Miller Family YMCA Model United Nations Kickoff Meeting is November 6

NEWBURY PARK, Calif. - Oct. 9, 2013 - PRLog -- NEWBURY PARK, CALIF.--The Miller Family YMCA of Newbury Park is holding its kick-off meeting for its Model United Nations program. Newbury Park middle school students interested in becoming part of the Y’s Model UN delegation can attend the introduction meeting Wednesday, November 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Miller Y (320 Via Las Brisas, Newbury Park). Parents are welcome.

         Model UN is a statewide YMCA program for students in sixth through eighth grade. Students step into the shoes of ambassadors from United Nations member countries. The program culminates at the Model UN Summit in May where Ys from all over California come together to debate current issues, prepare resolutions and resolve conflicts.

         "Each YMCA forms a delegation that then selects a country to represent," says Jessie Bringelson, Miller Y membership, family and teen director. "The delegates learn about their selected county and what is important to the people in that country. Model UN is an opportunity for students to become aware and appreciate the many different cultures in the world. The delegates receive training and coaching to enhance their public speaking and conflict resolution skills."

         Delegates in California meet in March at Camp Roberts near Paso Robles for training. The May summit takes place in Irvine and attracts over 800 delegates. “At the conference, ambassadors take on the roles of their country’s UN representatives, committee chairs and presiding officers,” explains Bringelson. “They get to put their research and new found knowledge to work as they perform their roles and explore how the United Nations is run. The program is designed to appeal to students we want to learn more about the world outside the Conejo Valley.”

         For more information, contact the Miller Family Y at 805-480-0309, or email Jessie Bringelson at jbringelson@millerymca.org. Other Model UN delegations are forming at Triunfo YMCA (serving Oak Park, Agoura Hills and Westlake Village) 818-707-9622 and the Conejo Valley YMCA (serving Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Santa Rosa Valley), 805-523-7613.