Understanding the UN System

Students should have a comprehensive understanding about how the UN works and how the world body addresses issues such as poor sanitation, hunger, poverty, climate change, etc.

UNIC Windhoek’s 2022 public awareness and advocacy programme helped third graders at the Windhoek International School to grasp how the UN’s work impacts their own lives.

The learning opportunity allowed for an active engagement with the 8-year-olds on how they envision the structure of the UN as well as why different roles and organs exist. These talk-centric approaches by Ms. Anna kharuchas drive deliberations on the core values of the UN and staff values. Students joined in by sharing their understanding on the importance of integrity, respect for diversity and professionalism.

The organizations’ organogram displayed the complex structure of this international organization with a vast global reach on paper. Anna briefly situated the Secretary General’s role as well as that of the UNIC team to emphasize how each UN employee plays a part in helping this complex system function. After discussing the goals and objectives of the UN as well as the Sustainable Development Goals – a topic the students were already impressively familiar with, the students received a glimpse into the type of UN agencies, funds, programmes and the work they do on the ground.

The core message was that at the heart of everything there are passionate people working for the UN who deliver on the promises of the organization. The 193 UN member states help to maintain international peace and security while promoting the global plan of action for people, planet and prosperity.

The presentation was crafted in collaboration with the unit of enquiry the class is studying based on the learning outcomes discussed with the teachers. The spirited interactions and enthusiasm contributed to a fun learning session showcasing the UN’s formal structures and how it enables the life changing work that can be seen on the ground in our local community.