Through our middle school Education programs, the World Affairs Council seeks to introduce students to the topics of international relations, current events, and diplomacy while developing their critical thinking, research, and interpersonal skills.
The Council’s primary middle school program is our Jr. Model United Nations – Student Diplomat Program, which has given Philadelphia-area students the opportunity to step into the role of diplomats from around the world and create solutions to some of today’s most pressing global issues since the early years of our organization’s founding.
The Jr. Model UN program is complemented by the Global Smarts Mentoring Program, a rigorous global literacy tutoring program that pairs college-level student mentors with middle school students participating in the Jr. Model UN program.
The Council now offers a third middle school Education program each summer, the United Nations Summer Camp, for individual students interested in spending a week learning more about world affairs and the United Nations through activities and simulations led by Council staff and a variety of expert speaker briefings and workshops.
Questions? Please reach out to Kate Whitman Kamara, Director of Education Middle School Programs, at kkamara@wacphila.org or at 215-561-4700 ext. 216
Upcoming Programs
September 2023 - May 2024 (multiple dates)
The Jr. Model United Nations - Student Diplomat Program is a five-month journey (January to May) that introduces over 750 middle school students from the Greater Philadelphia area to international affairs and cultural diplomacy. With an emphasis on developing students’ research, writing, cultural competency, and communication skills, the program helps meet the growing demand for global affairs curricula in local middle schools. The program culminates with students simulating the United Nations General Assembly at our Jr. Model UN Final Conference in May.
Registration for the 2023 - 24 school year opens in September!
Past Programs
June 2023
The 2023 United Nations Summer Camp: Sustainable Development Goals in Action is a weeklong summer camp for middle school students interested in learning about global affairs through the work of the United Nations. The program gives student participants an opportunity to participate in interactive expert briefings, games, and activities, while honing key skills and collaborating with their peers along the way.
May 2023
Student delegates attend the Jr. Model United Nations Final Conference, where they present, debate, amend and vote on final resolutions aimed at improving the lives of people around the world. This culminating event puts into practice the knowledge and skills that students have accumulated over the course of this five-month journey through the Jr. Model UN program.
March 2023
The Jr. Model United Nations Preparatory Conference prepares students to participate in Model UN by teaching student diplomats parliamentary procedure and resolution writing. This Conference also includes a deep dive into program topics.
January 2023
Produced in partnership with the Penn Museum, student delegates explore the importance of cross-cultural understanding and diplomacy through collaborative presentations conducted by the Council and the Museum. The Cultural Diplomacy Conference will offer only virtual program options for participating schools.
October 19, 2022 4:00 p.m - 4:45 p.m.
Teachers and administrators are invited to join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia's Middle School Programs Information Session to learn about our program offerings, program dates, and registration for our Middle School programs.
June 27 - June 30, 2022
Join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia for a weeklong summer camp for middle school students interested in global affairs, current events and the United Nations. Students will explore important global issues such as climate change, and food insecurity, and learn how the United Nations combats these issues. Students will learn about the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, and how our local communities are supporting these global efforts. Click here to learn more!
May, 2022 - Multiple Dates
Student delegates attend the Jr. Model United Nations Final Conference, where they present, debate, amend and vote on final resolutions aimed at improving the lives of people around the world. This culminating event puts into practice the knowledge and skills that students have accumulated over the course of this five-month journey through the Jr. Model UN program. The Final Conference will feature both in-person and virtual program options for participating schools.
Late February / Early March, 2022 - Multiple Dates
Student delegates will meet with Council staff to participate in an intensive virtual prep session that includes an introduction to the United Nations, writing and amending resolutions, and a substantive topic briefing by an expert.
January, 2022 - Multiple Dates
Produced in partnership with the Penn Museum, student delegates explore the importance of cross-cultural understanding and diplomacy through collaborative presentations conducted by the Council and the Museum. The Cultural Diplomacy Conference will offer only virtual program options for participating schools.
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
Teachers joined Council staff for this year's virtual Welcome Back Program to kick off the new school year. This session was dedicated to introducing the Council's signature Jr. Model United Nations - Student Diplomat Program for the upcoming academic year and how the program will be adapted to fit the current educational environment.
Missed the information session? View the presentation slides here!
