Table of Contents
What to expect at the Model UN
How do I prepare for the Model United Nations?
Choosing a country to represent
Submitting an alternate resolution
International Court of Justice
About the Student Model United Nations
What to expect at the Model UN
The 2011 Model United Nations will be held on May 6 at the HJA Brown Education Centre. Twenty-four member states are represented at the Model United Nations and each is invited to have 10 delegates present. The state's UN Ambassador will sit at the board table and speak on behalf of the state.
The Model UN is a full-day event that runs from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4:30 p.m. Here is how the day will be structured:
8:30 a.m. |
registration |
9 a.m. |
welcome and keynote presentation |
9:50 a.m. |
morning break |
10:05 a.m |
question and answer with keynote presenter |
10:45 a.m |
tabling of resolution |
11 a.m. |
member states presentations on resolution (2 minutes each) |
12 p.m.. |
working lunch to lobby and draft alternate resolutions |
1 p.m. |
alternate resolutions submitted |
1:15 p.m. |
alternate resolutions distributed for review of member nations |
1:30 p.m. |
reconvene in board room for open debate on resolution and alternate resolutions |
2:45 p.m. |
break |
3 p.m. |
open debate continues |
3:40 p.m. |
standing vote on resolution and alternate resolution |
4 p.m. |
closing remarks and wrap up |
Registration
When your team arrives, have a representative pick up your country package at the registration desk. The package will contain important information about the day, including a flash drive with a template that can be used to create an alternate resolution.
Welcome and keynote
After a brief welcome, delegates will hear a keynote presentation that will provide additional information about the topic that you may be able to use in the development of your alternate resolution and in the open debate. Each member of your delegation should take notes and be listening for valuable information to support your position.
Question and answer session
You will have about 40 minutes to ask questions of the keynote presenter. When asking a question, identify the country you represent. Phrase your questions specifically based on the presenter's remarks and your state's position on the topic.
Member states presentations
Each country will have two minutes to present their state's position on the resolution. This should be a pre-written speech that is delivered by your UN Ambassador who is seated at the board table. You will only be allowed two minutes, so please plan appropriately.
Working lunch to lobby other member states and draft alternate resolutions
You will have from 12 to 1 p.m. to lobby, form alliances and draft an alternate resolution. In order for the resolution to be considered, the following guidelines must be followed:
- The alternate resolution must be submitted on the flash drive provided in your registration package and must be formatted using the template that is on the flash drive.
- The alternate resolution must be seconded by at least one other country in order for it to be considered.
- The alternate resolution must be submitted by 1 p.m. to the assistant to the Secretary General at his desk in the atrium.
Member states are encouraged to bring a laptop; however, computer stations will be available in the atrium. After 1 p.m., the alternate resolutions will be distributed to all countries for consideration prior to the start of the open debate. Each of the alternate resolutions will be voted on, as well as the proposed resolution.
Open debate
The open debate will run for almost two hours. The UN Ambassadors will answer any questions addressed to their state. They will also actively participate in the debate. All other delegates may participate in the debate by using one of the microphones in the General Assembly. Speakers will be selected based on the order of their request to speak.
Vote on the resolution
Following the debate, a standing vote will be held on the proposed resolution and all alternate resolutions. A majority is required for a resolution to pass.
How do I prepare for the Model United Nations?
The Model UN is a fast paced, high-energy day. It is important to come to the event with a firm understanding of the topic and your country's position on the topic. There are many things you should do to prepare your team for the event.
Choosing a country to represent
Meet as a team to discuss what country you would like to represent. You will select from the list of countries below. Decide on a first, second and third choice. You must choose your country before registering. As schools register, the school name and chosen country will be posted online in the 'Student Stuff' section of www.peelschools.org. Click on the "Model UN" link to find the list.
At the 2011 Model UN, the following countries will be represented:
Australia Bangladesh Botswana Brazil * Cambodia Canada China ** Egypt France ** Germany * Ghana India *
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Japan Kenya Mexico Nigeria * Philippines Rwanda South Africa * Switzerland Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom ** United States ** |
** indicates a permanent Security Council member
* indicates a non-permanent Security Council member
Registering for the event
To register your team and country, go to the 'Student Stuff' section of www.peelschools.org and click on the Model UN link. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration has been received. Supply coverage is not available for this event.
