Model UN - Position Paper Finished

I was able to finish writing a position paper for Model UN. I chose to write about Topic B, which discusses the rights and treatment of disabled people in Macedonia. Unfortunately, I was not able to write a second paper for my committee over the weekend. I will talk to the group about what to do about this, but at the very least I will be sure to do research on Topic A, which focuses on foreign debts and investments. I have posted my essay on Topic B below. I think that writing this essay helped me to develop yet another new skill; I needed to write it quickly, and I knew very little about the topic, so I had to do a large amount of research in a small amount of time. While this may not be a great habit to get into, I think that being able to more quickly process information that I research could be very helpful for my future education.

Position Paper Topic B:

Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons

My country, Macedonia, is very much aware of the difficulties facing disabled persons throughout the world and the extent to which it is necessary for the United Nations to ensure that the human rights of such persons are not overlooked. As such, Macedonia hosts non-governmental organizations such as Polio Plus, which is dedicated to preserving human rights and supporting people who suffer from disabilities. The nation is also currently involved with international organizations including UNICEF and USAID. Because of its concern for this matter, Macedonia has provided its signature for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons. In addition to signing the convention in March 2007, Macedonia also signed the optional protocol, further proving the nation's commitment to resolving this issue.

Within the past few years, Macedonia has made progress towards implementing the ideas set forth by the Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons. The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy has been working with various NGOs in order to eliminate discrimination against people with physical or mental disabilities since 2008. Polio Plus has been a particularly active participant in this movement, assisting Macedonia greatly with the process of Universal Periodic Review and remaining in contact with the UN Human Rights Council.

Macedonia is also providing disabled children with educational opportunities, working with organizations like USAID to give these children access to specially designed computers, in hopes of establishing equality in the education of all children in the country. We have recently begun the development of community homes for people with intellectual disabilities. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski has stated that he sees this development as the first step in creating "a just and inclusive society in Macedonia," as it will help to encourage the people of Macedonia to recognize the rights and equality of the disabled persons around them.

However, we are still struggling to implement the convention as effectively as possible. In the recent past UNICEF has pointed out the inefficiency of institutions for disabled children in comparison to the relative success of providing the children with a family environment. Macedonia is willing to keep an open mind in regards to the best methods with which to improve this situation. Nations like Macedonia might not have the large amounts of resources that may seem necessary to combat discrimination against disabled persons, but it is clear to us that open-mindedness and sheer determination to succeed in this endeavor could easily be our most useful tools. The world must recognize the troubles that face disabled persons daily at treat those persons accordingly. However, it is important that this is done in a way that supports people with disabilities, rather than in a way that causes them to be denied of their human rights.

Hiking - Falmouth

Today the hiking club walked a 10 mile loop around Falmouth. This hike took us through the Buzzards Bay Moraine region, past a windmill and eventually down the Shining Sea bike path. It was interesting to see the bike path during the winter, after having spent a lot of time on it during the summer. It was cold outside throughout the walk, but I think that I was very well prepare this time, because I brought multiple layers of clothing and made sure that I was able to remove some if it began to get warmer. I feel that I have developed a new skill with this type of preparation; prior to joining the hiking club, I would have assumed that there was no more to it than just wearing as much warm clothing as possible, but now that I have been on a few hikes in the winter I know that this is not true. Overall, I enjoyed the hike very much. There was not much that was particularly new about this trip, and it was very close to home, but I thought that it was an excellent way to get back into the habit of hiking for the new year.

I have included pictures from the hike below:

Model UN - Position Papers

There was a meeting this week in which we discussed the position papers that are due this coming Monday. I have been very busy with other schoolwork recently, so I have been unable to start my work on this assignment until now. I was told at the meeting that something had come up unexpectedly with my partner in Macedonia's Social/Humanitarian committee, so I will try to write both of our position papers. Normally this type of event may seem to make it difficult for me to achieve my goal of collaborating with others, but I felt that the whole situation was communicated very effectively through the group and I will do my best to complete my committee's position papers.