Here are the resolutions for the May 4, 2017 Middle School Model United Nations General Assembly. Student delegates from Hixson Middle, John Burroughs, and St. Margaret of Scotland will be discussing these resolutions. Note: Students are still in the process of writing rough drafts, so these topics may change/be added at a later date!
| Resolution Number/Status | Submitted by: | Topic: |
|---|---|---|
| GA-01 SUBMITTED | Norway John Burroughs | Adapting to Climate Change Sustainably in Developing Countries |
| GA-02 SUBMITTED | Jamaica Hixson Middle | Banana Fungus |
| GA-03 SUBMITTED | Liberia St. Margaret of Scotland | Farming |
| GA-04 SUBMITTED | Cuba John Burroughs | International Human Trafficking |
| GA-05 SUBMITTED | Sweden, Belize Hixson Middle | Gay Rights in Uganda |
| GA-06 SUBMITTED | Samoa St. Margaret of Scotland | Soil Erosion |
Resolution GA-01 May 4
Re.: Adapting to Climate Change Sustainably in Developing Countries
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Norway
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 3 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”, and
Whereas Article 25, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”, and
Whereas Article 29 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.”, and
Keeping in mind that “Climate Action” is the thirteenth of the 17 sustainable development goals set by 193 countries in 2015 to, “strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries… and promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing states,” by 2030, and
Noting with deep concern the negative effects of climate change on developing nations such as those in sub-Saharan Africa— including a 10-20% decrease in summer rains in parts of Sudan and South Sudan threatening food security— and South Asia— where dramatic increase in flood or drought risk is harming agriculture, in which 57% of Bhutan’s labor force and 69% of Nepal’s participates, and
Alarmed that human-caused climate change played a role in at least 14 extreme weather events in 2014,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- Establish the International Climate Change and Socioeconomic Development Program (ICSD), which will focus on five of the 25 poorest nations deemed most negatively affected by climate change by working with individual community’s case-by-case to spur initiatives that will help them adapt to effects of climate change in ways that also improve their standard of living.
- ICSD will work with five communities (defining “communities” as including cities, rural areas, and provinces) in each country at a time for at least six months. If deemed necessary to remain in the area longer and if ICSD is proven effective enough to continue in the area, ICSD shall do so.
- ICSD will hire and train experts in environmental science and socioeconomics to travel to these communities, find out how climate change is affecting their area, what initiatives would be the most effective for each community, and assist in executing these plans developed with full support of the local government. Such initiatives may include introducing crops better adapted to changing weather, revising livestock raising methods, and devising more efficient ways to access, distribute, and store clean water.
- ICSD will deliver comprehensive bimonthly reports on their progress to the national governments of the countries they work in, and release a yearly report documenting their progress made available to all governments of member nations of the UN.
- ICSD will last 5 five years. By that time, it may be renewed by the General Assembly by a vote (due to its case-by-case approach, an exact statistic representing its progress would be difficult, if not impossible, to calculate accurately).
- ICSD may expand to other countries when a nation it has been previously been working with is no longer on the list of 25 poorest nations, is no longer at such high vulnerability to climate change, or is no longer welcome to assistance from ICSD.
- To create ICSD, we request that the UN raise dues on the 25 wealthiest nations by 1.4%. This amount will cover salaries, nutrition, transportation, and housing for the ICSD teams, as well as the initiatives themselves and administrative costs for 5 years.
Resolution GA-02 May 4
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Jamaica
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 22, of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.”, and
Whereas Article 23 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.”, and
Whereas Article 25, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”, and
Affirming that bananas are the 4th most important food crop behind wheat, corn, rice in the world, and
Fully aware that over 100 billion bananas are consumed annually and they are the world’s most favorite fruit, and
Alarmed by the extinction of the number one exported banana in the world, the Gros Michel banana, due to Panama disease – 50 years ago, and
Deeply concerned that the fungus called TR4 is beginning to spread globally. In just two plantations in Mozambique, a total of 230,000 plants have been affected and destroyed. At the current rate of infection, the farm is losing 15,000 plants per week, translating to $236,000 per week, and
Emphasizing that East and Central Africa region has over 50% of its permanent crop area under banana cultivation. Bananas are an indispensable part of life in this region providing up to one fifth of the total calorie consumption per capita, and
Shocked that 80% of the world banana population could be impacted. (all species) Scientists predict actual commercial extinction could occur in the next 5-10 years, and
Noting with deep concern that fungus TR4 has already spread to Africa increasing the likelihood it will infect the largest exporting countries in Central America and the Caribbean,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- The United nations create the TRFTA Tropical Race Four Treatment Agreement.
