Schoolhouse Model United Nations 2024

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UNESCO Study Material

Agenda - Discussing the viability of a common Universal Education System

Note to all delegates: Hello there! It's great that you are taking on this agenda. Here are a few tips: be assertive and collaborative. Represent your nations well as well as for the good of other nations. Lastly, you will hopefully come up with solutions that would work in real life.

Chairpersons’ Letter

Dear Delegates,

We are delighted to welcome you to Schoolhouse.world’s second Model United Nations Conference! We are Hafsah M and Humam A, your chairpersons for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Committee. We are both passionate about MUN and have participated in various conferences as delegates and chairs. Hafsah is a high school freshman from India, who has won several awards and recognition for her participation in MUNs. Humam is a junior from the United States who was a delegate at last year’s Schoolhouse.world Inaugural Model United Nations. We are very excited to be working with you and guiding you through this committee.

As we convene, we are thrilled to extend our warmest greetings to each of you.

Whether you’re a seasoned MUN participant or joining us for the first time, this conference stands as a unique opportunity to delve into pressing global issues and foster innovative solutions together. In the current epoch, the agenda before us is as critical as it is multifaceted: the intersection of education, science, and culture in shaping a sustainable future for humanity. Throughout our sessions, we will delve into nuanced discussions, engaging in structured debates and purposeful caucuses, aiming to draft resolutions that encapsulates our collective intelligence and aspirations.

If this is your first time joining an MUN conference, we understand that it may feel intimidating, but we encourage you to refrain from feeling that way. Read the rules of procedure and study material thoroughly. Also research further in order to be fully prepared for the conference. We encourage you against limiting your preparations to this study material though, instead using it as a starting point for your research.

We invite you all to step into the roles of UNESCO delegates, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and diverse insights are integral to the success of our collective endeavour.

The agenda we have at hand is a major issue throughout the world, and something must further discuss. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and your participation in the conference. Wishing you all the very best and looking forward to our fruitful deliberations.

Warm regards, Hafsah M & Humam A Chairpersons, UNESCO Committee Schoolhouse Model United Nations

Mandate

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. It was borne as early as 1942 when European countries were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies. A Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME) had met in the United Kingdom looking for ways to improve and rebuild their education systems even as World War II was far from over. The conference soon gained universal traction. Upon the proposal of CAME, a United Nations Conference for the establishment of an educational and cultural organization (ECO/CONF) was convened in London from 1 to 16 November 1945. It gathered together representatives of forty-four countries who decided to create an organization that would embody a genuine culture of peace and prevent the outbreak of another world war. It employs a variety of strategies from promoting educational tools to fostering quality education, preservation of cultural heritage and sites, promoting scientific programs and Sustainable Development Goals and helping countries formulate international standards and programmes that promote free flow of ideas and information.

https://www.unesco.org/en/brief

Introduction

After two world wars, UNESCO was born of a clear vision: to achieve long lasting peace through mutual understanding and dialogue between cultures. In recent times, even currently numerous wars, from Yemen to Ukraine to Gaza, are being fought. UNESCO's mission of science, education and culture is ever pressing. How can we achieve peace in the face of these wars being fought for a variety of complex issues: politics, border, genocide, resources, etc.?

Some important facts about UNESCO are:

It has six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish

It has six major program sectors: Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information, and External Relations and Public Information

It has 54 field offices, 13 institutes and centers, and 2,100 staff members

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It has a biennial budget of about $600 million, funded by member states’ contributions and voluntary donations

It has designated 1,121 World Heritage Sites, 714 Biosphere Reserves, and 213 Global Geoparks

UNESCO aims to foster the promotion of exchange of ideas, scientific knowledge and quality education among nation states and their citizens as one of the ways to achieve world peace. How can education move us towards peace? Should all nations have the same education systems so we think alike in many ways and have the same priorities?

Education and a Universal Education System

Looking forward, the UNESCO board proposed a Universal Education System, modeled after the public education systems in the US, Canada, UK, and Japan. But how would the system be funded? What would be important to include in the proposal? How would teachers be hired?

The agenda of this committee is to discuss the viability of a common Universal Education System (UES) that would ensure quality, inclusive and equitable education for all learners, regardless of their social, economic, cultural or geographic background. The UES is a proposed framework that would align the curricula, standards, assessments and qualifications of different education systems around the world, based on the principles of competency-based, learner-centered, and lifelong learning.

The UES is motivated by the vision of SDG 4, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030

It is up to the countries that make up the UNESCO board to come up with answers to all of these questions and more in our Model UN.

