Introduction to Model

United Nations
GLOBAL CLASSROOMS DC (GCDC) UNIT 1:
INTRODUCTION TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND
MODEL UN
 WHAT IS MODEL UNITED
NATIONS?
• Also known as Model UN or MUN
• Activity where individuals roleplay delegates to the United Nations (UN) and
simulate UN committees
• Delegates discuss, negotiate, and help solve some of the most pressing
international issues including climate change, human rights of refugees, and
peacekeeping missions
• Learn about different countries, international issues, foreign policies, and
culture while working on important skills like reading, writing, researching,
and negotiation
• Thousands of middle school, high school, and college students across the
United States and around the world participate in Model UN
• Model UN can be done in the classroom, or in an after-school club or program.
While many students attend and compete at Model UN conferences, it is not
required
 VIDEO:
Introduction to Model United Nations (MUN)

HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GT1LT4XKP5Q?T=10
0:10 – 1:58
Zombie Pandemic Mini-Simulation
task: establishing a universal action plan for
the zombie pandemic

UN Committee:
World Health Organization (WHO)
VOCABULARY

World Health Organization (WHO): established in 1948,

WHO is a member of the United Nations Development
Group, and is the directing and coordinating authority for
health within the United Nations. WHO is the center of an
international public health network

Pandemic: an outbreak of a disease over a whole country or

the world

Epidemic: a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease

in a community at a particular time

Transmission: to convey (infection) abroad or to another

VOCABULARY
Quarantine: isolation imposed upon ships, persons,
animals, or plants to prevent the spread of disease

“Herald Waves”: warning signs that predate the biggest

outbreaks; can provide countries with signals to act
quickly

Developed Country: a sovereign state that has a rising

economy and highly developed technological
infrastructure

Least Developed Country: a sovereign state that has a

weak economy and highly underdeveloped
technological infrastructure
ZOMBIE PANDEMIC: WORLD
HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) FACTS
• Created in 1948 and has
193 Member States
• Responsible for:
• Providing leadership on global
health matters
• Shaping the health research
agenda
• Setting norms and standards
• Disseminating valuable health
knowledge
• Articulating evidence-based
policy options
• Providing technical support to
countries
• Monitoring and assessing
health trends
ZOMBIE PANDEMIC BACKGROUND
• Zombies desire human flesh; they will not eat other zombies.
• Zombies cannot be killed unless their brain is destroyed. There is no
cure for zombies. The zombie virus causes 100% infection and 100%
death/reanimation.
• Any human being bitten by a zombie will inevitably become a
zombie.
• The zombie menace is transmitted through direct contact with
infected bodily fluids. It cannot be contract through the air (not
airborne) or through water (waterborne).
• Zombies do not retain human emotions or memories. They cannot
be trained.
OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
• WHO is the center of an international public health network.
• Regional health institutions, such as the European Centre for Disease
Prevention and Control, and national health institutions, such as the Centers
for Disease Control in the USA, provide information to WHO.
• These institutions are essential for disseminating information.

• Major pandemics often have earlier “herald waves,” which predate the
biggest outbreaks and can provide advance warning.
• Advances in international travel cause diseases to spread widely and quickly.
• Quarantine procedures and facilities are essential for containing and
potentially halting the spread of the zombie pandemic
• There are short-term and long-term responses that WHO and countries can
take, such as sending medical teams and first responders to help those in
affected areas
YOUR PRIORITIES
1. International early warning systems;
2. Penalties for nations that fail to accurately report zombie
threats;
3. Quarantine procedures and facilities as well as refugee
centers;
4. What countries within WHO can do in a zombie pandemic;
5. Financial and technical responsibilities of reporting and
containing a pandemic (developed countries vs. lesser
developed countries)
WHAT COUNTRIES ARE HERE
TODAY?
• Brazil • Democratic People’s
• Zambia Republic of Korea (North
Korea)
• People’s Republic of
China (China) • Russian Federation
(Russia)
• India
• Switzerland
• Indonesia
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
WHAT TO DO
1. Depending on the size of the class you will be representing a country alone or with
a partner
2. Spend 10 minutes reading the country information provided on your placard
 Discuss in your pairs or write notes on the topic and where your country stands on the issue
3. Each country will give a 30 second speech to the group on how the issue affects their
country
4. After everyone has talked once, countries may speak for a second or third time
 This time focus on responding to other delegates/countries
 Provide possible solutions to the problem and priorities
 If you are interested in speaking be sure to raise your placard (hand) and your chair
(educator/teacher) will call upon you by your country name
5. After 10 – 12 minutes of discussion each country should write down the #1 solution
or action they think the WHO should take to respond to the zombie pandemic
 Each country will share their solution with the class, and the chair (educator) will write down
the solutions
 Note: You can group similar solutions
 Once each country has shared their item, the WHO (class) will vote (only one vote per country)
on what they think the WHO should do
 The solution with the most votes passes and is the action the WHO takes