Model United Nations

This weekend I made the trek to the Palmer House Hilton where once every year The University of Chicago holds a Model United Nations Conference. I have gone for the past few years and each year my experience has been different. This year I went as a delegate from The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (fondly named BRO Venezuela) to the World Health Organization. This year the greatest thing I took away from Model UN was surprise that anything substantial is able to come out of the real United Nations. The idea that almost 200 delegations can debate effectively, one at a time, and reach a resolution that is coherent, efficient, and expedient is almost laughable. The way these sessions are set up means that there is either a set sequence of speakers, or, speakers are called on one at a time by the chair, who runs the debate. In a committee as large as the WHO this means that many points get lost in the sheer weight of the amount of speakers and quite a few questions go unanswered. The real work - compromise between parties and the writing of resolutions - came during the unmoderated caucuses where delegations would converse freely and without the encumbrance of the United Nations formalities.

In the past I have been in much smaller groups (including the African Union), and at least in these more integrated groups we could have a working conversation. It is interesting to note however, that the number of countries in the world has continued to increase in the past few decades, so the number of delegations in these committees (model or real) will only increase. So what can be done? I think it may be time to really evaluate what would best serve the world, not only fundamentally but structurally in the United Nations. Although to even discuss this kind of thing in the UN today would be long-winded. In a place where everyone's voice must be heard (after all I do not wish to change that), I think a good think about how everyone can be most effectively heard is warranted. Then, the real work of making an idea that has been heard turn into an action that can be felt can start.

What do you think?