NationStates Jolt Archive


Final Draft: Global Education Initiative

Arturistania
26-11-2004, 03:21
Recognizing the need to provide quality, publicly-funded education for all people,

Underscoring the importance of literacy to the betterment of a nation's society and economy,

Realizing the importance of post-secondary education for economic growth in a modern economy,

Concerned by the inability of students from low-income families to attend post-secondary institutions,

Recalling Resolution 3: Education for All, Resolution 28: Free Education,and Resolution 54: UN Educational Committee,

The United Nations defines the role and function of the UNEC as follows:

1. The role of the UNEC shall include:
a) Providing educational grants to UN member states that request financial help for their education programs,
b) Providing supplies directly to public education institutions that have applied for supply grants to the UNEC,
c) Evaluating the level of need of all applicants for UNEC assistance, and
d) Monitoring the implementation of its grants;
e) Suspending such grants if monitoring proves that they are not being used for educational purposes;

2. Establishes a United Nations Educational Trust Fund, which will be managed by the UNEC and funded through donations by international, national, and non-governmental sources;

3. Recommends two advisory panels to the UNEC, composed of:
a) at least twenty-five teachers from UN member states
b) at least twenty-five students from UN member states;

4. Instructs the UNEC to take into consideration all of the recommendations provided by the UNEC advisory panel;

5. Authorizes the UNEC to base the decisions concerning the awarding and continuation of the United Nations Education Trust Fund grants on both the recommendation of the UNEC advisory panel as well as on information collected on the current status of overall quality of the programs that apply for financial aid;

6. Suggests that the evaluation of the current status of the overall quality of educational programs includes budget analysis, student retention, school curriculum, educational goals of the society in question, and feedback from the students / teachers / administration and representatives of the country applying for the grant;

7. Acknowledges the inherent right of societies to determine what is best for their children, by taking into consideration the cultural and social needs of the member states and schools that apply to the UNEC;

8. Reaffirms that the financial resources provided by the UNEC should be given out on a need basis, with the nations most in need of assistance given a priority in the UNEC decision making process;

9. Expresses its hope that in time that nations will be able to supplement the aid provided by the UNEC and that the programs and institutions that apply for UNEC aid may become self-sufficient;

The United Nations further declares that:

10. Access to quality public education is deemed a fundamental human right for all children up to and including the age of 19;

11. All people age 19 and over seeking to attain primary and secondary education have the right to affordable access to quality education of this level;

12. Nations should provide access to post-secondary education institutions to all qualified applicants who are unable to afford it;

13. Nations should reform student loan programs in order to completely pay for the tuition of the applicant with the condition that repayment of the loan begins one year after completion of the applicant's degree;

14. Access to affordable post-secondary education for all qualified applicants, regardless of ability to pay, is deemed a fundamental human right;

15. A UN Sub-committee on Post-Secondary Education, hereafter referred to as UNSCPSE, shall be established.

The United Nations defines the role and function of the UNSCPSE as follows:

16. The role of the UNSCPSE shall include:
a) Providing assistance, expertise, and recommendations to any nation seeking advice in restructuring their student loan programs,
b) Assessing requests for the expansion of post-secondary education institutions, and the construction of new post-secondary institutions and infrastructure,
c) Assessing requests for capital to cover the initial expense of the restructure student loan programs,
d) Forwarding their assessments and recommendations on the requests for funding by nations to the UNEC for the committee's evaluation and approval to distribute funds from the UN Educational Trust Fund,
e) Monitoring the use of all assistance provided to nations who receive it and reporting any violations to the UN Education Trust Fund and UNEC so that funding may cease immediately;

17. Recommends the creation of an advisory panel to the UNSCPSE comprised of economists and accountants elected to the advisory board by member states;

18. Instructs the UNSCPSE to take into consideration all of the recommendations provided by the UNSCPSE advisory panel and to include these recommendations with any requests forwarded to the UNEC for the approval of the distribution of funds from the UN Education Trust Fund;

19. Reaffirms that the financial resources provided by the UNSCPSE should be given out on a need basis, with the nations most in need of assistance given a priority in the UNSCPSE decision-making process.
Vastiva
26-11-2004, 04:15
What does this give us that 3, 28, and 54 did not?
Arturistania
26-11-2004, 04:22
1. A definition of the role of the UNEC

