Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Italy
Delegate Name: Joe Watt
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Italy position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
The Republic of Italy recognizes the gravity of the situation at hand. Sectarian violence within a nation is a severe security concern. Italy understands that reactionary measures prove dismal, particularly in cases such as Yugoslavia. As things stand, we believe that the most effective and efficient course of action is a global investment in prevention-based programs.
There is massive ethnic infighting within Kenya over disputed election results. Italy believes that it is the duty of the international community to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and refuse to allow these atrocities to occur. Sending peacekeepers and humantarian aid workers to the area with the purpose of providing the economy with sustenance would be the most beneficial solution as precedent shows that international action is not a viable option. In the former Yugoslavia, an offensive response was too late to stop the ethnic cleansing.
Holding to the EU policy of prevention, not reaction, Italy feels that "only by addressing the root causes of tension can we can prevent conflicts becoming violent, or effectively resolve them, and then build peace, or prevent a renewal of hostilities. These are not things that we do well, and the international community always seems to be reacting, rather than anticipating." (Promoting Conflict Prevention 2001/01/25, Speech 04/01) Our firefighting approach is not working, however, this is the world's opportunity to come together and transcend its bounds.
The Italian Republic further recommends that the world community discourage any reactionist sentiment and focus on continuing education in all corners of the globe in order to pursue peace through the reconciliation of the misinformed. No political, economic or social stone can go unturned when addressing sectarian violence within a nation.
