Model UN
Model UN is a conference between different groups regarding a specific issues. One or two representatives from each country attend the conference and debate over different ways to solve world issues.
Position Paper
Somalia
UNICEF
Megan Scoullar
To invest in the safety of the children in Somalia would be to invest in the future of the country. Currently these minors are undergoing physical abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, recruitment as child soldiers, and are used in sex trafficking. Not only that, but they also lack access to a basic education and are often abandoned, left with no adequate care. This is not acceptable anywhere in the world, and should not be tolerated.
The issue of children’s rights in this country has become so out of hand, that children are afraid to even play in the streets. Somalia has been in conflict for the past sixteen years and many children have been raised not knowing what it truly means to have proper education or protection. In May, 2002, the Ambassador to the United Nations signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on behalf of the Transitional Federal Government. Although this government is in no position to guarantee that the Convention is properly followed through, it was announced in November, 2009, that they strongly intend to implement it.
There is no official treaty between Somalia and the United Nations, but UNICEF continues to support activities in Somalia to spread awareness for children’s rights. UNICEF is involved with members of parliament, government ministries and civil society representatives in this country. Daily they are working in Somalia’s communities with health workers, teachers, media professionals and children to shed hope on the tragic situation at hand.
Somalia would like to continue working with the United Nations to further their progress involving UNICEF. We recognize that a change this dramatic will take time and we will continue to put more and more effort into finally being rid of such a horrid attribute to our country.
MLA
"Somalia." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalia>.
"Somali Children Face Life or Death - World News - Africa - Somalia - Msnbc.com."Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21791425/ns/world_news-africa/>.
"Somalia." U.S. Department of State. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61592.htm>.
UNICEF
Megan Scoullar
To invest in the safety of the children in Somalia would be to invest in the future of the country. Currently these minors are undergoing physical abuse, sexual violence and exploitation, recruitment as child soldiers, and are used in sex trafficking. Not only that, but they also lack access to a basic education and are often abandoned, left with no adequate care. This is not acceptable anywhere in the world, and should not be tolerated.
The issue of children’s rights in this country has become so out of hand, that children are afraid to even play in the streets. Somalia has been in conflict for the past sixteen years and many children have been raised not knowing what it truly means to have proper education or protection. In May, 2002, the Ambassador to the United Nations signed the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on behalf of the Transitional Federal Government. Although this government is in no position to guarantee that the Convention is properly followed through, it was announced in November, 2009, that they strongly intend to implement it.
There is no official treaty between Somalia and the United Nations, but UNICEF continues to support activities in Somalia to spread awareness for children’s rights. UNICEF is involved with members of parliament, government ministries and civil society representatives in this country. Daily they are working in Somalia’s communities with health workers, teachers, media professionals and children to shed hope on the tragic situation at hand.
Somalia would like to continue working with the United Nations to further their progress involving UNICEF. We recognize that a change this dramatic will take time and we will continue to put more and more effort into finally being rid of such a horrid attribute to our country.
MLA
"Somalia." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Somalia>.
"Somali Children Face Life or Death - World News - Africa - Somalia - Msnbc.com."Msnbc.com - Breaking News, Science and Tech News, World News, US News, Local News- Msnbc.com. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21791425/ns/world_news-africa/>.
"Somalia." U.S. Department of State. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2005/61592.htm>.
Reflection
I think that Model UN was a great experience this year. I attended the middle school so I had the pleasure of participating in Model UN last year as well, so I had a pretty good idea about what to expect. I think this year, being the senior class participating in the conference, I felt a little more comfortable speaking in front of such a large crowd. I was able to share Somalia's opinions and I'm very proud of how I represented the country. I was able to discuss Children's Rights, UNICEF, with all of the other students and everyone brought something different to the table. It was really exciting to see students receive awards at the end of it all.