Young Diplomats Conference
This past weekend students took part in the London Summit 2010 at the Debate Chamber Young Diplomats Conference. They represented all corners of the globe, and spent the weekend attempting to come to solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems. On Saturday morning, students took on the roles of delegates of several countries and regional organisations, including the USA, China, the African Union and the Gulf Arab States. They attended briefings and discussion on four issues of global importance – the fight against climate change, the international regulation of labour standards, the problems of a fictional failed state in Africa (Equatorial Kundu) and the Tobin Tax – a proposed tax on currency and financial transactions which could raise money to help alleviate poverty. The delegates to the London Summit then had to consult the top secret briefings from their foreign ministry, confer with others in their delegation, and take part in the informal negotiations to try and get their point of view across and to try and get their interests represented.
On Sunday, the delegates came to the more formal part of the Summit, where competing resolutions were presented on the different issues, and delegates had to try and convince others to back their version of the resolution and their amendments, using whatever diplomatic means they had at their disposal – be it persuasion, appeals to justice, the promises of aid or cheap oil prices or even the threat of economic sanctions! They also had to respond to breaking news and events occurring during the Summit, which had dramatic consequences for their countries. The students did an excellent job of overcoming their competing interests to find compromise and consensus on several issues, including the environment, the regulation of labour standards and the situation in Equatorial Kundu, although in the end the USA and Gulf States held out to the last against the imposition of a Tobin Tax.
Read the resolutions passed by the young diplomats!
The Young Diplomats Conference will be taking place again on 20th and 21st March, see here for more details or to book a place.