Preface

Pedwell, Carolyn (2017) Preface. In: Padilha Figueira, H., ed. Change through Empathy: The role of feeling for others in international relations. AMNU 20th Americas Model United Nations . Polo Books, Brasilia, Brazil, pp. 8-11. ISBN 978-85-552-2187-3. (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided)

Abstract

‘Change through Empathy’ - as both the title of this insightful and moving volume and the guiding motto of the 20th Americas Model United Nations (AMUN), this phrase has multi-dimensional significance in the context of contemporary political governance, analysis and action. Firstly, these words capture something vital about the ethos, practices and possibilities of international Model United Nations (MUN), and of the 20th AMUN in particular. Convened by students from the University of Brasilia, the AMUN has, for two decades, facilitated engaging simulations of international organizations and political actors promoting the values of the United Nations. As part of this immersive process, students put themselves in the shoes of diplomats, journalists, heads of state, judges and other actors to grapple with a host of complex political, social, cultural, economic and environmental issues. In doing so, they draw on their critical knowledge and imaginative capacities to inhabit different political and ethical points of view and even to defend positions and policies unrelated to, or at odds with, their own beliefs and opinions. In other words, AMUN participants learn to hone and exercise empathy as a vital affective tool in political analysis, debate and policy-making.

Item Type:	Book section
Uncontrolled keywords:	Empathy, politics, international relations, social change
Subjects:	J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Social Policy Sociology and Social Research Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Social Policy Sociology and Social Research > Sociology
Depositing User:	Carolyn Pedwell
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2017 10:24 UTC
Last Modified:	04 Dec 2017 13:12 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/64925 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)