The Fourteenth annual Model United Nations Security Council at Frostburg State University will be held on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 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 the topic will be the situation involving Iran's nuclear program. Iran
is in violation of the NPT and, as such, has been referred
to the Security
Council by the IAEA. As the UN Security Council, you are charged with
the task of dealing with the situation in Iran. This is a delicate matter where
one
misstep could spell disaster. Something must be done, but there is little
consensus as to what exactly that “something” should be. Nation’s such
as Russia and
China will not easily support harsh punitive measures against Iran. Nation’s
such as the United States and Israel believe that, at the very least,
sanctions
need to be put in place until Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions. The
situation in Iran has come to a head. Skillful negotiation and compromise
is needed
to quell this crisis before a larger catastrophe occurs down the road.
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 day’s activities.
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:
United Nations Security Council
Rules and procedures for the model
Additional Information: