Model G20 vs Model UN

1. Model G20 vs. Model UN: What’s The Difference? | knovva.com 1

2. Model G20 vs. Model UN: What’s the Difference? How Model G20 Complements and Extends the Traditional Model UN Experience When the first Model United Nations was held at St. Lawrence University in 1949, the students who participated began a tradition that would teach countless others the power of what could be done when humanity works together. In time, it became not only a cherished extracurricular activity but in some schools, part of the curriculum itself. As the world grew smaller, more complex, and more interconnected in the latter half of the 20th century, new types of international organizations were forged to meet emerging challenges. At the turn of the third millennium, the 20 largest economies on Earth came together for the first time to serve as an economic council of wealthy nations. This informal forum, the G20, provides a rare platform for governmental leaders to gather and discuss issues of mutual concern. As the G20 augments the good work of the United Nations, so too does the Model G20 provide high school students with an invaluable opportunity to supplement their regular classwork and even their Model UN experience. With Model G20, students learn 21st century skills, meet and collaborate with peers from around the globe, travel to some of the most exciting cities on Earth, and have exceptional access to experts, entrepreneurs, innovators, and professors from the world’s top universities. | knovva.com | knovva.com 2

3. Model G20 vs. Model UN At A Glance Model G20 Model G20 Model UN Model UN Program Length 3-12 days 1-2 days Geographic Scope Global Local In-Program Leadership Seasoned educators Undergraduate students Areas of Emphasis Collaboration, negotiation, 21st century skills Resolutions, motions, speeches Expert Access Keynotes from high-profile leaders, educators, and experts Minimal guest exposure due to limited time and budgets Exclusivity Participants hand-selected from global pool of applicants Open to anyone Pre-Event Prep Six-week online course and interaction with fellow participants via online forum Varied; sometimes none; sometimes a pre-program brief Non-Academic Enrichment 2-3 days exploring the world’s top cities Minimal Social and cultural events specific to each global location Opportunity to live and learn with students from around the world Post-Event Follow-Up Online discussion forum with global community None Local school clubs In-person alumni events | knovva.com | knovva.com 3

4. Before the Event: Building Knowledge and Community While Model UN and Model G20 share similarities, there are also significant differences between the two programs. Each Model UN conference is autonomous, often run by a group of college students with an interest in the field. The caliber of the programs varies widely, so it can be difficult for parents and educators to gauge whether the price tag associated with the conference is worth the programming, education, and experience their students will receive. Knovva Academy’s Model G20 summits, on the other hand, are always run by professional educators with decades of classroom experience. The prep work for each program varies as well. Some Model UN conferences provide study guides for students to review before arriving. Others may ask delegations to produce a position paper in advance of the conference. These pre- program elements are not required however, and their educational value is dependent upon the undergraduate students who produce them. Prior to attending the Model G20, students take a six-lesson online course that exposes them to the leading geo-political issues of the day and provides all attendees with a common vocabulary to use at the summit. This multidisciplinary course, Living in a Connected World, was designed by curriculum development experts to teach 21st century skills through modules on politics, the economy, culture, and the environment. The online community discussion board is an essential part of the Living in a Connected World experience and allows students to meet other Model G20 attendees from around the world. This enables them to not only collaborate on the pre-summit coursework, but also to establish and nurture relationships with the peers with whom they will negotiate at the Model G20. | knovva.com | knovva.com 4

5. At the Model G20: An In-Depth Immersion in Global Diplomacy Typical Model UN conferences are held over a weekend. Before beginning, students may receive a quick overview of the General Assembly’s Rules of Procedure, how to draft a resolution, or the duties and responsibilities of the UN Secretary-General. Model G20 summits run for nine or 12 days, offering enough time to train students in the competencies needed for success at both the Model G20 and in life. Not only do they get three full days to engage in a realistic G20 simulation, but they also have several days of comprehensive workshops and classes modeled after the curriculum of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Keynote Speeches from Experts are an Integral Part of the Model G20 A Sample of Speakers from the 2019 Beijing Summit Amy Smith Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology MacArthur Genius Grant winner Eugene Scott Political reporter, CNN Rolando Lozada Chief of the Consular Section Peruvian Embassy, Kuwait Nicolas Miailhe Co-founder, YesEuropeLab | knovva.com | knovva.com 5

