What are ICTs

What are ICTs and what types of ICTs are commonly used in education?

ICTs stand for information and communication technologies and are defined, for the purposes of this primer, as a “diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, dis- seminate, store, and manage information.”4 These technologies include computers, the Internet, broad- casting technologies (radio and television), and telephony.

In recent years there has been a groundswell of interest in how computers and the Internet can best be harnessed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of education at all levels and in both formal and non-formal settings. But ICTs are more than just these technologies; older technologies such as the telephone, radio and television, although now given less attention, have a longer and richer history as instructional tools.5 For instance, radio and television have for over forty years been used for open and distance learning, although print remains the cheapest, most accessible and therefore most dominant delivery mechanism in both developed and developing countries.6 The use of computers and the Internet is still in its infancy in developing countries, if these are used at all, due to limited infrastruc- ture and the attendant high costs of access.

Moreover, different technologies are typically used in combination rather than as the sole delivery mechanism. For instance, the Kothmale Community Radio Internet uses both radio broadcasts and computer and Internet technologies to facilitate the sharing of information and provide educational opportunities in a rural community in Sri Lanka.7 The Open University of the United Kingdom (UKOU), established in 1969 as the first educational institution in the world wholly dedicated to open and dis- tance learning, still relies heavily on print-based materials supplemented by radio, television and, in recent years, online programming.8 Similarly, the Indira Gandhi National Open University in India com- bines the use of print, recorded audio and video, broadcast radio and television, and audioconferenc- ing technologies.9

Information and communication technologies (ICTs)—which include radio and television, as well as newer digital technologies such as computers and the Internet—have been touted as potentially pow- erful enabling tools for educational change and reform. When used appropriately, different ICTs are said to help expand access to education, strengthen the relevance of education to the increasingly dig- ital workplace, and raise educational quality by, among others, helping make teaching and learning into an engaging, active process connected to real life.

GMUN GENERAL ASSEMBLY four committees and core areas

The more flexible framework of the Summit complements the aims of the of Civilizations: to find new approaches to address pressing issues on the United Nations agenda. To be able to discuss the topics related to the Alliance of Civilizations outside of the Main Committees of the General Assembly, the Summit provides a great opportunity for Member States to work towards extraordinary and innovative outcomes.

In a Summit, the Main Committees of the General Assembly do not necessarily meet, but negotiations could be centered around 

specific round tables or working groups. The negotiations during the Summit “Towards an Alliance of Civilizations –

 Bridging Cultures to achieve Peace and Development” will be structured into four committees:

1. Committee on Education Policies towards Multicultural Awareness and Global Citizenship (A/GMUN/2/1); 

2. Committee on the Global Information Society: Removing Barriers and strengthening cultural Dialogue (A/GMUN/2/2);

3. Committee on Cultural Dimensions of Human Security (A/GMUN/2/3);

4. Committee on Forging Alliances towards Peace and Security (A/GMUN/2/4).

The work of the Alliance is centered around the core areas of youth, migration, media, and education. This will also encourage Members States to seek concrete solutions and initiatives on the issues at hand; however, discussions and negotiations are not limited to these core areas. The final goal is, furthermore, to creatively rethink the current systems and structures for dealing with pressing global issues in original, innovative, but also practical and policy-relevant terms.

4. This is a new way of addressing agenda items, and it is hoped that creativity and openness in debate will inspire a truly groundbreaking Summit Outcome Document. Delegates are encouraged to fully embody the ideals and values of the United Nations, and especially those of the General Assembly, in pursuing open, transparent and multilateral discussions – in which all Member States contribute equally.

The more flexible framework of the Summit complements the aims of the

Amendments Process

Amendments.  

The amendment process is used to strengthen consensus on a resolution by allowing delegates to change certain sections of the resolution.  At UNA-USA MUN there are two types of amendments: friendly and unfriendly.  

• Friendly amendment.  A friendly amendment is a change to the resolution that all sponsors feel is appropriate.  The amendment must be signed by all of the sponsors, and approved by the Director.  After this, the amendment is automatically incorporated into the resolution. 
• Unfriendly amendment.  An unfriendly amendment is an amendment that the sponsors of the resolution do not support.  In this case, the author/s of the proposed amendment must obtain the same number of signatures as they would need for a working paper.  After the appropriate number of signatures has been obtained, the Director must approve the amendment.  Unfriendly amendments are voted on in order of severity (established at the discretion of the Chair).  

Once the debate is closed and the body moves into formal voting procedure, the draft resolution(s) and unfriendly amendments, if any, are voted upon in the order determined by the Chair.

Sample of an amendment Committee: G.A. Third Committee – Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Subject: Strengthening U.N. Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance Sponsors: France, Romania, and Poland Signatories: Togo, Australia, Fiji, Brazil, St. Lucia, Viet Nam, New Zealand, Pakistan, Kuwait and Argentina Add as the final operative clause… Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post conflict assistance though reconstruction and development.

