STUDENT RESOURCES
Welcome to our Global Education Resources page! Here, you’ll discover a curated collection of external organizations, international media outlets, think tanks, and universities that we recommend for all your world affairs-related research and study needs.
If you would like to access past materials from World Affairs Council Education programs, including program books and briefing papers, please visit our Program Archive page.
If you are having trouble accessing a resource or would like access to suggest additional resources for this page, please reach out directly to Kristin Hutchinson, Vice President of Education, at khutchinson@wacphila.org or 215-561-4700 ext. 228.
GLOBAL EDUCATION RESOURCES
Arab News (Middle East)
BBC World News (United Kingdom)
The China Daily (China)
Euractiv (European Union)
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Hürriyet Daily News (Turkey)
The Japan Times (Japan)
The Korea Times (South Korea)
The Mail & Guardian (South Africa)
The National Post (Canada)
The New York Times (United States)
VoxEurop (European Union)
Ria Novosti (Russia)
The Rio Times (Brazil)
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
The Times of India (India)
The Washington Post (United States)
Amnesty International
Aspen Institute
Brookings Institution
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Cato Institute
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Hemispheric Affairs
Economy Watch
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Human Rights Watch
Oxfam International
Pew Charitable Trusts
Pew Research Center
RAND Corporation
The Atlantic Council
United States Institute of Peace
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
World Affairs Councils of America
Asia-Pacific Education Cooperation (APEC)
Asia Society
Commonwealth Secretariat
Council of Europe
European Union
G20, the Group of Twenty
International Labor Organization
International Organization for Migration
Japan Society
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
Organization of American States
Stevens Initiative
United Nations
UNICEF
World Health Organization
Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs
Boston University, Frederik S. Pardee School of Global Studies
College of William and Mary, School of Arts and Sciences, International Relations Program
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
Drexel University, College of Arts and Sciences, Global Studies Program
Duquesne University, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
Fordham University, International Studies Department
Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service
George Mason University, College of Humanities and Social Science, Global Affairs Program
George Washington University, Elliot School of International Affairs
Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies
New York University, Center for Global Affairs
Northeastern University, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, International Affairs Program
Penn State, School of International Affairs
Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs
Rutgers University, Division of Global Affairs
Saint Joseph’s University, College of Arts and Sciences, International Relations Program
Seton Hall University, School of Diplomacy and International Relations
Stanford University, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies
Temple University, College of Liberal Arts, Global Studies Program
Tufts University, The Fletcher School
The College of New Jersey, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, International Studies Program
University of Delaware, Department of Political Science and International Relations
University of Richmond, School of Arts and Sciences, Global Studies Program
University of Pennsylvania, School of Arts and Sciences, International Relations Program
University of Southern California, School of International Relations
Urban Creators (Agriculture & Community Programs)
Philabundance (Food Insecurity)
JR. MODEL UNITED NATIONS PROGRAM RESOURCES
HANDBOOKS
This handbook provides teachers with the necessary resources and tools to ensure a positive and successful experience for all students. It includes an overview of the program’s main goals and objectives, a comprehensive explanation of the program’s five main stages, and a number of key resources that will help guide students through the program.
Click here for our most recent version of the Teacher Handbook.
Note that while this version of the handbook was originally published for in-person programming, but is applicable to virtual programming as well. This handbook is especially recommended for faculty advisers new to the Jr. Model UN program.
This handbook provides students with comprehensive overview of the history and structure of the United Nations (UN), including essential facts and curriculum materials covering the UN’s six main organs: the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Secretariat, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Trusteeship Council – as well as important global issues on the UN agenda.
LEARNING ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS
Use this resource to learn about the basic functions and goals of the United Nations as “the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit all of humanity.” Explore the UN’s work and members even further by clicking on the additional tabs listed on this page.
This video from CBC Kids News is a great way to introduce the United Nations to middle school students and break down the organization’s founding, principles and goals, and responsibilities.
The Counci’s Jr. Model United Nations program simulates a meeting of UN member states in the General Assembly, the UN’s main policy-making organ. Learn more about the General Assembly on the UN’s website.
This student handout from PBS NewsHour provides a useful breakdown of the UN’s structure, the history of the creation of the UN, and an overview of the UN’s major accomplishments since its founding in 1945.
Learn about the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as “a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” The Council greatly utilizes the SDGs to create each year’s Jr. Model UN committee topics and briefing papers, and this website is a great resource for students who want to really dive into research about the UN’s work and their assigned committee topic.
This video from the UN Association of Norway and UNICEF Norway explains the concept of sustainable development in a way that is geared towards middle school students who are being introduced to the topic for the first time.
2024 CULTURAL DIPLOMACY CONFERENCE RESOURCES
View the Keynote Presentation from the 2024 Cultural Diplomacy Conference.
This helpful worksheet should be completed by students following participation in the Cultural Diplomacy Conference. It will help students to continue thinking about how their cultural background influences them and their perceptions of others.
The Country Profile Worksheet can be used as an introduction to learning about your assigned country by exploring the georgraphy, demographics, history, politics, and education!
Click here to access a PDF version. A Microsoft Word version is available upon request.
2024 PREP CONFERENCE RESOURCES
The Prep Conference presentation is the main feature of the program, reviewing the UN and SDGs, teaching students about resolutions and position papers, and featuring a resolution writing and amendment workshop!
Click here to download a sample of the PowerPoint Slides (PDF).
Click here to download a copy of our 2024 Resolution Writing Handouts.
Click here to view a sample Prep Conference Agenda for 2024.
Read our Reducing Income Inequality Between and Within Countries briefing paper and answer the accompanying Questions Packet.
