MURFREESBORO, TN - Nearly 3,700 students from high schools and middle schools across the state of Tennessee are beginning to gather for the YMCA Model United Nations Conferences. A series of conferences, including condensed one-day experiences for middle school students offering an introduction to Model United Nations programming, started Oct. 24 in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Three multi-day high school conferences targeting high school students will begin Nov. 7-9 in Murfreesboro. The season will wrap up with the final two middle school conferences in Murfreesboro and Memphis.
“These annual conferences help to educate youth about how our government works with the goal of developing responsible and engaged citizens,” said Susan Moriarty, executive director of the Y’s Center for Civic Engagement. “They are all student-led simulations of the United Nations, in which students represent one of the member countries. These exercises help students better understand how their government works and, more importantly, how they can be beacons for positive change in their communities.”
Students begin preparing for the conference at their schools in September, registering as the delegation of a UN member country in the General Assembly, as members of the Secretariat and Security Council, justices on the International Court of Justice or as members of the UN Press Corps. Among the activities they will engage in include presenting resolutions they authored and working to pass them in the General Assembly while others will debate international disputes in the Security Council, argue cases in the International Court or cover conference happenings on social media and more.
The first middle school conference was held Oct. 24, 2025 in Dyersburg, Tenn. The remaining conferences are scheduled:
- Nov. 17, 2025 – Murfreesboro, Tenn.
- Dec. 5, 2025 – Memphis, Tenn.
The three high school conferences will start in November:
- Nov. 7-9, 2025 – Conference A
- Nov. 14-16, 2025 – Conference B
- Nov. 21-23, 2025 – Conference C
Model UN, an initiative of Youth in Government, founded in 1953, is one of two statewide programs sponsored by the YMCA’s Center for Civic Engagement, which provides civic engagement education and leadership development training for more than 7,000 Tennessee youth each year. The Tennessee YMCA Center for Civic Engagement serves to educate youth on the processes of government at the city, state, national and international levels, in the hopes of beginning a lifetime of civic engagement for participants. Tennessee is home to the nation’s second-largest YMCA Youth in Government program.
For schools interested in starting a Model United Nations delegation, contact the Senior Program Director, Stella London at slondon@ymcamidtn.org.
About the Y - In 2025, the YMCA of Middle Tennessee celebrates 150 years of service to the community. Since 1875, the Y has been helping people grow in spirit, mind, and body, inspired by its mission as a worldwide charitable fellowship united by a common loyalty to Jesus Christ. Through its 12 family wellness centers, outdoor adventure center and range of community-based programs and services, the Y gives people of all ages the tools they need to belong and be well. Last year, the Y reached 238,373 people, improving the region’s health and well-being, nurturing the potential of children and teens, and providing opportunities to serve others and support our neighbors.