 *Note: Amendment sheets will be provided for delegates to follow when drafting them during 

sessions. 

Voting
After closure of debate, draft resolutions are voted upon in the order that they were received. 

At UNA-USA MUN, more than one draft resolution can be passed by a committee. 

Resolution Submission Process

Resolution Submission Process

Step 1

One or more delegates write a working paper.  The authors of a working paper, also known as the sponsor(s), then obtain a required number of signatures, which equals 10% of the delegations present in the specific committee.  After roll call for each meeting, the Chair will notify the delegates of the exact number of signatures needed. 

Step 2

The sponsor(s) take the working paper to the Director, who approves the working paper only if:

1. It is in proper format, does not contain a substantial number of mistakes, and is legible if handwritten; 
2. It carries the required number of signatures; 
3. It is in character for the sponsor(s); and 
4. Its subject matter and proposed actions are within the power of the respective committee or organ. 

If any of those conditions are not met, the Director returns the working paper to the sponsor(s) explaining his or her reasons. Once the working paper has been approved by the Director, it is sent to Conference Services for copying. After the working paper has been copied, it will be given to the sponsors, so they may distribute it in the committee. There is no formal time for introducing working papers. Rather, they are introduced via the speakers list and yields. Only approved working papers can be referred to by the delegates on the floor. 

Step 3

Copies are returned to the sponsor(s) and the committee. Debate on the ideas contained in the working paper continues. At this stage, as the sponsor(s) are building support for their proposals, two or more working papers are frequently combined and specific clauses are changed, added or deleted. 

Once the changes have been incorporated and the working paper is (re)typed, the sponsor(s) obtain the new required number of signatures, which equals 20% of the delegations present in the specific committee. After roll call for each session, the Chair will notify the delegates of the exact number of signatures needed. 

Step 4

Sponsor(s) take the working paper to the Director. If the conditions outlined under step two are met, and there are no other working papers circulating which are similar in substance, the Director approves it. He/she then assigns it a number and a priority, and sends it to Conference Services for final copying. At this point, the working paper can now be referred to as a draft resolution. 

Note that the Director may, in the interest of time and/or if the committee is nearing the closure of debate on a certain agenda item, proceed directly to Step 4. However, all of the relevant conditions outlined in Steps 1-3 have to be met by the sponsor(s). 

Step 5

Copies are distributed to all delegates. Sponsor(s) are given the floor to introduce the document as a draft resolution. They may also get on the speakers list and/or have time yielded to them in order to answer questions about the draft resolution.

Final refinement of the draft resolution in regular debate occurs through friendly amendments, which are submitted by the sponsor(s) and automatically incorporated into the text. Should there be significant changes at this time, the Director may decide to proceed again from Step 4. 

Sample Resolution Paper

Sample Resolution

Committee: Topic: Sponsors: Signatories:

G.A. Third Committee – Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Strengthening U.N. Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance United States, Austria, Italy Greece, Japan, Canada, Mali, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Belgium, United Kingdom, India and Gabonal

The General Assembly,

Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality, and inalienable rights of all global citizens,  

USE Commas to separate Preambulatory Clauses & Underline the first word or phrase

Reaffirming resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages governments to work with established U.N. bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance, 

Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant U.N. bodies and Non-Governmental Organizations, 

1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance relief efforts;  

USE semicolons to separate operative clauses and Number & Underline the first word or phrase 

1. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the U.N. Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid; 
2. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts and humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies; 
3. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donation from the private transnational sector to aid in the funding of rapid deployment forces. 

END resolution with a period 

Country assignment and topics

Country:                          Committee:                       Student:

Russia                              Humanitarian                    Estrella

 Russia                             Social / Economic              Xally     

Russia                              General Assembly         Yulia

Russia                              Security council               Stephany 

China                              Humanitarian                    David

China                              Social / Economic             Laura 

                     

China                             Security Council                Annai 

South Korea                   Humanitarian                    Vanessa

South Korea                  Social / Economic              Alondra

South Korea                  General Assembly             Perla

South Korea                    Security Council              Oscar

Vietnam                         Humanitarian                   Maria Fernanda

Vietnam                         Social / Economic            Ana

Vietnam                        General Assemble            Ilce


Vietnam                       Security Council                   Lorena

                                       

Humanitarian Topics:

1. Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
2. Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Program of action.

  Social / Economics Topics:

1. The situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti.
2. Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.

Security Council topics:

1. Establishing of a nuclear-weapon-free-zone in the region of the Middle East.
2. b) Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

General Assembly Topics:

1. Social Networking, Citizen Engagement and Participation of Migrants Summit Format.
2. Approaches to address Conflict: New Opportunities in the Context of Global Civil Society.