On behalf of the Institute for International & Domestic Affairs, I would like to invite you to attend the nineteenth Rutgers Model United Nations. The conference will be held in historic downtown New Brunswick, New Jersey ofrom 11-14 November 2010. RUMUN will afford students the opportunity to become delegates to the United Nations. During the four-day simulation, they will debate from the standpoints of the countries that they represent. Given a complex global issue to solve, students will push themselves and each other for innovative and viable solutions. By developing their communication and thinking skills, they will grow as students, as global citizens, and as leaders. The learning environment we provide is professional, exciting, and dynamic. The students will be fully engaged in Model United Nations from the moment they arrive, leaving with the satisfaction that they tackled an issue bigger than themselves.

At RUMUN 2010, participating delegates will explore sustainable recovery in the aftermath of the global financial recession. The worst of the recession has passed, but for many countries recovery is uneven and conditions for sustained growth remain fragile. Unemployment rates are rising worldwide, many households are still under financial strain, and private consumption and investment remain sluggish. The recession has also affected issues as diverse as climate change, immigrant health, and access to education. In dealing with these topics, the students will be the ones determining the best course of action for a true long-term recovery.

To provide this educational experience, RUMUN 2010  will offer several advanced committees in addition to traditional committees. The Security Council will attempt to strengthen the rule of law and government legitimacy in war-torn Afghanistan; afterwards, they will examine regime changes in general. The IMF will move beyond short-term recovery and attempt to build a stable financial infrastructure in developing states. The Council of the European Union will develop a common defense policy to combat the spread of terrorism; the newly ratified Lisbon Treaty has strengthened the regional organization’s legitimacy, making the creation of European military a distinct possibility. The United States Cabinet and the Chinese Politburo will conduct bilateral talks on energy policy and climate change; during those talks, both committees will have to work together on crises involving security, economics, and human rights. The NGO Corps this year will also feature a varied set of non-state actors, including non-governmental organizations, businesses, labor unions, and universities.

Registration for RUMUN 2010 will begin on 15 May 2010 on the IDIA website. Because of 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 IDIA 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.

If at any time you have any questions or concerns about the registration process or the conference itself, please do not hesitate to contact us. I eagerly await your presence at RUMUN 2010 and wish you the best of luck in preparing!

Sincerely,

Audi Syarief
Secretary-General
Rutgers Model United Nations 2010