- The purpose of TRFTA is to prevent banana plants from being infected by Tropical race four, and to fund research on fungi that are threatening banana plant with extinction, and to fund research to find a resistant banana species that is not affected by TR4.
- Firstly, The TRFTA will team up with the International Region Organization for Agriculture Health (OIRSA)
- The second step is to prevent the Fungus from spreading by using farming tactics that include cleansing of equipment and strict trespassing laws.
- We will send an expert to each country on the subject to inform every banana farmer how to cleanse their tools properly and prevent spread.
- The last step is to search and find different species of bananas that are resistant to the Fungus. Genetic research to find a more resistant species.
- In order to fund TRFTA a tax will be accessed of one U. S. dollar on every metric ton of bananas exported. This amounts to less than a .0002 cent tax on every banana exported.
- The funds that are collected by TRFTA will be dedicated to Central American, Asian and African countries which export the most bananas.
- With funds we will build research labs cooperating with local universities to find a cure for TR4 or a fungus resistant banana.
- Each year a banana symposium will take place in Jamaica to discuss advancements and to hold each facility accountable for progress. Readjustments of assets based on results. The plan will take 5 years at the minimum to carry out.
Resolution GA-03 May 4
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Liberia
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 26, section 2 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United nations for the maintenance of peace.”, and
Whereas Article 29 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.”, and
Whereas Liberia has good soil to grow crops and has tropical temperatures but some of the crops they are growing like bananas, and palm oil and growth are decreeing, and
Whereas Liberia is also concerned about its youth employment problem, 195,000 people have paid employment in Liberia and the other 850,000, which consists mostly of its youth population, have little pay, uninsured pay, or are not paid at all,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- The United Nations create the Organization of Farming and Agriculture (OFA). The goal of this group would be to educate farmers on how to successfully maintain and grow crops.
- The OFA would have centers in multiple parts of the country, the centers would hold classes on learning how to be a successful farmer and how to grow in different styles, and different types of crops.
- These centers would teach people to alternate their crops, and to plant different crops so that the soil doesn’t become leached.
- To pay for the OFA we will raise the dues on the 10 wealthiest nations by 1%.
- The 1671,844 would be spent as follows:
- $168,000 per year will go towards paying for the teacher’s salary for a total of $840,000. OFA will hire twenty-eight teachers that will earn $6,000 to teach farming and agriculture.
- $250,000 will go toward the building and maintenance of seven single classroom learning centers.
- $ 581,844 would go towards buying farming equipment and seeds..
- OFA will last for five years and if the amount of goods produce is raised by 15% OFA will be renewed.
- If the organization is renewed other nations will receive aid from the OFA.
Resolution GA-04 May 4
Re.: International Human Trafficking
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Republic of Cuba
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”, and
Whereas Article 3 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.”, and
Whereas Article 4 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.”, and
Whereas Article 5 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”, and
Whereas Article 16 section 2 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”, and
Whereas Article 23 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.”, and
Whereas Article 25, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”, and
Shocked that 21 million people have been trafficked around the world, and
Alarmed that 5.5 million children have been trafficked around the world, and
Bewildered that in 2012 there were only 4,746 convictions for trafficking worldwide, and
Disgusted that the average age for girls to be trafficked into prostitution is 12-14, and
Sickened by the fact that 80% of human trafficking is sex trafficking and that sex trafficking has led to the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus, and
Acknowledging that the three of the countries with the worst problems with human trafficking are Bangladesh, Brazil, and Haiti, and
Understanding that “Good Health and Well-Being” and “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” are among the UN Global Goals and are deprived for many victims of human trafficking, and
In agreement with Secretary General Antonio Guterres that, “If we fight traffickers, protect victims and put in place a system to allow refugees to apply for asylum legally, we will succeed (in our mission),”, and
Aware that the enforcement of the Palermo protocol is the main issue preventing a solution that will eradicate human trafficking in all of its forms,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- The United Nations (UN) creates the United Nations Program for the Systematic Reduction of Human Trafficking (UNPSRHT). This program will adhere to the guidelines set forth by the Palermo Convention.
