Understanding Iraq:  US & Global Perspectives

Youth Summit

Why are the US & Iraq at odds?  What does the world think?  What do you think?

 165 high school students participated in the second annual World Affairs Council Youth Summit, ìUnderstanding Iraq:  US & Global Perspectives,î to explore these questions.  From Sehome High School in Bellingham to Oakland High School in Tacoma, a diverse group of students from 28 schools gathered to discuss these issues with each other.  (Complete list of schools)

For many students the highlight of the youth summit was the small group discussion and resolution drafting.  In Model United Nations format, students and moderators worked together to formulate resolutions addressed to the United Nations Security Council dealing with the current world conflict in Iraq.  Here are the resolutions put forth by the delegates of the 2002 Youth Summit:

Table #1

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of Lebanon and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Recognizes that any preemptive unilateral military action that violates the sovereignty of another nation would contradict the values of the United Nations.

2.                   Acknowledges that the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is undesirable in the international community.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Will create a UN international agency to track and limit the weapons of mass destruction in the world.

Table #2

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Non-military means of dealing with Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of the Iraqi economic and humanitarian situation and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   The bombing of Iraq has been ineffective, provocative, and harmful.

2.                   The sanctions have been ineffective and devastating and need to be altered to allow for equitable distribution of medicinal supplies to those who need them.

3.                   Medical supplies should be directly distributed to the people, in addition to food and clothing.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   The number of weapons inspectors and humanitarian personnel shall b increased and all these people shall remain non-military.

2.                   All attacks on Iraq shall cease.

3.                   Increase the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell in exchange for food, clothing, medical supplies, and other humanitarian goods.

4.                   Encourages a multi-phase process of facilitating a peaceful solution

Table #3

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Israel governmentís perspective

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of the Israeli governmentís perspective and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Iraq poses a significant threat to the security of Israel.

2.                   To protect the security of Israel and the Middle East.

3.                   Significant links between Iraq and support for terrorism.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Approve pre-emptive military action.

2.                   Carry out a campaign to affect a regime change and disarm Iraqís weapons of mass destruction.

Table #4

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Reassessing U.N. policy towards Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of Iraqís continuing refusal to allow inspectors free reign and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   The U.N. must know what sort of threat Iraq poses in terms of weapons of mass destruction

2.                   Direct force is more effective than further discussion.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Support the U.S.ís new inspection requirements

2.                   End certain U.N. sanctions and put controls on Iraqís government oil profit use. Include inspectors to verify oil profits used for human needs, i.e. medicine, food.

3.                   Allow any means, including force, in case of violation.

Table #5

Committee: Understand Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Sanctions

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of sanctions and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Lift sanctions.

2.                   Iraqi people decide.

3.                   Are there any weapons of mass destruction left?

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Iraqi people decide about Saddam Hussein, assist them in doing so.

2.                   Saddam Hussein and Bush need to be held accountable in international courts.

Table #7

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: War in Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of war in Iraq and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Consequences of going to war with Iraq are unpredictable.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Should consider all evidence about Iraq before taking any actions or decisions.

2.                   Should send weapons inspectors to Iraq.

Table #8

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Sanctions on Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of sanctions on Iraq and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Sanctions arenít working; theyíre not affecting the right people; doesnít function as itís supposed to. Original objective sent to find weapons, but canít look anywhere anymore.

2.                   U.N. investigators are not effective. Original focus does not work anymore.

3.                   History of Saddamís use of weapons of mass destruction. The obligations for refugees and the protection of ally nations.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Humanitarian aide.

2.                   Uninhibited weapon search ‚ consequences for interference and possible retaliations.

Table #9

Committee: Understanding Iraq youth Summit

Subject: The U.S. needs to change before it tries to change other countries

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of creating equality and united cooperation/balance the hierarchy and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Recognizes that corporate involvement/economic interest in natural resources and desire to control and colonize causes tensions that are potentially violent among all nations of the world.

