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/

An Introduction to the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration

The 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration laid out frameworks for improving trade within Africa and between Africa and the world. It's intent was to continue the development goals of the Doha Work Programme, which has been under development. The declaration addresses many aspects of trade and negotiations, including market access and rule-making for both agricultural and non-agricultural (NAMA) products. Particular areas highlighted in the declaration include: mutual support of both trade and care for the environment, TRIPS and public health, transfering technology to the third world, and the Aid for Trade initiative.

While the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration and the Doha Negotiations have provided much discussion on trade with Africa, trade has not significantly improved. The question the World Trade Organization is now faced with is how best to assist Africa with trade, and what frameworks can be created and implemented for trade.

Hello delegates! I am the Chair of the World Trade Organization for HSMUN 2010. I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself: I am currently in my first year of Law at the University of Alberta. I did my undergrad here at the U of A in Political Science. I love the Montreal Canadiens, snowboarding and cooking. I am the second oldest of four children and I am the proud owner of a 20 pound Siamese/Ragdoll cat named Franky.

I look forward to meeting you all in February. If you have any questions about the topics, conference, or University of Alberta in general, please do not hesitate to email me at brburton@ualberta.ca.

Furthermore, I have added a link to a very interesting site concerning the over-reliance on agricultural commodities in developing nations. Please ensure you start your research as soon as possible. That way, if you run into problems I will be able to help you before the conference commences.

Take care!

-Britt

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/007/y5419e/y5419e00.pdf

Welcome!

Hello delegates. Welcome to HSMUN! This year the WTO (World Trade Organization) will be addressing the following two topics:

(1) Furthering the Goals of the 2005 Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration

(2) The Question of Economic Diversification in Agricultural-Commodity Dependent Developing States


Please try and start your research sooner rather than later. The more research you do, the better the debate. Try to ensure you closely follow your country's policies on these issues. If you have any questions we are more than happy to help you. If you have questions on topic 1 email Kristi at kristimeier10@yahoo.ca. For topic 2 email Britt at brburton@ualberta.ca. For general questions email Kristen at kpue@ualberta.ca.

Here are a couple of simple sites to get you started:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wto
http://www.wto.int/