ODU Model United Nations Conference (ODUMUNC)

Committees

Special Political (SPECPOL) and General Assembly Plenary

Topics:

1. Measures to eliminate international terrorism.
2. Re-evaluation of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Your Chairman: TBA

Background Material

Students will have the unique opportunity to simulate the opening sessions of the General Assembly. Each delegation speaks in General (open) Debate, emphasizing national policy on the issues before the United Nations. As GA Plenary, the body votes on resolutions reported from other GA committees. As the main deliberative body of the United Nations, the General Assembly plenary debates all international issues. It is the place where all countries can confront the most controversial issues and shape the agenda and mechanisms of the future. Unlike the Security Council, General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but the path they create influences everyone.

In between, Plenary functions as a normal committee, the GA Fourth Committee, Special Political (SPECPOL). It specializes on the some of the most demanding issues facing the international community, issues that divide the UN’s 192 member states, including disputes over state sovereignty, shared resources and rival paths of economic and social development.

The body is designed for introducing students new to the Model UN experience to: speaking before a large audience, rapid mastery of country positions, and the methods and procedures of legislative politics.

 

UN Launches global counter-terrorism strategy, 19 September 2006

The Millenium Development Goals