What is the
United Nations?
Purpose of the United Nations
• Promotes world peace and
stability
• Improves economic and
social conditions such as
health and education
• Provides forum for nations
to address issues
• Encourages dialogue
Quiz Yourself!
1. What is the central organ of the UN, where all
Member States can gather to discuss international
issues and concerns?
General Assembly
2. How many nations make up the United Nations?
193
3. Who is the Secretary General of the UN? Where is
he/she from?
Ban Ki-moon; South Korea
Quiz Yourself!
4. How many official languages are spoken at the
United Nations?
6
(Arabic, Chinese, English,
French, Russian and Spanish)
5. There are 15 countries represented on the Security
Council. Which five countries (Big Five) have veto
power?
China, France, Russia,
United Kingdom, United States
How does the United Nations
address global concerns?
Hint: It is not a law, but a…
RESOLUTION!
What is a Resolution?
• A written statement expressing an opinion
on a specific issue
• Written by a single country OR a group of
countries that share the same idea on an issue
Why write a Resolution?
• To state a position and give recommendations
• A resolution is a way to: (1) express an opinion;
(2) criticize or put pressure on member states;
or (3) recommend that action be taken
Sample Resolution
Committee: School Administration
Topic: Book Bags
Sponsor: Students
The General Assembly,
Concerned that middle school students have to carry heavy book bags, which
can cause neck, back, and shoulder injuries,
Aware that there is an incidence of chronic back pain in adolescents
Taking into account that physicians advise that children carry loads no heavier
than 15% of their body weight,
1.
2.
3.
Calls upon schools to provide lockers when possible for students leave
their books;
Urges manufacturers to research and develop a more ergonomic book bag;
Recommends that students purchase sturdy book bags with padded
shoulder straps and molded back support.
The Heading
• A way to identify a resolution
• Identifies 3 components: (1) the committee to
which the resolution will be submitted, (2) the
topic, and (3) the sponsor
10
Sample Heading
Committee: School Administration
Topic: Book Bags
Sponsor: Students
The Preamble
• Discusses background information on the
resolution:
– Why is this issue important?
– What has been done?
– Why is it still a problem?
• Needs to reference sources:
– U.N. Charter
– Other U.N. resolutions
– Millennium Development Goals
• Format
– Italicize the first few words in the
clause
– Each clause is followed by a comma (,)
Preamble Vocabulary
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Acknowledging
Appreciating
Approving
Aware
Concerned
Considering
Keeping in mind
Recognizing
Taking into
Consideration
Sample Preamble
Concerned that middle school students
have to carry heavy bag packs, which can
cause neck, back and shoulder injuries,
Aware that there is an incidence of
chronic back pain in adolescents,
Taking into account that physicians advise
that children carry loads no heavier than
15% of their body weight,
Operative Clauses
• Tells what action should be taken
• They are reasonable solutions that the
committee can enforce
• Format
– First word (or few words) is underlined
– Each clause begins with certain words
and ends with a semi-colon (;)
– Last clause ends with a period (.)
– Each clause is numbered
Operative Clause Vocabulary
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Congratulates
Decides
Declares
Encourages
Recommends
Reminds
Requests
Suggests
Supports
Sample Operative Clauses
1.Calls upon schools to provide lockers when
possible for students to leave their books;
2. Urges manufacturers to research and
develop a more ergonomic book bag;
3. Recommends that students purchase
sturdy book bags with padded shoulder
straps and a molded back support.
Formatting a Resolution
• 3 main parts
– Heading
– Preamble
– Operative
clauses
• One long sentence
with commas (,)
and semicolons (;)
• A period (.) only
appears at the end
of the last operative
clause.
Millennium Development Goals
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Malaria persists as a major health issue for nearly half the world’s
population living in the poorest parts of the world. Malaria is caused by
parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected
mosquitoes
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Every year, 3.3 billion people are at risk of malaria. This leads to about 216
million malaria cases and an estimated 655,000 malaria deaths. People living
in the poorest countries are the most vulnerable.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Every minute, a child dies from malaria. In 2010, 90% of malaria deaths
occurred in Africa and almost 600 000 African children died. Most of these
children were under five years of age.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Malaria mortality rates are falling. Increased malaria prevention and control
measures are dramatically reducing the malaria burden in many places.