2. Declaring access to quality public education for everone up to and including the age of 19 is a fundamental human right

3. Declaring that all adults should have access to affordable primary and secondary education

4. Stating that a university education for all qualified applicants is a human right and that inability to pay is not an acceptable reason to maintain the perpetual cycle of povery of the lower-class

5. Established the UN Sub-committee on post-secondary education and defines its role

6. Establishes a UN Educational Trust Fund to fund programs created through the UNEC and UNSCPSE

These measures I believe are important and necessary. Currently these crucial components are missing in the current resolutions so this resolution seeks to tie all of those together.

The second part of this initiative which has been omitted due to size limitations will expand upon this and develop guidelines for early childhood education. The DRA is still in the process of drafting the Global Education Initiative Part II.
Vastiva
26-11-2004, 05:38
Ah.

Ok.

No.
Arturistania
27-11-2004, 04:12
Just so I can fix any shortcomings in this resolution, what exactly are you opposed to?
Pilot
27-11-2004, 04:27
My only reservation about the proposal is that there be a dollar amount attached to the education trust fund and an operative clause on how the proposal plans to raise money for its programs. If that is added, I'll approve it.
DemonLordEnigma
27-11-2004, 04:51
Recognizing the need to provide quality, publicly-funded education for all people,

Underscoring the importance of literacy to the betterment of a nation's society and economy,

Realizing the importance of post-secondary education for economic growth in a modern economy,

Concerned by the inability of students from low-income families to attend post-secondary institutions,

Not a problem in my nation. No school system. Parents prefer to educate at home and it was a waste of tax dollars. The tax cut I gave them afterwards boosted my economy enough the teachers were able to get new jobs.

Recalling Resolution 3: Education for All, Resolution 28: Free Education,and Resolution 54: UN Educational Committee,

Meh. I find them useless in my nation. The people refused to take advantage of the system I provided, so I was forced to scrap it to cut complaints. It's like laying pip for a sewer, only to have no one buy the house.

The United Nations defines the role and function of the UNEC as follows:

1. The role of the UNEC shall include:
a) Providing educational grants to UN member states that request financial help for their education programs,
b) Providing supplies directly to public education institutions that have applied for supply grants to the UNEC,
c) Evaluating the level of need of all applicants for UNEC assistance, and
d) Monitoring the implementation of its grants;
e) Suspending such grants if monitoring proves that they are not being used for educational purposes;

I agree with this. It does the job perfectly with the expansion.

2. Establishes a United Nations Educational Trust Fund, which will be managed by the UNEC and funded through donations by international, national, and non-governmental sources;

I don't consider my nation to be affected by this.

3. Recommends two advisory panels to the UNEC, composed of:
a) at least twenty-five teachers from UN member states
b) at least twenty-five students from UN member states;

Alter it to allow them from states with education systems. Not all rely on the system.

Wait, that objection is covered by #7. Nevermind.

4. Instructs the UNEC to take into consideration all of the recommendations provided by the UNEC advisory panel;

5. Authorizes the UNEC to base the decisions concerning the awarding and continuation of the United Nations Education Trust Fund grants on both the recommendation of the UNEC advisory panel as well as on information collected on the current status of overall quality of the programs that apply for financial aid;

6. Suggests that the evaluation of the current status of the overall quality of educational programs includes budget analysis, student retention, school curriculum, educational goals of the society in question, and feedback from the students / teachers / administration and representatives of the country applying for the grant;

These do not affect me, so I am neutral on them.

7. Acknowledges the inherent right of societies to determine what is best for their children, by taking into consideration the cultural and social needs of the member states and schools that apply to the UNEC;

8. Reaffirms that the financial resources provided by the UNEC should be given out on a need basis, with the nations most in need of assistance given a priority in the UNEC decision making process;

9. Expresses its hope that in time that nations will be able to supplement the aid provided by the UNEC and that the programs and institutions that apply for UNEC aid may become self-sufficient;

Mostly, no effect. #7 just affirms my earlier complaint.

