Scott Garbus
Welcome to the Model United Nations of Australian International School (MUNAIS) website!
Model UN is one of the best opportunities that students have to develop the sophisticated sense of internationalism that the IB and international schools promise. Real internationalism is an understanding of foreign cultures that extends beyond the 3 f’s (Flags, Food & Festivals), and creates a deeper understanding of and appreciation for different cultural, and political perspectives. It informs a desire to reach out to resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner. It also helps students develop the research, and critical thinking skills that are so necessary to be successful in the MUNAIS provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with Model UN in a comfortable low-stress environment. Students who have never participated in MUN before, will have fun playing the role of their favourite (or least favourite) teachers, administrators and maybe even their own parents- as they debate the pros and cons of separating students into classes according to their ability level in each subject. More experienced students will play the role of international diplomats who will struggle with the moral, legal, and even medical intricacies of developing a policy to regulate or abolish the trade in human organs.
The Model UN experience is transformative for students. I have had ESL students tell me that they felt that their English noticeably improved after one weekend because they had to fully focus their concentration on a debate that involved the sophisticated use of language. I have also seen a very noticeable increase in the confidence and enthusiasm of students as they returned from their first conference.
The other schools in our area are excited to see AIS develop and grow its MUN program, because they know that we have the capability to bring quality delegates, and they hope that in the future, we would be able to host SAIMUN. Renaissance and American Int’l School have previously invited us to attend their own internal conferences, normally only open to their students. BIS has also recently extended a similar invitation to us for the end of this year, but unfortunately we had to decline as we are focused on preparing for MUNAIS. In addition the International school of Phnom Penh have invited us to attend their conference next October, which we plan on attending. Who knows? Maybe next year, you will join MUN club and come with us to Cambodia?
Model UN is one of the best opportunities that students have to develop the sophisticated sense of internationalism that the IB and international schools promise. Real internationalism is an understanding of foreign cultures that extends beyond the 3 f’s (Flags, Food & Festivals), and creates a deeper understanding of and appreciation for different cultural, and political perspectives. It informs a desire to reach out to resolve international conflicts in a peaceful manner. It also helps students develop the research, and critical thinking skills that are so necessary to be successful in the MUNAIS provides an opportunity for students to become familiar with Model UN in a comfortable low-stress environment. Students who have never participated in MUN before, will have fun playing the role of their favourite (or least favourite) teachers, administrators and maybe even their own parents- as they debate the pros and cons of separating students into classes according to their ability level in each subject. More experienced students will play the role of international diplomats who will struggle with the moral, legal, and even medical intricacies of developing a policy to regulate or abolish the trade in human organs.
The Model UN experience is transformative for students. I have had ESL students tell me that they felt that their English noticeably improved after one weekend because they had to fully focus their concentration on a debate that involved the sophisticated use of language. I have also seen a very noticeable increase in the confidence and enthusiasm of students as they returned from their first conference.
The other schools in our area are excited to see AIS develop and grow its MUN program, because they know that we have the capability to bring quality delegates, and they hope that in the future, we would be able to host SAIMUN. Renaissance and American Int’l School have previously invited us to attend their own internal conferences, normally only open to their students. BIS has also recently extended a similar invitation to us for the end of this year, but unfortunately we had to decline as we are focused on preparing for MUNAIS. In addition the International school of Phnom Penh have invited us to attend their conference next October, which we plan on attending. Who knows? Maybe next year, you will join MUN club and come with us to Cambodia?