Understanding your position
Once your team is registered and your country selected, begin researching your country's position on the topic. You may want to break into groups to do this. You should familiarize yourself with all international treaties, declarations and conventions pertaining to the topic, whether your country has supported the declaration and whether it is being enforced in your country. A list of online resources will be posted in the 'Student Stuff' section of www.peelschools.org and can be found by clicking on the "Model UN" link.
Preparing your arguments
When preparing arguments for a debate, it is important to do three things:
- list all the reasons to support your state's position
- identify all possible arguments against your position
- formulate counter arguments to rebut arguments against your position
Tips for debating
- using statistics – if you will be using statistics in your arguments, make sure you know where the information was found. Should you be challenged, the burden will be on you to prove the validity of the facts. Not being able to do this will weaken your country's position.
- challenging other teams – before coming to the event, access the list of schools and countries represented in the 'Student Stuff' section of www.peelschools.org by clicking on the Model UN link. You may want to identify specific arguments that you can make against other states. For example, it may be helpful to have information about indigenous peoples in the other states represented. Realize that other teams will be looking for the same information about your state. You must be prepared to defend yourself.
- forming an alliance – if your state traditionally aligns with other UN member states that will be represented at the event, try to connect with that team at the event. You may be able to influence the outcome of the day by forming alliances and working together to draft an alternate resolution.
Submitting an alternate resolution
Your country has the option of submitting an alternate resolution. Alternate resolutions must be submitted before 1 p.m. on the day of the Model UN. In order for the resolution to be considered, the following guidelines must be followed:
- The alternate resolution must be submitted on the flash drive provided in your registration package and must be formatted using the template that is on the flash drive.
- The alternate resolution must be seconded by at least one other country in order for it to be considered.
- The alternate resolution must be submitted by 1 p.m. to the assistant to the Secretary General at his desk in the atrium.
Countries are encouraged to bring their own laptop; however, if this is not possible, computer stations will be available in the atrium. After 1 p.m., the alternate resolutions will be distributed to all countries for consideration prior to the start of the open debate. Each of the alternate resolutions will be voted on, as well as the proposed resolution.
Preparation checklist
Use this check list to make sure that you are prepared for the Model UN
Timeline |
Task |
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Form a team of 10 delegates and choose a country to represent from the list provided: |
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As early as possible |
Australia Bangladesh Botswana Brazil * Cambodia Canada China ** Egypt France ** Germany * Ghana India *
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Japan Kenya Mexico Nigeria * Philippines Rwanda South Africa * Switzerland Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom ** United States * |
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By April 8 |
Register your team at www.peelschools.org in the 'Student Stuff' section by clicking on the Model UN link. |
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Receive a confirmation e-mail confirming that your registration has been received and which country you will be representing |
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Access the list of resources posted on www.peelschools.org in the 'Student Stuff' section by clicking on the Model UN link. Use these resources to start your research. |
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Familiarize yourself with all international treaties, declarations and conventions that are related to the topic. Know your country's position on all these documents and if they are being enforced. |
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Begin preparing arguments to support your position on the resolution |
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Consider if your country will submit an alternate resolution. Begin a draft version that can be finalized at the meeting. |
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Identify all arguments that may be made against your country |
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Develop counter arguments to defend your country's position |
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Write a two-minute speech to be delivered by the UN Ambassador |
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May 6 |
Arrive at the Model UN on May 7 ready to lobby, debate and vote |
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Model UN 2011
The issue
UN Millennium Development Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Target 6.A: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Target 6.B: Achieve by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it.
Target 6.C: Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.
It has been 30 years since the AIDS epidemic began. “Over the past three decades, AIDS has caused untold suffering and death. But another story has unfolded through the years, one of the global community uniting with passion to take action and save lives. These efforts are making a real difference around the world.” (UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 33.3 million adults and children are infected with AIDS, 247 million people are infected with malaria and 1.7 million people died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2009.
The continuing rise in the population of people living with HIV reflects the combined effects of continued high rates of new HIV infections and the beneficial impact of antiretroviral therapy. As of December 2008, approximately 4 million people in low-and middle income countries were receiving antiretroviral therapy—a 10 fold increase over five years (WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund, UNAIDS, 2009).
