21 November 2008: More than 600 students will have the unique opportunity to debate and resolve current international issues together at the Global Classrooms: New Delhi Model UN Conference sponsored by the United Nations Association of the USA and Merrill Lynch. Held at the India Habitat Centre, the conference mobilizes students to engage in discussion of world issues. Committee topics to be discussed at the conference include issues such as climate change, access to primary education, food security and distribution, and trade liberalization and the economy. Hon’ble Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam ( Former President of India) will be the Chief Guest at the Opening Ceremony Opening Ceremony on November 22, 2008. Dr. Shalini Dewan, Director United Nations Information Centre, New Delhi, will be the chief guest at the Award giving ceremony on 24 November 2008.

In the past decade, the popularity of Model UN simulations in New Delhi has increased on both the university and high school level. However, these conferences are mostly sponsored by private academic institutions. The United Nations Association of the USA’s Global Classrooms program in New Delhi, working together with Delhi Public Schools is taking the lead in extending the Model UN experience to students throughout India. The Global Classrooms Model UN Conference in India brings together students from 130 schools along with teachers and staff from Delhi Public Schools to promote global citizenship among diverse groups of India’s youth.

“With the world moving so quickly, today’s generation of students is more affected by what happens in every corner and on every continent of the world. Global Classrooms provides a strong foundation for understanding international affairs, which is a vital step to peaceful solutions to problems—whether at the community or global level,” said Ambassador William Luers, president of UNA-USA.

Global Classrooms is made possible through the generous financial and volunteer support of Merrill Lynch. This support has allowed Global Classrooms to expand its reach to include the following cities: Beijing, Beirut, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New Delhi, New York City, San Juan, Sao Paulo, Seoul, Tampa Bay, Tel Aviv, Tokyo, and Washington, DC.

“While globalization is bringing people closer together, it is also requiring children to develop certain skills and perspectives so that they can understand the interconnected world, said Eddy Bayardelle, president of the Merrill Lynch Foundation. “Global Classrooms will help today’s youth to become tomorrow’s global ambassadors and business leaders.”

The United Nations Association of the United States of America is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, along with its policy and advocacy programs, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. www.unausa.org

About Merrill Lynch’s Global Philanthropy
Merrill Lynch was founded on the idea that the world is full of opportunity. Opening the door to that opportunity for underserved children and youth is the focus of the firm's global philanthropy. In 2007, Merrill Lynch giving totaled nearly $44 million, with education receiving 40 percent of that support. http://philanthropy.ml.com