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Dear Arthur,
Last Friday evening, we had our first "U.N. Simulation for Grown-ups." We had an excellent crowd and dynamic discussion as well as humor.
We report on next Wednesday's workshop for Middle School teachers and students, resolutions that are now coming in for the November 8 High School MUN, and our first Civitas UNICEF drive.
In addition, we have a new survey. We also provide results from last week's survey on single-payer health care system for the United States.
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U.N. Simulation for "Grown-Ups" Turns Out to Be A Lot Funnier Than...
 .... The "Real" United Nations
They weren't "real" diplomats, and they don't play them on TV, but the 90 delegates attending Civitas' first U.N. Simulation for "Grown-Ups" on Friday, Oct. 24, made the most of their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to appear on the world stage.
Participants included middle-school and high-school teachers, parents of current Model U.N. students, Model U.N. alumni, community activists, lawyers, doctors, friends of friends, graduate students, and folks who were just interested in finding out what it was all about.
Most delegates took their country assignments seriously, selecting countries relating to their own ancestry, reflecting their travels or studies, or familiar to them through student exchanges. And many researched their countries in advance. Several showed up in costume or armed with props: You could spot the delegates from Bolivia and Bhutan from across the room, dressed in authentic, brightly colored costumes. The delegate from Mexico adorned her table with cheap souvenirs and a Zapatista doll; and the delegate from Cuba taped anti-U.S. bumper stickers to her country placard.
But you didn't have to be in costume to catch the spirit of the evening. Irreverence, clearly born of knowledge, was a major theme. As soon as Cuba introduced the first resolution on the agenda, placards went up, and a sometimes serious, sometimes humorous debate broke out. Here are a few highlights of comments offered on Resolution 1 [Censure of U.S.] and Resolution 2 [Condemnation of theocracies that violate Human Rights]:
-Citing a fake New York Times article, Libya belligerently denied that it had entered into a secret deal with the United States.
-North Korea cited violations of Article 31 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. [There is no Article 31.]
-Noting that it is the world leader in pre-emptive war, Germany urged other countries to learn from its bitter experience in the 20th century.
-Mexico pointed out that, although weapons of mass destruction have yet to be found in Iraq, Mexico possesses one of the world's most potent WMDs-a particularly hot chili pepper. Mexico also asked that territory [Texas] confiscated by the U.S. be returned. Italy wondered if that meant that President George W. Bush-a Texan-would go with it. Upon hearing that condition, Mexico withdrew its proposal.
-On the subject of theocracies, Egypt wondered if it would receive multiple condemnations, as its traditions include worshipping many gods.
-In exchange for "no" votes on the theocracy resolution, the Vatican, participating as an observer, offered a sliding scale of discounts on last rites and absolution.
-The United States, usually considered a top choice among delegates, had the unenviable job of defending itself against opposition from many nations. Fortunately, the U.S. had allies in the crowd. In fact, the United Kingdom and Italy, watched the U.S. delegate closely, to see how to vote. The delegate from U.K. explained that, after drinking much wassail with the British Prime Minister, U.K. had decided that its position on all issues would be, "Whatever the U.S. says."
We'd like to be able to report the results of voting on these resolutions, but we can't. Delegates apparently didn't fully understand democracy, and as the voting progressed, some delegates appeared to "double-" or even "triple-dip," voting yes, no, and abstaining during the same vote. The chairman's solution to this problem was to declare all votes null and void.
In other developments, Collinsville High faculty advisors Mark Schusky and Scott Randall, aided by St. Louis lawyer Scott Levine and others at their table topped some tough competition in our Trivia Contest. Victoria Lechner, mom of Parkway South's Andrew Lechner, won the "Dead or Alive" game.
The next meeting of Civitas' "Grown-Up" U.N. is scheduled for October 2004.
Photos from this year's Civitas' "Grown-Up" U.N. are linked to the web below and the video link below will be working by 2:00 PM Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Photos from Adult Model U.N.
Video from Adult Model U.N. (posted by 2:00 PM, Oct. 28)
Middle School Workshop on Nov. 5 at Chase-Park Plaza
It is little more than a week until our second annual Civitas U.N. workshop for Middle School students. It will be on Wednesday, November 5, 2003 from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM in the Khorassan Room of the Chase-Park Plaza (map link below). We ask that all schools arrive by 8:30 AM so that we can proceed smoothly through registration.
