Great Work and great questions guys! I have included answers to questions posed in the order in which they were asked. Remember focus primarily on how the WHO can make resolutions that helps the international community as a whole and individual nations respond to the issues assigned: GMOs and neglected diseases.
Here are the answers to questions posed in the order that they were asked:
Q: Will I be able to talk to French representatives about some issues before a vote or a compromise is reached? A: We will provide time at the beginning of each day when delegates representing the same country may talk to each other. Also, delegates will be able to request testimony from other delegates if they feel as though the information will be essential to to formulating/revising a response to the issues being faced. While this time will be provided during session, you'll be encouraged to talk to other delegates outside of session as well.
Q: Do I have to know exactly the biology of all the neglected diseases I have in my briefings?Knowing the exact biology is not necessary. Ensure that you have read the briefings and understand the impact of these the diseases. Understanding the rate incidence and rate of transmission will be sufficient information for writing resolutions to address the problem.
Q: How does a WHO resolution compare to a UN or House of Congress format? Are there specific guidelines we must follow?A: First, the resolutions look very similar to other UN resolutions, barring a few formatting changes. Resolutions submitted during the congress, will automatically be formatted when typed. Rather than worrying about the specific resolution format, ensure that the content of your resolution thoroughly responds to some aspect of the problem and gives a series of steps and procedures that ensures that the solution is implementable.
Q: Should we pay attention to neglected diseases, ignoring the issue about water and sanitation?A: Focus primarily on neglected diseases. While doing so, you should consider the things that can make neglected diseases worse or make possible solutions ineffective. Since water and sanitation are pertinent to the propagation of the neglected diseases problem, you may want to consider them as you look for a solution to the issue.
Q: How much detail is required about GMOs and neglected diseases in the country we are representing?A: What is important to know is that essentially all countries feel the GMOs are not safe for human consumption with the exception of a few countries. Essentially, the task is to define how the WHO feels about the viability of GMOs as an alternative food source. In doing so, consider policy that would be necessary to ensure that these foods are safe for human consumption. To do this, its not as important to know all of the details of where your country stands on the issue.
I'm looking forward to seeing you all in a week.
Horatio Thomas
-- Edited by HMCE Chair on Saturday 14th of March 2009 08:02:23 PM