Model United Nations informs students of peace-keeping costs

Adams, a former U.S. ambassador to Peru, Djibouti and Haiti, gave the keynote speech for the 35th session of the Arizona Model United Nations, a two-day conference for high school students from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Mexico.

The students represented countries in the United Nations in a conference much like that of an actual U.N. meeting.

He explained to more than 550 high school students in the Memorial Student Union Senior Ballroom that the U.N. is suffering a financial crisis, and if the dues are not paid, the government will be forced to take money out of the peace-keeping movement to pay the cost of administration.

"You can't have everything. The government must make choices," he said.

Adams said that United Nations needs $1 billion to $1.4 billion in the next two years to meet its financial obligations and encouraged listeners to join the United Nations Association.

Students can join the UNA for $10 per year and receive its publications and the sense that they are joining a national movement, Adams said.

Adams stressed the importance of "standing by your guns" and taking action in issues.

He urged students to attempt to change government decisions by writing letters to government officials.

"The loudest and squeakiest wheel will be the one who gets the grease," Adams said.

Adams also made reference to the preamble to the Constitution. He said that respect for men and women regardless of their origins begins with, "We the people."

Reason, dialogue and debate, not violence or subversion, are the most effective ways of communication, Adams said.

Political Science senior A.J. Campani, secretary general of the Model U.N., said, "I think he (Adams) has a lot of foreign service expertise. He pointed out some very important focal points in his speech such as paying dues to the U.N. and how the people sitting in the room, the delegates, are the future leaders."

"I was very impressed with his wit," said Pam Garfinkel, U.N. legal chairwoman and psychology senior. I thought it was one of the more enjoyable speeches at this conference."