The Eleventh annual Model United Nations Security Council at Frostburg State University will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2003 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 UN is designed to give area high school students a better understanding of the United Nations and the role it plays in the world. Participation in the model gives students greater insight into the workings of multilateral diplomacy. Students also learn about important issues in contemporary world politics. Delegations are expected to research both the issue and their member country so that they can provide accurate representation at the model. Each delegation will have the opportunity to give an opening statement reflecting their country's position. Each delegation will also be given the opportunity to question and debate other delegations regarding their positions on the issues. The simulation follows UN rules and procedures (with some modifications).
This year's simulation will focus on the war in Iraq. The Security Council went through months of bitter debate over the U.S. and British policy of disarming and changing the regime in Iraq with military force. Now that the war has begun, the focus of Security Council debate has moved to questions surrounding the shape of a post Saddam Hussein Iraq. Many council members are anxious to initiate UN actions to deal with the developing humanitarian/refugee crisis. Members are also eager to quickly increase the UN role in the overall reconstruction of Iraq. Members are also concerned with making sure that the war and its effects do not destabilize the surrounding region.
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 or e-mail me at the numbers listed below
Steve Twing: (301) 687-3097; stwing@frostburg.edu
Briefing Papers:
Major Organs of the United Nations
Current situation report on Iraq
Rules and procedures for the model
Country Assignments(to be loaded soon)
Additional Information: