Fiona Alexander spoke to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Model UN. Involved in ODUMUN in high school and college, she served as Secretary-General of the ODUMUN College Conference in 1995. Today, she is a former government executive with global experience in international Internet, telecommunications and emerging technology policy. Fiona served for close to 20 years at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the U.S. Department of Commerce where she was Associate Administrator for International Affairs.
The student-run Old à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã University chapter traditionally hosts around 1,000 students from various high schools for three days.
ICC: 72 countries at the UN offered 'unwavering support' for the International Criminal Court (ICC) after Washington imposed sanctions on the court's key officials. 'We reconfirm our unwavering...
The group, now in its 43rd year, recently hosted a conference for more than 800 high school students.
Kofi Annan, the soft-spoken and patrician diplomat from Ghana who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the world?s conscience and moral arbiter despite bloody debacles that stained his record as a peacekeeper, died on Saturday in Bern, Switzerland. He was 80.
Kofi Annan, the soft-spoken and patrician diplomat from Ghana who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the world’s conscience and moral arbiter despite bloody debacles that stained his record as a peacekeeper, died on Saturday in Bern, Switzerland. He was 80.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: Liechtenstein said the next UN Secretary-General must not be ?chosen in a back room.? Malaysia, calling the selection process ?secretive, opaque and outdated,? urged the Security Council to forward to the General Assembly more than one nominee to rubber-stamp. Frustrated with P5 dominance selection of the UN chief, other countries pressured the world powers to open the process as the UN marks its 70th anniversary. ?U.N. members push to open search process for next chief?, New York Times, 28 April 2015.
SECURITY COUNCIL: The UNSC voted to impose an arms embargo on Yemen?s Iran-backed Houthi rebels in an attempt to quell violence that the world body?s envoy to the impoverished Middle East country has warned is on a ?rapid downward spiral.? The emergency session vote was 14-0, with Russia abstaining in protest of that the resolution did not ban arms deliveries to all sides in the conflict. With Russia abstaining, Security Council punishes Yemeni rebel leaders?, Los Angeles Times, 15 April 2015; and ?UN bans sales of arms to Houthis in Yemen?, New York Times, 14 April
DISARMAMENT: Fully autonomous weapons, denounced as ?killer robots?, should be banned by international treaty before they can be developed, a new report urges the United Nations. ?Fully autonomous weapons do not yet exist,? the report acknowledges. ?But technology is moving in their direction, and precursors are already in use or development. ?UN urged to ban 'killer robots' before they can be developed?, Guardian, 9 April 2015.
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT: Fatou Bensouda, chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said she had ample reports of ?crimes of unspeakable cruelty? by the extremists of the Islamic State but that the court had no jurisdiction over Iraq and Syria where the acts occurred or over the group?s leaders. Jurisdiction would have to come from decisions outside the court: the UN Security Council could ask the court to begin an investigation. ?International Criminal Court Says ISIS Is Out of Its Jurisdiction?, New York Times, 8 April 2015.
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: The UN agency concerned with the well-being of Palestinian refugees is undertaking an urgent mission to Syria today, prompted by deepening concerns for the safety and protection of thousands Palestinian and Syrian civilians at Yarmouk refugee camp overrun in recent days by militants. ?UN official on urgent mission to besieged Yarmouk refugee camp?, UN News Centre, 11 April 2015
DEVELOPMENT: Moses brought ten commandments down from Mount Sinai. If only the UN?s proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were as concise. The SDGs are supposed to set out how to improve the lives of the poor in emerging countries, and how to steer money and government policy towards areas where they can do the most good. But the efforts of the SDG drafting committees are so sprawling and misconceived that the entire enterprise is being set up to fail. ?Global à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã development: unsustainable goals?, The Economist, 28 March 2015; and ?Development: the 169 commandments?, The Economist, 28 March 2015.
HUMAN RIGHTS: Israel?s ambassador to the UN says nowhere is the UN?s anti-Israel bias more obvious than in the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, where Israel is the only country singled out for criticism. ?Ron Prosor, ?The U.N.?s war on Israel?, New York Times, 1 April 2015.
HUMAN RIGHTS: Israel’s ambassador to the UN says nowhere is the UN’s anti-Israel bias more obvious than in the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, where Israel is the only country singled out for criticism. ‘Ron Prosor, ‘The U.N.’s war on Israel’, New York Times, 1 April 2015.
