The United Nations is a collective group of countries and parties that join together to try and better our world and stop or prevent conflict. A model UN, which our class did, is a model of the United Nations, with students acting as representatives for countries. The country that I represented was Jordan. The United Nations has many different problems to focus on and discuss, but our class chose one for our final presentation to talk about specifically. This was the matter of climate change. Each of the students knew their countries benefits and shortcomings so that they could effectively state their views and make sure what was being brought forth was accurate and productive. As Jordan, I was representing a developing country, where climate change was more noticeable because of the lack of extreme wealth. As a class, we worked towards creating sustainable energy in all countries, and for all of us to reduce our carbon emissions. All of us were pretty much on the same page when it came to this, but of course, each country had its own standpoint, so there was some debate. This project helped me better understand the world as a whole, and made me more aware of many things. When doing the MUN project, I feel like I pushed myself with writing, research, and my social skills. A part that was very hard for me was public speaking. Although when giving my speech for my country at the MUN, it was only in front of the class and a couple parents, it was very hard for me. The more I speak in front of big groups, and become more confident, the better I become, so I knew that pushing through it would help me in the long run. Another thing that I strengthened was my writing. I had never written anything like a policy paper or resolution, where it had to be in third person and professional. Even though I enjoy writing, this was a little stressful for me, especially considering our short timeline. Something that I don’t think I did very well on was using my time in class efficiently. I did do my work and turn in the assignments on time, but I found myself doing a lot of work at home or in my project application class instead of Humanities. This may not be a negative thing now, but in the future, I need to do the assignments in the class that they are for so I can ask for help and use my time more effectively. During this project, I learned a lot about global issues’ effects on smaller countries. I represented Jordan throughout this time, and as we learned about the refugee crisis and climate change, it changed my perspective on how the world is affected by certain things. For example, at the beginning of this project, I had no idea that climate change was impacting people so harshly already. I learned that in developing countries, crop fields are diminishing, economies are struggling, cities near the coast are being washed out, and many more harmful effects of climate change. I also learned of the extreme conditions that immigrants have to endure, and the backlash of the receiving countries who have to take on a load of refugees. Considering that I was researching and learning about Jordan, I understood the issues that people in less wealthy countries have to deal with more in-depth. In the MUN, especially when our class had our “mock model united nations”, and were discussing the refugee crisis, I felt I had a say and a voice for Jordan to help those people, even if it was a mock representation. Overall, I’m really glad that I represented Jordan because it helped me learn about new perspectives and struggles that I don’t consider in everyday life.
This is my digital poster of the UN declaration of human rights.