Global Classrooms Minnesota

A Program of the Minnesota Chapter of the United Nations Association of USA (UNA-MN)
The idea that students are collaborating and working on solutions to world problems - these are 21st century skills that all students need. Teacher, Model UN Conference at Augsburg College, Minneapolis MN

UNA-MN 2012-2013

State Conferences
Nov. 15, High School State 2012 Conference at Macalester College, 164 students Guest speakers: Humphrey Fellows Veerendra Mishra and Viresh Kumar April 9, High School State 2013 Conference at Hamline University, 244 students Guest speaker: MN Secretary of State Mark Ritchie May 1, Middle School State 2013 Conference at the University of St. Thomas, 372 students Guest speaker: Humphrey Fellow Cheryl L. Daytec May 24, Spanish Language State 2013 Conference at the University of Minnesotas Carlson School of Management, 186 students Guest speakers: Professor Luis Ramos-Garcia and GC Intern Sara Parcero Leites

Global Classrooms Program

In the year 2012-2013, twenty middle and high schools in Minnesota participated in the UNA-MN Global Classrooms Program. The program has continued to grow and has reached over 11,000 students and 100 teachers since 2004. In 2012-2013, we provided the program to approximately 1,500 students. Six interns provided approximately 60 training sessions for nine schools. Three conferences were held for individual middle schools, and four state-level conferences were held in colleges and universities in the Twin Cities.

School Conferences
April 26, Capitol Hill School 2013 Conference, St. Paul, 172 students May 15, Washington Tech Magnet 2013 School Conference, St.Paul, 372 students May 20, Anne Sullivan School 2013 Conference, Minneapolis, 43 students

The Model UN is like magic. Even the least motivated students were engaged and challenged. -Jason Jirsa, Teacher at Northeast Middle School, Minneapolis MN

2012-2013 Winner of the Norma Rowe Global Classrooms Teacher Award

In honoring the memory of Norma Rowe, long-time supporter of Global Classrooms, UNA-MN dedicates an award to an outstanding Global Classrooms participating teacher each year. The criteria for the award are: long-term commitment and devotion for the program; hard work and time spent on preparing for the conference; enthusiasm and creativity in incorporating the curriculum; setting high standards for students. Our award winner this year is Ann Sandstrom, an eighth-grade geography teacher at Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet School in St. Paul. Read what Ann has to say on the Global Classrooms program:

Ms. Ann Sandstrom of Capitol Hill Magnet School

I have been involved with the Model UN Global Classrooms program for three years. It is a wonderful and worthwhile program for students to be a part of. What I believe makes the program so valuable are the skills students learn along the way. Students learn research and writing skills, public speaking, how to defend a position, even if they don't agree with it, all the while having lots of fun and gaining selfconfidence. The Model UN program helps students become better citizens and people.

2012-2013 UNA-MN Global Classrooms Participating Schools

Anne Sullivan Communication Center, Minneapolis, MN Anwatin Middle School, Minneapolis, MN Barton Open Middle School, Minneapolis, MN Capitol Hill Magnet School, St. Paul, MN Cottage Grove Middle School, Cottage Grove, MN Cretin-Derham Hall, St. Paul, MN Edina High School, Edina, MN Highland Park Junior High School, St. Paul, MN Highland Park Senior High School, St. Paul, MN Maple Grove Senior High School, Maple Grove,

Murray Junior High School, St. Paul, MN Northeast Middle School, Minneapolis, MN North View Jr. High School, Brooklyn Park, MN Nova Classical Academy, St. Paul, MN Park Center Senior High School, Brooklyn Park, MN Rivers Edge Academy, St. Paul, MN St. Paul Preparatory School, St. Paul, MN Southwest High School, Minneapolis, MN St. Louis Park Middle School, St. Louis Park, MN Washington Tech Magnet School, St. Paul, MN

