Model United Nations debates international issues at UA

Francisco Fabian Arizona Daily Wildcat

The two-day conference will simulate an actual U.N. meeting, said Francisco Fabi n, political science senior and deputy secretary general of the Model United Nations.

The conference will begin today at 2 p.m. and former Ambassador Alvin Adams will address the delegates at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Union Arizona Ballroom.

Adams is the former U.S. ambassador to Peru, Haiti and the small African nation of Djibouti, Fabi n said. He said Adams is the CEO of the U.N. Association of the United States.

The U.N. Association is a non-profit organization that provides public education about the United Nations and the role the United States plays in it, said Susan Ward, education and program coordinator for the U.N. Association of Southern Arizona.

High school students and their sponsors from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Mexico will each represent countries in the United Nations, Fabi n said.

"The students will learn about today's international problems, and they will have the knowledge and skills to work for solutions for the future," said A.J. Campani, the secretary general of the Model United Nations.

Campani will give an overview of the conference to the delegates in his opening plenary, an opening address to the United Nations, and speak to them about their role as future leaders.

Delegates will also get the chance to improve their public speaking and negotiation skills as they conduct committee meetings similar to those of the United Nations, Fabi n said.

One of the most exciting events the delegates will experience is a simulation of a Security Council meeting in a crisis situation, Campani said.

Members of the Model United Nations will chair the simulated committees and pick a controversial current event for the crisis situation, Fabi n said. Last year, the crisis situation dealt with U.S. planes being shot down over Cuban soil.

The Model United Nations is charging $5 for schools to reserve a country and $20 per delegate. Fabi n said students and their sponsors were responsible for paying for their lodging.

The total cost of the conference is about $7,000, Fabi n said.