The students of Ecole Mondiale World School will be participating in the annual Model United Nations Conference organized by the American International School in Egypt from April 4th to the 8th, 2008. They will be among a group of delegates comprising students from North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and of course Asia. The delegates will be representing France and Chile in the different committees set up this year. The specific list of committees and the student delegate is as follows:

The two Directors accompanying are Mr. Raymond Fernandes (Director of Activities) and Ms. Sudeshna Sengupta (MUN Coordinator).

A short write-up about the issues to be handled by each committee and the depth of research that accompanies such conferences that we would like to share with you all.

 General Assembly

The General Assembly has been given three very pertinent issues to deliberate. The issues relate to, enforcing of human rights in Myanmar (Burma), ensuring global consumer safety by regulating dangerous imports, attaining support from the UN to consolidate power in emerging democracies and the conventions of stockpiling, production or use of anti-personnel mines.

Disarmament Commission

The Disarmament Commission has the role of disarming geo-politically unstable nations or groups that may be perceived to be a threat to the peace and harmony in the surrounding areas. One of the issues that is being studied relates to disarming the military juntas, armed militias and rebel groups in Pakistan as a means of stabilizing the country. The other two issues pertain to the question of reaching a legally binding agreement concerning the import, export and transport of conventional weapons and the question of reaching an agreement guaranteeing the demilitarization and the weapons-free state of outer space.

Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission deals with the promotion and protection of human rights. The issues presently under deliberation are relating to, protecting the rights of civilians in conflict areas and the increase in exploitation of women and children in the Far and Middle East regions. There will be deliberations on protecting local labour from multinational corporations and business establishments.

Security Council

The Security Council is the arm of the U.N. that is responsible for maintaining international peace and security. The current issues are the conflict in Kenya that ensued after the last elections and the violence in Chad and Central African Republic between rebel forces and the government. Another important issue that the Security Council will deal with is the conflict arising out of threats from groups such as Hezbollah and Al Qaeda.Responding to threats caused by non-state actors is of prime importance across the globe.

Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council assists the General Assembly in promoting international economic and social cooperation and development. The council is dealing with issues such as the threat of bio-fuels on food security and the Deterioration of wages and the growing population of un-employed youths. Another important issue to be tackled deals with sibling-headed household in Africa. Since 2002, the WHO has listed AIDS as the world's leading cause of death. Most of these deaths occur in Africa, and as more and more people die from AIDS every year, more and more families in Africa become headed by the eldest sibling in the family. The eldest siblings are often under the age of 15 when their parents die. They are thus responsible for their families while they are not mature enough to know how to take care of themselves. The AIDS epidemic does not only cause the siblings who run the households to have bleak futures, but threatens the futures of the children they take care of as their lives are being led and controlled by inexperienced and uneducated people. What can we do to protect the future of these children and the future of the countries they live in?

International Court of Justice

The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It has the responsibility of settling legal disputes submitted to it by member states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by duly authorized international organs, agencies and the UN General Assembly. The current issues to be deliberated upon by the Judges relate to the maritime boundaries of Ukraine and Romania in the Black Sea and the death of Judge Bernard Borrel and the ensuing legal battle between France and Djibouti.

Advisory Panel

The exact issue of debate for the Advisory Panel is only announced the night prior to the conference, which encourages delegates to fully research the topic. The topic that will be debated this year is that of the Question of Lebanon. Lebanon is a very politically heated area, as it not only faces internal conflicts but external threats as well. The identification of the political, humanitarian and economic situation of Lebanon is crucial. Internally, the nation faces issues that range from international security, to the reconciliation between different communities, to the development of a Lebanese Army. Externally, internal security (within the Middle East), diplomatic relations and economic cooperation within the Middle East are issues that are constantly debated.

Youth Assembly

The Youth Assembly deals with social, cultural and humanitarian issues relating to the youth. The two issues to be deliberated upon by the citizens are the brain drain of the privileged, educated youth from East to West and vulnerability of youth to Internet communities that spread fundamental ideologies.

We would share our experiences with you on our return.
On behalf of the entire team,

Surojit Chakraverti
Secretary General
EMUN 2008.