Read our Ensuring Access to Clean Water and Sanitation for All Briefing Paper and answer the accompanying Questions Packet.
POSITION PAPER & OPENING SPEECH VIDEO RESOURCES
This worksheet will help students learn as much as possible about their countries, ranging from official languages, populations and literacy rates to infant mortality rates, forms of government and major exports/imports.
Click here to access a PDF version. A Microsoft Word version is available upon request.
An example position paper submitted by a group of students at an assigned school.
Click here to download a sample Position Paper from 2017-2018.
Helpful instructions on how to write a position paper:
- Click here to view our ‘How to Write a Position Paper’ video.
- Click here to download the ‘How to Write a Position Paper’ Instructions.
Visit your school-specific Google Drive folder for access to an editable Google Docs version of the Position Paper Template.
Click here to access the “How to Make Your Jr. Model UN Opening Speech Video” instructions. This document also includes student delegate example videos from past program years.
Students submitting Opening Speech Videos should also be sure to complete a Council Media Release Form!
RESOLUTION RESOURCES
This helpful template includes the mandatory header that students must fill out prior to uploading resolutions to your school’s Google Drive Folder.
*Visit your school-specific Google Drive folder for access to an editable Google Docs version of the Resolution Template.
Click here to download the resolution template (PDF).
This document provides some information on how to write your resolution. Use this information, along with the Resolution Writing Workshop Presentation to craft an impactful Resolution for the Final Conference.
Click here to access the ‘How to Write a Resolution’ document.
2024 FINAL CONFERENCE RESOURCES
The April Asynchronous Activities help students prepare for the Final Conference by practicing asking and answering clarifying questions, public speaking, and amendment writing, in addition to learning more about this year’s program topics.
- Clarifying Questions Activity – One of the main skills students need for the Final Conferences is understanding the purpose of clarifying questions and learning how to ask and answer clarifying questions for the final committee resolutions.
- Amendment Writing Activity – Another main skill students must have for the Final Conferences is amendment writing. Students should use this activity to practice amendment writing and to begin brainstorming potential amendments they may want to suggest for their committee’s final resolution.
ENSURING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER & SANITATION FOR ALL:
TOPIC OVERVIEW & RESOURCES
According to the United Nations, over 2 billion people around the world lack access to safe drinking water, and 1.5 billion lack basic sanitation services. As the world population grows, the demand for water continues to rise even in the face of water scarcity. The problem is especially acute in countries that are landlocked, prone to drought, or struggle with infrasturcture. A lack of clean water globally raises the risk of disease, food shortages and even conflicts over this precious resource, making access to water a public health issue as well as a peace and security issue.
Students assigned to this committee topic in the 2023-2024 Jr. Model United Nations – Student Diplomat Program will explore how policy innovation, infrastructure improvements, and international cooperation can help increase access to water around the world.
Read our Ensuring Access to Clean Water Briefing Paper and answer the accompanying Questions Packet.
Visit the United Nations website to learn more about SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitation.
The UN’s most recent SDG 6 report gives a detailed description of the current water scarcity challenge and what needs to be done to meet the goal of Clean Water and Sanitation for All by 2030.
SDG compass outlines required roles, key actions, tools, and indicators necessary to achieve SDG 6 targets:
SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all – SDG Compass
This overview by the UN provides a great summary of water-related issues and what the UN is doing to ensure clean water access:
This brief video clearly outlines what water scarcity is and why and how it occurs:
This World Economic Forum article explains why water security is such an important issue for the global community:
Why water security is our most urgent challenge today | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)
This Ted Talk, accompanied by great visuals, explains why the world is facing water shortages and what can be done in response:
Are we running out of clean water? – Balsher Singh Sidhu – YouTube
This online tool allows students to calculate their own water usage:
REDUCING INCOME INEQUALITY BETWEEN & WITHIN COUNTRIES:
TOPIC OVERVIEW & RESOURCES
According to the United Nations, the Covid-19 pandemic pandemic has caused the biggest rise in between-country inequality in three decades, with 71% of people living in countries where inequality has worsened. Within a country’s borders, income inequality can lead to political polarization, social unrest and a distrust of government institutions. Income inequality can also contribute to other forms of discrimination such as racism, sexism and ageism.
Students assigned to this committee topic in the 2023-2024 Jr. Model United Nations – Student Diplomat Program will explore the impacts of income inequality both within their assigned country and around the world. Students will research how policy innovation, job creation, education investment and international cooperation can help to reduce inequality and create greater opportunities for all people.
Read our Reducing Income Inequality Between and Within Countries Briefing Paper and answer the accompanying Questions Packet.
The United Nations’ Global Goals site provides a helpful overview of SDG 10 and its targets.
The United Nations’ page for SDG 10 provides a summary of how inequality impacts our global community and steps that can be taken to reach the 2030 goals:
Reduce inequality within and among countries – United Nations Sustainable Development
This short video provides a helpful and simple summary of SDG 10 and its importance:
Understand Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities (Secondary) – YouTube
SDG Compass provides a summary of actions that businesses specifically can take to help reduce income inequality:
SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries – SDG Compass
Our World in Data provides helpful maps, graphs and other tools to visually show rates of inequality around the world:
Reduce inequality within and among countries – Our World in Data
This World Bank article includes essential information on global income inequality over the years as well as helpful visuals and graphs:
Reduced inequalities | SDG 10: Reduced inequalities (worldbank.org)
This article provides several visuals to demonstrate inequality around the world:
Our World in Data provides a world map with visuals on income inequality by country, including a time lapse feature:
This United Nations summary provides an excellent overview of both within country & between country inequality and the progress that’s been made:
