Dear Students, Faculty, and Guests,

On behalf of the Institute of Domestic and International Affairs, Inc., I would like to invite you to join us at Philadelphia Model United Nations 2010. PhilMUN will take place 25-28 February 2010 at the Holiday Inn Historic District, just steps from the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. PhilMUN 2010 is a four-day United Nations simulation conference that engages students in intense debate with their peers about important and complex international issues. Through the course of the four days, students will work together to learn the intricacies of national policies and will examine the impact that a state has on global affairs. The conference will also help students develop skills in professionalism, public speaking, and leadership by challenging them to consider issues and viewpoints in a unique educational setting. To provide this opportunity, we have a staff of Rutgers students that is committed to providing the most dynamic educational experience possible for students, advisors, and guests alike.

PhilMUN 2010 asks delegates to consider the impact of the globalization movement on the Middle East. The Globalization movement refers to the spread of ideas and attitudes from one region of the world to another; however, in the Middle East, globalization has often become synonymous with Westernization. The convergence of Eastern traditions with Western influence in the Middle East has created a unique atmosphere in which both conflicts and peace have been created. Disparity in the region, in terms of wealth, education, health, and even peace, is evident in all countries within this region. The globalization movement in Asia and Africa has been noted to positively impact business practices and help minimize these disparities, but many Middle Eastern leaders maintain that Western involvement threatens the cultural foundations of the region. Throughout the conference, students will try to establish the best solutions for political, social, and economic issues and assess whether the benefits of globalization are worth confronting the challenges brought by cultural conflict. PhilMUN delegates will leave the conference with a deeper understanding of the Middle East, the Western World’s role in it, and a solid grasp of globalization and how it affects international politics.

Along with traditional committees, the advanced committees will deal with topics that are closely related to the theme and regional focus. The Historic Security Council of 1947 will be conducting a special session on to evaluate the potential partition of Palestine. Students will take a hard look at the political atmosphere of the time period and determine the best way to define the borders of Palestine. The Arab League will bring students together in an attempt to unify the many voices of the Middle East and evaluate the politics within the Arab community. The students will determine the political and economic relationship of a new Eastern Europe in an effort to understand what it has become today.

Registration for PhilMUN 2010 is currently 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 presence at PhilMUN 2010 and wish you the best of luck in preparing!

Sincerely,

Sonali Patel
Secretary-General
Philadelphia Model United Nations 2010