DAY 1: HRC

Amidst much anticipation and prospects for meaningful debate, the United Nations Human Rights Council commenced its first session of the Yonsei Model United Nations 2012. Starting off with the agenda on “Promoting the rights of indigenous people in the area of development,” the participation from the delegates were so enthusiastic that the speaker’s list that was repeatedly opened reached record lengths. With no end in sight, the chairs had to temporarily bar delegates from requesting addition to the speakers’ list via notes to the chair. All 51 delegates that were present were active in the formal debate and the moderated and moderated caucuses.

Regarding the content of the debate, one major point of conflict was the issue of education and development of indigenous peoples. While some delegates were adamant in their support for educational programs to facilitate the development of indigenous people by enlightenment to knowledge and modernity, others were against this notion, saying that such a view is biased and insensitive to the unique cultural and historical heritage of the indigenous communities. As the committee secretary, Suryn Kim suspects that, "these divergent opinions may lead to divergent draft resolutions starting from the second session. We will have to wait and see how the negotiations among delegates will congeal into effective and feasible clauses in the resolution."

All in all, the UNHRC is certainly off to a good start. "With 13 hours remaining, I am thrilled at the thought of the enthusiasm that the delegate has shown and will continue to hold throughout the three-day debate," says Suryn Kim.