirror models used by organizations such as the United Nations, European Union, and Organization of American States, with executive boards, secretariats, and advisory committees often composed of alumni who studied at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, London School of Economics, School of Oriental and African Studies, and Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Committees are organized by thematic mandates similar to those of the Economic and Social Council, Security Council, and specialist agencies like International Monetary Fund and World Health Organization. Administrative functions align with nonprofit frameworks seen at Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, while legal incorporation mirrors filings typical of Internal Revenue Service-registered charitable entities.

Annual events include large-scale conferences modeled on summits like the United Nations General Assembly, regional simulations akin to the African Union, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and crisis committees inspired by the G20, NATO Summit, ASEAN Summit, and Summit of the Americas. Specialty tracks encompass human rights simulations referencing International Criminal Court, public health crises paralleling Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa responses, and economic councils reflecting World Trade Organization negotiations and International Monetary Fund bailouts. Educational programming often incorporates guest speakers from institutions such as United States Institute of Peace, Carnegie Mellon University, National Democratic Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, and Brookings Institution.

Eligibility rules resemble admissions guidelines used by scholastic competitions like National Speech and Debate Association, Science Olympiad, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and Future Business Leaders of America. Schools from districts including New York City Department of Education, Los Angeles Unified School District, Chicago Public Schools, and private institutions such as Phillips Exeter Academy, Phillips Academy Andover, and St. Paul's School (New Hampshire) regularly participate. Delegates are often coached using resources from The Hague Academy of International Law, Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, and curricula influenced by standards set by Advanced Placement programs and International Baccalaureate diplomas.

Proponents cite skill development documented in studies from Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford Graduate School of Education, University of Michigan, Pew Research Center, and RAND Corporation, noting gains in public speaking, negotiation, and policy analysis. Critics reference concerns similar to debates around Common Core State Standards Initiative, alleging disparities linked to resources in districts such as Detroit Public Schools Community District and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and raise issues discussed in reporting by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and National Public Radio. Discussions also involve equity debates echoing controversies around SAT testing, College Board policies, and institutional access critiqued in hearings before the United States Senate and United States Department of Education.