Middle School MMUN Experiences in NYC

Montessori Model United Nations, more commonly known as MMUN, is an After-School Enrichment Program (ASEP) class offered by The Post Oak School. It's an opportunity for Montessori students to learn more about diplomacy, international relations, world problems, and the United Nations through a months-long process and the famed New York City conference. Post Oak students are perpetually enthusiastic about this ASEP class, and it garners many student participants every year. Many students began in grade four and continued to attend conferences through Middle and High School, both as delegates and bureau members. This year is no exception. Keep reading for a glimpse into this year's Middle and High School delegate experiences!

The Middle and High School students began their MMUN preparations over Friday sessions under the direction of Patricia Onofre and Terry McNally. They started with learning about the United Nations by researching its history, role in the modern world, and purpose. In keeping with Montessori pedagogy, the students compiled all their newly learned information to present to each other. Then, they began researching the countries they would represent at the MMUN conference: Denmark and Australia.

But that was just the beginning. The students then had to tackle different world topics such as access and affordability of clean energy, climate change, and mental health and stability. They studied their assigned issues and wrote solutions to resolve them—all from their respective country's stance. They compiled all this information in a position paper sent to the Bureau. Once approved by the Bureau, the students wrote a speech summarizing their position paper to present at the conference.

By the time this preparation work finished, it was time for the MMUN conference in New York City. Students flew to New York, and, over two days: presented their speech, discussed worldwide issues with Montessori students across the world, and heard the opinions and views of other students. They concluded the conference by reading their solutions aloud to all the MMUN participants.

Here are a few statements from Middle and High School participants:

Olivia Sarah C. ’27

MMUN was a very rewarding experience. I enjoyed learning about how different countries can come together and make a resolution. I learned a lot about negotiation and working out issues with others. I loved the whole process of making a resolution and negotiating with the other countries. I am very excited to do it next year, and I miss it already.

Saj M. ’27

We had a pleasant time at MMUN. I was a part of the delegation of the Kingdom of Denmark. I enjoyed traveling around the city and learning about other delegates’ solutions. I learned about where the other delegates are from and what they thought were problems worth solving. I made a few new friends and bonded with fellow delegates in my delegation. After meetings, I went out and explored my surroundings. I saw one Broadway play and shopped at stores. Going to NYC for MMUN was extremely enjoyable and I am excited to do it again next year.

Claire T. ’25

I had a very informative and fun experience at MMUN this year. As a member of the delegation of Australia, my partner and I were able to explore different problems and help create solutions for them. We had a great time discussing solutions on how to lower the cases of youth mental illness and suicide around the world. We also came up with solutions like free healthcare and funding for underprivileged countries so that no one gets left behind. I was also voted to speak at the closing ceremony for the ECOSOC committee. In the end, the experience was at times difficult but overall very memorable.

Alexandra W. ’26

For the past five years, my mom and I have consistently monitored the ASEP sign-up portal for one ASEP in particular—Montessori Model United Nations. I had been hearing about MMUN since the second grade when my friends would tell me all about their older siblings in MMUN: the anticipated country and committee assignment, dreaded position paper, speech rehearsing, and naturally, the actual MMUN conference in New York. I was practically living the MMUN experience through those retellings. Eventually, when fourth grade rolled around a few years later, it was no surprise that I signed up. And I finally got to have my actual MMUN experience—I wrote the infamous position paper, practiced my speech, and hopped on a plane to New York City. Since then, I have done MMUN every year: 4th grade, 5th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and this year—8th grade.

Over these many years, I have found that like many other delegates, my favorite part of the experience is going to New York for the MMUN conference. Every year I am filled with a sense of nostalgia returning to the country board and United Nations poster-filled Marriott Marquis, and this year was no different. This was my fifth time participating in the Montessori Model United Nations, and as usual, it was a unique and gratifying learning experience. No conference is alike, and this year, as the first conference back in person, did not disappoint. After last year’s online conference, coming back to New York felt like everything was sliding into place. There were delegates from other countries, everyone was wearing their MMUN badges and lanyards, United Nations-themed posters were hung up all over the hotel—it all felt right. Coming back to New York again, seeing the MMUN faculty, and finally, finally, sitting down in a committee room felt incredibly rewarding.

This year, I discussed ways to further Sustainable Development Goal 7 with delegates from across the world (even getting to practice my Spanish speaking skills), made new friends, and was chosen to represent my committee at the closing ceremony. I also had lots of fun outside the committee room. I explored the streets of SoHo and Times Square with shopping bags in tow, saw Wicked on Broadway, and finally put my winter coat to good use. All in all, I had an amazing time at MMUN.