To become Secretary General of the United Nations is motivation enough for Aiyetoro Hinds to spend many hours beyond the school day researching the historical, political, social and economic aspects of another country.

Being part of the global peace effort motivates eight other Somersfield Academy students to join him every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.15 to 8.45 in the UN Club supervised by Miss Wilkes.

One of 25 schools world-wide preparing for a Montessori Model United Nations in New York on March 1 and 2, Somersfield Academy is sending four delegates to present position papers on behalf of their assigned country, the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Although four delegates will be up front and centre, Miss Wilkes is quick to emphasise the importance of the other club members in assisting in conducting background research and creating a visual display which will be showcased when the delegates meet at the UN Headquarters in March.

The club has been meeting regularly since November when the school was notified that it had been selected to participate in the programme.

Its goal is to promote a cultural exchange of information and ideas while developing research, public speaking and conflict resolution skills, consensus building and tolerance.

Although they will not be travelling to the UN itself, Michelle Caza, Shana Murphy, Adam Turner, Olivia Lunn and Conor Lohan have gathered a great deal of information on Egypt which the four delegates, Tadhg O'Shaughnessy, Aiyetoro Hinds, Benjamin Wood and Francesca Dill, will use to draft position papers to present to a UNESCO assembly and to the General Assembly.

At the meeting of UNESCO (United Nations Education, Social and Culture Organisation), Aiyetoro and Ben will discuss the rights of the child and the culture of peace, and the measures in place in Egypt to promote these and help draft resolutions to promote them further.

In the General Assembly of over 400 student delegates, Tadhg and Francesca will review the best practices of the member states in relation to the eight goals set at the Millennium Summit and draft resolutions for achieving those goals, which include eradicating extreme hunger and poverty and promoting the gender equality of women.

They will also debate ways in which donor nations can better fulfil their obligations.

As with any real-world overseas delegation, representation requires money, and the club has been raising funds in a variety of ways. They began with an Egyptian bake sale, which raised over $300, and continued with an Egyptian themed grub day, during which students dressed as either Egyptians or mummies.

"There was toilet paper everywhere," Miss Wilkes noted wryly, while Aiyetoro observed, "Mummies don't play football" — a conclusion drawn from first-hand experience. An Egyptian movie night is planned and another fund-raiser will involve guessing who the mummy is.

For those attending the model United Nations, "it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience", Tadhg noted, while Adam, one of those remaining in Bermuda said: "It's been fun raising the money. You get a sense of achievement knowing you've earned money from your work."

Michelle Caza enjoyed carrying out the research. "I've learned a lot," she said.

In fact, Miss Wilkes has observed a shift in attitude over the months. The trip itself has become less important than the knowledge that they are part of a global effort to promote peace and mutual understanding.

Those interested in sponsoring the young delegates may contact Miss Wilkes at Somersfield, 107 Middle Road Devonshire, DV 06 by telephoning 236-9797 or faxing 236-9789.