The sixteenth annual Model United Nations Security Council at Frostburg State University will be held on Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 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 ongoing crisis in Darfur. As a joint
U.N.-AU peacekeeping mission moves into place in the Darfur region of Sudan,
violent militias continue to terrorize villages in the region and large flows
of refugees continue to pour across the borders into neighboring states such
as Chad and the Central African Republic. The Sudanese government continues
to try to take advantage of the chaos in Darfur in order to keep its domestic
opposition divided. Sudan continues to sponsor an insurgency in neighboring
Chad, while the government in Chad continues to sponsor insurgent militias operating
in Darfur. The violence in Darfur thus threatens to spill over and destabilize
the entire region. This year’s Security Council simulation will attempt
to develop policies and methods for stabilizing the situation in Darfur and
the broader 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 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
Research Sites for Darfur Crisis
Congressional Research Service
United Nations Mission in Sudan
US Department of State: SUDAN Fact Site
Rules and procedures for the model
Additional Information: