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Dear Arthur,
We have information on the November 20 high school model U.N. session as well as the workshop for Middle School students and teachers. Congratulations to the hundreds of student participants whom we had at these functions!
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Civitas Home Page
High School Model U.N. Big Success
On Saturday, November 20, high school students from more than a dozen schools gathered at the Chase-Park Plaza for the Fall Model U.N. There was lively debate in the Security Council as well as the three committees of the General Assembly (Economic & Social; Human Rights; and Political & Security).
The Security Council passed two resolutions, one on overpopulation in India and the second production of enriched uranium in Iran. The sponsors of the bills were India -- Andrew Lechner (Parkway South) and Germany --Erica Nesbit (Nerinx Hall).
The Economic & Social Committee debated two resolutions, and each of them passed. The first one was general increase in aid to the Sudan, sponsored by France -- Brett DeLaria (SLUH); the second was on developing alternative fuel sources to reduce global dependency on oil and coal. It was written by Colombia -- Jessica Slattery (Rosati-Kain).
The Human Rights Committee also debated two resolutions and passed each of them. First was voting rights in Saudi Arabia, sponsored by Japan -- Rui Bao (Metro); second was on child soldiers -- sponsored by the Secretariat.
The Political and Security Committee considered four resolutions of which three passed. The sponsors of the resolutions that passed included Romania -- Joshua Topper (DeSmet), Syria -- Matt Bitter (DeSmet), and Albania -- Alisa Bala.
Links to the resolutions are provided below. Additional links to photographs and video are also available.
Resolutions!
Video!
Pictures!
Next High School Discussion Group on Saturday, December 11
Our final discussion group of 2004 will be on Saturday, December 11. It will be at Crossroads School (map below) from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. We will examine the "Bush Doctrine" of foreign affairs and consider how it may change the international landscape over the next four years. In addition, we will explore the question of is there too much shopping and too little giving in the United States during the winter holiday season.
Map & Directions to Crossroads
School
Middle School Workshop Brings Hundreds Together
Civitas held its annual Middle School student and teacher workshop at the Khorassan Room in the Chase-Park Plaza on Tuesday, November 9. Over 500 students from nearly 20 schools were in attendance.
The session was quite interactive. Following a 7-minute video, we had a PowerPoint presentation followed by nearly a dozen questions from students. Later, we discussed several hypothetical model U.N. resolutions. Again, the students starred by asking poignant questions and making pithy remarks.
The program concluded with a concert by "Sounds of Africa." It featured exhilarating drumming and stylistic dancing. Teachers and students both joined the performers on stage to create enough energy to shake the entire building. Thanks to "Sounds of Africa."
Workshops at individual schools will begin in January, 2005.
Civitas home page
Register now for February POPULATION CONFERENCE!
The major conference of the year for Civitas students will be on the issue of World Population Growth. The conference will be this coming February -- covering a Friday evening and Saturday day.
Originally, we scheduled the conference for Feb. 18-19. However, one of our most active schools this year has a conflict with that weekend, and we are now offering the following weekend (Feb. 25-26) as an alternative. Before we finalize this move, we need feedback from others. Please E-Mail us at [email protected] or call us at (314) 367-6480 to let us know if Feb. 25-26 does not work for you.
Here's some information on the conference:
At the beginning of the 20th Century, the world was home to 2 billion people. By 2000, there were nearly 6 billion. If we keep growing at present rates, world population will reach 13 billion in the next 40 years. What does that trend mean for your future and for the rest of the world?
Every one of those billions of people has an environmental "footprint." That's the area of the Earth each person needs to provide food, water, energy, and other essentials. Logically, the more people on the planet, the larger the total footprint, and the less room there is for other species and natural systems.
Population growth is hard on Earth's resources. As the world's population has grown and taken over more land for cities, industries, transportation and recreation, the amount of crop-producing land per person has declined. So have the fresh water and forested areas that provide resources vital to human survival.
And as these resources become scarcer, individuals and nations naturally take action to ensure their own survival. People in more well-developed countries-the "haves"-consume what the "have-nots" view as more than their fair share of resources. Some horde resources, cutting off the supply to other nations or groups of people. Some migrate in search of more resources. Others try to find ways to slow population growth. All too often, people and countries fight over the diminishing resources that they all need.
At Civitas' Conference on World Population, we'll talk about the political, social, humanitarian and environmental impacts of these trends. One of the big questions we'll be asking will be: How can we change the world from one of scarcity and destruction to one of hope and opportunity for everyone? Your role will be to represent a country of your choice, to identify issues, and to work collaboratively with other delegates to develop creative, positive solutions.
The conference will be serious, intense, and intellectually challenging. You'll use skills in communication, research, collaboration, reasoning, conflict resolution and debate. The conference is a place to learn, to be heard, to meet new people, to work collaboratively, and to add your creative thinking to important discussions with worldwide implications.
Attendance is limited, so sign up early. If you think you might be interested in attending, please fill out a registration form now, and give it to a member of the Civitas staff. We'll talk about money, [it costs $60, and financial aid is available] schedules, parent consent forms, emergency information and other details after Jan.1, 2005. Registration is available on-line by clicking here.
Link to Population Conference Information
Additional Links
Photo Gallery
Streaming Video [Real Media]
Civitas Calendar
Civitas Intranets Site
Civitas Home Page
Previous Newsletters
Maps & Directions
Resolutions (High School U.N.) for 2004-2005
Checklist for Writing a Model U.N. Resolution
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