MEDIA ADVISORY: 300 Students From All Across China Step Into the Shoes of UN Ambassadors at the Peking University

MEDIA ADVISORY: 300 Students From All Across China Step Into the Shoes of UN Ambassadors at the Peking University

March 02, 2006

Global Classrooms(R) Model UN Conference to Be Held In
Beijing, China on March 3-5
Global Classrooms Is an Innovative Program of UNA-USA, In
Partnership With Merrill Lynch


    What:   The United Nations Association of the United
States of America's 
           (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms program and Merrill
Lynch are bringing 
            the Model UN experience to students all over
China. The Peking 
            University National Model UN Conference for
High School Students 
           (PKUNMUN), a Global Classrooms program, presents
an opportunity 
            for students to negotiate critical issues such
as  the transfer of 
            technology to developing countries, human
rights and refugees, the 
            Middle East conflict and sustainable
development through realistic 
            simulations of UN committees.

    Who:   Over 300 students from 34 middle and high
schools from all across 
           China will come together at this unique event to
enhance their 
           understanding of international issues and to
develop strong 
           leadership and critical thinking skills. Dr.
Eddy Bayardelle from 
           Merrill Lynch, the program's global sponsor,
will address students 
           and teachers. As president of the Merrill Lynch
Foundation, 
           Bayardelle manages the foundation, corporate and
employee 
           contributions and directs the firm's
philanthropic initiatives 
           worldwide. Another keynote address will be given
by Ambassador 
           William H. Luers, president of UNA-USA.

    When:   Opening Ceremonies: March 3rd, 8:30 a.m. to
9:00a.m.
            Press Conference: March 3rd, 9:10 a.m.

    Where:   Peking University, Yingjie Exchange Center 
 
    Background:   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.
                  http://www.unausa.org .

                  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. 
                  http://en.pku.edu.cn .

    For more information, please contact:

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

SOURCE  The United Nations Association of the United States
of America