Model UN Conference
THE 2nd ANNUAL PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE MODEL UN CONFERENCE
March 10, 2023
"Restoring Humanity in the International System"
PCMUN Mission
The PCMUN seeks to provide high school students with an opportunity to expand their global education and apply their knowledge in a simulation environment to solve global issues. Consistent with PC’s mission to serve the greater community, this is an outreach program by the Model UN Club at Presbyterian College to engage high school students with a view to promoting global awareness, compassion, and collaboration in the global community.
Welcome Letter from the Secretary-General
Esteemed Delegates, Faculty Advisors, and Friends,
On behalf of our PCMUN staff, I am excited to welcome you to our Second Annual Presbyterian College Model United Nations Conference for pre-college students and I look forward to seeing everyone on March 10, 2023 on the lovely campus of Presbyterian College. PCMUN seeks to promote global understanding, facilitate learning of global issues, and enhance students’ problem-solving skills in a simulation environment. Participants are expected to research the issues beforehand and create resolutions at the conference. In this process, students will be able to tackle an issue from the perspective of a Member State, propose a solution on their behalf, and work diplomatically with representatives of other Member States in an engaging experiential learning environment.
This year, the theme of our conference is: Restoring Humanity in the International System, which arises from our collective failure to prevent the Russian invasion of Ukraine since Feb. 24th, 2022 as well as the nationalist backlash against the refugees throughout the developed world in their moment of need. Our conference consists of two committees: the General Assembly Plenary and the Human Rights Council, where we will engage in discussions on how to reform the UN Security Council to enhance our collective security and to humanize the process of refugee resettlement and honor our humanitarian obligations.
Our staff is working diligently to put this conference together and we cannot wait to see you on campus! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at aclane@presby.edu.
Sincerely,
Ainslie Lane
Secretary-General
PCMUN 2023
Tentative Schedule
Keynote Speaker
8:30 – 9 a.m.
Check-in and reception in the lobby of Neville
9 – 10 a.m.
Opening ceremony with a keynote speech by Dr. Lance in Kuhne Auditorium
10 a.m. – Noon
First session
Noon – 1 p.m.
Lunch in the Greenville Dining Hall (GDH)
1 – 3 p.m.
Second session
3 – 3:30 p.m.
Reception in the Cornelson Center
3:30 – 4 p.m.
Awards and closing ceremony
Registration
Schools interested in participating in PCMUN should contact Mr. Dakota Price at drprice@presby.edu for country assignments, who will provide you with an up-to-date matrix of available countries and make country assignments based on your schools preferences and country availability.
The early bird registration fee is $15 per delegate received by Feb. 10, 2023 and the regular registration fee is $20 per delegate between Feb. 11 and March 9, 2023. The on-site registration is $25 per delegate. There is no charge for faculty chaperons. A variety of dining options are available on campus in the Springs and Greenville Dining Hall for around $10 per person.
Please mail your check payable to “Presbyterian College” to Dr. David Liu at 207 East Maple St., Clinton, SC, 29325, who can be reached at zliu@presby.edu.
Faculty Advisor
Dr. David Z. Liu is Associate Professor of Political Science at Presbyterian College (PC), who received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his B.A. in International Relations from Foreign Affairs University in Beijing, China. He offers courses on East Asian Politics, International Relations and Political Economy.
Dr. Liu has been serving as the faculty advisor of the Model United Nations Club since its inception in spring 2017. Along with a group of PC students who share the passion for global learning and the desire to engage the global community for the betterment of the humanity, he endeavors to bring the global education to the larger community through the PCMUN and to encourage students at all levels to think about a world beyond their own and to become a responsible and contributive member of the global community.
General-Assembly
The General Assembly will be chaired by Ms. Ainslie Lane.
Topic: Reforming the UN Security Council to Address the Security Needs of the 21st Century
The General Assembly is one of the six principal organs established under the United Nations (UN) Charter. The General Assembly is the main deliberative, policymaking and representative organ of the United Nations. Comprising all 193 Member States of the UN, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of international issues including peace and security.
The recent crisis spurred by the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 sounded an alarm bell for the efficacy and viability of the UN Security Council as the main body to maintain international peace and security. While there have been various proposals to enhance the representation and accountability of the organ in the past, there has not been a more urgent need to do so for the credibility of the United Nations. According to the UN Charter, the General Assembly could initiate this discussion of an amendment to the Charter (chap. XVIII) as well as consider the expulsion of a Member State that persistently violates the principles of the Charter (chap. II). I look forward to hearing input from you to improve representation, accountability and efficacy of our Security Council for a peaceful and just world in the 21st century.
Human Rights Council
The International Renewable Energy Agency will be chaired by Mr. Dakota Price.
Topic: Humanizing the process of refugee resettlement
The Human Rights Council was established as an organ of the United Nations in 2006 by the General Assembly resolution 60/251. This committee is responsible for the strengthening, promotion, and protection of human rights across the globe.
The issue at hand is regarding the treatment of refugees, which is considered a basic right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), where Article 14 guarantees a person’s right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution. The UN Refugee Convention (1951) and the Protocol (1967) further obliges signatory states to treat asylum seekers with dignity and not to return them to harm and persecution through the principle of non-refoulement.
However, the recent process of refugee resettlement has left much to be desired, from the treatment of Syrian refugees in Europe to the “Remain in Mexico” policy in the United States. In this committee, we will discuss whether the Member States have fulfilled their legal obligations towards the refugees and what could be done to fully honor the human rights of the asylum seekers. Delegates are also encouraged to consider the root causes of the refugee crises and measures to rationalize and humanize the process of refugee resettlement.
Delegate Preparation Resources
Delegate Preparatory Guide
Position Paper Guideline
Example Position Paper 1
Example Position Paper 2
GA Plen Background Guide
IRENA Background Guide
GA 3rd Background Guide
For inquiries, please send an email to pcmun@presby.edu.