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

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:    [phone]        
     Email:  [e-mail]        

     Peggy Atherlay 
     Tel:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]

     Selena Morris, Merrill Lynch
     Tel:    [phone]
     Email:  [e-mail]

SOURCE  Peking University National Model UN