SECURITY COUNCIL: The Iran nuclear talks exposes one of those concepts that is particularly odious to Russia, an automatic trigger mechanism under which the U.N. Security Council would be forced to do something. "Russia has never been ready to give up its veto power and the status that gives it," ?Ancient Battle on UN Security Council 'Trigger' Bogs Down Iran Nuclear Talks?, Reuters, 1 April 2015
DEVELOPMENT: The international community must gear up for a new era of ?hydro-diplomacy? as the threat of water scarcity risks plunging the world into a period of geopolitical tension and stunted development, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told delegates gathered at the General Assembly today. ?Deputy UN chief calls for ?hydro-diplomacy? as world faces crippling water shortages?, UN News Centre, 30 March 2015.
DEVELOPMENT: The international community must gear up for a new era of “hydro-diplomacy†as the threat of water scarcity risks plunging the world into a period of geopolitical tension and stunted development, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson told delegates gathered at the General Assembly today. ‘Deputy UN chief calls for ‘hydro-diplomacy’ as world faces crippling water shortages’, UN News Centre, 30 March 2015.
DISARMAMENT: ?Today marks the fortieth anniversary of the entry into force of the BWC, the first multilateral disarmament treaty to ban an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. Over the past four decades, the BWC has made an important contribution towards collective efforts to eliminate such threats. Today, the norm against the use and possession of biological weapons remains strong, and no country identifies itself as possessing biological weapons. ?Secretary-General's message on the 40th Anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Biological Weapons Convention?, New York: United Nations, 26 March 2015; and ?Happy birthday to the bioweapons convention?, The Guardian, 26 March 2015 .
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: China, India and Russia failed on Tuesday in a bid to stop the UN from extending staff benefits to all same-sex couples working for the UN, when the General Assembly Fifth Committee (budget committee) voted 80 to 43 against the proposal. There were 37 abstentions and 33 countries did not vote. Also supporting the resolution were Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE. ?Russia fails in bid to stop U.N. staff benefits for all gay couples?, Reuters, 24 March 2015; and ?India joins Russia in anti-gay rights stand at United Nations?, DNA, 25 March 2015.
HUMAN & WOMEN?S RIGHTS: About 35 percent of women worldwide ? more than one in three ? said they had experienced physical violence in their lifetime, the report finds. The subject is under sharp focus as delegates from around the world gather here starting on Monday to assess how well governments have done since they promised to ensure women?s equality at a landmark conference in Beijing 20 years ago ? and what to do next. ?U.N. reveals ?alarmingly high? levels of violence against women?, New York Times, 9 March 2015
HUMAN & WOMEN’S RIGHTS: About 35 percent of women worldwide — more than one in three — said they had experienced physical violence in their lifetime, the report finds. The subject is under sharp focus as delegates from around the world gather here starting on Monday to assess how well governments have done since they promised to ensure women’s equality at a landmark conference in Beijing 20 years ago — and what to do next. ‘U.N. reveals ‘alarmingly high’ levels of violence against women’, New York Times, 9 March 2015
SYRIA: the United Nations as a whole has been unable to offer a path out of a war that has dragged on for four years, left an estimated 220,000 dead, given rise to vicious jihadists and spread havoc across the region. Criticism of the Security Council piled on this week as its members Russia and the United States continued to support opposing sides in the war. ?United Nations? reputation slips as four-year war in Syria drags on?, New York Times, 12 March 2015.
SYRIA: the United Nations as a whole has been unable to offer a path out of a war that has dragged on for four years, left an estimated 220,000 dead, given rise to vicious jihadists and spread havoc across the region. Criticism of the Security Council piled on this week as its members Russia and the United States continued to support opposing sides in the war. ‘United Nations’ reputation slips as four-year war in Syria drags on’, New York Times, 12 March 2015.
MUN NEWS: Despite the sudden snow fall, high school students from all over the East Coast and even Cuba came together last week in Norfolk for the ODU Model United Nations Conference.?ODU Hosts Statewide Model United Nations Conference?, ODU Mace & Crown, 26 February 2015.
MUN NEWS: Despite the sudden snow fall, high school students from all over the East Coast and even Cuba came together last week in Norfolk for the ODU Model United Nations Conference.‘ODU Hosts Statewide Model United Nations Conference’, ODU Mace & Crown, 26 February 2015.
