Student to model world diplomacy in China

Is global warming a threat to international security? Third-year international relations student Ryan Osterberg had an opportunity to try to convince colleagues from around the world of just that when he travelled to Xian, China, to participate in the National Model United Nations Conference.

“Just look at Darfur,” he said. “Climate change is leading to desertification and the scarcity of water resources, which leads to famine and increases tensions between tribal groups. Militia groups and terrorist organizations thrive on other people’s suffering. They exploit that tension, which helps with their recruitment. It’s just one example of how climate change contributes to terrorism and threatens international security. We have to categorize climate change as a global security threat.”

The University of Windsor was one of only three Canadian schools to participate in the conference, which brings together students with potential to be the leaders of tomorrow to debate global issues. The conference included several committees such as a General Assembly Plenary, Security Council and a Special Session on Global Warming.

Osterberg sat on the Security Council simulation, where delegates were to debate the issue of the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as terrorist threats to national security.

Each delegate represents a country and Osterberg was assigned Panama. He says the sessions are often monitored by UN representatives who sometimes report back to their colleagues. He believes that by making the argument convincingly enough, there’s a chance it could end up on the international agenda. Osterberg made an international impression, earning an outstanding delegate award.

He was selected as the outstanding delegate from a 14-member committee that included representatives from China, Russia, Germany, Italy and the United States. Osterberg said he hopes his award will help.