The YMCA’s Youngest Program Area: “The Secretariat Program”
By: Ella Abney
Aubrey Bourgeois, the YMCA’s North Regional Coordinator, considers the Secretariat program her ‘baby’. A year old to the Kentucky United Nations Conference, the Secretariat Program is a group of hand-selected and elected individuals who advocate for all resolutions. The program is led by the Secretary General, St. Xavier’s Colin Roark and Deputy Secretary General, South Oldham’s Madison Blair. Both were elected by KUNA Session 1 in 2019. Below them are 7 Under-Secretaries-General who enforce the policy and legality of resolutions. Finally, there are 18 Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Representatives who advocate for unique organizations such as the Bill Gates Foundation and Doctors Without Borders.
All of these individuals spend their time at KUNA researching and advocating for resolutions unique to their programs during debate. I was fortunate enough to shadow Alex Young, an Under-Secretaries-General from St. Xavier, representing Political and Peace Building Affairs. Prior to the conference, he was assigned 12 resolutions, including number 60, “A Resolution to replace the Outer Space Treaty of 1962.” Alex argued against this resolution, helping to better inform all ambassadors to vote for the best of the UN. Young stated, “With this resolution, I am able to arm any body that I claim without any oversight. North Korea and Apple can arm outer space and threaten lives with the simple claim of defense.” Young’s job is to convert confusing resolution language to something ambassadors can truly understand, and then allow them to vote on legislation that may be endorsed by the Secretary General.
After Alex spoke on all of his assigned resolutions, he met with several NGOs regarding shared resolutions. The NGOs were assigned to be either in opposition or in favor of a resolution. Then, the NGOs argued in front of an Under-Secretary, like Young, who listened and consulted the NGOs. Alex consulted two young women arguing Switzerland’s Resolution #53 discussing education funding. Rachel Gressick of South Oldham High School represented the International Rescue Committee, and spoke in favor, while Jasminne Johnson of Franklin County spoke in opposition. Resolution 53 requested education funding from the top 25 wealthiest nations of the UN to give 2 million each year to the least educated nations of the UN. Gressick stated, “In Europe the average literacy rate is about 99%, and in African Countries it is about 65%.” Gressick believed that 53 would be highly efficient because it would cover all regions in need. Johnson refuted as she stated, “It isn’t right to ask the wealthiest countries. China is very wealthy but they are not even in the top 20 in global education.”
(Young and Gressick discussing Resolution 63).
After a somewhat quick consultation, Young decided which ambassador would present her testimony to the Secretary General. Roark will endorse the best resolutions of the conference, and these resolutions will be announced during the final General Assembly of KUNA 1 2020.
In an interview with Aubrey Bourgeois, she stated, “This program fosters people’s passions later in life. It’s core is fueling passion through channels that can actually make change.” After a day with the members of the Secretariat program, one would definitely agree. The students are engaging, passionate, supportive, and ultimately advocating for the best of the United Nations and the people it protects.
