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Letter from the Secretary-General
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John M. Stringer
SKMUN Secretary-General
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Anish Shukla
SKMUN UnderSecretary-General
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Dear Delegate,
The United Nations has performed an essential role in world politics since it was
formed at the conclusion of WW II. Since the Cold War ended, UN involvement has stepped up
even more. No longer is the world faced with a threat of the immediate destruction of the
earth by the two super-powers going to war. Instead, the UN is faced with the problems of
humanity, such as famines and civil wars. The eyes of the world have turned from the
attempt at keeping peace between the US and the former USSR, to the attempt to develop the
human race. Some might say that it is a much more difficult task.
Here at the South Kingstown Model United Nations, we plan to simulate that process. On
behalf of the entire SKMUN staff, I would like to welcome you to join us on March 27,1999.
The SKMUN and all MUNs try to increase the understandings students have of current,
important international issues. The SKMUN has some unique aspects, which add to MUN
experience. For example, adult internationals are invited to participate; these
individuals came from other countries, but currently live in the US. The adult
internationals will be spread throughout the different committees representing their
country of origin. SKMUN also invites back former SKHS students who return to share their
expanded interests with us. Another excellent tradition here at the SKMUN is our
International Buffet. Every year we have our lunch catered by "Falafel Dave" and
we have the SKMUN staff prepare various international dishes (Mmm!)
The first SKMUN took place in 1991. It was the first MUN in the state of RI. It
consisted of two schools, three committees, and one hundred and ten delegates. At this,
the ninth annual SKMUN, there will be 150 South Kingstown High School students, in
addition to students from Middleborough, Malden Catholic, Holliston, Notre Dame, Sandwich,
Xavier, Tollgate, Prout, Tiverton, Westerly, Coventry jr. and sr. High Schools,
Narragansett, Scituate, Pier School and the South Kingstown Junior High. Total attendance
is expected to be somewhere around 350.
The eight committees simulated in this year’s SKMUN are as follows:
- The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee will be debating Starvation in Sudan;
- The UN Environmental Program will be debating Water Scarcity in the Middle East;
- The Special Political Committee will be discussing Landmines;
- The Rose and Blue and Green (reformed) Security Councils will be discussing Terrorism in
the Middle East;
- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be discussing Sudan versus the USA
regarding the August 1998 bombing of Sudan by the USA;
- The General Assembly for Junior High Students will be discussing Gender Inequality in
Education.
All of these topics will, I am sure, lead to informative and interesting debate.
All of us on the SKMUN staff are excited about this year’s conference. I hope that
all of you have as much fun and learn as much from this conference as I have in past
years. I look forward to seeing you in March. Thank you for attending our ninth, and best
yet, conference.
Sincerely,
John M. Stringer
Secretary General, SKMUN '99
