THE GEMUN DELEGATES

Let us find ways to bring a sense of joy and meaning to everything the children do.  Otherwise we are wasting a vast reservoir of potential that this dynamic duo triggers.

Preparations for Global Elementary Model United Nations, headed up by Nina, require lots of research, appreciation for world problems, thoughtful solution seeking, and clear articulation. Nina brings in lots of resources and media to spark lively discussions through the year and invite the delegates' ideas.

The Teaching Story, this year, Journey to the Acropolis: A Story of Ancient Greece, and a trip to the Greek Orthodox Church Spring Festival helped acquaint the students with the history, the heroes, the foods, the myths and legends, the culture.

Some children have strong nudges from their parents, but the idea is for them to choose to attend Global Elementary Model United Nations and read their resolutions.

Excitement and apprehension grow apace as the children complete their Resolutions for a self-chosen topic. Children who are more apprehensive or younger, can choose to be pages. This group learns about the proceedings through osmosis as they retrieve and deliver delegate notes sent between the committees.

Group Mural-Making, to combine artistic thumbnails representative of Greek Culture in one piece of art, provides a way for the delegates to relax and paint together. Sometimes this year they even broke into song while they were painting. Their sweet clear voices brought tears to my eyes.  To watch the artistic collaboration unfold day by day is always a wonderful experience.

Oksana, their art teacher and passionate proponent of the Banner of Peace, orchestrated the group much like the leader of an orchestra. She gestured upward, “How about clouds here?” She gestured across the Mural, “How about a Greek Orthodox Church here?” She pointed to the central Banner of Peace. “Who will sketch the person that is holding the Banner?” The painters freely added their own touches, while there was always someone eager to fulfill Oksana’s suggestions.

The last weeks the two Ambassadors prepared their speeches to give to an audience of over four-hundred delegates representing many countries.

On Friday at Brook Haven College the delegates dress in costume to add to the authentic flavor of the day in which they role-play as Greek delegates. GEMUN (Global Elementary Model United Nations) offers the children role-playing at its finest. In their committees such as ECOSOC, UNEP, and UNESCO, the children read their resolutions, caucus, amend, defend, and vote.

On Saturday, during committee breaks, the children enjoy each other’s displays in the main hall. Ours included the mural along with a table display. By the end of Saturday after the award ceremony for outstanding delegates, and introduction of next year’s Secretary General, tiredness enters the children’s exuberance.

Rich and varied experience, including you may recall from my last blog, the Greek plays, have brought living vibrant opportunities for intellectual, creative and social growth to the children - individually and collectively.  The feed back through the years has been that these times are treasured and memorable milestones in children’s lives.

Learning at its best stimulates growth through joy, for joy is a special wisdom.