Students to study human trafficking annual at model UN conference

The annual Model United Nations conference for secondary school students will explore the issue of human trafficking this week.

Students gathering Nov. 14-15 at the Education Centre in Belleville are to hear a keynote address by Kaitlyn Ouimette, Victim Services, who will speak about human trafficking through a local lens.

Following 55 students from HPEDSB secondary schools will engage in discussions and committee work as they prepare to present, debate and develop position papers on the topic of human trfficking, with a focus on women and children in labour.

The Model UN is an event where secondary school students engage with one another about world issues. Students will represent 21 different nations and two international groups*. They’ll explore, discuss and attempt to arrive at resolutions to address the following two questions:

1. What measures are required for the United Nations to monitor those aspects of poverty and globalization that are responsible for the endemic exploitation of labour frequently described with the terms of forced labour and modern slavery?

2. How can the United Nations address the global economic pressures that allow for the constant exploitation and coercion of women, children, and men around the world, contrary to Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN’s Sustainable Goal 8?

Students will examine key issues from a variety of perspectives, including those that take into account economic, humanitarian, and cultural considerations.

*Nations and groups represented include: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, France, Germany, India, International Labour Organization, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam, World Trade Organization.

The event ends with a final reading and vote.