SECURITY COUNCIL: The UNSC established a sanctions regime for South Sudan but stopped short of imposing worldwide travel bans and asset freezes on officials in the conflict-torn country or an arms embargo. The unanimously adopted resolution, drafted by the United States, threatens to blacklist anyone undermining security or interfering with the peace process. ?UN Security Council sets up South Sudan sanctions regime?, Reuters, 4 March 2015 Also see ?For the US and China, a Test of Diplomacy on South Sudan?, New York Times, 3 March 2015.
NGOs: Non-governmental groups, often known as civil society, have been denied access to a key United Nations group that deals with disarmament, evoking the ire of senior World Council of Churches officials. Peter Kenny, ?World churches body blasts UN disarmament group's exclusion of NGOs?, Ecumenical News, 24 February 2015
PEACE & SECURITY: A UN report is calling for drones to be deployed in most peacekeeping missions as part of a major technological leap needed to help the United Nations confront world crises. Louis Charbonneau, ?UN panel urges increased use of drones in peacekeeping missions?, Reuters, 23 February 2015; and ?UN report urges drones for peace missions?, AFP, 24 February 2015
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT: UN climate talks in Geneva ended with agreement on a formal draft negotiating text for the summit in Paris in December. The document, which runs to 86 pages, builds on negotiations in Peru last year. The aim is to have a new global climate agreement in place by the end of 2015. ?UN agrees draft text for Paris climate summit?, BBC News, 13 February 2015
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT: UN climate talks in Geneva ended with agreement on a formal draft negotiating text for the summit in Paris in December. The document, which runs to 86 pages, builds on negotiations in Peru last year. The aim is to have a new global climate agreement in place by the end of 2015. ‘UN agrees draft text for Paris climate summit’, BBC News, 13 February 2015
SECURITY COUNCIL: Egypt called on the United Nations to lift the arms embargo on Libya as Cairo pushes for greater international efforts to combat jihadists in its war-torn neighbor. ?Egypt urges lifting embargo to arm Libya forces?, AFP, 18 February 2015
WOMEN: Attacks against girls attending school or seeking access to education appear to be increasing around the world, a UN report finds. Some 3,600 attacks against educational institutions, teachers and students were recorded in 2012 alone. ?Schoolgirls are facing more threats, U.N. reports?, New York Times, 10 February 2015 and Background paper on Attacks Against Girls seeking Access to Education, UNHCR, 10 February 2015
In a show of unity by the world powers against the Islamic State, the UN Security Council is preparing to adopt a legally binding resolution intended to choke the terrorist group?s ability to trade in oil, antiquities and hostages. ?U.N. Prepares Resolution to Confront Islamic State on Oil and Antiquities?, New York Times, 6 February 2015
UKRAINE: Nearly 1 million people may have been displaced by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, with the recent upsurge in violence causing massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure, the collapse of basic services and a spike in the numbers fleeing fighting, UNHCR reported. ?UN refugee agency says ?over a million? may already be displaced by eastern Ukraine violence?, UN News Centre, 6 February 2015
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: Forty years after equating Zionism with racism, the UN General Assembly agreed to a bid by Israel to host a first-ever meeting on the rise of anti-Semitism worldwide. ?Modest victory for Israel in quest for international meeting on anti-Semitism?, New York Times, 22 January 2015; and ?UN holds first-ever meeting on anti-Semitism', Indian Express, 22 January 2015
ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: Forty years after equating Zionism with racism, the UN General Assembly agreed to a bid by Israel to host a first-ever meeting on the rise of anti-Semitism worldwide. ‘Modest victory for Israel in quest for international meeting on anti-Semitism’, New York Times, 22 January 2015; and ‘UN holds first-ever meeting on anti-Semitism', Indian Express, 22 January 2015
DEVELOPMENT: On 17 January Action/2015, a coalition of over 1,000 NGOs, began a campaign for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to be agreed by world leaders at the UNGA in September, that are inspiring, properly financed and monitored with good data ?The à£à£Ö±²¥Ðãs of optimism: the debate heats up about what goals the world should set for 2030?, The Economist, 22 January 2015
UKRAINE: The Security Council condemned 'in the strongest terms' shelling which resulted in the deaths of more than 10 civilians in eastern Ukraine amid intensifying clashes ?Security Council strongly condemns attack in eastern Ukraine?, UN News Centre, 22 January 2015
DEVELOPMENT: ?The countdown has begun to September?s summit on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), with governments discussing the 17 goals that could transform the world by 2030. ?Sustainable development goals: all you need to know?, Guardian, 19 January 2015.
