Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

After the roaring success of the first International Model United Nations Conference at the University of Essex in 2008, I, on behalf of the entire working committee and support staff would like to welcome you to the second MUNex 2009 conference. The event is to be held from the 16th to the 19th of April 2009.

Due to the tight relationships with the Human Rights Department at the University of Essex and its excellence in the field, we, in MUNex decided to specialize in simulating the Human Rights Council of the United Nations. This year’s topic is “A War on Terror - A war on Human Rights".

Since the 9/11 attacks and the consequential “War on Terror”, one often wonders if Freedom and Human Rights are merely luxuries that can no longer be afforded by the citizens of the World. The stated objectives of the "War on Terror" are to attain secure homelands and to disrupt the activities of all terrorist cells internationally. However, the hidden motives of these wars are serious and have devastating results. What is even more shocking is that certain nations out on the "War on Terror" are being supported, militarily, financially and morally by a lot of international organizations and other countries.

Under such disturbing circumstances, it is upon us, the next generation to discuss and deliberate about the past, present and more importantly, the future of the world in context to Terrorism and Human Rights.

Leo Rosten said, "I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, and to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter to count to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all."

With this message in our hearts, I would like to welcome you all to MUNEX 2009, organized by the Model United Nations Society of University of Essex, a university with unravels a tradition of thinkers and diplomats.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, and we hope you will join us in April for a historical and an unforgettable experience. On behalf of the entire staff of the conference, I look forward to seeing you at MUNEX 2009!

Sincerely,

Pranav Sawhney

Secretary-General and President

University of Essex Model United Nations Conference, MUNEX 2009