Program Structure and Governance
- School-Level Councils: Each school involved in the program would form its own Model UN council, where students discuss and vote on issues relevant to their community or more universal topics. Schools could run elections or appoint leaders for representation.
- Head Council for Each District: To elevate important issues, each school elects or nominates representatives to join a district-level council. These councils would vet issues that need broader discussion or action, ensuring that only well-supported topics advance.
- National Model UN Council (optional): For larger initiatives or national-level topics, a head council of district representatives could address issues impacting multiple regions.
2. Issue Submission and Consensus Building
- Issue Submission: Students propose topics they wish to address within their school-level Model UN councils. These could be related to community issues or global topics, fostering an awareness of both local and international concerns.
- Discussion and Debate: At the school level, students participate in structured discussions and debates on issues, forming different perspectives or proposed solutions.
- Voting and Resolution: Each school council votes on issues after discussions. If consensus (e.g., 85% agreement) is reached, the issue and resolution can be elevated to the district level.
3. Process for Elevating Issues to Consensus
- Approval Thresholds: For an issue to appear in the main Consensus, it must first meet approval thresholds at both the school and district levels, reflecting a clear majority or supermajority in favor.
- Structured Approval Process: Only issues with significant support (e.g., 85%) are passed from school councils to district councils, where they undergo further refinement and validation. If an issue meets consensus at the district level, it can then be submitted for visibility in the main Consensus platform.
4. Training and Education
- Workshops on Civic Engagement: Host workshops that introduce students to civic engagement principles, the roles of various government functions, and strategies for respectful debate and consensus-building.
- Tutorials and Simulations: Offer tutorials on how to research issues, formulate resolutions, and engage in debates. Simulations or mock sessions can help students practice before real discussions.
- Resources on Policy and Governance: Provide access to resources that help students understand real-world governance, such as laws, regulations, and local policies, connecting them to the issues they’re debating.
5. Recognition and Mentorship
- Status for Model UN Representatives: Model UN representatives could gain “status” within Ducklings, identifying them as leaders. They could be granted additional permissions, such as moderating discussions or helping guide debates.
- Mentorship Opportunities: Pair student representatives with mentors from local government, civic organizations, or universities to foster learning and leadership.
- Certificates and Awards: Recognize students who excel in the Model UN program with certificates, awards, or scholarships, providing incentives for their hard work.
6. Incorporation with Ducklings and Consensus
- Visibility in Consensus: For issues that gain overwhelming support, the top-voted resolutions could be presented in Consensus, allowing adult users to see the youth perspective on major issues.
- Interactive Tools in Ducklings: Within Ducklings, interactive maps, discussion boards, and polls could help students discuss issues and visualize community impacts, making their debates more tangible and engaging.
- Progress Tracking and Public Display: Track issues as they progress through school and district levels, making their journey visible within Ducklings. This transparency reinforces the significance of student input and mirrors the larger democratic process.
This structure supports engagement, leadership, and real-world relevance for students, helping them understand and impact the world around them while keeping them safely within the Ducklings environment.