6. To round out their classroom experiences, attendees hear global policymakers, academics, and business leaders give keynote addresses. Speakers are chosen for their expertise and influence in the fields and industries that are the focus of the individual summits: global health, renewable energy, economic development, global innovation, and more. Model UNs, on the other hand, usually only last for a day or two and run on a shoestring budget. As a result, many do not have the time or resources to present high-caliber speakers. Even if they do, students typically do not have the opportunity to engage with them. Model G20 changes that. Heads of state, CEOs, and professors from top universities around the world are all part of the standard Model G20 program. This privileged access to world-class thinkers gives students a huge head start before entering into the G20 simulations. By the time the Model G20 simulation begins, students have been coached in public speaking, team building skills, and how to collaborate and network globally. Throughout the experience, students apply core communication skills to high-level research and global problem-solving. Attendees learn to ask diverse and generative research questions, explore the challenges of cross-cultural communication, engage in diplomatic negotiations, create and deliver speeches, and lead their teams through rapidly evolving challenges. The unpredictable and immersive simulation puts students in the roles of diplomatic representatives and country leaders of nations around the world. They are presented with pressing social problems and country-specific information and are tasked with negotiating favorable outcomes. Students interact with one another through structured forums, informal dinners, research sessions, and press conferences. The summit concludes with a structured debrief, crafted in collaboration with faculty from the Harvard Kennedy School, in which students reflect on the personal relationships built, the international policy expertise acquired, and the diplomatic lessons learned. When students return home, they do so with a multidimensional view of the issues at hand. | knovva.com 6

7. Collaboration, Negotiation, and Relationships Model UN and Model G20 differ not only in the type of programming offered, but also in style. Fashioned in the post-World War II era, the procedures of both the United Nations itself and its model versions reflect the formality of the era. Robert’s Rules of Order rule the day and guide the many speeches, motions, and resolutions with which delegates engage. Conversely, the ministerial working group sessions attended by Model G20 students, reflect the interpersonal and less formal nature of the actual G20 summits. In contrast to the competitive nature of a Model UN, the Model G20 is inherently collaborative. Students spend less time giving persuasive speeches in front of large audiences and more time negotiating one-on-one with other delegates. The goal is not to get your resolution passed over that of another country’s, but to work together to craft an agreement that benefits all concerned. Just as in real life, resources are limited at the Model G20. Small nations vie for economic development investments from larger nations, and the 20 nations who make up 90% of the gross world product must decide where their investments can have the greatest impact. Deals are made not in a large general assembly, but through direct conversations. As a result, not every small country is going to walk away with the economic investment they were seeking and not every G20 member will be able to take advantage of all the opportunities available to them. This forces both sides to strategize and prioritize on which bilateral and multilateral agreements they wish to pursue to best meet the needs of their assigned nation. Freed from the constraints of parliamentary procedure, this more informal approach promotes diplomacy through interpersonal connection. Delegates must use more creativity when deciding whom to approach and how to navigate an ambiguous space. With fewer rigid procedures in place, students draw upon the soft skills they learn during the academic days to reach their objectives. | knovva.com 7

8. A Truly Global Program for Today’s Interconnected World One of the biggest differences between Model UN and Model G20 is the geographic scope of the program. At a typical Model UN conference, students compete against other delegates from their school, district, or occasionally region. Model G20 summits are designed to be as multicultural as the institution they emulate. Fellow delegates won’t be from the school or even the town over, but from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Australia, or one of the more than 20 other nations represented at the summit. As a result, the delegate representing Russia may be from Brazil and the delegate representing Japan may be from Italy. A sizable subsection of students come from elite schools in the United States and China, giving attendees the opportunity to network and make friends with a diverse cohort of peers during a variety of shared experiences. Summits are designed to build community among as many delegates as possible by gathering them together multiple times each day in groups both large and small. Students have the chance to meet hundreds of others outside of their country or ministerial group for keynote speeches, tours, and other activities. At a Model UN, students usually only gather as a large group once at the beginning and once at the end. In a rapidly shrinking global society, it is more important than ever for young people to be able to communicate with those from different lands and cultures. The training delegates receive consists of not just how to speak in front of a large group, but also how to live and work with those from different backgrounds. The heterogeneity of cultural norms proves to be instructive for students in sessions, during meals and other unstructured time, and even as they learn to share a hotel room with someone whose customs differ from their own. | knovva.com 8