MN

2012-2013 Conference Topics

General Assembly: The Urbanization of Poverty By 2050, it is estimated that 2.6 billion people will live in cities struggling to meet basic human needs. Delegates in the General Assembly will therefore be discussing possible methods of dealing with this ongoing issue to help increase the urban quality of life. Security Council: Poverty and Conflict in Afghanistan With NATO and U.S. forces drawing down in the county of Afghanistan, the U.N. Security Council must take action or risk Afghanistan becoming a failed state and falling into civil war. Delegates in the Security Council will be discussing possible solutions to this crisis that address both aspects of the problem: poverty and conflict. World Health Organization: Poverty and Maternal Health Delegates in the World Health Organization will work to improve conditions of maternal health worldwide as this is seen as being an important step toward helping millions of people out of the cycle of poverty.

Impact of the Global Classrooms Program

Global Classrooms has always considered evaluations as a crucial part of the program. It is very important for us to be able to understand whether the program has been achieving its set goals, what the shortcomings are, and how we can make improvements. Throughout the evaluation process, we are witnessing significant increases both in the participating students academic skills and their awareness of the UN and important international issues. We also asked students to take part in a self-assessment, which was designed to capture some of the more intangible benefits of the Global Classrooms program. Of the approximately 700 students that participated in the survey, 56% reported improved discussion skills and 70% reported an increased awareness of international issues. 1. I am better able to consider multiple sides of an important international issue. (61.8% agree/strongly agree) 2. I am more aware of other countries perspectives on important international issues . (71.7% agree/strongly agree) 3. I am more aware of international issues than before. (70.20% agree/strongly agree) 4. My research skills have improved. (55.1% agree/strongly agree) 5. My ability to actively participate in a discussion has increased. (56.4% agree/strongly agree) 6. My writing skills have improved. (44.6% agree/strongly agree) 7. I am more comfortable speaking in public. (41.5% agree/strongly agree)

UNA-MN Speakers Bureau Partnership with the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program
A few years ago, the UNA-MN Global Classrooms Program established a partnership with the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program through the UNA-MN Speakers Bureau. The Humphrey Fellowship Program, which started in 1978, brings accomplished mid-career professionals from designated developing nations and emerging democracies to the United States for a year of professional development and cultural exchange. The UNA-MN Global Classrooms pairs Humphrey Fellows with teachers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. They visit classrooms, make presentations and discuss issues of human rights and international affairs with students. Through the Speakers Bureau, students interact with leading professionals to discuss international issues and learn different perspectives and visions. In 2012-2013, Humphrey Fellows served as keynote speakers at two state Model UN conferences, visited the St. Louis Park Junior High Model UN Club, and spoke at the Global Classrooms winter professional development session.

Thanks to Our Program Donors

American Association of University Women The Cargill Foundation Carlson and The Carlson Family Foundation The Dorsey & Whitney Foundation Fridley League of Women Voters The General Mills Foundation Mendon F. Schutt Family Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation Otto Bremer Foundation The Sisco Family Fund Sit Investment Associates Foundation United Nations Association of the USA, A Program of the United Nations Foundation WEM Foundation The Womans Club of Minneapolis The York Langton Fund Individual Contributors

Global Classrooms
Fatema Kermalli Walji
Global Classrooms Program Coordinator

Contact UNA-MN

fatemaw@unamn.org

Emily Rojer

In Kind Donations & Program Partners

Augsburg College Aveda Institute Bibelot Brueggers Bagels Caribou Coffee Common Roots Cafe Edina Public Schools Good Earth Restaurants Hamline University Kowalskis Markets Macalester College Metropolitan State University Merrill Lynch, Mpls Office Minneapolis Public Schools Monster a la Mode Design Panera Bread St. Paul Public Schools St. Paul Saints U of MN Carlson School of Management U of MN Human Rights Center U of MN Institute for Global Studies U of MN Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs University of St. Thomas World Without Genocide

Global Classrooms Program Associate

emilyr@unamn.org

For additional information on the Global Classrooms program, please contact us at

globalclassrooms@unamn.org