We expect to have approximately 500 students from nearly 20 schools. It is a wonderful opportunity for students and teachers alike to learn the essentials about how a model U.N. works. In addition, we will once again have the exciting "Africa Voice" drummers and dancers from Cote d'Ivoire perform for us.
The agenda for the workshop gives detailed information on the events of the morning. It can be accessed by the clicking on the second link below.
If any school is having difficulty with transportation to or from the workshop, please E-Mail us or call us at (314) 367-6480.
Civitas Middle School Model U.N. Information
Agenda for Middle School Workshop: Nov. 5, 2003
Directions to Chase-Park Plaza for November 5 workshop
Resolutions for November 8 High School U.N. Due Tomorrow, Oct. 29
The November 8 High School Model U.N. is less than two weeks away. We are looking forward to a full complement of resolutions for the event. There is only a day for resolutions to be submitted. The deadline is Wednesday, October 29.
In last Saturday's discussion group and prep session, we reviewed the basic format for a resolution and provided samples of well-constructed resolutions. We hope that dozens of high school students will submit creative and well-crafted resolutions. The advantage that we have in a model U.N. is that we can think "outside the box" and look for solutions to problems that actual delegates might be hesitant to offer.
We have a number of resolutions submitted by Collinsville High School and one from S.L.U.H. We need more!
Any student who submits an acceptable resolution automatically receives ten bonus points towards year-end scholarship awards (this is an increase from five points). We hope that you will submit resolutions -- the "mother's milk of model UNs."
High School Resolutions for Fall, 2003
Russia & Iran Available for Mid-East Conference (Repeat)
We have new openings -- only in the Isms Committee (the one on religious and political beliefs) -- for the countries of Russia and Iran. If you are already in the Isms Committee and would like to switch to either of these countries, please let us know as soon as possible.
Fifty-one of the students who applied to participate in the Civitas Middle East Conference have met initial requirements to participate. Each of them has been assigned a country or organization to represent as well as a committee in which to participate. The updated country and committee assignments are available by clicking on the link below.
Country & Committee Selections for Middle East Conference
Middle East Conference Index
CIVITAS sponsors drive for UNICEF this year! (Updated)
UNICEF is a special organization related to the United Nations that gives individuals and community groups opportunities to help hungry and ill children from around the world. UNICEF stands for United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund.
On Halloween night, most "Trick or Treaters" go door-to-door for candy. UNICEF provides "Trick or Treaters" with another option; to go door-to-door to raise money for the starving and poor children of the world. It can be combined with "combing for candy" or done without the sweets.
Civitas currently has UNICEF supplies for 20 students and adults. Both high school and middle school students have already taken boxes. If you would like one or several boxes, you can always E-Mail us or call us at (314) 367-6480.
Link to UNICEF
Survey on Sports & Diplomacy
We have just concluded the 2003 major league baseball season; the NFL season is half over; the NHL has begun play and the NBA will within a few days. We have often heard the contention that sports can be a metaphor for life. Our topic this week deals with which sport (if any) can provide lessons to diplomats about achieving world peace?
Link to Survey on Sports & Diplomacy
Link to Poll on Civitas Intranet Site
Previous Survey Results (New)
Last week's survey was:
Our survey last week included a question regarding the health care issues that labor and management are struggling with. Fully 70% of participants [Total: 10] said that would prefer and government-sponsored program such as those in Canada or most western European countries. So our question today is "Do you think that a government-sponsored health care program would serve the needs of the entire American population better than our present system does?"
Responses % #
1. Yes
70% 7
2. No
20% 2
3. Not Sure
10% 1
Total Responses: 10
Laura Casey; Rosati-Kain, 2004, wrote the following on the topic:
I'm not sure how many federal or state or business level organizations would truly have our "best interests" at heart when it comes to providing good health care insurance, but perhaps if we were to create a federally mandated/sponsored citizen board that were to direct such things, it would be more realistic. Of course, it would be made up of citizens, but also doctors, economists, et al to make sure everyone understands the extreme responsibilities of such a system. I don't think it is something that will happen quickly, or soon, but with the right leadership (*coughcough*Howard Dean*coughcough*) things may get under way sooner than expected.
Additional Links
More information about Civitas
Photo Gallery
Streaming Video [Real Media]
Web Calendar
Agendas
Civitas Intranets Site
Civitas Home Page
Previous Newsletters
Maps & Directions
Middle East Conference Index Page
High School General Assembly Assignments for 2003-2004
High School Security Council Assignments for 2003-2004
Civitas Participant Handbook
Resolutions (High School U.N.) for 2003-2004
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution
Sample Resolution
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