Model United Nations
Conference Inspires Hope
by Bruce Stedman
Adapted from an article in the UNA Newsletter
In these troubled times, one ordinarily starts the day depressed by
the morning news and the awful state our world seems to be in. But after
three days attending the Model UN 2003 Conference, one's faith was restored.
Reassurance was found in the lively and passionate participation of
high school students in the mock-councils of international organizations.
Unquestionably, it was the biggest and best of the five model UN conferences
the Maine chapter of the United Nations Association has sponsored. Held
at the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine from May 15-17,
, over 300 students from 17 schools (including East Lyme, CT high school!)
participated, under the leadership of USM students (who had also visited
participating schools and briefed students) and the directorship of
UNA Board member, USM Professor Lynn Kuzma.
The Conference was organized around four UN organs: Security Council;
General Assembly (3rd Committee); World Health Organization; and the
United Nations Environment Program, plus the League of Arab States.
The roles of Secretary General, Under-Secretary General and committee
chairs were taken by Professor Kuzma's students at USM. (The Under-Secretary
General was Julia Edwards, a senior at USM and a UNA Board member.)
The university students also performed the duties of the Secretariat,
servicing the committees with stenographic and photocopy assistance.
Seven coaches for the committees were provided by UNA Maine and one
by the World Affairs Council of Portland.
The Security Council considered two issues: peace-keeping in Cyprus,
and the crisis in North Korea. UNEP discussed environmental degradation
in the context of "Rio + 10", and marine conservation
and biodiversity .The GA Third Committee discussed coverage of terrorism
in the media and intolerance and extremism from the point of view of
human rights versus state security. WHO considered post-9/11 health
concerns and improvement of sanitation, nutrition and water supply in
refugee camps. The League of Arab States discussed weapons of mass destruction
and arms control in the Middle East, as well as women's rights in the
region.
Debates in all these bodies were intense and fairly reflected divisions
in national opinions in the real world. The Security Council called
on North Korea to cease production of nuclear weapons, to reinstate
the Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty and allow International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors to resume their work. The debate was
interrupted by news that Tokyo was struck by a ballistic missile launched
by accident from North Korea! War threatened, but was avoided.
Delegates to the General Assembly, after strenuous debate, were unable
to reach consensus on the question of media coverage of terrorism, but
found unanimity on the importance of protection of human rights from
extremism promoted in the name of national security.
UNEP deliberations displayed a sharp division between representatives
of have and have-not countries, with the developing countries calling
on the west to provide funds to meet their needs, and also to curb their
emissions of pollutants. Developed countries addressed the polluting
potential of the developing world, and proposed the establishment of
a fund which would be used to give monetary rewards to developing countries
which made successful anti-pollution efforts. Ultimately, the two sides
found agreement on a resolution that encompassed both proposals.
The participating high school students acted as delegates to the UN
bodies from 95 countries. They also staffed the press-corps, which covered
meetings and produced a journal of proceedings, which was distributed
at the awards banquet on the final day.
The Conference was also attended by 25 teachers accompanying the participating
students. At a special luncheon organized for them, the teachers described
the problems and accomplishments of the students and the value their
schools put on the Conference.
Professor Kuzma's students have also participated in various university-level
model UNs, in the United States, and, in March, in Heidelberg, Germany.
According to Board member Julia Edwards, five USM students learned about
the proposed Heidelberg conference, sponsored by Harvard University,
on the internet and decided to join the 1000 university students from
around the world who participated in it. The USM students represented
Libya at the world-wide conference. The students are determined to attend
the 2004 event, which is likely to be held in Egypt.
Back to Peace Talk Index,
Summer, 2003