The United Nations further declares that:

10. Access to quality public education is deemed a fundamental human right for all children up to and including the age of 19;

11. All people age 19 and over seeking to attain primary and secondary education have the right to affordable access to quality education of this level;

12. Nations should provide access to post-secondary education institutions to all qualified applicants who are unable to afford it;

These I have a problem with.

As I have mentioned, I have abolished the public education system of my nation. The people were not using it and felt it to be a waste of money. They are weird in that way. Yet, I seem to have a higher number of those gifted with what they are practicing, so my nation seems to benefit by not benefitting from public education. To force me to have one is to force me to tax my citizens for something they're not even going to use. It would be like putting a tax on electricity to pay for cleaning up streets of horse manure from everyone driving horse-drawn carriages in New York in the modern era.

13. Nations should reform student loan programs in order to completely pay for the tuition of the applicant with the condition that repayment of the loan begins one year after completion of the applicant's degree;

With the failure I was having with just primary education, I never created a college system. It would be a waste of money. People are simply not interested in it.

14. Access to affordable post-secondary education for all qualified applicants, regardless of ability to pay, is deemed a fundamental human right;

15. A UN Sub-committee on Post-Secondary Education, hereafter referred to as UNSCPSE, shall be established.

1) Enough committees. Too many already.
2) See above.

The United Nations defines the role and function of the UNSCPSE as follows:

16. The role of the UNSCPSE shall include:
a) Providing assistance, expertise, and recommendations to any nation seeking advice in restructuring their student loan programs,
b) Assessing requests for the expansion of post-secondary education institutions, and the construction of new post-secondary institutions and infrastructure,
c) Assessing requests for capital to cover the initial expense of the restructure student loan programs,
d) Forwarding their assessments and recommendations on the requests for funding by nations to the UNEC for the committee's evaluation and approval to distribute funds from the UN Educational Trust Fund,
e) Monitoring the use of all assistance provided to nations who receive it and reporting any violations to the UN Education Trust Fund and UNEC so that funding may cease immediately;

17. Recommends the creation of an advisory panel to the UNSCPSE comprised of economists and accountants elected to the advisory board by member states;

18. Instructs the UNSCPSE to take into consideration all of the recommendations provided by the UNSCPSE advisory panel and to include these recommendations with any requests forwarded to the UNEC for the approval of the distribution of funds from the UN Education Trust Fund;

19. Reaffirms that the financial resources provided by the UNSCPSE should be given out on a need basis, with the nations most in need of assistance given a priority in the UNSCPSE decision-making process.

No effect on my nation.
Zervok
27-11-2004, 05:44
My only reservation about the proposal is that there be a dollar amount attached to the education trust fund and an operative clause on how the proposal plans to raise money for its programs. If that is added, I'll approve it.
Technically, the UN basically has no money so it doesnt really matter.
Tuesday Heights
27-11-2004, 05:44
Education should be in the hands of each individual nation, as different cultures and/or societies have different ways of dealing with their educational systems.
Vastiva
27-11-2004, 06:02
Just so I can fix any shortcomings in this resolution, what exactly are you opposed to?

Very well.

10. Access to quality public education is deemed a fundamental human right for all children up to and including the age of 19;


No. Vastiva has compulsory military or civil service from 18 to 21.



13. Nations should reform student loan programs in order to completely pay for the tuition of the applicant with the condition that repayment of the loan begins one year after completion of the applicant's degree;

We have no student loan program. Upon children being born, their parents salaries have a fixed 2% placed in an interest-bearing Educational account, which becomes the property of the individual upon reaching age 21. This is used for education if the individual so desires.

For those who have programs, this statement would mean "if you do not complete your degree, you do not need to pay back the loan".


My only reservation about the proposal is that there be a dollar amount attached to the education trust fund and an operative clause on how the proposal plans to raise money for its programs. If that is added, I'll approve it.

That would be impossible to add, by the way. The costs of education in the differing nations vary beyond any reasonable standard.
Powerhungry Chipmunks
27-11-2004, 07:00
Things I like:

Recognizing the need to provide quality, publicly-funded education for all people,
----snip----
Recalling Resolution 3: Education for All, Resolution 28: Free Education,and Resolution 54: UN Educational Committee,

Your arguments are clear and well built. You might consider reordering the clauses to place the "Recalling" clause a little earlier, but this order still facilitates easily.

