Dear Model U.N. Folks,

 

First, we want to thank all of the students who came to our Spring Saturday Model U.N. session on April 7.  While our numbers were fewer than we hoped (it was the first nice Saturday of the Spring), we had excellent debate.  The two resolutions that we considered were ES-22 by Argentina on the topic of alternative energy sources and HR-02 by Poland on the death penalty.  You can view these resolutions from our main web site at www.civitas-stl.com.

 

Our distinguished Civitas Program Associate, Ms. Gretchen Haupt, also proposed the following resolution.  It concerns the format that we can use for our final session of the year, Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at Forest Park Community College (map).

Spring 2001

Resolution SC-00

Civitas Associates

Re:                        Format of Debate in Model U.N.

Submitted to:       Members of the Security Council & General Assembly

Submitted by:      Gretchen Haupt (Security Council Chair)

Date:                     April 5, 2001

 

 

Having received only two Security Council resolutions as of April 5, 2001, and

 

Observing that the quality of debate suffers when the number of decent resolutions available for discussion drops below five, and

 

Recalling that previous appeals for additional resolutions were not met to satisfaction, and

 

Believing the potential for exceptional debate exists, and

 

Desiring to stimulate discussion, thought, and creativity while maintaining the spirit of Gateway Model United Nations,

 

Be it Hereby Resolved That:

 

  1. The regular Gateway MUN format be discontinued after the second hour of the April 18, 2001 session in the Security Council and the committees of the General Assembly.

 

  1. The style of debate employed at MUNUC (Model United Nations at the University of Chicago) will be instated beginning with the hour before lunch and continuing till the end of the session (approximately 2:30 PM Central Time).

 

    1. Two or three topics (perhaps chosen today) will be emailed to each member of the Security Council and General Assembly in advance along with a brief background paper.
    2. Delegates will research the position of their country on the issue prior to attending the session (position papers are not needed).
    3. At the session, one of the two or three topics will be chosen and debate will begin.
    4. Delegates will be responsible for devising working papers and eventually producing a resolution.  Working papers can be written prior to the actual April 18 session.
    5. The resolution may then be amended (if deemed necessary) then voted upon.
    6. More detailed procedural instructions will be provided upon arrival at the session.

  1. The purpose of this exercise will be to inspire debate while satisfying the need for resolutions.

 Gretchen’s resolution overwhelmingly passed.  The assembled delegates then proceeded to select the following topics for each committee:

 

Security Council

Political & Security

Economic & Social

Human Rights

1.      Action against member states that are not current with their U.N. dues payments.

2.      Spying and espionage, including a definition of each.

3.      Rules of engagement regarding international air space.

 

1.      Containing the spread of nuclear weapons to new nations or “rogue” groups.

2.      The creation of a permanent U.N. peacekeeping force.

1.      Global Warming

2.      New means for the United Nations to enhance revenue (raise money).

1.      Child Labor

2.      Human Cloning

3.      The meaning of Article V of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”).

 

The upshot of the resolution and the action later decided by the delegates who were present on April 7 is that the following things will happen at our April 18 Model U.N. session:

 

  1. Between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, committees may discuss previous or new resolutions that come under their jurisdiction.

  2. After 11:00 AM (or before if the delegates and chair should so decide), the committee can move into discussion on the topics listed for their consideration above.  Students can bring working papers in advance or write them (individually or collaboratively) at the session.  There will be ample time for moderated and un-moderated caucuses.

 

The other important information for students to know is that lunch will be provided by cafeteria staff at Forest Park Community College.  It will be at 12:00 Noon and cost $4.00 per person.  It would be very helpful if students and/or faculty advisors E-Mailed us prior to noon on Monday, April 16 to let us know how many students from their school will be enjoying lunch with us.

 

We would love to have a large turnout for this session.  We hope that you as well as many others from your school will be with us on April 18.

 

            -- Arthur & Gretchen

 

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