Kvankam Modelaj Unugxintaj Naciaj programoj okazas cxijare en miloj da lernejoj tra Usono, aparta rimarkinda Modela UNO estas planata nun por la 80a UK en Tampere -- Modela UNO tute en Esperanto. Tamen, dependas je la monda junularo mem, cxu tia entuziasma projekto povas sukcesi.
One especially unique celebration among the hundreds of different events marking the 50th anniversary of United Nations this year will be an international Model UN -- in Esperanto. The event, under planning for nearly two years, will take place during the 80th UK in Tampere, Finland. In this Model UN, young delegates from around the globe will gather to debate in Esperanto the problems and dilemmas facing minorities.
The organizers Geoffrey Greatrex and Mark Fettes, however admitted the Esperanto community has not been as helpful as they expected in providing delegates. Delegates from countries such as Costa Rica, Denmark, Romania and Belerus have expressed interest, but missing are nations such as Norway, Belgium, Austria. . . nations important in UN affairs and with fairly strong young Esperantist movements.
Fortunately, several USEJ members have asked for more information about the Model UN; the final team will be selected this summer. So, currently, it appears that an American delegation will be present in Tampere.
During the day-long assembly, the American delegates will join with other representatives to discuss the minority situation throughout the globe in United Nations format.
While the main goal of this initiative is to allow young people to use Esperanto for something constructive which surpasses pen pals and conferences, another hope is to demonstrate to the journalists and other media present that Esperanto should be used at such international events. . . and at the United Nations itself, understandably.
Even if you're not in Tampere, you can still mention Esperanto at any Model UN meetings you attend on this side of the Atlantic. Oddly enough, someone nearly always brings up a proposal on ways to solve the UN language problem, not realizing that a solution has been around for more than a century. . .
More information on the Model UN and its progress is available
from the USEJ Central Office.