Top international students shed new light on urgent UN issues
12 Jan 2009
Will the United Nations be able to make a decision regarding the future of Afghanistan, so close to Obama's inauguration and his plan for winning the war? What can the UN do to help relieve the tense nuclear situation in the Middle East? What consequences will the financial crisis have for trade barriers, climate agreements and international security?
Now, shortly before the transfer of power in the most influential country in the world and in a time of economic decline, new questions are arising that demand refreshing and creative perspectives.
United Nations International Student Conference
During the twelfth edition of the United Nations International Student Conference of Amsterdam (UNISCA, a simulation of a United Nations conference), highly talented students from all around the world direct their focus towards various questions surrounding current world issues, together with experts from politics and the world of science.
Over 250 top international students from six continents will take part in the conference. These young, talented academics work together like a think-tank on the world’s political future. They conduct discussions from the political perspectives of the countries that they represent, and attempt to contribute creative solutions to current problems.
Prominent Guest Speakers
During the opening of the conference, prominent guest speakers including Mayor of Amsterdam Job Cohen, Prof. Louise Fresco (former deputy director-general of the UN Department of Agriculture in Rome, currently professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Amsterdam) and Christa Meindersma (former personal advisor to Kofi Annan) will talk about a number of topics in more detail.
Expected results and setup
On Friday, 16 January important results are expected on subjects such as Afghanistan, international security, the European CAP, human rights and freedom of speech. The UNISCA Press Department will report on the discussions and debates and put together a daily news bulletin. The conference’s participants, hailing from universities in countries such as the United States, China, South Africa, Norway, Bulgaria, Turkey, Australia, Russia and the Netherlands, will not cease discussions until a consensus has been reached.
During the round-table discussion on 16 January, prominent experts Prof. Cees Hamelink (emeritus professor of International Communication at the University of Amsterdam and professor of Media, Religion and Art at VU University Amsterdam), Ms Uwe Becker (senior lecturer of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam) and Bert Bakker (former D-66 Member of Parliament and senior consultant) will take a closer look at the results of the conference.
UNISCA is an initiative of students of the University of Amsterdam. The resolutions made will be collected and sent to the relevant UN officials, including the permanent Dutch Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva.