Winter 2001-2002 Middle School Simulation

Conference Agendas

These conference agendas are designed to help you focus your research concerning the issues within your sub-game. You will note that there is one set of questions listed for each issue area. These questions serve three purposes:

·        First, the agendas offer a direction for your research. You must be familiar with your country’s position on the issue areas and the questions posed in the conference agenda. Your tactics will be more effective if you are also aware of the positions of the countries with which you are negotiating.

·        Second, these questions serve as a guide to the discussions that take place during the conferences. These conferences are not free-for-all sessions, but structured debates moderated by SIMCON. Issues that are not outlined in the conference agenda are not open for debate.

·        Lastly, the agendas set the tone for your negotiations over the system prior to the conferences. Since you know what will be discussed in the conference, the weeks prior to the conference should be spent lining up allies and trying to pre-negotiate rough outlines of agreement so the conferences will be productive.

Prior to each conference, a detailed conference agenda will be posted on the system. These agendas might reflect a discussion of proposed treaties addressing pertinent issues. The conference agendas listed below are broad guidelines concerning the points that will be addressed. According to the normal conference format, after the first agenda item is discussed, the conference will move on to the next agenda point, and so on.

Human Rights: Women's Rights

Conferences I & II

1.     What are "women's rights?" Should women's rights focus on political rights and participation, or improving economic opportunity?

2.     Does the concept of women's rights (and human rights more generally) apply to everyone? Can cultural traditions and belief systems be balanced with the protection of the rights of women?

3.     Does poverty have a gender dimension? Do women face specific problems related to poverty that men do not?

Global Environment: Global Climate Change

Conferences I & II

1.     Should global environmental issues be dealt with as problems are identified, or in a more long-term and comprehensive way?

2.     Is emissions trading a good way to promote reduction in global carbon emissions? What about debt-for-nature swaps? How could these tools be included in a climate change treaty? 

3.     Are the EDCs (economically developed countries) primarily responsible for protecting the global environment because they are the main contributors to global warming?

4.     Should LDCs (lesser developed countries) be expected to pursue economic development in a way that is less dependent on fossil fuels?

International Conflict & Cooperation:
Ballistic Missile Defense Systems

Conferences I & II

1.     How should the world deal with rogue states and actors that seek to develop or obtain long-range ballistic missiles? Is NMD an effective strategy? 

2.     Can the U.S. maintain its existing security arrangements and alliances and still develop an NMD system? Is NMD compatible with current international law? 

3.     What should a nation emphasize, the preservation of international legal agreements or the pursuit of its own perceived national interests and security?

World Health:  AIDS in Africa

Conferences I & II

1.     How might the problems of limited education and culturally driven stigmas be addressed in dealing with approaches to AIDS in Africa?

2.     What impacts do poverty and underdevelopment play in limiting access to health care and drug treatment? 

3.     Should AIDS in Africa be addressed as a health problem alone, or as part of an overall development strategy to reduce all the problems of poverty? 

International Economics:
The Global Digital Divide

Conferences I & II

1.     Is promoting technology an effective way of combating the problems of poverty in developing countries?

2.     Does technology make nations and people more prosperous, or is prosperity needed first in order to fully use technology?

3.     How can investment in ICT in developing nations be promoted?  Is it a good investment for private investors, or should governments provide funding and support?