UN General Assembly - Conflict Diamond Resolution

Directions:

You are representing the interests of one of the key players affecting the issue of conflict diamonds, and will be called to testify before the United Nations General Assembly about your role in the issue as well as possible solutions. After all the presentations have been made, the General Assembly will vote on which solution(s) to pursue in more detail.

Research:

Research the following topics:

• Your person’s or group’s background

• How your person or group is related to conflict diamonds

• How your person or group affects or is affected by conflict diamonds

• Any possible solution your person or group has proposed in the past and evaluate its effectiveness

Develop:

Propose one possible solution or idea to help stop the flow of conflict diamonds. Remember that you are proposing the solution from the point of view of your person or group. Think about the ways that your proposed solution will affect your person or group. Remember that not all "solutions" will seem "nice" or good from all points of view.

Elect:

Elect a group representative to present your group’s findings to the General Assembly. The group representative will assume the role of your assigned person or group, and will introduce himself or herself, provide relevant background/historical information, explain how he or she is connected to conflict diamonds, and present the group’s solution to the issue of conflict diamonds. Other group representatives and members of the General Assembly will then ask questions or comment about the proposed solution.

 

Key Players

Key Players:

1. Rebel leader (Of RUF, UNITA, or other rebel group)

2. Miner (Subsistence miner or someone forced to mine by rebel group)

3. Refugee (Of Angola, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

4. Child Soldier

5. Citizen (Of Angola, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo)

6. Arms Broker (Refer to the Gallery of International Arms Dealers -http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/sierraleone/breakingnews.html)

7. Diamond Smuggler

8. Diamond Expert in Antwerp, Belgium

9. Debswana Mining Company

10. CEO of Tiffany’s or De Beers

11. World Diamond Council

12. Government of Botswana

13. Government of Cote D’Ivoire

14. Government of Sierra Leone

15. Government of United States of America

16. Kimberley Process Monitor

17. Non-Governmental Organizations (Such as Global Witness or Amnesty International)

18. Kalahari Bushman

19. United Nations Ambassador

20. Jeweler

21. Engaged Couple

22. Rap artist (Such as Kanye West, Russell Simmons, or Nas)

23. Actress (Such as Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, or Jennifer Lopez)

24. Student activist