Neha Patil (Editor)

University of Toronto Model Parliament

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Abbreviation
  
UTMP

Type
  
NGO

Location
  
Toronto, ON

Formation
  
2008

Purpose
  
Education

University of Toronto Model Parliament

Headquarters
  
Munk Centre for International Studies

The University of Toronto Model Parliament (UTMP) is a parliamentary simulation hosted at the University of Toronto and the Ontario Legislative Assembly at Queen’s Park. Founded in 2008 by University of Toronto undergraduate students, the inaugural session was held in 2010. UTMP attracts approximately 200 delegates from high schools, colleges, and universities across Canada. Delegates participate in an Election Day prior to the simulation, where party caucuses are formed, leaders are elected and a mock election is conducted. The simulation itself is in session for three days in the chambers of the Ontario Legislative Assembly; delegates, "participate in a simulation of real parliamentary procedure and debate".

Awards and Educational Programming

In conjunction with the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy, the University of Toronto Model Parliament offers 25 full bursaries to offset the delegate registration fee. UTMP also gives out awards to delegates following the simulation, including:

  • The Churchill Award - Two awards are given to the junior and senior delegate who best demonstrate the qualities of Sir. Winston Churchill
  • The Churchill Party Leadership Award - Two awards will be given to the junior and senior delegate who demonstrate leadership in their capacity as a party leader
  • The Churchill Literary Award - Two awards will be given to junior and senior delegate who make the most thoughtful and well-written contributions to the Parliamentary Hansard while in session
  • The Churchill Leadership Award - Two awards will be given to Junior Directors on the Executive Board who have demonstrated commitment, creativity, and initiative while organizing the University of Toronto Model Parliament
  • The Churchill Peacemaker's Award - Two awards will be given to the junior and senior delegate who best represent the ideals of parliamentary democracy, by conducting themselves in a cooperative and constructive manner while in session.

    • These awards, designed in conjunction with a preeminent association for democratic advancement, speak to the high calibre of the event as an educational experience, which engages youth in experiential learning - a style of programming that fulfills recent calls in Ontario for civics education that is "lived, not studied to death". The simulation offers the chance to debate, design policy and participate in the mechanisms of governance so that students gain an insight into democracy, and first-hand experience about how the so-called "democratic deficit" can be eliminated by a new generation of Canadian leaders.

    References

    University of Toronto Model Parliament Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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