Pubdate: Sat, 24 Apr 2010
Source: Kingston Whig-Standard (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.thewhig.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.thewhig.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/224
Page: 3
Author: Don Campbell

STUDENTS GAIN NEW WORLD VIEW

The mood inside the Security Council was understandably serious.

Delegates from 15 countries were in heated talks about a resolution 
on reducing the export and import of illegal narcotics.

If it passed, the resolution might help impoverished countries in 
their fight against powerful drug cartels.

The member from China, unhappy with the fourth clause that supported 
the creation of safe-injection sites in all countries, glared at the 
delegate from France seated across the table.

"The Peoples Republic of China does not support in any way the use of 
illegal drugs," he said.

The room fell silent.

The French delegate did not look pleased.

"How can you not support helping people addicted to drugs?" he demanded.

"Do you want this whole thing to fail?" the Chinese delegate challenged.

"No, I want the whole thing to pass," said the French delegate, 
waving a single finger in the air defiantly.

A chorus of muffled giggles rippled through the room.

"Order," the secretary general said.

"Members will proceed with discussion."

After further debate -- and despite an eventual veto by China on the 
fourth clause -- Resolution SC001 passed.

If only it were that easy.

That exchange, one of many throughout the day, highlighted 
resolutions that were discussed, debated and passed by the Kingston 
Model UN at Kingston Collegiate.

The three-day event, which ended yesterday, brought together 105 
students from eight area high schools for a glimpse into the inner 
workings of the real United Nations in New York.

Students held mock committee sessions in three councils -- the 
General Assembly, Human Rights Council and Security Council. Each was 
organized and run like an actual UN meeting. Before the event 
students researched the country they were representing and adopted 
that country's stance on international issues.

"The model UN is a good exercise because it involves public speaking, 
research, learning about different opinions and using those opinions 
during a session," said Dan Fruhling, teacher and supervisor for the event.

The event, which has been running at KC for 17 years, is organized 
entirely by students. In addition to preparing the opening ceremony, 
banquet and committee topics, students had to find a guest speaker.

This year Maj. Philip Drew, who has worked gathering intelligence in 
Cambodia and Rwanda for the UN, talked to the students about rules of 
engagement during peacekeeping operations.

Fruhling said while students learn to be firm and back up their 
position, they also need to learn about working with others in order 
to resolve issues. Remarkably, there is very little bullying and 
students do find ways -- mostly through secret deals and agreements 
made outside of the session -- to reach a compromise.

"They also learn about the importance of backroom politics," he joked.

Grade 12 student Chris Tomalty, who held the position of secretary 
general, has participated in model UNs in Beijing and Cairo. He said 
the event is a great illustration of how competing interests vie to 
solve collective problems.

"There is a lot of scheming going on behind the scenes with alliances 
being created," Tomalty said, referring to a union of Latin American 
countries that was formed earlier in the morning.

"You also learn how to debate and develop a watertight argument so 
there will be no loopholes for others to exploit," he said.

During the 2008 model UN in Beijing Tomalty represented Romania. He 
had to argue in favour of restricting access to public schools for 
the Roma, an ethnic group in the country. While he thought it was 
unfair and even slightly prejudiced, he came up with the argument 
that since the Roma do not pay taxes they should be restricted from 
public institutions.

"It's about being able to see other sides of an issue you may not 
have considered before," he said.

Seeing another side of an issue was evident in one General Assembly 
session involving efforts to reform the UN. In a display of 
uncharacteristic generosity, representatives from the United States, 
France and United Kingdom rose and made passionate speeches about 
eliminating their right to a veto.

The auditorium erupted in cheers and nods of approval from all the 
member countries.

If only it were that easy.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart