University of Pittsburgh to Host Fifth Annual Model United Nations Conference Oct. 22 Approximately 275 students from 28 area high schools to participate

October 12, 2001

PITTSBURGH—On Oct. 22, some 275 high school students from throughout western Pennsylvania will take part in the fifth annual Model United Nations Conference at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Annual Conference gives high school students the opportunity to participate in simulated sessions of the United Nations General Assembly, the Security Council, the World Health Organization, and the Economic and Social Council. Assuming the role of U.N. diplomats representing various countries, the students will debate a number of issues, among them ballistic missile defense and small arms proliferation, global poverty and sustainable development, international slave trade and the war on drugs, a U.N. rapid response peacekeeping force, establishment of global health standards, and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Throughout the day, students will be evaluated on their abilities to present realistically the positions of the countries they represent. Pitt undergraduates, members of a strong Model U.N. Club on campus, will participate as Secretary General, committee chairs, and U.N. staff serving in a variety of roles. For the second straight year, members of the Pitt Model U.N. Club were actively involved in all conference planning and contributed some of the scenarios to be discussed.

The Conference will convene at 8:45 a.m. in David Lawrence Hall, 3942 Forbes Avenue. At approximately 10 a.m., the students, acting as U.N. delegates, will move to the William Pitt Union for committee meetings and debates. Participants will return to David Lawrence Hall at 4 p.m. and present their results from the day.

Keynote speaker for the event will be Susan White, senior program consultant with the International Women's Health Coalition in New York City. Previously, White was director of development for Pitt's Katz Graduate School of Business and had held the same position in Pitt's University Center for International Studies (UCIS.)

High schools from the following areas are scheduled to participate in the Conference: Avella, Baldwin, Bethel Park, Bethlehem Center, Brentwood, Burrell, Butler, Carlynton, Connellsville, Fox Chapel, Franklin, Freedom, Gateway, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, Mt. Lebanon, New Castle, North Allegheny, Peters Township, Pine Richland, South Fayette, South Park, Springdale, Taylor Allderdice, Union, Washington, West Allegheny, and Yough.

The Model U.N. Conference is sponsored by UCIS, in conjunction with the Pittsburgh chapter of the Federalist Association and the United Nations Association of Pittsburgh.

For more information, see the Web site www.pitt.edu/~modelun.

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