Secretary General Ban-Ki-Moon is set to deliver a keynote address
to 2300 students from 153 different schools and 17 different countries
who have been given the unique opportunity to debate and resolve current
international issues together at the United Nations Association of the
USA (UNA-USA) Global Classrooms Model UN Conference in New York
City sponsored by the UNA-USA and Merrill Lynch.
In addition to Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, speakers scheduled to
address the students during the Opening Ceremony on May 15, 2008,
include John A. Thain, Chairman and CEO, Merrill Lynch, Ambassador
William H. Luers, President of UNA-USA, and Frank McCourt,
noted Pulitzer-Prize winning author of Angela’s
Ashes and former New York City school teacher.
Held at the United Nations headquarters and at the Grand Hyatt in New
York City, the conference mobilizes students to engage in
discussion of world crisis and globalization and development and is one
of the largest of its kind in the world. Topics to be discussed at the
conference include global warming, multi-national corporations in
development, and nuclear non-proliferation.
“I can see that this program is truly
nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. I am always encouraged by spending
time with young people, especially those involved in model United
Nations. These programs give students a deep appreciation of the
challenges of international diplomacy, [through]
filling the shoes of ambassadors from different countries. I think
arguing their positions also give students greater understanding of the
challenges which we are now facing,” said UN
Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon.
Global Classrooms is made possible through the generous financial
and volunteer support of Merrill Lynch. This support has allowed Global
Classrooms to expand its reach to include the following cities:
Beijing, Beirut, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, London,
Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New
Delhi, New York City, San Juan, Saõ Paulo,
Tampa Bay, Tel Aviv, Tokyo and Washington, DC. Merrill Lynch has also
worked with UNA to develop an international exchange program and a new
curriculum on the global economy, tapping the financial services firm’s
senior researchers as content contributors and trainers.
“Globalization represents one of the most
dynamic forces in the world today,” said John
A. Thain, Merrill Lynch chairman and chief executive officer. “We
need a new generation of leaders skilled not only in public policy and
diplomacy, but also in business and markets. Global Classrooms is
developing these leaders and Merrill Lynch is an extremely proud partner
and supporter of this unique program.”
The United Nations Association of the United States of America is
a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to building
understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United
Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian
campaigns, along with its policy and advocacy programs, allow people to
make a global impact at the local level. www.unausa.org
About Merrill Lynch’s Global Philanthropy
Merrill Lynch was founded on the idea that the world is full of
opportunity. Opening the door to that opportunity for underserved
children and youth is the focus of the firm's global philanthropy. In
2007, Merrill Lynch giving totaled nearly $44 million, with education
receiving 40 percent of that support. http://philanthropy.ml.com
