Boston Model UN Embraces NCSE’s Climate Literacy Message
NCSE was excited to be selected as the “mutual aid partner” for the Boston University Model United Nations (BosMUN) in February 2025, the 25th anniversary year of their national event. As a result, we were the recipient of a fundraising effort among the participants and I was given the opportunity to address an excited and engaged group of about 2,000 high school students.
As we at NCSE know, scientific literacy and critical thinking are intimately interwoven. Collaboration, evidence evaluation, and problem-solving are key to understanding the world around us and using that understanding to address the challenges we face. It is even more important to foster scientific literacy and thinking skills in those in positions of leadership, especially in political arenas, because these are individuals who influence policies that shape the world: evidence-based decisions lead to more beneficial and sustainable outcomes.
The BosMUN conference provides high school students with an unparalleled opportunity to engage in diplomacy, global issues, and international relations on a grand scale. A cornerstone event in the Model United Nations community, the BosMUN conference is known for its educational rigor and commitment to fostering diplomatic skills among young participants. BosMUN encourages students to develop and practice leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking skills while engaging with people of other cultures, regions, and experiences. BosMUN is one of the largest Model United Nations events and has grown over two decades to include over 2,000 students. The conference covers a wide range of topics, including human rights, climate change, peace and security, and international trade. Through detailed committee sessions and even midnight crisis convening, students are encouraged to think critically about the issues at hand and develop solutions that consider the interests of multiple stakeholders. Ultimately, BosMUN provides students a unique opportunity to cultivate skills essential for future leaders.
NCSE was first approached in the fall of 2024 about a partnership with BosMUN because of our focus on climate change, sustainability, and scientific literacy — the Model United Nations has specific sessions on climate and sustainability and a Conference of the Parties model.
As the BosMUN mutual aid partner for this year, NCSE was able to share the work that we are doing on climate change education. It was a privilege to speak at the opening ceremony to the thousands of students, parents, teachers and advisors at the event and later to have the opportunity to talk to so many bright minds of the next generation about their passion for policy and making the world a better place for all of humanity. In addition to our mission, I tried to emphasize the importance of collaboration and partnerships across organizations to bring about change and reach shared goals, actions that align with the spirit of the Model United Nations.
On behalf of our organization and supporters, I also commended the students and their mentors for their commitment to critical thinking and tackling global issues head-on, drawing direct connections to our efforts to promote and protect science education, the vital importance of engaging with evidence, and the role of scientific literacy in building a better future for all of us. Many were surprised to hear that there are places where topics such as evolution and climate science are not being taught, or are taught with a “spin” or otherwise inaccurately, and that legislation is being proposed regularly to attempt to weaken the science that reaches science classrooms. It was good to be reassured that they were learning about evolution and climate change in their own classrooms — but not so good to realize that the challenges to science education elsewhere haven’t made it onto their radar. I am hopeful that the message that these are battles we are still fighting and that we need their help to fight far into the future will travel with them as they continue their educational journeys. Although BosMUN is not focused on science as NCSE is, the shared commitment to education, advocacy, and empowering young people to be critical thinkers who are actively engaged is clear.
We are so thankful to the organizers of BosMUN for selecting NCSE to be their mutual aid partner for 2025. While this is a one-time partnership, our appreciation is lasting. We received a substantial donation from the attending students and the opportunity to share the work that NCSE is doing to protect their scientific education and ensure science literacy for generations to come. These bright young minds from across the country, and even around the world, will benefit our world with their blend of scientific knowledge, critical thinking, global issues focus, and diplomatic skills. It was an inspiring experience to be present at the 2025 BosMUN conference. Seeing so many young people coming together to learn and experience the processes of communication, cooperation, and problem-solving gives me hope for the future of our society.
