Model United Nations Project

Penta College CSG Jacob van Lieveldt

The United Nations: An Introduction for Students The UN emblem shows the world held in the “olive branches of peace”. The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter had

been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States. The day is now celebrated each

year around the world as United Nations Day.

The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace

and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all

people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and national

interests when addressing international problems.

There are currently 192 Members of the United Nations. They meet in the General Assembly,

which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has

a single vote, however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding. Nevertheless,

the Assembly's decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world governmental opin-

ion.

The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are internation-

al territory. The United Nations has its own flag, its own post office and its own postage stamps.

Six official languages are used at the United Nations - Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian

and Spanish. The UN European Headquarters is in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

It has offices in Vienna, Austria and Economic Commissions in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Amman

in Jordan, Bangkok in Thailand and Santiago in Chile. The senior officer of the United Nations

Secretariat is the Secretary-General.

The objective of this project is to help you to better understand the functions of the UN and to

be able to understand, analyse and produce various text types. Also to prepare some of you for

participation in Model United Nations or MUN’s.

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WEBQUEST Background of the United Nations: In your Wordpress portfolio create a page for MUN. Now choose a partner to work with. Using the resources provided or any others including the internet, in your group answer the following questions. Upload your answers to the page for MUN in your portfolio Basic Facts and the Creation of the U.N.

1. What is the mission of the U.N.?

2. To accomplish its mission, what do member countries agree to do?

3. What was one of the earlier attempts to create an institution to promote international

cooperation?

4. Describe the two flaws this institution suffered from and explain how these ultimately

led to its failure.

5. Discuss some of the main events of World War II. How did these experiences

rekindle the idea of establishing a world organization dedicated to world peace and

international cooperation?

6. How did the founders of the United Nations try to avoid the failures of the League of

Nations? Explain how these actions would avoid the problems encountered by the

League. The Structure and Operation of the U.N.

1. Identify and briefly describe the function of the six bodies of the United Nations.

2. Identify the legislative, executive, and judicial operations contained in these bodies.

3. Explain the different ways the United Nations operates on democratic principles such

as rule of law, due process, separation of powers, and majority rule.

4. Why can it be said that the Security Council does not operate as a democracy?

5. What kind of occupational skills would someone need to be a staff member or a

diplomat at the U.N.?

6. Explain how each of the six bodies helps the U.N. achieve its mission. Accomplishments of the U.N.

1. List the four areas of accomplishment described in the reading on the U.N.

2. Describe the different types of military action the U.N. has taken in its history.

3. Explain how this use of military action is in keeping with the U.N.’s mission and

goals?

4. What efforts has the U.N. made in protecting human rights? In what ways has the

U.N. extended these efforts in the other areas of accomplishment described in the

reading?

5. Describe the areas where the U.N. has made improvements in the health of people in

the world. Why has the end of the Cold War made it easier for this to happen?

6. Describe how the U.N.’s Development Program has provided both

economic/agricultural assistance and promoted workers’ rights in countries it has

worked in. Why has this agency been successful in gaining the trust of developing

countries?

Resources:

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Go to the following website

and read Basics of a Resolution.

Now form a group of 3-4 people to work on your own resolution. Now choose a Country and a Main Body to participate in from the lists provided. After you have chosen a country and a committee you may choose an issue to work with for your resolution.

Main Bodies and Countries see page 4

Issues

Take a look at the following sample Resolution

Special Language needed

Model UN Made Easy: How to Write a Resolution

Main Bodies

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The United Nations (UN) is an international organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in international

law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and perhaps most importantly: achieving

world peace.

Like the UN, MUNA and its delegations decide on substantive and administrative issues in the annual February meeting.

The organization of MUNA is divided into different administrative bodies, namely:

Council of Europe The Council of Europe was founded on 5 May 1949 by ten countries and was an initiative of sir Winston Churchill to pro-

mote human rights and the rule of law in Europe after the Second World War. One of the first actions of the Council was to

organize a European Convention on Human Rights in 1950, in which the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights were adopted by the member states. One of the results of the convention was the establishment of the European

Court of Human Rights in Strassbourg, which monitors human rights in the member states.

Crisis Committee The crisis committee is a committee in which delegates must respond quickly and decisively to dramatic political, social, or

environmental events. These events (or 'crises') become more intense and interconnected during the course of the confer-

ence, usually culminating in large-scale disasters by the end of the day, unless delegates are able to prevent them.

Economic and social council The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social

issues. It is responsible for issues such as promoting higher standards of living and identifying solutions to international

economic, social and health problems.

Disarmament and national security The Disarmament and International Security Committee deals with disarmament and related international security ques-

tions. The delegates in this committee are challenged to pass resolutions to the General Assembly that give clear and

workable recommendations to deal with these important issues.

Human Rights The Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body within the UN system made up of 47 States responsible for

strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe. At MUNA the Human Rights Council oper-

ates as one of the General Assembly committees so that the delegates are challenged to join the discussions in the Gen-

eral Assembly.

Environmental and Humanitarian Health Issues Year after year, the General Assembly allocates to its Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee, commonly

referred to as the "Third Committee", agenda items relating to a range of social, humanitarian affairs and human rights

issues that affect peoples all over the world. Because of the pressing issue of the future of our environment, MUNA added

this issue to its "Third committee" and gave it a slightly different name.

Special political and decolonization The Special Political and Decolonization committee or often abbreviated as SPECPOL is one of the main bodies in the

United Nations. The Fourth committee deals with all issues related to decolonization and the rights and self determination

of people who live in Non-Self-Governing-Territories. While there are only a few official colonies remaining, the signifi-

cance of SPECPOL is still there since there are various colonies which are controversial. The Fourth Committee covers a

broad variety of issues, making it possible for every nation to take part in the debate. The Special Political and Decoloni-

zation committee will definitely be a challenging, exiting and intellectually stimulating experience.

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Security council The Special Political and Decolonization committee or often abbreviated as SPECPOL is one of the main bodies in

the United Nations. The Fourth committee deals with all issues related to decolonization and the rights and self de-

termination of people who live in Non-Self-Governing-Territories. While there are only a few official colonies remai-

ning, the significance of SPECPOL is still there since there are various colonies which are controversial. The Fourth

Committee covers a broad variety of issues, making it possible for every nation to take part in the debate. The Spe-

cial Political and Decolonization committee will definitely be a challenging, exiting and intellectually stimulating expe-

rience.

Special conference on Empowerment The introduction of a Special Conference to MUNA, gave the MUNA staff the chance to highlight one particular topic

at the conference. This year's Special Conference will be on questions regarding empowerment. 'Empowerment' is

the general theme of MUNA 2013. At MUNA 2013 we will discuss what we can do – and what the United Nations

could do – to empower people to solve the problems they are facing in their everyday life and struggle for survival.

The procedures in the Special Conference are the same as we use in all GA committees at MUNA, so delegates will

need to prepare policy statements and will have to write resolutions about the different issues to come to the confe-

rence well prepared. Additionally, delegates of this committee will not join the General Assembly on the third confe-

rence day.

Countries

Presentation of MUNA

You will attend a presentation by last years MUN participants explaining their experiences at MUN

in Alfrink.

After you have seen the presentation please take a few moments to reflect and fill in the rubric .

Also write a short paragraph about todays activities and highlight two things you liked or thought

were useful and give one suggestion on what could be improved.

If you are interested in attending a MUN You will need to apply by giving your name to one of the

delegated or your teacher you will then receive more information.