Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: Paraguay
Delegate Name: Adam Berman
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Paraguay position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
Throughout history, sectarian and ethnic conflicts have dominated the world as the struggle for political, religious, and military power has raged since the beginning of mankind. Obviously it is extremely difficult for the UN’s intervention in an increasingly hostile region. We’ve seen this in the current genocide in Darfur, as well as past conflicts in Rwanda, Vietnam, the Congo, and many more. Thus, it is increasingly important for the United Nations to nip these ethnic and sectarian conflicts in the bud and promote political and social stability in these currently volatile and impoverished nations. By instituting anti-poverty programs throughout the world, we can hope to prevent conflict and spread the call for a peaceful and arbitrary resolution to rising hostilities. The implementation of educational programs regarding ethics is vital, as well as a call for women’s rights and equal rights for all subordinate ethnic, political, and religious groups. By strongly promoting education and human rights, we can work together to prevent future sectarian and ethnic conflicts and work towards a common and unified well being.
Paraguay is no stranger to sectarian and ethnic conflicts. In the War of the Triple alliance (1864-1870), Paraguay fought in a bitter border dispute between Brazil and Argentina, subsequently losing over half its population and political leader. Paraguay, with a large impoverished population itself, believes in instituting a wide variety of anti-poverty and educational reform programs focused on ethics and promoting human rights. Regarding current ethnic and sectarian conflicts, Paraguay believes in extending the capacity of the United Nations, giving them the absolute power to assist any nation engaged in a conflict, with the hope of promoting peace and saving human lives.
Paraguay firmly believes that in order to stem ethnic and sectarian violence, global cooperation is of the utmost importance. Paraguay believes in a peaceful and nonviolent resolution to these conflicts, however understands that proper mediation by the United Nations is necessary to fully resolve some of the extremely bitter disputes. With global support, the United Nations can much more easily intervene in the time of a conflict, and with that they can work to promote peace and understanding in a timely and efficient manner.
Paraguay firmly believes that by instituting anti-poverty programs to countries with currently unstable governments (see Political Risk Index) as well as strong education and equal rights programs, we can help to abolish what has already been such a costly and powerful issue. Through global cooperation and the passing of a resolution that expands the power of the UN, we can hope to promote lasting peace within countries that have for so long been engaged in such long and bitter conflicts.