1. The role of the UNEC shall include:
----snip----
e) Suspending such grants if monitoring proves that they are not being used for educational purposes;

Thorough. I like the direct language. Good work.

2. Establishes a United Nations Educational Trust Fund, which will be managed by the UNEC and funded through donations by international, national, and non-governmental sources;

To the point, and avoiding touchy funding battles. Very nice addition.

3. Recommends...

4. Instructs the UNEC...

5. Authorizes the UNEC...

6. Suggests...

7. Acknowledges...

8. Reaffirms...

9. Expresses its hope...

I like the words you invest in to direct your legislation's power. Variety for the sake of variety is frivolity. Variety with a unified prupose, poetry.

post-secondary...post-secondary...post-secondary...post-secondary...
You use one descriptive word throughout. Very clear.

I like the work you've put into this. There may be a few things which will not be as resonant with all UN members (such as the age of "19"), but I think it's still well-written.
Winged Hussars
27-11-2004, 09:36
1. A definition of the role of the UNEC

2. Declaring access to quality public education for everone up to and including the age of 19 is a fundamental human right

3. Declaring that all adults should have access to affordable primary and secondary education

4. Stating that a university education for all qualified applicants is a human right and that inability to pay is not an acceptable reason to maintain the perpetual cycle of povery of the lower-class

5. Established the UN Sub-committee on post-secondary education and defines its role

6. Establishes a UN Educational Trust Fund to fund programs created through the UNEC and UNSCPSE

These measures I believe are important and necessary. Currently these crucial components are missing in the current resolutions so this resolution seeks to tie all of those together.

The second part of this initiative which has been omitted due to size limitations will expand upon this and develop guidelines for early childhood education. The DRA is still in the process of drafting the Global Education Initiative Part II.

Education my dear sir is not a RIGHT but a PRIVILIGE. When education becomes a right it is given less respect because it is not strived for. Knowledge cannot be given but learned from an eager mind.
Arturistania
27-11-2004, 22:06
I like the work you've put into this. There may be a few things which will not be as resonant with all UN members (such as the age of "19"), but I think it's still well-written.

Credit for much of the UNEC part has to go to Mikitivity and Hersfold who originally helped draft a resolution to specifically define the role of the UNEC, a resolution which did not recieve enough sponsors.

I cannot thank these two people enough for their help in creating this expanded resolution. It is too bad Nation States won't allow a list of co-drafters in resolutions.


Education my dear sir is not a RIGHT but a PRIVILIGE. When education becomes a right it is given less respect because it is not strived for. Knowledge cannot be given but learned from an eager mind.

I could not disagree more. All children should have the right to attend quality, publicly funded education. Not only is this an excellent way of promoting knowledge, discipline, and childhood development, a strong education system is a vital factor in a strong, growing economy.

The point of this resolution is to guarantee that all children can attend quality, publicly funded education. If you read the resolution, it is not stated that all children must attend, individual nations can specify that. What this resolution says is that all children have the *right* to attend and that right should not be denied.
Vastiva
28-11-2004, 00:55
Excuse, but why is not some form of proof that higher education would lead to ultimate societal benefit within your document?

We agree to 18. However, the later education tends to be specialized, technical, directed. This is not a right - this fits the needs of the nation and of the people. As such, it is a privledge.
Arturistania
28-11-2004, 02:19
Here again, please read closely.

1. When responding to Winged Hussars, read the quote that honourable representative had. It included the clauses regarding primary and secondary education and my comments were directed towards that, hence why I referred to children.

2. This document refers to those who meet entrance requirements for university. This document states that all of those people have the right to attend university, regardless of ability to pay. The goal of this is to allow students from low income families to A. focus more on school work in high school instead of working 3 or 4 jobs and B. eliminates ability to pay as a requirement of post-secondary education.

