More Than 1,200 Students Attend CILA 2005

The United Nations Association of the Dominican Republic (UNA-DR) in collaboration with the Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) and its sister institution Global Foundation for Democracy and Development from the US (GFDD) coordinated the International Conference of the Americas (CILA 2005) that took place from 11 to 15 May 2005 in Bavaro in Dominican Republic.

Over 1,200 high school students from the Dominican
Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, Canada, USA, France and other countries worked together in the search for solutions to the challenges faced by the different committees, agencies and programs of the UN. In the sessions, students gathered representing a specific country, interacting and discussing issues simulating a meeting of a specific UN institution, agency or committee including the Pan American Health Organization, the World Bank, the UN Committee on
Human Rights, the UN General Assembly, among others. In addition, UNA-DR hosted more than 30 special seminars and workshops, as well as other activities, related to the global agenda. The topics treated in some of these sessions included: UN reform, Globalization and Sustainable Development, the Haitian Crisis, Public Policy for Social Inclusion, Cooperation between the EU and the Dominican Republic , Tourism and Ecotourism, among many others. Teachers and student’s parents also
participated in special sessions during the four days of the event. The official working languages of CILA 2005 included Spanish, English and French.

The closing event counted with the presence of the President of the Dominican Republic , Mr. Leonel Fernandez who saluted the intensive work and commitment of the dynamic group of students. At the end of the four days of work, students drafted resolutions and proposals for action and improvement of the UN
system. Some of these resolutions included areas related to the UN Millennium Goals. It is expected that these conclusions and recommendations will be presented to officials in the UN and its institutions with the objective of providing with a young, fresh and innovative perspective on the world’s problems.

This conference is part of the Model UN program implemented by UNA-DR and supported by the World Federation of United Nations Associations. Ms. Natasha
Despotovic, Executive Director of GFDD is also the Vice-President of the UNA-DR. This conference is a result of UNA-DR and FUNGLODE/GFDD close relationship and dynamic partnership.