2.                   Suggests that weapons of mass destruction are an excuse of the U.S. to further other interests and the media-hyped ìwar on terrorism.î 

3.                   Recognizes that past U.S. foreign policy including sanctions and trying to contain Saddam have been ineffective in resolving conflict between the U.S. and Iraq.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council: 

1.                   Promotes increased compassion and understanding among nations through diplomatic cooperation to shift focus away from unsustainable corporate greed.

2.                   Advocates increased awareness of international perspectives among the U.S. population through education programs and a variety of sources.

3.                   Advises that sanctions be lifted and peace talks be facilitated between the U.S. and Iraq and not to resort to bombing Iraq as Saddam is not a true threat to U.S. security. Bombing would merely cause more devastation.

Table #10

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: Turkeyís Perspective on War with Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of Turkey and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   Not only international, but also Arab consensus, is essential to Turkeyís involvement in any action concerning Iraq.

2.                   Considering the state of the Kurdish population in both Turkey and Iraq, the importance of current territorial integrity is critical to Turkish unity.

3.                   Any new regime installed in Iraq would have a direct and potentially influential impact on Turkey.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Weapons inspectors should attempt to investigate the entirety of Iraqís weapons capabilities, with incentives of lifting select sanctions.

2.                   In the case of failure to comply with weapons inspectors or uncovering of significant weapons capabilities, Turkey would support action against Iraq only in concord with both the United Nations and Arab powers.

3.                   In the case of a new regime being established in Iraq, Turkey would retain pre-war territorial boundaries as well as play a role in installing any new power structure in Iraq.

Table #11

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: South Africaís Perspective on War with Iraq

Be it resolved the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Urges the U.S. to find diplomatic, peaceful means to find a resolution to Iraq before taking armed action.

2.                   Urges the lifting of sanctions against Iraq.

3.                   Reiterates the U.N.ís commitment to sovereignty.

Table #13

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: War on Iraq

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of U.S. actions and come to the following conclusions:

            We donít have a resolution because the issues involved are too complicated.

Table #14

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject:

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issue of helping bring an end to Iraqi crisis and come to the following conclusions:

1.                   That war against Iraq would adversely affect the Iraqi and world economies.

2.                   That war would result in the loss of massive civilian life and environmental damage during war and after as a result of land mining.

3.                   That war does not solve the problem of terrorism or lead to democracy.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   Needs to find more information on weapons in Iraq.

2.                   Approve a forum bringing together leaders ‚ including all parties like al-Qaeda and terrorist organizations and Iraq ‚ to discuss all issues relevant to those parties.

3.                   Establish programs to improve the lives of the citizens of Iraq.

Table #15

Committee: Understanding Iraq Youth Summit

Subject: 

Delegates, the members of the Understanding Iraq Youth Summit Committee have studied the issues and come to following conclusions:

1.                   Specifically target Saddam Hussein because we donít believe that targeting Iraq as a whole will accomplish anything; the goals of the United States.

2.                   We require Hussein as the international threat.

Be it resolved that the United Nations Security Council:

1.                   One possible solution is to wait and build a case against Hussein and the atrocities that he has committed and create a multilateral resolution.

2.                   Taking power out of Iraqi government and give power back to the people for them to decide who to be a leader without Husseinís intimidation.

Participating Schools

Ballard High School

Bellevue High School

Bothell High School

Bush School

Cleveland High School

Edmonds-Woodway High School

Fayetteville High School

Federal Way High School

Franklin High School

Foster High School

Highline High School

Inglemoor High School

Ingraham High School

International Bellevue School

Juanita High School

Kamiakin Junior High

Meadowdale High School

Mercer Island High School

Nathan Hale High School

Oakland High School

OMA High School

Redmond High School

Roosevelt High School

Sammamish High School

Sehome High School

Shorewood High School

Summit K-12

University Prep