The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and the Project on Forward Engagement have created the Model Senate Handbook, designed to help students and teachers prepare for the Council's Model Senate simulation. This handbook is also an introduction to a key component of the Council's Model Senate program: Forward Engagement, a method of policy analysis that emphasizes the importance of considering the longer-range future in making policy. By integrating Forward Engagement into our Model Senate program, we hope to provide students with a deeper understanding of some of the challenges to conducting national and international affairs in a dynamic 21st century global environment.

Model Senate Handbook

The Model Senate Handbook was made possible by the generous funding from the Project on Forward Engagement, which in turn is supported by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. Forward Engagement is a concept developed by Leon Fuerth, former National Security Adviser to Vice President Al Gore, and Research Professor of International Affairs at the George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. We encourage teachers to use Forward Engagement's analytical framework in the classroom-both in connection with and independent of a Model Senate simulation.

General Resources
Role Descriptions
Links to useful websites
Questions to Guide Topic Research

Witness Resources
Sample Witness Testimony
How to write an effective witness testimony

Senator Resources
In Model Senate, the role of the senator requires leadership skills, commitment of time and effort, and the ability to think critically and globally about the issues involved. All students interested in portraying the role of a senator must attend tryouts at the World Affairs Council. Once selected, the preparation process begins.

Guidelines for Sub-Committee Chairs
Guidelines for Senators
Strategy/Priority Analysis Worksheet
Witness Questions Template

Senator Preparation Session 1 Summary
Senator Preparation Session 2 Summary

December 9, 2010 Model Senate - Final Documents Submitted
China Resolution
Global Financial Crisis Resolution
Russia Resolution
2010 Model Senate Student Witness Testimony Power Point Presentation

For more information about our education programs, please contact our Director of Student Programs, Kayla Haidara, at 215-561-4700, ext. 216.