When delegates from the Dominican Republic offered a resolution at the United Nations to establish a training program for midwives, doctors and nurses in Third World countries, representatives of other nations expressed their support – or opposition.

The debate didn’t happen at the real UN but, rather, at Salem High School over two days, where students played the role of delegates trying to solve a variety of world problems.

On April 16 and 17, the school’s entire junior class, along with some seniors, participated in its Model UN, a program designed to help students practice and focus on global politics.

“The students have to look at world problems with a global perspective,” said social studies teacher Michael Jolicoeur. “This forces them to look at other countries, know how these countries feel about issues.”

Every student had been assigned to a delegation to represent one of 76 nations. When delegates were not meeting together in the General Assembly, they were divided into eight groups: the Security Council and seven other committees focusing on subjects, including disarmament, technology, energy and the environment.

Leading up to the two days of debates, each student studied the country they were assigned and wrote two resolutions.

Among the resolutions were calls to help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and aid Tibet in its quest for independence from China.

“It gives you a different view, a different angle to look at, instead of the American view, what’s in the media,” said Mark Baroni, 17, who studied Cuba.

His resolutions called for the lifting of the U.S. embargo on Cuba, promoting AIDS education in Africa and education about the use of contraceptives and safe sex.

While debating their resolutions, delegates could seek to be recognized to provide information or ask a question, move to close debate or offer an amendment.

When the Security Council took up a resolution calling for the removal of veto power from the five countries that each have it, junior Nicholas Azarian, 17, the delegate from Iran, offered an amendment that would instead require a country to have the support of two fellow Council members to issue a veto.

“That seems like a reasonable compromise,” said Max Hamilton, representing Demark.

The Model UN was assisted by a student steering committee, and a group of students, some donning dark suits and glasses, served as security guards. They roamed the hallways outside committee rooms and the auditorium aisles during general assemblies.

“We make sure no one gets out of control and help keep the chitchat to a minimum,” said senior Greg Nicholson, 17.

When all the delegates met, students stood in line at microphones to argue their points, and they raised placards, identifying the country they were representing, to cast their votes. Teachers presided over the debates, keeping discussions on subject.

When talking among delegates at one time grew too loud, teacher Kevin Golden, serving as Secretary General, banged his gavel on the podium and said, “Order in the assembly, please.”

This is the 34th year that the school has held a Model UN. Teacher Kathleen Cavanaugh- Fabrizio said the program seeks to get students to pay attention to news of the world and understand the points of view of the country they are representing.

“I think it helps people argue more effectively, very tactfully, to get their points across,” said Bill Deveau, 17, a delegate from Germany. “And it’s, culturally, very educational as well.”