Global Smarts Mentoring Program

The Global Smarts Mentoring Program is a grant-funded, rigorous global literacy tutoring program that pairs college-level or adult mentors with middle school students from under-resourced and low- to middle-income Philadelphia public, parochial and charter schools.  Through weekly individual and small-group instruction, mentors provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to confidently participate in the Council's annual, region-wide Jr. Model United Nations Conference.  Launched in 2012, Global Smarts unequivocally and markedly impacts students' enthusiasm for learning, expands their knowledge of world affairs, and sharpens their critical thinking skills and the competencies needed to understand and act on issues of global significance.

At weekly tutoring sessions, mentors work closely with students to fulfill key Jr. Model United Nations curriculum goals, including:

1. Researching a country’s history, culture, government, economy, etc.
2. Thinking critically and creatively about an issue of global significance (e.g., water scarcity)
3. Creating a well-constructed opening speech
4. Learning how to draft a policy resolution


Additionally, mentors coach students on oral and written advocacy skills (e.g., public speaking) focused on writing, debating and ultimately defending a final policy resolution, as well as learning to assume leadership roles in their regional blocs.

Global Smarts runs annually from January to May and requires mentors to commit up to ten hours each week working both in- and outside of the classroom under the collective training and supervision of the Council’s Education Department staff. Mentors can earn course credit for their successful completion of the program.

During the 2023-24 academic year, Global Smarts will serve 190 students from 10 schools across the Greater Philadelphia region:

Conwell Middle Magnet School
Gesu School
Hope Partnership for Education
James R. Ludlow School
New Foundations Charter School
Our Mother of Consolation School
Shawmont School
St. Dominic School
St. Mary's Interparochial School
Warren G. Harding Middle School

Questions? Reach out to Kate Whitman Kamara, Director of Education for Middle School Programs, at kkamara@wacphila.org or at 215-561-4700 ext. 216