CHINA: WHO director Dr. Margaret Chan of China has been too willing to accommodate wishes of governments, reluctant to call them to task and at other times too ready to bow to their demands, even when it puts the world?s health at risk. ?Effort on Ebola Hurt W.H.O. Chief?, New York Times, 6 January 2015, p. A1.
CHINA: WHO director Dr. Margaret Chan of China has been too willing to accommodate wishes of governments, reluctant to call them to task and at other times too ready to bow to their demands, even when it puts the world’s health at risk. ‘Effort on Ebola Hurt W.H.O. Chief’, New York Times, 6 January 2015, p. A1.
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SECRETARY-GENERAL: SG Ban commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he counted on the country?s ongoing efforts to tackle climate change ? a ?defining issue of our times.? ?In India, UN chief commends country?s leadership on climate change?, UN News Centre, 13 January 2015.
SECRETARY-GENERAL: SG Ban commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said he counted on the country’s ongoing efforts to tackle climate change – a ‘defining issue of our times.’ ‘In India, UN chief commends country’s leadership on climate change’, UN News Centre, 13 January 2015.
The ODUMUNC Schedule is posted. Please find it on the Conference Preperation page.
PEACE AND SECURITY: Professional foreign policy makers like Hillary Clinton?s think it?s best to understand terrorists and empathize with their perspective and point of view, exactly the perspective being taken by the UN Human Rights Commission. ?The UN protects more terrorists?, Washington Times, 6 January 2015.
ISRAEL & PALESTINE: Palestinian Authority officials today presented the with UN documents for accession to 16 international conventions and treaties, including the Rome Statute of the International...
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ISRAEL & PALESTINE: With 8 members in favor, falling short of the required positive votes and facing a veto from a permanent member, the UNSC failed to adopt a resolution to affirmed the "urgent need"...
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DISARMAMENT : With ratification by the required 60 countries, UNSG Ban Ki-moon welcomed the entry into force of the Arms Trade Treaty, bringing accountability and transparency to the global arms trade...
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AFRICA: he U.N. Security Council is blaming South Sudan's "man-made political, security and humanitarian catastrophe" and the threat of famine on its feuding leaders. The council again threatened targeted sanctions against those impeding the peace process. ?UN blames South Sudan's leaders for 'catastrophe', Associated Press, 15 December 2014
AFRICA: he U.N. Security Council is blaming South Sudan's "man-made political, security and humanitarian catastrophe" and the threat of famine on its feuding leaders. The council again threatened targeted sanctions against those impeding the peace process. ‘UN blames South Sudan's leaders for 'catastrophe', Associated Press, 15 December 2014
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CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT: UN members have reached an agreement on how countries should tackle climate change. The talks proved difficult because of divisions between rich and poor countries over how to spread the burden of pledges to cut carbon emissions. None of the 194 countries attending got everything they wanted, but everybody got something. Environmental groups were scathing in their response. ?UN members agree deal at Lima climate talks?, BBC News, 14 December 2014
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT: UN members have reached an agreement on how countries should tackle climate change. The talks proved difficult because of divisions between rich and poor countries over how to spread the burden of pledges to cut carbon emissions. None of the 194 countries attending got everything they wanted, but everybody got something. Environmental groups were scathing in their response. ‘UN members agree deal at Lima climate talks’, BBC News, 14 December 2014
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NORTH KOREA : Worried about a UN vote that could possibly lead to criminal charges or acute humiliation, North Korea countered with an unusual mix of diplomacy, denials and threats. 'North Korea acts...
SECURITY COUNCIL : Long an all-male enclave, the UN Security Council now has a record number of women. Does that influence how diplomacy gets done? 'At the UN, women play increasingly powerful roles'...