The UES faces many challenges and opportunities, such as:

The diversity and complexity of existing education systems, which reflect different historical, cultural, political and economic contexts

The need to balance the respect for national sovereignty and local autonomy with the promotion of global citizenship and solidarity

The demand for relevant and quality education that meets the needs and aspirations of learners, as well as the requirements of the labor market and the society

The availability and accessibility of resources, technologies and innovations that can enhance the delivery and outcomes of education

The participation and collaboration of various stakeholders, such as governments, educators, learners, parents, civil society, private sector and international organizations

Problems with Education around the world

Inequality: Some countries have more advanced education systems than others. This even extends to courses available, teaching methods and job opportunities. So, where would be a common ground for countries?

Pedagogy: Teachers and schools are markedly different in various countries. A teacher in one country is not authorized to be a teacher in another country. Likewise, curriculums differ from country to country.

Early childhood care and education: Perhaps, one very important aspect in education. While several countries provide free access, others do not have systems and resources to implement this.

Regional differences: Language and culture play major roles in education systems around the world.of the country is included. Countries would have to put in all these into consideration and determine what a common education would mean for all and would even look like.

Economy and natural disasters: Economy down turns impact education as well as natural disasters like say for example the COVID 19 pandemic, which led to school closures, mass online open courses.

Government policies: These ultimately is the main determinants of education goals and success in various countries.

Possible solution

West African nations take a common final high school leaving exams which is accepted widely in the region. The curriculum is built to serve and facilitate a common knowledge base though there are sometimes little different subjects across countries to serve various needs, you can note that all students are gaining the same knowledge and skills. This is also seen in some Arab nations and south Asian nations. Can this be a possible ground/test for a common education systems and what are the benefits so far?

Conclusion

A common Universal Education System (UES) is a visionary and ambitious agenda that seeks to provide quality, inclusive and equitable education for all learners, regardless of their social, economic, cultural or geographic background. It is based on the principles of competency-based, learner-centered, and lifelong learning, and aims to align the curricula, standards, assessments and qualifications of different education systems around the world. It is motivated by the vision of SDG 4, which calls for ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. It is also inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that everyone has the right to education and that education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. A common UES faces many challenges and opportunities, such as the diversity and complexity of existing education systems, the need to balance national sovereignty and global citizenship, the demand for relevant and quality education, the availability and accessibility of resources and technologies, and the participation and collaboration of various stakeholders. A common UES is supported by the Incheon Declaration and Framework for Action, which provides a comprehensive and holistic roadmap for the implementation of SDG 4 and other international frameworks and agreements related to education. A common UES is influenced by the major events and milestones in the history of education, such as the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the establishment of UNESCO, the launch of the Education for All movement, the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals, the organization of the World Education Forum, and the launch of the Global Education Coalition. A common UES is a dynamic and evolving agenda that requires continuous research, innovation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as dialogue and cooperation among different cultures and civilizations, as well as human rights and dignity. A common UES is a noble and worthwhile agenda that can contribute to the achievement of peace and security, social justice, environmental sustainability, and human development for the present and future generations. To advance this agenda, we need a new social contract for education that involves all stakeholders in a participatory and inclusive process of co-creating, co-implementing, and co-evaluating a common UES that meets the needs and aspirations of all learners and society.

Moderated Caucus Topics

The role of digital technologies in enhancing access and quality of education: This topic would explore how digital technologies, such as online platforms, mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and open educational resources, can facilitate learning opportunities for all, especially for marginalized and disadvantaged groups, as well as improve the quality and relevance of education?

The impact of COVID-19 on the continuity and resilience of education systems: This topic would examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and transformed education systems around the world, and what are the challenges and opportunities for ensuring the continuity and resilience of learning during and after the crisis?

The promotion of global citizenship and intercultural dialogue through education: This topic would discuss how education can foster global citizenship and intercultural dialogue, which are essential for building a culture of peace and respect for diversity, as well as addressing the global challenges of the 21st century?

The financing and governance of education for sustainable development: This topic would analyze how education for sustainable development can be financed and governed effectively and efficiently, taking into account the principles of equity, accountability, transparency, and participation, as well as the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.

Discussing possible/best goals of education from primary to tertiary.

Discussing education in developed and less developed education

Discussing a common grading system and testing.

Discussing the role of UNESCO in mediating proposed solution among countries.

Discussing current problems e g different curricula, language, resources.

Discussing educationally advanced counties.

What are the benefits and challenges of a common UES for learners, educators, governments and society?

What are the key principles, components and indicators of a common UES?

What are the best practices and models of a common UES from different regions and countries?

How to ensure the alignment and coherence of a common UES with the SDGs and other international frameworks and agreements?

How to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of a common UES?

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