UFRGSMUN 2006

	About UFRGSMUN The fourth annual UFRGSMUN, organized under the auspices of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) by an inter-disciplinary Staff of volunteer students, is scheduled for the 31st of October to the 4th of November, 2006. UFRGSMUN represents an opportunity for university students from any area of study to debate relevant issues through an authentic simulation of the discussions that take place at the UN. It simulates in a very realistic manner the proceedings and debates of different UN organs, which generally result in written resolutions reporting what was agreed during the sessions. Six of the UN Organs shall be chaired by UFRGS students this year. At the Special Political and Decolonization Committee, the Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee, the Security Council, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, as well at the year of 1948, at a historic meeting of the United Nations Security Council, delegates will incorporate the roles of ambassadors supporting the positions of UN Member States; the Chairpeople do not become involved in the content of the discussions but act as neutral facilitators. Differently, participants in the International Court of Justice will act as independent judges, and are free to use their knowledge on International Law for determining a solution of a contentious case, as well as for answering to an advisory opinion requested by the UN General Assembly. Last year’s edition innovated by hosting an organ simulated by students from the Pace University (New York City, USA). The Partnership between UFRGSMUN and Pace’s MUN continues, and further information on the Partnership will soon be available. Undoubtedly, for the sake of realism, there are rules of procedure to be followed by each Committee; these rules will be released in this website together with the topics’ Study Guides – articles prepared by the Chairpeople to assist delegates in their preparation. Furthermore, as it happens in the UN, all delegates are required to observe a business dress code. Finally, UFRGSMUN adopts English as its official language, bearing in mind that, besides being an official language of the UN, its fluency has been increasingly required in our lives. Apart from working hard on the debates, another important part of UFRGMUN is the social life! It is of public knowledge that MUNs are great occasions to make friends from distant places. We are thus preparing some great parties for the participants. The UFRGSMUN Staff is ready to provide you with information about the Conference itself or about possibilities to enjoy the best of Porto Alegre – meal breaks or after-hours suggestions. It will be able to guide you to a Committee, to suggest you a restaurant, to give you directions to a particular location in the city, or to indicate you the right person to solve your questions. Please, feel free to contact us at ufrgsmun@ufrgs.br or at www.ufrgs.br/ufrgsmun! And do not forget: anyone can participate in a Model UN provided he or she is interested in exchanging ideas and experiences, meeting different people and debating issues of great importance nowadays.