July 21, 2007: SAIIA Global Classrooms® Model United Nation

2007 SAIIA Global Classrooms® Model United Nations

Global Classrooms is an innovative education program that brings the Model United Nations experience to urban public schools across the United States and a diverse array of schools around the world. During in-class simulations of UN bodies, students role-play as representatives from countries, interest groups and nongovernmental organizations to tackle a host of global concerns.


The SAIIA Wits Branch was the proud host of the 2007 Conference.

LAUNCH:  Saturday 12th May 2007

Location:  Johannesburg West Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

The 50 participating schools, each represented by three participants plus supporters, teachers and parents, attended the launch of the 2007 Johannesburg Global Classrooms® programme.

Sudeshan Reddy, Chief Information Officer from the office of the United Nations Information Services in Pretoria, presented a history of the United Nations while introducing its main bodies and their functions. He also distributed a large variety of United Nations publications for attending schools’ libraries.

Stuart Meyer of the SAIIA Schools Development Programme presented the history of the programme plus placed many of the current international debates concerning the role of the United Nations and United Nations reform within their broader theoretical perspectives.

Thomas Coggin, Keval Harie and the rest of the Witsmun (Witwatersrand Branch Model United Nations) committee presented a live Global Classroom® Model UN debate simulation.

At the launch each participating school was given their debate topic and introduced to the main issues and concepts informing their topic. Furthermore, each participating school was introduced to their tutors with names and contact details being exchanged. Tutors also set up times for their first meetings with schools and, where possible, began plotting their research and preparation timetables for the next three months.

The value of the SAIIA Global Classrooms program is in this intensive one-on-one tutoring and coaching. Over a three month period schools are comprehensively introduced to their topic, assisted in research resources and methodologies, coached in writing and debating skills and, occasionally, even assisted in setting up and conducting interviews with relevant embassy or High Commission Staff.

DEBATE CONFERENCE:  Saturday 21st July 2007

Location:  Johannesburg
? Jan Smuts House, East Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
? Senate Room, East Campus of the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

Welcome:
Opening Addresses:  Jonathan Stead Director Marketing & Operations, SAIIA
Closing Addresses:  Stuart Meyer, Chairman Schools Outreach SAIIA

FIRST SESSION : Security Council –  Role of Diamonds in Fueling Violence

Jan Smuts House (9:00 am - 12:30 pm)

Guest Speakers: 
Clifford Sacks, Co CEO Head of Global Markets, Merrill Lynch
Marc Heilner, Co CEO Head of Investment Banking, Merrill Lynch

Secretariat:
Chair:  Keval Harie, Witsmun
Vice-Chair: Nyiko Khoza, Witsmun
Communications Co-Ordinators:  Fumane Chacha, Ayanda Bandla (New York Exchange Students)

Adjudicators:
Sudeshan Reddy, Chief Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Pretoria, South Africa
Lerato Tsebe, Human Rights Commission
Laura Pereira, Secretary, Witsmun, President Golden Key
Valdene Naidoo, Merrill Lynch
Sara Maja, Merrill Lynch

Participating Schools:
St Dominic’s College   Pretoria Girls High
La Salle College   Crawford College, Lonehill 
Rand Park High   Willowmoore High
Springs Boys High   Edenvale High
Midrand High    Sacred Heart College
Rutasetjhaba Secondary CJ Botha High
Orlando West High  Jabulani Technical High  
St. John’s College

Best Delegations:
India – Orlando West
Russia – Crawford Lonehill
People’s Republic of China – Pretoria Girls High
Honourable Mention – Best Speaker : 1st Speaker Estonia – Midrand High School (Itumelong Machete)

SECOND SESSION : United Nations Human Rights Council – Human Rights of Refugees

Senate Room (11:00 am – 03h00 pm)

Guest Speaker:
Ilze Roux, Head of Research

Secretariat:
Chair:  Thomas Coggin, President Witsmun
Vice-Chair:  Kathereine Hao-Fei Xiong, Witsmun
Communications Co-Ordinator:  Gareth Beck (New York Exchange Student)

Adjudicators:
Leeza Kolkenberg-Ruh, Corporate Research & Media Liaison, SAIIA
Simiso Velempini, Lecturer, Department of Politics, Pretoria University

Participating Schools:
Buhlemfundo High  Suncrest High
Eureka High   Lavela High
Kingsmead College  Lenasia Muslim School
Buitumeleng High  Roedean School
Edenvale High   Metropolitan Raucall
JE Malepe High   Fumana High
Matseliso High   De La Salle College
Bhukalani High   Crawford College, Sandton
Redhill School   Athlone Boys High
Riverside High   Diversity High
Springs Muslim School  Tembisa High
Seanamarena High

Best Delegations:
Mexico – Redhill School
Russia – Roedean School
Japan – Bhukulani Secondary School
Honourable Mention:  Morocco – Riverside High

THIRD SESSION : Security Council –  Darfur

Jan Smuts House (2:30 pm - 5:30 pm)

Guest Speaker:
Pat Egan, Director Merrill Lynch

Secretariat:
Chair:  Sabeeha Husain,  Witsmun
Vice-Chair: Owain John, Witsmun
Communications Co-Ordinator:  Zamantungwa Khumalo (New York Exchange Student)

Adjudicators:
Khanya Madaza, Financial Systems Analyst, Afrox
Russell Bruetan, Treasurer, Witsmun
Matthew Long (New York Exchange Students)
Kiren Naidoo, Merrill Lynch
Nana Leopeng, Merrill Lynch

Participating Schools:
Parktown Girls   Roshnee Secondary
Marist Brothers   Hoerskool Dinamika
Bophelo Impilo School  Jeppe Girls High
Germiston High   Maryvale College
St. Andrews Girls  Bracken High
St. Mary’s Girls   St. Benedict’s College
Johannesburg Secondary  Edenvale High
Letsibogo Girls High

Best Delegations:
Cuba – Parktown Girls
Egypt – Marist Brothers
Kazahkstan – St. Mary’s Girls
Honourable Mentions:  United Kingdom – Bracken High; Closing Speaker – South Africa (Lisa Mahoya)

STAFF:

SAIIA Witwatersrand Branch School Development Committee Volunteers:
? Leon Kok
? Heather Hart
? Stuart Meyer

Wits Model United Nations Society Committee
? Thomas Coggin
? Keval Hari
? Sabeeha Husain

SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS

The Annenberg Foundation
The Better World Fund
La Fundación Marcelino Botín
Deutsche Bank
The Goldman Sachs Foundation
Microsoft Corporation
The National Geographic Education Foundation
The New York Times Company Foundation
Paul Newman/Newman’s Own, Inc.
The Ross Institute
THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE USA

The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a center for innovative programs to engage Americans in issues of global concern, from education and HIV/AIDS to peace, security and international law. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, including teaching students in urban schools, clearing minefields and providing school-based support for children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. A not-for-profit organization, UNA-USA encourages United States leadership in the United Nations and is a part of the World Federation of United Nations Association.