The University of Idaho won an award for outstanding position paper writing at the 2003 National Model United Nations conference, held April 15-19 in New York City.  As in the past, the conference took place in part at UN Headquarters in the General Assembly Hall, and the ECOSOC and Security Council chambers.  The trip is sponsored by the Martin Institute as a means of giving students a thorough grounding in how nations develop their perspectives on a host of international issues. 

An alumni dinner held on April 14 brought together the sixteen students with thirteen UI alumni and supporters.  This constituted the third annual dinner and provides an opportunity for UI students to make contacts in the New York City region, and for alumni to connect with the university.  A delegation from Washington State met with WSU alumni at the same gathering. 

On April 15, several UI students accompanied by Dr. Bill Smith met with the United Nations Women’s Fund’s (UNIFEM) human rights specialist.  The meeting underscored the disconnect between what are often thought of by Americans as UN perspectives on women’s issues (abortion rights, women in the work force) with what UNIFEM stresses (access to basic necessities, ending domestic violence, peace and security issues).  Of particular interest was discussion about UNIFEM’s work on Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000), which considers “the specific way in which women are targeted during conflict” and omitted during peacekeeping.  For more information on this topic, visit http://www.unifem.undp.org/resources/assessment/. 

A highlight of the trip was a meeting with the staff of the Costa Rican Permanent Mission to the United Nations on 16 April.  Hosting the UI delegation was María Elena Chassoul Monge, First Alternate Permanent Representative of the Costa Rican delegation.  Mrs. Chassoul has a fascinating career as a diplomat, including a posting to the first Sandinista government in Nicaragua in 1979, work in Jamaica, and service in Colombia, where she was kidnapped by guerrillas and spent many weeks as a captive.  The candor of Mrs. Chassoul and her staff helped our students understand the relationship between a government, its state department, and the people charged with carrying out official policy in embassies and consulates around the world. 

The following students traveled to New York City.  Their hometowns and the committees on which they served are also listed.

Head Delegate:

Group 1:

Group one delegates will be supported by Mike Kitzman of Traverse City, Michigan.

Group 2:

Group two delegates will be supported by Jenny Hathaway of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Group 3:

Group three delegates will be supported by Andrew Coyle of Meridian, Idaho

Researchers:

This year, researchers have been assigned a specific region of the world. They consider the economic, political, and cultural ties between their region and Costa Rica. Regions, researchers, and their home towns follow.

Advisors

Dr. Rand C. Lewis and Dr. Bill L. Smith of the Martin Institute.

Flags courtesy of ITA's Flags of All Countries used with permission.