- Haiti, Brazil, and Bangladesh will be the first three states to receive the programs created by UNPSRHT as they are the three countries with the highest trafficking rates.
- UNPSRHT will create in these states Human Trafficking Resource Centers. The number of centers will be proportional to the amount of trafficking in the nation and the size and population of the nations. They will be as follows:
- Haiti: 1 center
- Brazil: 5 centers
- Bangladesh: 2 centers
- These centers will be used to provide shelter to victims, help those in danger of human trafficking, and will be centers for UN field staff working in the area. These centers will also be aided by NGOs, who will provide food, childcare, healthcare, etc. The centers will have full utilities, internet, and two official cars that will be provided by the UNPSRHT.
- Each of these will be staffed by 15 well-trained UN investigators and peacekeepers. Their salary will be 106,000 USD per year. They will have jurisdiction in their region to investigate and charge human traffickers, with the assistance of local law enforcement.
- This program will last for three years in each of these states. Failure by a state to comply with the resolution will result in a 0.01% increase in their dues and the movement of the program to other affected states. To fund the UNPSRHT, the dues of the top ten nations (in UN dues paid), will have their dues raised by 0.35% for three years. The cost will be as follows:
- Total Salaries (120 employees): 38,160,000 USD
- Running the Haitian Centers: 141,565 USD
- Running the Brazilian Centers: 702,298 USD
- Running the Bangladeshi Centers: 331,462 USD
- Other Expenses: 560,000 USD
- Total Cost: 40,000,000 USD
- At the end of this three-year program, if there has been at least a 35 percent decrease in human trafficking overall in each of these three states, extension of the program to other states will be voted on in the General Assembly.
Resolution GA-05 May 4
Re.: Gay rights In Uganda
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Sweden & Belize
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”, and
Whereas Article 2 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without any distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”, and
Whereas Article 7 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “All are equal before the law and are entitled without discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.”, and
Whereas Article 16 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage, and at its dissolution.”, and
Whereas Article 16 section 2 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.”, and
Whereas Article 16 section 3 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the state.”, and
Alarmed that in 2015 the gandan Parliament introduced the Anti-Homosexuality Act. Also called the “Kill the Gays” Act that would broaden the criminalization of same-sex relationships in Uganda and provides for a life sentence for homosexual acts involving either men or women, and
Concerned that it makes it illegal to advocate on behalf of the LGBT+ community. Police have shut down radio and television stations for “exciting violence” by supporting LGBT programs, and
Deeply concerned “The passing of AHA has given permission to a culture of extreme and violent homophobia whereby both state and non-state actors are free to persecute Uganda’s LGBT people with impunity. This contributed to a rise of between 750% and 1,900% in homophobic incidents compared to previous years.”, and
Realizing that Chapter 4 of the Ugandan Constitution. Chapter Clause21 is titled “Equality and Freedom from discrimination”, Chapter 4 Number 21 section 2 says “a person shall not be discriminated against on the ground of sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.” , and
In addition, Chapter 4 number 21 section 3 states that discrimination “means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by sex, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion, social or economic standing, political opinion or disability.”, and
Noting with deep concern that David Kato was a Ugandan teacher and leading LGBT+ activist who died on January 26 of 2011, beaten to death in his own home around 2pm with the purpose of using terror and the threat of death to quiet advocates of the LGBT community,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- The United Nations will create a program called The Equal Rights For All Association (TERFAA)
- The Equal Rights For All Association will focus on Uganda, where members of LGBT+ are imprisoned, beaten and even killed. A team of Ugandan and international lawyers and investigators that will investigate reports and prosecute people suspected of discrimination and violent attacks against the LGBT community in Uganda.
- TERFAA will create alliances with religious, educational, political, and social groups to begin the process of teaching tolerance within Ugandan society. Their motto will be when one group of people are attacked for expressing who they are, it is an attack on all of us because we all belong to the human race. (Also we hope to elect pro-lgbt+ people in office to prevent such attacks from the government that range from jail time to Death sentence.)
