Harvard Model UN Hosts 2,300

Twenty-three hundred high school students from around the world came to Harvard this weekend to debate and "resolve" problems across the globe.

The Harvard Model United Nations hosted its 40th conference at the Sheraton Boston Hotel, drawing student delegates both from around the United States and from countries as far afield as India, Singapore and Hong Kong, for the four-day simulation.

Organizers assigned students by high school to each of the 179 countries in the U.N.

Each country sent delegates to more than 20 committees to debate and write resolutions concerning recent world events. Some of those issues were the verification of nuclear arms treaties, Georgian secessionist movements, and human rights problems.

Conference planners also gave some delegates a dose of real world drama early yesterday morning when members of the Security Council were surprised by a 2:30 a.m. crisis call: A conflict had arisen between Georgianand Russian troops. The students convened untilnine in the morning to defuse the situation.

Overall, the conference was declared a"success" by Edwin J. U '95, head of the Politicaland Security committee.

"The high school delegates are very positive.They did enjoy their experiences," said U.

Though some students have been unruly in somepast Model U.N. festivities, there were no majordisciplinary problems this time, according toJonathan B. Vessey '95, head of the SpecialPolitical committee, who said the students were"amazingly quiet."

Julian J. Chu '93, head of the Commission onHuman Rights committee, said, "The conference ranvery smoothly considering the magnitude."

The event was sponsored by the HarvardInternational Relations Council

Overall, the conference was declared a"success" by Edwin J. U '95, head of the Politicaland Security committee.

"The high school delegates are very positive.They did enjoy their experiences," said U.

Though some students have been unruly in somepast Model U.N. festivities, there were no majordisciplinary problems this time, according toJonathan B. Vessey '95, head of the SpecialPolitical committee, who said the students were"amazingly quiet."

Julian J. Chu '93, head of the Commission onHuman Rights committee, said, "The conference ranvery smoothly considering the magnitude."

The event was sponsored by the HarvardInternational Relations Council