9. More Than Just an Academic Experience The students who attend the Model G20 summits are smart, motivated, and committed to working towards a brighter future. To encourage them on their path to becoming global leaders, Knovva Academy provides up to $100,000 in awards at the end of each summit to students who have distinguished themselves either individually or as a delegate. The idea that actions have consequences is one of life’s most important lessons, and Knovva Academy is proud to help teach students that great things come from studying and working hard. Finally, Model G20 enables students to explore some of the world’s most dynamic cities and cultures. In Beijing, students visit the Forbidden City and sample local cuisine. At the Boston summit, students travel the Freedom Trail and discover what life is like for students at Harvard University. And in Cambridge, students enjoy a Harry Potter-like experience complete with a formal dinner. These experiences enhance students’ relationships, cross- cultural understanding, and global perspective while providing well-earned opportunities to relax and have fun. | knovva.com | knovva.com 9

10. After the Summit: Inspiration, Understanding, and Friendships That Last a Lifetime The Model G20 experience continues long after students return home. After a summit, students are encouraged to not only keep in touch with their new friends but also to continue their discussions through group chats, online discussion boards, and in-person events. Delegates can also start or continue Model G20 clubs in their high schools to further extend their community. Many participants come back to attend another summit as a delegate or student ambassador. The culmination of the MG20 program is the Model G20 Task Force. Each year, 20 distinguished students are hand-selected to attend the Y20 summit, the official youth gathering of the real G20 summit. At the Y20, two youth delegates from each member state meet in the host city in advance of the arrival of the heads of state. After discussions and negotiations, they arrive at fair, creative, and representative solutions to the issues under discussion that are then presented to their national leaders. Task Force delegates study the issues and produce position papers for consideration by the Y20 delegates and other international nongovernmental organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. MG20 alumni are also invited to take more of Knovva Academy’s online courses. There, students undertake diverse research and project-based learning activities, engage with cross-disciplinary content, and explore pressing issues with their peers from around the world. Model G20 Alumni Attend: Harvard University Columbia University Tsinghua University Peking University Massachusetts Institute of Technology University College London | knovva.com | knovva.com 10

11. College, Career, and Beyond Model G20 attracts, nurtures, and creates the type of well-rounded students that top colleges and universities seek out. The complex skills required to succeed at a Model G20 force students to apply their learning in new, creative ways. Model G20 attendees return home more comfortable engaging with new people, situations, and perspectives, and as better problem solvers who can think beyond the textbook. Model G20 alumni not only present themselves to the world as leaders in the making, they also show institutions of higher education that they have pursued other interests and gained life skills in addition to earning good grades. They demonstrate that they can steer their own ships in an unpredictable and sometimes turbulent world and come out stronger on the other side. Above all, students who attend Model G20 summits prove that they are true global citizens: capable and resolved. They understand the connections between their own lives, actions, and backyards, and the global world in which they live. Most importantly, they prove themselves determined to apply their learning to address the world’s most pressing and urgent issues. Model G20 vs. Model UN: What’s the Verdict? Much has changed since the United Nations first convened in 1946. The world has grown more complex and more connected, with equally dynamic skills, knowledge, and experience required to navigate it. Both Model UN and Model G20 give high school students the opportunity to engage with this complexity in a meaningful way. So which is “better?” Neither, and both. The right program for your high schooler depends on his or her specific circumstances. For many politically-minded students, participating in both events can be an excellent way of experiencing different programming and communities, and discovering the unique benefits of each one. Model UN and Model G20 complement each other by offering decidedly different paths to supporting the leaders of tomorrow. The Model G20 from Knovva Academy provides exceptional students with the skills, training, and confidence needed to lead in the 21st century. Taken alongside Model UN or on its own, Model G20 is a truly immersive experience that alumni never forget. | knovva.com | knovva.com 11