This summit has been an incredible failure," said Peru's U.N. representative Tina Vargas. She was speaking viavideo conference to students around the nation, including approximately 40 University students in Zehmer Hall Friday.
The conference, organized by Americans for Informed Democracy (AID), gave students the opportunity to speak directly with leaders at the U.N. World Summit in New York.
"I was excited about the turnout," said fourth-year College student Alaina Moonves, who represented the University as campus coordinator for AID during the conference.
AID is a non-partisan group that aims to educate Americans about both international and domestic issues regarding democracy. It has chapters in universities throughout the country.
According to Moonves, AID is not a CIO at the University yet, but the group plans to apply for CIO status in the spring semester.
At the conference Friday, panel members made opening remarks. Afterwards, each school was allowed to ask a total of three questions.
University students were joined by representatives from Georgetown University, the University of New Mexico, Catholic University, Bates College, Hunter College and the University of South Carolina.
"I was proud that U.Va. students were so interested and came ready with questions for the panel," Moonves said.
Last week the U.N. held a World Summit to assess the progress of the Millennium Development Goals. The eight goals serve as benchmarks to be reached by 191 nations before 2015. According to the Web site for the U.N. Millennium Project, these goals aim to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and empower women, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.
While Secretary General Kofi Annon applauded the results of last week's Summit, several panelists expressed extreme disappointment and confusion at the AID video conference.
"We were preparing to come and assess what countries have done and where resources have gone," said one delegate from Kenya. "When we came this time to the U.N., we came very prepared, but apparently the agenda was changed."
She accused U.N. officials of misleading representatives, suggesting that there had been little substantive dialogue about the progress of individual nations. Instead, leaders talked about the language of the goals themselves.
Carol Welsch, Deputy Director of the Millennium Project, disagreed with the negative response to the Summit. Welsch especially noted President Bush's positive remarks at the Summit, which she believed to be more conciliatory to the role of the U.N.
"He said we support the Millennium Goals and that these Goals require U.S. actions -- these are extremely helpful comments," said Welsch, who defended the role of the U.N. throughout the course of the AID conference.
Susan Myers, a representative of the U.N. Foundation, agreed with Welsch's position, pointing out that the United States is the biggest contributor to the U.N. She emphasized the integral role that America plays in ensuring the future of the U.N.
In the question-and-answer portion of the program, first-year College student Josh Whale and third-year College student Jesse Grimes represented the University.
Whale commented on the "incredible human suffering," asking panelists how it might be possible to "demonstrate that it is the moral obligation" to respond to poverty in the world.
Panelists varied in their responses.
"The moral argument is compelling, and there's an economic one as well," Myers said. "From a security perspective, the U.S. will never be safe if there are so many people who resent us."
The Kenyan delegate reemphasized the necessity of America's participation in the United Nations.
"Right now it's a power game," said the Kenyan delegate. "The U.S. gives more money than anyone else. So what does that mean? It's about control."
An economist from Senegal, responding to a question regarding corruption, used even stronger language.
"Corruption cannot be fought from the outside," she said. "I think more African countries are demanding accountability. But the United States is the biggest corrupt country."
Although the conference was cut short by technical difficulties, it did not end on a negative note, as panelists emphasized the importance of youth participation in international relations.
"There has been an amazing groundswell of interest among student groups," said Welsch, speaking of AID's role in organizing the conference.
"We need to encourage students to get involved in democracy," she said.
In response to the conference, fourth-year College student Kitty Ganier pointed out how difficult it is to defend the U.N. in America these days.
"Susan Myers is clearly dealing with a huge spectrum of issues," Ganier said. "Within the U.S. it is difficult to convince citizens how important our role is in maintaining the U.N."
"I wish the panel had been more representative," second-year College student Rachel Crouch said. "But I thought it was a good way for students to get involved."
According to Moonves, AID events will continue to encourage students to get involved, emphasizing the importance of dialogue.
"Events like this are examples of the positive things going on," Moonves said.
AID next plans to host an event on the role of the International Criminal Court and Darfur.
Friday's conference brought together the opinions of students from around the country and allowed them to engage in a dialogue with world leaders.
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