Malaria mortality rates have fallen by more than 25% globally since 2000,
according to the World Health Organization.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria prevents deaths and
reduces the chances of transmission. Access to diagnostic testing and
treatment should be seen not only as a component of malaria control but as a
fundamental right of all populations at risk.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Sleeping under long-lasting insecticidal nets protects against malaria.
These nets provide personal protection against mosquito bites. The nets are
effective for three to five years, depending on the model and conditions of use.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Indoor spraying is the most effective way to rapidly reduce malaria
transmission. Indoor spraying is effective for 3–6 months, depending on the
insecticide used and the type of surface on which it is sprayed.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Pregnant women are particularly at risk of malaria. WHO recommends
intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women living in areas of high
malaria transmission, during the second and third trimesters.
MDG 6: Combating HIV/AIDS,
Malaria and Other Diseases
Malaria causes significant economic losses. Malaria can decrease the
gross domestic product of some high-burden countries by over 1%. Malaria
traps families and communities in a downward spiral of poverty,
disproportionately affecting marginalized and poor people who cannot afford
treatment or who have limited access to health care.
Try it Out! – The Preamble
DIRECTIONS:
Break into small groups and select one person to be the
group bloc leader and one person to be the group
reporter.
You have approximately 10 minutes to write two
preambulatory clauses that address the goal of
controlling or eliminating malaria in developing
countries, particularly Africa, by 2015.
When invited to do so, bloc leader and reporter will
come to podium and share their preambulatory
clauses.
Try it Out! – Operative Clauses
DIRECTIONS:
You now have approximately 10 minutes to write two
operative clauses that address the issue of controlling
or eliminating malaria by 2015.
When invited to do so, bloc leader and reporter will
come to podium and share their operative clauses.
Amending a Resolution
• Identify areas that could be strengthened or
more specific.
• Is there a way to change the resolution so that
more countries will support it?
• Is there a need for further clarification in the
operative clauses?
How do I amend?
1. Add words or phrases to the operative clause.
2. Delete words or phrases from the operative
clause.
3. Combine operative clauses.
Lunch Assignment
DIRECTIONS:
Return to your small group and discuss the proposed
resolution. Your job by the end of lunch is to amend
at least one operative clause in your group. You have
20 minutes to complete this activity and eat your
lunch!
Sample Resolution
Committee: General Assembly
Topic: Preventing Malaria
Sponsor: United Kingdom
The General Assembly,
Bearing in mind that malaria deaths are falling,
Alarmed that malaria continues to persist as a major health issue for nearly half the
world’s population living in the poorest parts of the world,
Recognizing that eliminating malaria will require more than $1.5 billion in aid every year
between 2013 and 2020,
1.
2.
3.
4.
Calls on the international community to support better funding to eliminate malaria
by 2015;
Urges wealthier nations to support free access to healthcare in order to diagnose
and treat affected people in the earlier stages of the disease;
Encourages greater sharing of knowledge and lessons learned with regard to the
control and elimination of malaria, particularly between Africa and the Asia-Pacific
Region;
Expresses its hope that the world will one day be free of malaria.
Jr. Model United Nations
Important Reminders
• Listen carefully to make sure that you fully
understand another’s point of view;
• Keep an open mind, even if you disagree with
another’s point of view;
• Disagree respectfully by using appropriate
diplomatic language, showing respect for others’
points of view and explaining why your country
does (or does not) support the resolution;
Jr. Model United Nations
Important Reminders
• Remain true to your convictions and your
countries’ interests but look for ways to
compromise and/or improve your own ideas;
• Focus on the goal at hand, which is to develop a
solution that satisfies as many countries’
interests as possible;
• Dress to impress – business attire, native
costume or school uniform. No sneakers or opentoed shoes.
Next Steps
1.
Position Paper
•
Brief introduction of your country and its history with regard to your
topic;
Actions taken by your government with regard to your topic;
Statistics to back up your country’s position on the topic; and
What your country believes should be done to address the topic.
Paper should be one and a half pages double spaced
•
•
•
•
2. Write a Resolution
•
•
•
Based on your topic write three preambulatory clauses
Based on your topic write three operative clauses that match up with
your preambulatory clauses
DUE DATE: Friday, April 26. Teachers please email resolutions to
Mr. Matthew DeSoi
Good Luck!