Montessori Model UN (MMUN) has been organizing international Model United Nations programs since 2006 for students ages nine to fifteen based on Maria Montessori's belief that the United Nations should listen to children to find innovative solutions to world problems. We believe in the power and capability of young people as future citizens and leaders of the world. The mission is to inspire and empower youth to create a better world through awareness, networking, empowerment and impact projects.

Following participation in MMUN, the Youth Impact Forum (YIF) is the next logical step for students in high school who want to put their new-found knowledge and awareness to work. Our goal in this program is to develop socially responsible young leaders, and empower them to make a positive impact here and now. The opportunity for young leaders to launch their own social endeavors has measurable influence, not just immediately within their local communities, but also later for the strong character and leadership they demonstrate throughout their adult lives. YIF provides a pathway to action which will facilitate an immediate, practical difference in the lives of the students, as it also propels young leaders to demonstrate social responsibility for a lifetime.

YIF is an immersive experience in which students from all over the world work in concert in New York City to develop action plans for constructing a more sustainable, equitable planet. The students arrive with proposals which require tweaking by experts, but then in collaboration with others can have local impact. Over the course of the Forum, experts from the UN, World Bank, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and NGOs mentor participants, teaching them how to construct and implement a social action project of the students’ own designs in their respective communities. Participants receive ongoing mentorship and support during and after the Summit.

At the final session of the YIF Summit, students have the opportunity to present their projects to foundations and business leaders in order to elicit seed capital. To ensure a successful transition post conference, mentors work with the students twice per month for four to six months following the Forum.

Montessori Model UN

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