Dear Young Friends,

On behalf of all the members and the Board of UNA-Canada, I am very pleased to encourage you to take an active part in the inaugural Model International Joint Commission in June in beautiful Lewiston, New York.

For many of you who have had experience in Model United Nations, you will know that the United Nations Association in Canada places enormous value on the full engagement of young people in the urgent and important issues of our day.

One hundred years ago the governments of the United States and Canada signed the Boundary Water Treaty (BWT) to guide the challenging issues related to shared water resources between our two countries. This important Treaty is the foundational document of the International Joint Commission. As an historic institution ourselves, UNA-Canada has been guided by the principles inherent in such international solution-seeking instruments as the Treaty, as we go about our daily work.

UNA-Canada is pleased to bring the encyclopedic skills we have developed through many, many years of Model UN into this new and innovative showcase: a Model IJC. As participants in this inaugural simulation, you will now test drive the Model. As with any empathy-based simulation, it is only as sound and rewarding as the participants make it. It is through your skills as willing and helpful young “diplomats and negotiators” that we will together find solutions to the on-going challenges of shared, and sometimes eroding/diminishing resources.

Come and help us develop a better world for all!

I look forward to meeting you,

Kathryn White
Executive Director

April 2009

Re: Formal Invite to Participate in United Nations Association in Canada’s Model International Joint Commission

Dear Distinguished Students,

It is my pleasure to formally invite you to join the United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada), fellow Canadian and American students in participating in the inaugural Model International Joint Commission, marking the centennial of one of the world’s most prestigious multilateral governing body. From June 11th- June 13th, 2009 UNA-Canada will be hosting a two-day simulation addressing transboundry water issues.

UNA-Canada has extensive experience of hosting and organizing Canada’s largest bilingual Model United Nations and is excited to be applying this experience of many years to developing the first Model International Joint Commission of this caliber. The Association is appealing to Canadian and American University students to participate in this model simulation that offers experience in exercising diplomacy, negotiation, compromise, and the skill of debate.

For more information on the Model International Joint Commission, registration and other important details please visit modelijc.org or send your inquires to modelijc@unac.org.

We look forward to seeing in June!

Sincerely,

Lauren Alcorn
UNA-Canada Manager