Sixteen grade twelve students will be representing Fredericton High School in the John Peters Humphrey Model United Nations (JPHMUN) to be held from May 9 to 11 at Saint Thomas University, in Fredericton N.B.

The event, that simulates a United Nations Conference, will have the participation of over 200 grade 11 and 12 students from the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec.

The groups of four members each may select a list of a few countries from which they will be assigned one. The groups have approximately one month, after the country's name is given to them, to research the laws, culture, and role in the United Nations of the country they will be representing.

The conference will last a total of three days, and is divided into four committees. Each committee will have a specific topic of discussion: The Economic and Financial Commitee, will discuss Globalization and Interdependence; The Special Political and Decolonization Commitee will discuss Humanitarian Intervention in Conflict Situations; The Legal Commitee will discuss The United Nations Reform; and The Security Council, which topic of discussion had not being announced yet. Each committee, with one member of each country, will discuss the topic and will try to get to a majority agreement.

This year, Fredericton High School will have the participation of four groups, double the number normally permitted to every high school.

Mr. David Boles, FHS member of the History Department and, Faculty Advisor for JPHMUN, in charge of the selection process, said "We're looking for students interested in world affairs, public speaking, and are concerned about peace".

In order to be selected, the students have to apply through an essay explaining the reason why they would play a good role in the event, and will have to give a resume of their marks. "The delegates this year are top students. My role was to help them by giving background information and assistance during the registration process. After they're there, they are on their own", said Mr. Boles.

The name of The John Peters Humphrey Model United Nations came from Dr. John Peters Humphrey. He was a Canadian member of the United Nations who wrote the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.