From Magan's Facebook Post: "Just finished up two days at JUNA with Anabelle! This was my first time experiencing this and it was pretty cool what they do. India did great and got all yes votes! All of Chelsea’s countries represented our school well! Greece had my fav outfits with their Olympic rings."
Since 1991, JUNA has increased awareness of worldwide issues, demonstrated how the United Nations works, and emphasized the importance of diplomacy and problem solving among nations, peoples, and cultures. More than 1,000 students from over 75 schools have participated. The two-day event includes a meeting of the security council, opening assembly, committee meetings, and General Assembly meetings in which resolutions are presented, discussed and voted upon. JUNA ends with a reception where awards are given and students' accomplishments are celebrated.
Each delegation, composed of 5-7 students, represents a different nation of their choosing (depending on availability). Guided by their teacher sponsor, students research their nation, identify a problem or issue in that country or elsewhere in the world, and write a resolution that proposes a solution to the issue. Resolutions are presented first in committees and upon passage are presented in General Assembly. Here delegates discuss, question and vote just as they would do in the real United Nations. Students wear the native dress of their country and make a flag to use for recognition in the General Assembly.
JUNA develops skills in public speaking, critical thinking, teamwork and leadership. Students in grades 7-10 can serve as Secretary General, Vice Presidents, clerks, security council monitors and committee chairmen. One measure of JUNA's popularity is the number of students who return for second and third years at JUNA and then serve as student leaders and officers. The problem solving and leadership skills that students learn at JUNA are skills that they can use for a lifetime.
We were warned by other parents about these days, and how "long" they can be for the parents, but Magan was a trooper, and was there both days to support Belle. All was done over in Anniston, so it was a long drive to/from each day. Belle was beautiful in her Saree, and did great with her speaking roles on stage. She is just a natural leader, and apparently their resolution was one of very few that passed all delegations with no votes against it. She has stayed after school for a couple of hours each week since the beginning of school to prepare for this event. I will admit I had NO IDEA what she was doing, and after this event, still somewhat clueless, altho the website that gave me the info above was helpful. We also had some good friends from scouts (Colby, Sawyer, Luke) that were on the Poland team, and the daughter of a good friend of mine from work did all the Polish translations for them, it helped that her parents are polish. Anabelle did the country cutout for the posterboard below, and she will remember us both laughing because it looked like a witch flying on a broom to both of us. Belley, if you are reading this, you looked Ah-mah-zing...just ah-mah-zing.
No comments:
Post a Comment