Topic: UN's Role of Addressing Sectarian and Ethnic Conflict within a Nation
Country: United States
Delegate Name: Christina Li
School: Forest Hills Central High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All United States position papers GLIMUN 2008 committees
“We live in a world of conflict and resolution.” Our world without borders presents the United Nations with many challenges. Our goal? To rise and try our best to resolve these problems. Article one, paragraph one of the Charter of the United Nations states that the purpose of the UN is “to maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace.” The very foundation of the UN builds on the purpose to prevent war and promote world peace. Upon this very idea is the UN’s responsibility to appropriately address sectarian and ethnic conflict within a nation. The United States of America is confident in the power and ability of the United Nations to unite and solve these conflicts.
The United States of America believes that the main principle to solving ethnic and sectarian conflicts is to tackle the problems at its roots. No doubt the causes of ethnic and sectarian conflicts are many, but if we attack the root causes, the USA believes the chances of preventing and alleviating these conflicts are much greater. We should put together a toolbox with strategies aimed at, especially (1) domestic building linked to specific cultural contexts, (2) poverty reduction, (3) policies reducing group equalities. The UN should also work to provide stable environments. The issue of leadership is also vital in this area, and the United States believes that when talking to these leaders, the UN must remain firm. Succeeding with conflict prevention calls for cooperation with local and regional actors. This is because actors with experience and knowledge of a specific culture have better opportunities to understand local dynamics playing significant roles in the transformation of conflicts. The UN should encourage and strengthen local conflict prevention efforts as well.
Preventative measures should be conducted in a more open and transparent international environment. States searching for help need to be confident in the UN and not be afraid of losing their sovereignty. The United States of America believes that the United Nations has everything it needs to be able to resolve this problem. We should keep in mind the numerous sub-organizations that we have at hand to help us: for instance, the UNDP, UNHCR, UN-HABITAT, etc.
The United States is extremely open-minded and eager to solve this conflict with fellow countries. We cannot stress enough the importance of shared willingness and the willingness to act coherently within the entire United Nations. The United States genuinely encourages the opinions of other countries. We are excited and honored to be working with everybody at our next conference.