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DISARMAMENT: Last week the curtain closed on the 69th session of the UN First Committee on Disarmament. Critics note its stale format and lack of progress. Credit, however, must be given for notable successes. ?What do outcomes of the UN First Committee mean?? BASIC, 10 November 2014
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT: Citing “clear and growing†human influence on the climate system, a United Nations report issued today has warned that if left unchecked, climate change will increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. ‘'Leaders must act', urges Ban, as new UN report warns man's impact on climate may soon be 'irreversible', UN News Centre, 2 November 2014; and ‘Climate panel: Some effects ‘irreversible’, Washington Post, 2 November 2014
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT: Citing ?clear and growing? human influence on the climate system, a United Nations report issued today has warned that if left unchecked, climate change will increase the likelihood of severe, pervasive and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems. ?'Leaders must act', urges Ban, as new UN report warns man's impact on climate may soon be 'irreversible', UN News Centre, 2 November 2014; and ?Climate panel: Some effects ?irreversible?, Washington Post, 2 November 2014
NORTH KOREA: North Korea shows willingness to discuss human rights there, possibly due to pressure from a UN inquiry that accused Pyongyang of crimes against humanity. ?U.N. sees signs of North Korea softening in human rights dialogue?, Reuters, 28 October, 2014.
NORTH KOREA: North Korea shows willingness to discuss human rights there, possibly due to pressure from a UN inquiry that accused Pyongyang of crimes against humanity. ‘U.N. sees signs of North Korea softening in human rights dialogue’, Reuters, 28 October, 2014.
UKRAINE: The European Union and UN condemned plans for elections in rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine. UNSG Ban Ki-moon said voting would undermine last month's outline peace deal between Kiev and Moscow. ?EU, U.N. condemn Ukraine rebels' election plans?, Reuters, 29 October 2014
UKRAINE: The European Union and UN condemned plans for elections in rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine. UNSG Ban Ki-moon said voting would undermine last month's outline peace deal between Kiev and Moscow. ‘EU, U.N. condemn Ukraine rebels' election plans’, Reuters, 29 October 2014
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Unrealistic calls for disarmament distract from more achievable efforts, a speaker told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, urging members to acknowledge the ?hard truth? that the final goal will not be realized overnight or in a single negotiation. ?Rejecting calls for wholesale approaches to disarmament, US speaker tells First Committee results will not be realized overnight ?, UN News Centre, 21 October 2014
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Unrealistic calls for disarmament distract from more achievable efforts, a speaker told the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) today, urging members to acknowledge the ‘hard truth’ that the final goal will not be realized overnight or in a single negotiation. ‘Rejecting calls for wholesale approaches to disarmament, US speaker tells First Committee results will not be realized overnight ‘, UN News Centre, 21 October 2014
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HUMAN & WOMEN'S RIGHTS: This year at the GA more officials used their time to call attention to the needs and perspectives of women and girls. Here are eight ways women's leadership was in the...
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HUMAN & WOMEN'S RIGHTS : The new UN high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, will use his maiden speech to accuse Australia of a "chain of human rights violations" by detaining...
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HUMAN & WOMEN'S RIGHTS : One in ten girls worldwide have been forced into a sexual act and six in ten children ages 2 to 14 are regularly beaten. "Unicef report details endemic violence", New York...
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HUMAN RIGHTS : UN officials urged an immediate end to violence and abuses against civilians in Iraq, particularly children and people from ethnic and religious communities, as the Human Rights Council...
SECRETARY GENERAL: UNSG Ban Ki-moon expressed grave concern about the intensifying conflict in Ukraine after Kiev and the West said Russian troops were actively fighting in the country's east. His...
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PEACE AND SECURITY : The Security Council imposed sanctions on militias and supporters fuelling Libya's escalating war. "UN moves to slap sanctions on Libya militias", Al Jazeera , 27 August 2014 See...
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UNITED NATIONS : Hugo Chávez's daughter is still living in Venezuela's presidential palace more than a year after his death. It may take a UN appointment to get her out. "How Do You Solve a Problem...
PEACE & SECURITY : Saudi Arabia donated USD 100 million to UNSG Ban Ki-moon to help finance the UN center to combat global terrorism. "Saudis give UN $100 million to fight terrorism", Washington Post...
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ISRAEL & PALESTINE: The UN Human Rights Council announced a Commission of Inquiry to investigate purported violations of humanitarian law in Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza since...
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DISARMAMENT : Iran probably will discuss a potential deal on Tehran's nuclear program on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly in September; the state news agency IRNA quoted a senior...