- In order to create the right atmosphere for tolerance, TERFAA will team up with FIFA to sanction the Ugandan football (soccer) organization, FUFA, and a boycott of Ugandan soccer will begin. This will prevent Uganda from participating in future World Cups, Olympics, African tournaments, exhibition games and prohibit FIFA national teams from going to Uganda to play.
- In order to lift the football boycott, the Ugandan government will have to enforce and follow the aforementioned clauses in their own constitution. In addition TERFAA will negotiate with the Ugandan legislature and create the Protection of LGBT+ Community Act (POLCA) for their legislature to pass into law. This Act will protect the LGBT+ community within Uganda. It will be based on the UN Human Rights Councils guidelines for equal rights for LGBT+.
- In addition all laws passed that discriminate against the LGBT+ community have to be repealed before the boycott will be lifted.
- TERFAA also will set up safe houses in Uganda for LGBT+ people to be able to eat, sleep, and be secure until it is not deemed necessary to have such establishments. Our goal is to create over 25 safe houses in Uganda for LGBT+ people.
- For government officials who continue to violate Ugandan constitution and UN Human rights council’s guidelines will be brought to trial at the World Court
- The United Nations WILL vote on economic, political and social sanctions determined by the UN general Assembly for Uganda will go into effect if they cannot follow these principles or cooperate with TERFAA.
- If Uganda begins to cooperate with the TERFAA, the United Nations Human Rights Council and the preconditions listed above, all sanctions will be removed. In addition, FIFA will coordinate with the African Cup, European Football Federation (UEFA) to support Uganda with financial aid and support to host qualifying matches and exhibition games.
- In addition Uganda with other African nations that support the UN Human Rights council guidelines to protect LGBT+ rights will be the host for the Men’s World Cup in 2030.
- In order to fund this ambitious experiment in equal rights, $1 will be added to all FIFA sponsored football matches tickets. A conservative yearly estimate would exceed $10 million USD. This will give the support needed to fund safehouses, education and awareness programs in Uganda and other African countries. In addition to upgrading the football facilities (including stadiums, training, and youth football programs) to the countries who will sign on to the TERFAA program.
- Every 2 years a Human Rights Index for LGBT+ rights will be set up by TERFAA. It will collect data to show progress in the Uganda to decide if the program is doing what it was set up to do. TERFAA also hopes to expand into other African countries such as Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, and Eritrea. The ultimate goal of treating all human beings with respect.
Resolution GA-06 May 4
Submitted to: General Assembly
Submitted by: Samoa
Date: May 4, 2017
Whereas Article 23 section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.”, and
Whereas Article 25, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”, and
Concerned that the soil erosion on the paths in Samoa is leading to significant issues involving agriculture, safety of the people, and the cleanliness of water, and
Recognizing that soil erosion leads to deterioration of pathways, and
Whereas Samoan government officials have generously donated $2,500,000 to Samoa for the prevention of soil erosion on pathways using rosemary plants.
Keeping in mind that the majority of soil erosion is due to human-caused destruction and natural cause and,
Ashamed that humans were the largest factor in the problems caused,
Be It Hereby Resolved That The General Assembly:
- The program, Soil Erosion Control In The South Pacific (SEC-SP), plans to plant rosemary around the paths in Samoa in order to alleviate soil erosion.
- The Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivo Fossie Von Schmidt of Samoa, has designated $125, 000 to the SEC-SP so that a portion of the rosemary needed can be bought and shipped to Samoa.
- Rosemary will be shipped from Sydney, Australia, at a cost of $7,385,664 which will be paid for in part by the Honorable Minister’s donation.
- The rosemary will be planted by workers who will be paid in Samoan money, receiving what amounts to $5.00 American dollars, or 13 Samoan tāla, per hour.
- The SEC-SP requests that dues on the 10 wealthiest nations be raised by 0.4 %.
- There will be six teams of twenty workers who will work six-hour days for ninety days.
- SEC-SP will be maintained in Samoa for one year. After one year, if the rate of erosion on Samoan paths has decreased by 30%, agricultural leaders of countries in the South Pacific will have the option of using this program to control soil erosion in their own countries.
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