3. As for the social benefit. There are two key social benefits. First, allowing qualified students from low-income families to attend university would allow them to begin to break the perpetual cycle of poverty that so many of the lower-class faces. Secondly, giving additional training to more students increase the overall skill and knowledge of the workforce allowing for strong economic growth and development. Such growth would generate new tax revenues for the government which many governments might use towards social welfare, healthcare, education, and the environment. These are long term social benefits but they are crucial for ending the perpetual cycles of poverty for the lower-class and will help lead to strong economic growth and a more knowledgeble and skilled workforce in the future. The DRA fails to see how this is a bad thing.
Vastiva
28-11-2004, 02:26
Here again, please read closely.

1. When responding to Winged Hussars, read the quote that honourable representative had. It included the clauses regarding primary and secondary education and my comments were directed towards that, hence why I referred to children.

2. This document refers to those who meet entrance requirements for university. This document states that all of those people have the right to attend university, regardless of ability to pay. The goal of this is to allow students from low income families to A. focus more on school work in high school instead of working 3 or 4 jobs and B. eliminates ability to pay as a requirement of post-secondary education.

If you mean "those who meet entrance requirements for higher education" (don't say "university", some places don't have them), please insert it into the proposal. Otherwise, a straight F student who never went to class since kindergarden has the right, under your proposal, to demand university education, at state expense, and never attend.



3. As for the social benefit. There are two key social benefits. First, allowing qualified students from low-income families to attend university would allow them to begin to break the perpetual cycle of poverty that so many of the lower-class faces. Secondly, giving additional training to more students increase the overall skill and knowledge of the workforce allowing for strong economic growth and development. Such growth would generate new tax revenues for the government which many governments might use towards social welfare, healthcare, education, and the environment. These are long term social benefits but they are crucial for ending the perpetual cycles of poverty for the lower-class and will help lead to strong economic growth and a more knowledgeble and skilled workforce in the future. The DRA fails to see how this is a bad thing.

Vastiva agrees with 1 and 3, and addressed my concern with 2. Vastiva still has reservations over the "age 19" - and this would be enough to quell our support - but it appears this is moving in a good direction.
Arturistania
28-11-2004, 02:38
14. Access to affordable post-secondary education for all qualified applicants, regardless of ability to pay, is deemed a fundamental human right;

I believe that answers your problem to #1. That is article 14 of my resolution.

In regards to your point about age 19. That was put in there for a specific reason. Some students will turn 19 before they finish their final year of the secondary schooling system of many UN nations. The DRA wanted to prevent a loophole that would allow governments to charge those students to attend the final part of their school year. I have tried as hard as possible to close all forseen loopholes.
Vastiva
28-11-2004, 02:46
14. Access to affordable post-secondary education for all qualified applicants, regardless of ability to pay, is deemed a fundamental human right;

I believe that answers your problem to #1. That is article 14 of my resolution.

In regards to your point about age 19. That was put in there for a specific reason. Some students will turn 19 before they finish their final year of the secondary schooling system of many UN nations. The DRA wanted to prevent a loophole that would allow governments to charge those students to attend the final part of their school year. I have tried as hard as possible to close all forseen loopholes.

If you would return it to "18 or the end of formal schooling, whichever is later" and alter the latter wording to "an assured privledge to all qualified applicants", Vastiva will support.
Arturistania
29-11-2004, 14:35
18 of after formal schooling does create a loophole that could state that once you turn 19 your formal schooling is over even if you haven't finished your final year. The DRA is considered about allowing this possible loophole to exist.

As for redefining university as an assured priviledge to all qualified applicants, please read the statement on university education as a right for all who qualify. I believe it says the exact same thing and is a much strong stand to prevent governments having the ability to go against the principle of the idea should it be written in a way that lacks the strength or teeth to enforce compliance.
Hersfold
29-11-2004, 21:37
I wondered where this had gone. Has it been submitted yet?

We desperately need a better definition of my resolution. There were some problems with it that this fixes, such as funding, cultural bias, and representation. Please support it. Good work.
Arturistania
30-11-2004, 02:39
Hersfold I was wondering if you could send me your e-mail address in a telegram so I can send this resolution to you. Unfortunately my region has only 3 members and only 2 are in the UN so I don't have the two votes for delegate that I need to submit this resolution.
Arturistania
09-12-2004, 17:49
Sorry, been away for a few weeks. Ok any final comments? If not I'll put this up this weekend.