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ISRAEL & PALESTINE: At least 25 people were killed a day after the UN Human Rights Council voted to investigate alleged violations. "UN to investigate Gaza offensive ", Al Jazeera , 24 July 2014 .
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PEACEKEEPING : We ask the UN to do the impossible, and kick it when it fails. If we keep sending the UN where the US doesn't want to go, we should help it succeed. "Lack of support imperils UN...
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After a year of work, the ODU Model UN Society is pleased to announce the publication of their Delegate Guide "Winning UN Simulations: Everything you need to know about Model UN".The Delegate Guide...
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REFUGEES : The UN reports civil wars have forced a staggering 51 million people worldwide from their homes, the most since 1945. " Surge of refugees: flight of the dispossessed", The Economist , 21...
DISARMAMENT : Illegal guns have ripped communities apart while fuelling terrorism, and require strong collective efforts to halt their spread, delegates heard today at the fifth Biennial Meeting of...
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PEACEKEEPING: The UN’s struggle with African peacekeeping is an eloquent metaphor for the arduous quest for a Pax Africana. Adekeye Adebajo, “UN peacekeeping and the quest for a Pax Africanaâ€, Current History, May 2014
PEACEKEEPING: The UN?s struggle with African peacekeeping is an eloquent metaphor for the arduous quest for a Pax Africana. Adekeye Adebajo, ?UN peacekeeping and the quest for a Pax Africana?, Current History, May 2014
CAR: Children of the Central African Republic are witnessing terrible violence a UNICEF official today said, urging the international community to help end the crisis. "Central African Republic's...
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"ODU Model UN Wins Awards at Four Spring Conferences"
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SECURITY COUNCIL: Ten years ago on 28 April 2004, the UNSC adopted resolution 1540 requiring Governments to prevent non-state actors from acquiring WMD. Here SG Ban Ki-moon underlines the importance of SC 1540, a key component of global security. https://unoda-video.s3.amazonaws.com/sg_1540.mp4 [best viewed using Chrome].
SECURITY COUNCIL: Ten years ago on 28 April 2004, the UNSC adopted resolution 1540 requiring Governments to prevent non-state actors from acquiring WMD. Here SG Ban Ki-moon underlines the importance of SC 1540, a key component of global security. https://unoda-video.s3.amazonaws.com/sg_1540.mp4 [best viewed using Chrome].
SECURITY COUNCIL: Condemnations and accusations were traded Sunday night as the UNSC held an urgent meeting to discuss the worsening crisis in Ukraine. "U.N. Security Council meets as Ukraine 'teeters on the brink'", CNN, 14 April 2014.
SECURITY COUNCIL: Condemnations and accusations were traded Sunday night as the UNSC held an urgent meeting to discuss the worsening crisis in Ukraine. "U.N. Security Council meets as Ukraine 'teeters on the brink'", CNN, 14 April 2014.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT: Climate change already affects all continents and oceans, and the world is ill-prepared for their risks, says the new IPCC report Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. "Climate change impacting entire planet, risking hunger, floods, conflict", UN News Centre, 31 March 2014.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY: By 100 in favor, 11 against and 58 abstentions, the GA declared Russia's annexation of Crimea illegal. "GA vote Isolates Russia", New York Times, 28 March 2014. Text of Resolution A/68/L.39 and national positions, UN News Centre.
Russia vetoed a UN resolution criticizing the secession referendum in Ukraine's Crimea region, the only SC member to vote against it.
Russia vetoed a UN resolution criticizing the secession referendum in Ukraine's Crimea region, the only SC member to vote against it.
HUMAN RIGHTS: The HRC, voting 30 to 6 with 11 abstentions, called on the UNSC to try North Korea "in order that those responsible for crimes against humanity, are held to account." "Rights panel seeks inquiry of North Korea", New York Times, 17 March 2014. Also see "UN should act on atrocities report", Human Rights Watch, 17 February 2014
HUMAN RIGHTS: The HRC, voting 30 to 6 with 11 abstentions, called on the UNSC to try North Korea "in order that those responsible for crimes against humanity, are held to account." "Rights panel seeks inquiry of North Korea", New York Times, 17 March 2014. Also see "UN should act on atrocities report", Human Rights Watch, 17 February 2014
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20-24 February 2014
Thursday-Sunday
Norfolk Waterside Sheraton Hotel
Thursday-Sunday
Norfolk Waterside Sheraton Hotel