Globally, there were an estimated 9.4 million incident (new) cases of TB in 2008. Most of the cases occurred in the South-East Asia Region (55%) and the African Region (30%), with small proportions of cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (7%), the European Region (5%) and the Region of the Americas (3%). The five countries with the largest numbers of cases in 2008 were India (1.6–2.4 million), China (1.0–1.6 million), South Africa (0.38–0.57 million), Nigeria (0.37–0.55 million) and Indonesia (0.34–0.52 million). Of the 9.4 million new TB cases in 2008, an estimated 1.4 million (15%) were HIV positive; 78% of these HIV-positive cases were in the African Region and 13% were in the South-East Asia Region. (WHO)
Although the total number of new cases of TB is increasing in absolute terms as a result of global population growth, the number of cases per capita is falling. The rate of decline is slow, at less than 1% per year. Globally, the rate peaked at 142 cases per 100,000 population in 2004. In 2008, there were an estimated 140 new cases per 100,000 population. Incidence rates are falling in five of the six WHO regions. The exception is the WHO European Region where rates are approximately stable. (WHO)
It is estimated that the number of cases of malaria rose from 233 million in 2000 to 244 million in 2005 but decreased to 225 million in 2009. The number of deaths due to malaria is estimated to have decreased from 985,000 in 2000 to 781,000 in 2009. Decreases in malaria burden have been observed in all WHO Regions, with the largest proportional decreases noted in the European Region, followed by the Region of Americas.
While progress in reducing the malaria burden has been remarkable, there was evidence of an increase in malaria cases in 3 countries in 2009 (Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, and Zambia). The reasons for the resurgences are not known with certainty. The increases in malaria cases highlight the fragility of malaria control and the need to maintain control programmes even if numbers of cases have been reduced substantially.
In December 2009, WHO and UNAIDS put out a report on the AIDS epidemic update. The report noted the following key themes of the 2009 AIDS epidemic:
- AIDS continues to be a major global health priority.
- There is geographic variation between and within countries and regions.
- The epidemic is evolving.
- There is evidence of success in HIV prevention.
- Improved access to treatment is having an impact.
- There is increased evidence of risk among key populations.
Background
Compulsory licensing and International trade agreements
Access to patent information in relation to medical products has a major, and growing, importance for public health, both for practical health programs and for policymakers.
What is compulsory licensing?
Compulsory licensing is when a government allows someone else to produce the patented product or process without the consent of the patent owner. It is one of the flexibilities on patent protection included in the World Trade Organization’s agreement on intellectual property—the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Agreement.
The TRIPS Agreement does not specifically list the reasons that might be used to justify compulsory licensing. However, the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health confirms that countries are free to determine the grounds for granting compulsory licences.
The TRIPS Agreement does list a number of conditions for issuing compulsory licences, in Article 31. In particular:
- normally, the person or company applying for a licence has to have tried to negotiate a voluntary licence with the patent holder on reasonable commercial terms.
- for “national emergencies”, “other circumstances of extreme urgency” or “public non-commercial use” (or “government use”) or anti-competitive practices, there is no need to try first for a voluntary licence.
- even when a compulsory licence has been issued, the patent owner has to receive payment; the TRIPS Agreement says “the right holder shall be paid adequate remuneration in the circumstances of each case, taking into account the economic value of the authorization”, but it does not define “adequate remuneration” or “economic value”.
Compulsory licensing must meet certain additional requirements—it cannot be given exclusively to licensees (e.g. the patent-holder can continue to produce), and it should be subject to legal review in the country.
What has happened
A Global Leaders Forum against HIV and TB was held at UN Headquarters in New York on June 9, 2008. The organizers drew attention to the urgent need for collaboration to reduce the number of people living with HIV, but dying of TB.
In September 2010, the report Towards universal access by WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was released. The report states that significant progress has been made in several low- and middle-income countries in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services. It is the fourth annual report for tracking progress made in achieving the 2010 target of providing universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care.
A UN Summit was held on Sept. 20 to 22, 2010 in New York. The summit was a high level plenary meeting of the general assembly which included Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Heads of State and Government, along with the private sector, foundations, international organization, civil society and research organizations. The assembly kicked off a major concerted worldwide effort to accelerate progress on women’s and children’s health.
A new initiative -- Global Plan to Stop TB 2011-2015 -- designed to combat tuberculosis, which claims the lives of nearly two million people across the world every year, could lead the way towards eliminating the disease if governments and donors commit enough funds, the World Health Organization announced in October 2010.
Making CAMR Work: Streamlining Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime is a brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology regarding Bill C-393 – Oct. 21, 2010
At the 65th United Nations General Assembly the following resolution was adopted:
Organization of the 2011 comprehensive review of the progress achieved in realizing the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
On Feb. 18, 2011,WHO, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and World Trade Organization (WTO) held a technical symposium on “Access to Medicines, Patent Information and Freedom to Operate” in Geneva. Before this second in a series of joint symposiums, an optional workshop on “Patent searches and freedom to operate” was offered on Feb. 17, 2011.
