Education
UNA-GP’s Educational Programs:
Connecting global issues to local experiences.
UNA-GP’s educational programs connect global issues to local experiences, helping learners understand what it means to be engaged global citizens. Through Model UN initiatives, workshops, partnerships with schools and universities, and hands-on projects tied to UN priorities, we make international challenges accessible and relevant. Our focus is on building curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of shared responsibility—empowering students and community members to see their role in shaping a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world.
Our Approach: Empowering Students for Global Impact
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Building Curiosity, Critical Thinking & Community
Our educational philosophy centers on empowering people—especially youth—to see their role in shaping a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. By linking global challenges to local experiences, we help students explore new ideas, build leadership skills, and discover their ability to make real change.
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Experiential Learning
We believe that hands-on experience remains the most powerful and effective way to deeply learn about complex global issues. Through dynamic Model UN programs, youth-led initiatives, and innovative special projects, students not only develop essential critical thinking, diplomacy, and leadership skills but also gain meaningful, firsthand engagement with real-world challenges.
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Career & Academic Pathways
We provide pathways for students to connect classroom learning with professional development. Internships, work-study programs, and special collaborative projects allow students to gain practical experience, explore careers in international affairs, and prepare for lifelong engagement in global issues.
Discover our youth programs and initiatives below, and explore real examples of students putting global learning into action.
UN Cafe
UN Café is UNA-GP’s welcoming forum for community conversations—where students, young professionals, and global citizens gather to discuss critical issues facing the United Nations and our world today.
Why it matters: These sessions bridge local perspectives and global policy, exploring topics such as climate justice, human rights, sustainable development, and civic engagement. By connecting over coffee and dialogue, we foster deeper understanding and motivate collective action.
How to get involved: Join us in person or virtually for our monthly UN Café. Whether you're a student, advocate, or curious learner, your voice is welcome. Visit our calendar to see upcoming topics and register to be part of the conversation.
Youth Building Roots
Youth Building Roots introduces students to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through projects that link urban greening with hunger, nutrition, and food access. By planting trees, exploring the challenges of food deserts, and examining how climate resilience affects community health, students see how local efforts contribute to global solutions. The program equips young people with the knowledge and confidence to advance sustainability and food justice in Philadelphia.
Model UN
Visit our Model UN page to learn how our Alternative Model UN program works and how your school, organization, or community group can collaborate with us.
Interested in exploring educational programming with UNA-GP?
Contact us below