WTO in 2010...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-01/31/c_13157375.htm

A very recent article on the WTO's commitments despite the deadlock in the Doha Round trade negotiations.

Background Papers!

A reminder for everyone that background papers are available:

Economic Diversification in Single Commodity, Developing States

Furthering the Goals of the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration

Good luck on your research Delegates!

Position Papers

Hello all!

Just a reminder that your position papers will be due in early February, so please ensure that you're working on them. Following I have the link to the main HSMUN 2010 website, with all the information about the position papers.

http://www.ualberta.ca/~hsmun/positionpapers.html

Asian Farmers

Leading off my last post about protests at the conference, here is an article from the main website for the asian farmers organization (who made up the bulk of the protestors). It's regarding their issues with the WTO's direction and their own opinions. Take a look!

http://asianfarmers.org/?p=150

Some visuals?

So I found a great website with some pictures of the protestors at the WTO conference in Hong Kong. Something to get you inspired to do some research.. maybe looking into what the protestors had to say? That might be a great way to get some ideas about what the biggest issues are to the people affected by agricultural trades. And that in turn could give you some ideas about what needs to be changed in order to make the next ministerial conference a bigger success!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/gall/0,8542,1666419,00.html

Background Papers

A reminder if you have not already done so.. please look at the background papers supplied for you on the hsmun website. Your dais staff wrote them to help you out with your topics, so do go over them! There are also a bunch of useful resources and references listed at the bottom of them for both topics to help get you going with your research.

Cheers

Kristi

Hello all!

Welcome! Like my fellow WTO dais staff Britt, I will share a little bit of info about myself.

I am currently in my second year of studies at the U of A and plan on completing a bachelor of commerce. I've really enjoyed my university experience so far and have really taken an interest in economics, something I never would have thought I'd like when I was in high school. I have lived in Edmonton my entire life and cannot wait until I finish my degree so I can move away and hopefully work abroad! My interests? Architecture (which is really more of an obsession), running, and reading.

So i'm getting pretty excited about the conference in February, and I hope everyone else is too and that you are doing research for the debate. I participated in the conference when I was in high school so I can tell you all with confidence that it is alot more fun when you are actually prepared for it. And please, if you have any questions at all, e-mail me! I check my e-mail multiple times a day so I will be prompt in replying. I'd be happy to tell you about resources, what to expect in the debate room, or anything about the university if you are thinking of applying. ( kristimeier10@yahoo.ca )

I plan on trying to post some links and articles that will not only be useful, but also interesting, to get you excited about the material. Good luck with your studies and I will see you in February!

Kristi Meier

Economic Diversification & Its Role in Poverty Reduction

Here is a good article dealing with topic 2. It is from a round table discussion at the Twelfth Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XII) which took place in Accra, Ghana on April 24, 2008. The article discusses the long-term implications of over-reliance on primary commodities, while outlining strategies and goals to combat this over-reliance. Enjoy!

http://www.unctadxii.org/en/Media/Press-Releases/Diversification-Better-Agricultural-Practices-Key-to-Reducing-Poverty-in-Poorest-Countries-Round-Table-Participants-Told/