Proposed resolution: to be adopted by the General Assembly at the 66th session
Ensuring universal access to HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis life-saving medicines
The General Assembly,
Guided by the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming its respect for and commitment to international law,
Recognizing human rights and fundamental freedom for all is essential to reduce HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, outlined by the United Nations General Assembly 2001,
Also recognizing the rights laid out in article 31 of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement, the 2001 Doha Declaration, and the 2003 World Trade General Council decision,
Acknowledging the urgent need for access to generic drugs because 33.3 million adults and children are infected with AIDS, 247 million people are infected with malaria and 1.7 million people died from tuberculosis in 2009,
Also acknowledging the connection between access to generic drugs and human rights,
Also acknowledging that HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis treatment needs to be accessible and timely,
- Agrees to ensure that developing countries have universal access to HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis life-saving medicines
- Agrees to amend article 31 of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights agreement to allow for the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare public health emergencies in developing countries.
- Agrees that all United Nation Member States will revise their export laws so that national public health emergencies’ vaccines are delivered promptly.
What is the United Nations?
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization consisting of 192 member states. The UN was established following the Second World War to address issues that its predecessor, the League of Nations, was not able to resolve.
Location
The United Nations has offices around the world. Its headquarters are located in New York City and is home to the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council and the Trusteeship Council.
Other United Nations offices are located in The Hague, Netherlands, Geneva, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria.
Purpose
The United Nations has many purposes, which are global in nature. According to Chapter 1 of the Charter of the United Nations, the purposes of the UN include:
- maintaining international peace and security
- developing friendly relations among all nations
- initiating, promoting and coordinating international efforts to solve economic, cultural, social and humanitarian problems throughout the globe
- promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms
- providing a centre for harmonizing the efforts of nations in the attainment of common ends
Structure
The United Nations is composed of six 'organs'. United Nations commissions and programmes are under the authority of an organ of the UN. Specialized agencies of the United Nations are autonomous working units devoted to specific areas of UN work and coordinated by the Economic and Security Council.
General Assembly
The General Assembly is composed of all 192 member states, and each member state has one vote. Decisions on important questions, such as those on peace and security, admission of new members and budgetary matters, require a two-thirds majority. Decisions on other questions are by simple majority.
The General Assembly is neither a legislature nor a parliament. Respecting the sovereignty of its Members, the General Assembly offers a forum in which nations may share views and come to understandings regarding global international peace and security. Resolutions of the General Assembly are only recommendations to members and are not to be recognized as "global laws." Member states who vote in favour of a resolution do have a moral obligation to adjust their national legislation in accordance.
Security Council
The primary responsibility of the security council, according to the Charter of the United Nations, is to maintain international peace and security. There are five permanent members of the security council: China, France, Russian Federation, United States of America and United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland, and 10 rotating members.
Economic and Social Council
The Council serves as the central forum for discussing international economic and social issues. It is responsible for promoting higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress; identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems; facilitating international cultural and educational cooperation; and encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Council is made up of 54 member states.
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial body of the United Nations. Its seat is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). It began work in 1946 when it replaced the Permanent Court of International Justice which had functioned in the Peace Palace since 1922. It operates under a Statute largely similar to that of its predecessor, which is an integral part of the Charter of the UN. The role of the International Court is to settle in accordance with international law the legal disputes submitted to it by States, and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by duly authorized international bodies and agencies. The court is comprised of 15 judges elected to serve nine-year terms by the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Secretariat
The Secretariat is a group of international staff working in duty stations around the world. It carries out the diverse day-to-day work of the organization. It services the other principal organs of the United Nations and administers the programs and policies laid down by them. At its head is the Secretary-General, who is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a five-year, renewable term.
About the Student Model United Nations
The Peel District School Board’s Student Model United Nations is a hands-on learning experience which offers approximately 250 secondary students a chance to be a diplomat for a day. During this valuable learning experience, students represent different UN member nations and tackle tough international development and human rights issues in a simulated general assembly.
History
The board’s first Model UN event was held in 1995 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.
Past topics
Various topics of global significance have been debated over the years. Some of them include:
- The use of child soldiers
- Action against terrorism
- Water as a human right
- Child labour
- HIV/AIDS and human rights
- Gender equality
- Arms trade
- indigenous peoples and climate change
- Food security
