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The seventh annual model United Nations Security Council at Frostburg State University will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 1999, in the Lane Center on the Frostburg State University campus. The model is an all-day event lasting from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., with coffee, donuts and juice provided in the morning, and meal passes for the campus cafeteria for lunch.
The model United Nations is designed to give area high school students a better understanding of the United Nations and the role it plays in the world, the problems and intricacies associated with political, social and economic negotiations, and a greater understanding and insight into a particular area of the world. Delegations are expected to research the issue and their country so they can represent their country in the simulation. Each delegation has the opportunity to give an opening statement reflecting their country's position, as well as debate and question other delegations regarding their countries' positions. The simulation follows United Nations rules of procedures (with a few modifications to facilitate the simulation process).
This year we will be focusing on the situation in the Yugoslavian province of Kosovo. The situation in Kosovo raises a number of interesting questions; How can the international community balance the rights of governments to control their populations with the rights of ethnic groups to self-determination and independence? What steps can the international community take to curb Human Rights abuses inside sovereign countries? What role can, and/or should, multilateral institutions like the United Nations play in securing peace within countries?
Each participating school will be assigned at least one country on the security council to represent (the number depends on the number of students and the number of schools participating). Each delegation is provided with a set of briefing papers (see links below) which include: description of the United Nations and its major organs; background paper on this year's issue; current situation report concerning this year's issue area; rules and procedures for the model; the United Nations Charter; and a schedule of the days activities.
Each high school can request to have a member of the Political Science Department meet with their delegation to review procedures and develop strategies. These training sessions can be done through distance learning facilities if desired. These training sessions have been effective in the past and we encourage you to utilize this resource.
We enjoy bringing this exciting experience to area students. If I can be of any further assistance or if you require any further information, please do no hesitate to call me at (301) 687-4277 (or you can e-mail me at shartlaub@frostburg.edu
Briefing Papers:
A Brief Introduction to the United Nations
Major Organs of the United Nations
Current situation report on Kosovo
Rules and procedures for the model
Country Assignments (Updated 4/1/99)
Additional Information:
Schedule of the days activities
Links to various useful sites on the United Nations, and the situation in Kosovo
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