On behalf of the Institute of Domestic and International Affiairs, I would like to invite you to join us at Philadelphia Model United Nations 2011. PhilMUN will take place 24-27 February 2011, at the Holiday Inn in the heart of Philadelphia's historic district. PhilMUN 2011 is a four-day United Nations simulation in which high school students will have the opportunity to engage in intense debate about intricate global issues. During the course of the four days, students will represent their assigned country's policies and interests, while cooperating with others to find sustainable and feasible solutions to these international problems. Students will come to understand a state's role in global affairs, its influence in the international community, and the difficulties involved in finding meaningful solutions. This conference also serves to develop a student's skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and persuasive writing by challenging students to tackle issues that are real and widespread. This unique and dynamic educational setting affords students the opportunity to become informed global citizens, and our excellent staff at Rutgers and advisors at IDIA are committed to doing just that.
PhilMUN 2011 asks students to consider the manner in which a country's identity is formed, as the identity of a country is vital for the welfare of its own people as well as its international presence. Most developing countries are generally engaged with national development activities with the aim to strengthen national unity and to improve the welfare of the population. In the field of politics, national development efforts usually reflect in the build-up and the strengthening of ideology or other symbols which can accelerate their national unity. At PhilMUN 2011, students will explore whether the region's long history of colonization in almost every one of its nations can be reconciled with their own ideologies, culture and traditions. Southeast Asia is unique in that each country consists of a variety of religions, ethnicities, languages, and communities. All of these have influenced technological development, economic growth, politics, and much more. Students will futher consider whether one unified national identity is possible for such diverse nations, and what factors and influences contribute to a nation's identity. This conference will examine how various topics and issues can develop a country's role on the global stage.
Along with traditional committees, the advanced committees will handle topics more intimately related to the regional focus and theme. The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia will examine the crimes committed by the Kmher Rouge betzeen 1975 and 1979. Students will learn international court procedure, structure, and law. The Committee for Indonesian Independence Preparation will be set in 1945, and will evaluate the difficulties that come post-independence. While tackling the responsibility of forming a new government, students will also be responding to Dutch influence and potential poliical unrest. Finally, in the Assocation of Southeast Asian Nations, students will seek to unify the many voice of Southeast Asia and evaluate issues specific to that region in the realm of nation building and democratization.
Registration for PhilMUN 2011 now open on the IDIA website. With smaller and more intimate committees than other conferences, Philadelphia Model United Nations offers the unique experience for students to work closely with each other and with staff. Therefore, because of the limited space and high demand, I strongly encourage you to register as early as possible. For more conference information regarding topics and committees, explore the PhilMUN website. I also recommend that you utilize our Conference Outreach program, an initiative that brings experienced staff members to your school to help students prepare for the conference. I eagerly await your participation at PhilMUN 2011 and wish you the best of luck in preparing!
