MODEL UN TO BE TODAY AT UNIVERSITY

International issues pertaining to the environment, military spending, population, and chemical and biological weapons will be debated by high school students today at the Model United Nations.

The event, held on the Southeast Missouri State University campus, is expected to draw 200 to 250 student delegates, said Rick Althaus, Southeast professor of political science and coordinator of the Model United Nations.

This is the fourth time the political science department has sponsored the Model United Nations on the university campus.

In addition to resolutions and debates on issues, a speaker from the United Nations in New York will talk with students.

Marie Ann Erb, in the publicity section of the United Nations, will discuss how the United Nations operates.

High school students from throughout the region will attend. Students will represent delegates from different nations.

"Some of them will be in native dress. Some will have manufactured the flag of the country they will represent," said Althaus.

He said, "They are going to be simulating UN debate and several have already written and submitted some resolution on various topics."

Althaus said students are instructed to research the countries they represent and then argue and vote in the best interests of that nation.

"We deal with real issues and try to keep everything as realistic as possible," Althaus said.

In addition, about 15 or 20 college students will serve as United Nations staff.

"The Model UN serves two purposes," Althaus said. "It's an educational service to the high school students. This also helps our college Model United Nations students prepare for an upcoming trip to St. Louis for a college-level Model UN."

He added that high school and college students need knowledge about the United Nations and a perspective on international affairs.

"Especially seeing some of the drastic changes that have taken place within the last year internationally in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, it shows we're all in this together."

The event begins at 8 a.m.

Initially students will divide into three committees to discuss the issues. "The committees will pass resolutions. Later, the general assembly will reconvene and will take up those topics and resolutions."