The Trial of the UN

The Charge

The charge is that the United Nations (UN) failed to preserve world peace and security. The UN is accused of being a forum of political statements with little impact upon the actual course of events, specially in long-term crisis situations.

Problem areas for investigation:

1. The reasons for the establishment of the UN

2. The structure

3. The mechanisms of the Security Council

4. Case studies of UN intervention in crisis areas and situations

5. Security Council resolutions.

Order of Events in the Trial:

1. Opening Statement of the Prosecution: This is to be 10 minutes long. The Prosecution team is to explain briefly why this charge has been brought to the UN and precisely what it intends to demonstrate through its witnesses.

2. Opening Statement of the Defence: This is to be 10 minutes long. The Defence team will explain why it contends that the charge is unwarranted and what the Defence intends to demonstrate through its witnesses.

3. The Case for the Prosecution: The Prosecution will call 5 witnesses. These witnesses should shed light on the UN. The Prosecution must be sure to demonstrate that the UN failed to maintain world peace. Each witness for the Prosecution will be cross-examined by a Defence lawyer. 2-3 students should specialize in each of the 5 case studies.

4. The Case for the Defence: The Defence will also call 5 witnesses. The Defence will be sure to demonstrate the successes of the UN.. Each witness will be cross-examined by a Prosecution lawyer. 2-3 students should specialize in each of the 5 case studies.

5. Final address from the Prosecution: This will be 10-15 minutes long. The Prosecution will sum up its case and make every effort to undermine the validity of the testimonies of the Defence.

6. Final address for the Defence: This will be 10-15 minutes long. The Defence will refute all the charges against the UN and to prove its effectiveness in maintaining world peace.

The Parts

The Judge: this person will maintain order in the court and will make final decisions regarding judicial procedures (for example, rule on objections raised by either side). This person will also evaluate each student according to the attached rubric. This person will be your teacher.

You will sign up for either the Prosecution or the Defence team. Your teacher will do her/his best to keep your wishes. However, some change might need to be made to be the two sides more equitable. Once the list of members for both sides is finalized, you will sign up in the table below where you enter your name, role(s) to play (see list below) and case study to focus on.

When you enter your roles, you must put in mind that the minimum requirement for each student is to be either a witness being cross-examined by the other team or a lawyer cross-examining a witness from the other side.

List of roles:

· Witness cross-examined by lawyer from other team

· Witness examined by own lawyer

· Lawyer cross-examining witness from other team

· Lawyer examining own witness

· Lawyer responsible for team’s closing statement.

Assessment and Evaluation:

• The marking scheme below shows how the overall performance of the team will be assessed.
• The rubric below shows how the individual performance of every student will be evaluated.
• Peer Assessment:

At the end of the trial, every student should hand in 5 peer assessment rubrics with comments of strengths, weaknesses and room for improvement.