2009-09-22T08:22:00.002-06:00

ASK: I'm representing a country in the Group of Twenty (G-20). What is the G-20 and are we simulating it at Montana Model UN?

OWEN: The G-20, formally known as the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, is an international financial forum composed of 19 countries and the European Union. For a list of all the G-20 countries, go here. Together, these countries represent make up about 85% of the world's economy (including 90% of global gross national product (GNP) and 80% of world trade). The G-20 meets annualy with a focus on global economic issues, such as the current financial crisis. The upcoming summit will be held this week in Pittsburgh on September 24th and 25th.

The G-20 is not part of the UN, so we won't be simulating it at the MMUN conference. But you should pay attention if you represent one of the G-20 countries. Your county's words and actions at the Pittsburgh summit (and at past meetings) can give useful information for developing your positions and representing your country at the MMUN conference, especially if you're assigned to the General Assembly Second Committee (GA-2) on economic issues. Even if you arn't in the GA-2, your county's economic clout and status as a G-20 member can still figure into debate, if you make it happen.

2009-09-08T08:13:00.000-06:00

ASK: When will the Montana Model United Nations (MMUN) website be updated with information about the 2009 conference?

OWEN: If you looked at the MMUN website - and you must if you found my blog - you probably noticed that the site hasn't been updated since last year's conference. While the 2009 high school conference is more than two months away, I bet a few of you are already preparing for the event. You few will be glad to know that the MMUN website will be updated soon. How soon, I can't say; but I can say that our Press Officer, Ray Davis, will be recommending changes to the conference website later today and that editing of the 2009 topic guides will finish in a week or so. Assuming the guides are posted as soon as they're edited, they should be up a month earlier than last year!

Even though the MMUN website isn't completely up to date, it still contains plenty of useful information. The guides in the Tools for Delegates section should help you prepare. And the FAQ has plenty of UN related links. Also, check out my blog every couple weeks for the latest info on MMUN and the high school conference.

Ask Owen