2007'02.01.Thu
Hundreds of Chinese Teens Tackle Today's Most Critical International Issues Through Global Classrooms(R), an Innovative Program of UNA-USA, in Partnership With Merrill Lynch

March 03, 2006

300 Students From Middle and High Schools Across China Negotiate as UN Ambassadors at the Peking University Model UN Held in Beijing, China on March 3-5
BEIJING, March 3 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Today, more than 300 middle and high school students from all across China will step into the shoes of United Nations ambassadors to debate and resolve current issues at the Peking University National Model UN (PKUMUN) Conference for High School Students, a Global Classrooms program sponsored by the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) and Merrill Lynch. The conference mobilizes students to engage in world issues, such as the transfer of technology to developing countries, human rights and refugees, the Middle East conflict and sustainable development. Students will learn from the expertise of the program's global sponsor, Merrill Lynch, with remarks delivered by Dr. Eddy Bayardelle, president of the Merrill Lynch Foundation. Students also will hear from the president of UNA-USA, Ambassador William H. Luers. This is the second year that Chinese schools are participating in the Global Classrooms program, which brings multilateral issues and the Model UN experience to urban public schools across the US and a diverse array of schools around the world. Global Classrooms reaches out to teachers and students representing diverse socioeconomic, religious and cultural backgrounds. The second Global Classrooms Model UN Conference in Beijing brings together Chinese students and teachers from 34 middle and high schools to promote global citizenship. The gathering, run entirely by university students, presents new opportunities for dialogue and understanding about the issues facing the world among diverse groups of China's youth. "With the world moving so quickly, today's generation of students is more affected by what happens in every corner and on every continent of the world. Global Classrooms provides a strong foundation for understanding international affairs, which is a vital step to peaceful solutions to problems -- whether at the community, regional or global level," said Amb. Luers. Global Classrooms Beijing is made possible through the generous support of Merrill Lynch. A $7.5 million grant from Merrill Lynch allows the program to expand its reach to include the following cities over the next five years: Atlanta, Beirut, Dallas, Detroit, Hong Kong, Hopewell, Johannesburg, London, Mexico City, Miami, Madrid, New Orleans, Paris, Philadelphia, Sao Paulo, Tokyo and Toronto. Global Classrooms is currently active in: Accra, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Monterrey, New Delhi, New York City, St. Paul, Tampa Bay, Tel Aviv and Washington, DC. "Global Classrooms has been successful in exposing students from diverse backgrounds to a more inclusive way of thinking, understanding and interaction," noted Dr. Lucia Rodriguez, vice president of education for UNA-USA. "Armed with this new perspective, students feel empowered to take an active role in shaping their own future." Several of the students participating in the Beijing event will have the opportunity to travel to New York in May and join more than 2,000 students at the UNA-USA Model United Nations Conference held at UN headquarters. The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a center for innovative programs to engage Americans in issues of global concern. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, along with its policy and advocacy programs, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. A not-for-profit organization, UNA-USA encourages strong United States leadership in the United Nations. About Merrill Lynch's Global Philanthropy Merrill Lynch was founded on the idea that the world is full of opportunity. Opening the door to that opportunity for underserved children and youth is the focus of the firm's global philanthropy. In 2004, Merrill-Lynch giving totaled more than $35.5 million, with education receiving nearly half of that support. Merrill Lynch's flagship program Investing Pays Off(R) -- or IPO(R) -- helps create a level playing field for youngsters of all backgrounds through financial literacy and business savvy. The program's strength lies in a free curriculum, the involvement of Merrill Lynch volunteers and online educational resources at http://volunteer.ml.com . Peking University is a comprehensive and National key university in China. The university has made an effective combination of the research on important scientific issues with the training of personnel with high level specialized knowledge and professional skills. It strives not only for the simultaneous improvements in teaching and research work, but also for the promotion of interaction and mutual promotion among various subjects. For more information, please contact: Gracy Wang Tel: +86-10-62751245 Email: Oec238e@pku.edu.cn Peggy Atherlay Tel: +1-212-907-1320 Email: patherlay@unausa.org Selena Morris, Merrill Lynch Tel: +1-212-449-7283 Email: selena_morris@ml.com SOURCE Peking University National Model UN
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