HDI’s “U.N. Across America” – U.N. Ambassadors Travel of St. Louis, Missouri, March 22-March 24, 2009

 

March 25, 2009
The Humpty Dumpty Institute brought a distinguished delegation (list of participants) of U.N. ambassadors to St. Louis, Missouri, March 22-March 24 (view photos). The trip focused on agricultural development, food security, and the clearance of landmines and UXOs from agriculturally viable land.

On the first evening, the group enjoyed St. Louis Blues at BB'S Jazz Club and had the opportunity to sample the local cuisine. The following morning, Monday, March 23, the ambassadors were the guests of the major U.S. seed producer, Monsanto. An in depth briefing and tour of the Research facility allowed the U.N. diplomats to understand Monsanto’s goal of improving the quality and quantity of food production through the use of genetically modified organisms. This was then followed by lunch and briefings at Novus International a leading company in the field of animal health and nutrition. This busy day culminated with dinner hosted by the World Affairs Council of St. Louis. The ambassadors had the opportunity to discuss issues of importance in the U.N. system to their countries at the dinner; lively and informative dialogue followed.

The prestigious Law School of Washington University in St. Louis was the setting for the activities on Tuesday, March 24. On the campus which hosted the 2008 Vice-presidential Debates, the Ambassadors were joined by Mr. James Lawrence Acting Director of the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. The delegation was greeted by the Dean of the School of Law, Kent Syverud, who hosted a breakfast at which the faculty of the School of Law and the delegation discussed international law and policy. The highlight of the trip followed with the ambassadors and Mr. Lawrence giving a presentation on food security and the role of weapons removal and abatement in the process to over fifty law students and faculty. Discussions continued at a lunch hosted by the Humpty Dumpty Institute right to the point that the delegation had to leave for the airport to return to the United Nations.

 

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch also picked up on the visit, publishing the following story:

U.N. ambassadors expose law students to intersection of land mines and food production

By Tim O'Neil
03/25/2009

UNIVERSITY CITY — An unusual gathering Tuesday at Washington University allowed students to hear eight United Nations ambassadors from far-flung countries discuss land mines, trade and the challenge of raising food for the world's growing population.

A humanitarian organization in New York that works to clear mine fields brought the ambassadors here to meet with executives of the Monsanto Co. and Novus International Inc., two major food-research companies. The seminar at the university's School of Law was arranged by the U.S. government and the private sponsor, known as the Humpty Dumpty Institute because its aim is "putting the pieces back together."

Thomas A. Schweich, a visiting law professor and former U.S. counternarcotics official in Afghanistan, told the audience of 100 that it was an "unbelievable treat to have this many U.N. ambassadors in one place outside of New York."

James F. Lawrence, acting director of U.S. weapons-removal programs, said this country spends $130 million annually to remove mines. Lawrence said many mine fields were in good farmland near towns.
"We cannot afford to have that arable land out of use," he said, citing estimates of a world population of 9 billion by 2050. "Cambodia has the most mines in the world and the highest number of amputees. Mines are planted where people live."

Zachary D. Muburi-Muita, U.N. ambassador from Kenya, said instability in food supplies "poses a threat to international peace." Muburi-Muita called for eliminating national farm subsidies.
"I know this is a sensitive issue," he said, "but that would allow the people who make food the cheapest to sell it to those who do things like make airplanes for Boeing."

Le Luong Minh, Vietnam's ambassador to the U.N., said mine-clearing efforts had reduced the number of civilian casualties that once were common in his country. He said Vietnam was working to expand exports of its harvests, especially rice.

"Once you are able to feed your people, you can think about political stability and development," said Minh.

Filipe Chidumo, ambassador from Mozambique, said continuing investment and humanitarian assistance were vital to developing countries. Turning to the issue of land mines, Chidumo said, "They are serious impediments, not just to food supplies but to letting people live normal lives."

Also present were U.N. ambassadors from Bulgaria, Georgia, the Philippines and Romania, and the representative in New York of Taiwan, which no longer belongs to the United Nations.

 
To learn more about this program and HDI, please contact alma.manzo@thehdi.org