WASHINGTON, DC, USA – The Embassy Adoption Program (EAP) in conjunction with DC Public Schools (DCPS) and Washington Performing Arts held its annual Student Model UN event, Mini United Nations, at the WTC Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 29, 2015.

Every year, fifth and sixth-grade teachers at DC Public Schools apply to participate in the EAP, in which 50 classes are selected and paired with a unique embassy. Together with an embassy representative, the students and teacher spend a year learning about their adopted country, hosting diplomats, participating in workshops, going on fieldtrips and debating global issues. To date, more than 45,000 youth have partnered with over 100 embassies representing countries ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe.

This event is the culmination of this yearlong effort, and provides a unique opportunity for students to embrace the role of a diplomat by simulating a United Nations Meeting. The theme of this year’s program was global environment challenges. Students spent the day debating in working committees compromised of students from across the city and the day will conclude with a vote on all proposed resolutions on environmental issues.

The WTC Washington, D.C. provided a heightened sense of simulation for this event, as the trade center is a preeminent forum in the heart of the nation’s capital advancing cross-cultural dialogue. The building, operated by Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA), helps to bring the international community and DC community together in an effort to foster international trade and commerce. This event concluded the events and activities the WTC Washington, D.C. has held this month in celebration of World Trade Month.

Below is the list of schools that participated:

• Eaton Elementary School
• Anne Beers Elementary School
• Barnard Elementary School
• Brightwood Education Campus
• Capitol Hill Montessori EC
• Garrison Elementary School
• H.D. Cooke Elementary School
• Hearst Elementary School
• Hendley Elementary School
• Janney Elementary School
• MLKing Elementary School
• Moten Elementary School
• Nalle Elementary School
• Noyes Education Campus
• Orr Elementary School
• Powell Elementary School
• School Without Walls @ Francis-Stevens
• Seaton Elementary School
• Shepherd Elementary School
• Stodddert Elementary School
• Thomas Elementary School

About Embassy Adoption Program: 

Every year, fifth and sixth-grade teachers at DC Public Schools apply to participate in this academic program, in which 50 classes are selected and paired with a unique embassy. Together with an embassy representative, the students and teacher spend a year learning about their adopted country, hosting diplomats, participating in workshops, going on fieldtrips and debating global issues. To date, more than 45,000 youth have partnered with over 100 embassies representing countries ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe. The program has received various accolades, including the DCPS Outstanding Social Studies Program and the US Department of Education Award for Outstanding International Education Program. Learn more: http://www.washingtonperformingarts.org/education/kids/embassy/index.aspx and http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Beyond+the+Classroom/Embassy+Adoption+Program

About TCMA: 

Trade Center Management Associates (TCMA) is the private sector building management and hospitality service provider, operating in a unique relationship with the U.S. General Services Administration, owner of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. TCMA’s mission is to be recognized in both the public domain and private marketplace as being the best in all three areas of its business offerings: five-star hospitality and the premier DC location to stage conferences and special events, highest quality building management operation, and America’s premier address for international trade services.

About the WTC Washington, D.C.: 

The WTC Washington, D.C. is a preeminent forum in the heart of the nation’s capital advancing international commerce and cross-cultural dialogue. As a seamless, unifying framework, the WTC Washington, D.C. provides a platform for building connections, fostering diplomacy, growing businesses and creating a more prosperous U.S. and global economy.

PHOTO: H.E. Björn Lyrvall, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States, stands with program participants and Andrew Gelfuso, VP of Trade Center Management Associates.