JORDAN+BRANCH+_+WHO+SLOVENIA

Name: Jordan Branch Country: Slovenia Committee: World Health Organization High School: Arundel High Date: January 1, 2012

Topic 1: Diseases and Poverty In some degree, disease and poverty plague almost every country worldwide. Slovenia experiences moderate poverty and disease. These two factors often times come hand in hand, because of health conditions that accompany a poor living environment. Also, over crowded cities, especially impoverished areas where a lot of people reside in close proximity could encourage the spread of disease. Many diseases are preventable with the proper precautions and further research could prove to reveal cures for many more. In the 1990’s, Slovenia experienced many outbreaks of disease in regard to their food supply. These diseases inevitably killed a significant portion of the country’s population and as a result Slovenia has moved to take more precautionary measures in the preparation of the country’s food. Recently, Slovenia has struggled with multiple diseases. These include: Q fever, Lyme Disease, and tick-borne encephalitis. Slovenia would benefit from the assistance of the World Health Organization in providing more vaccines, such as, Hepatitis A, measles, Tetanus-diphtheria. Slovenia feels worldwide disease prevention should be the top priority of the World Health Organization and would like to be a part of endeavors in the field. Slovenia has been fortunate overall for poverty in Slovenia has never been in the top tier of European countries with poverty problems. In 1996 they were found at the middle in percentage compared to other European countries with 14.9 percent of the population in poverty. Portugal was the leader in this category. Slovenia has been very successful from its split with the Soviet Union and arguably more so than the rest of Eastern Europe. Slovenia has taken a strong stance on the matter of disease and believes the World Health Organization should step in to assure that impoverished countries are receiving the aide they need in terms of vaccinations and medical supplies. However, Slovenia does not believe the World Health Organization should fund impoverished countries or stimulate their economy, as Slovenia believes that is the responsibility of that country. Slovenia, also stands strong in regards to researching these potentially deadly diseases for cures and answers; the country will support the World Health Organization in all endeavors that could bring answers to Science and Medicines biggest questions about infectious diseases.

Name: Jordan Branch Country: Slovenia Committee: World Health Organization High School: Arundel High Date: January 1, 2012

Topic 2: Genetically Modified Crops

Genetically Modified Crops are those that have been altered using genetic engineering for the benefit of their production. Many impoverished countries are becoming unable to feed their citizens and have found this to be a very effective technique for producing crops. However, large concern in the United States and other countries sprouts from the fact that this process makes the crops unnatural and possibly harmful. Europe has begun in depth research on the potential health consequences of tampering with the food supply in such a way. Slovenia is not plagued with the poverty or shortages that typically lead countries to genetically modified crops. Some Slovenians have even turned to Organic farming, which is the opposite of the idea of genetically modified crops. [|Alpe-Adria] [|bioregion] lies within Slovenia and has come to embrace Organic Farming. Organic Farming involves cultivating crops without an pesticides or genetic modification. These crops are in their purest and most natural form. However, it only takes up a small portion of total Agricultural Output. As a whole Slovenia, with a population of 2,050,189, could benefit long term from an invention such as this in the country as the economy grows and evolves passed its agricultural sector. Slovenia recognizes that genetically modified foods could be a great asset to many less fortunate countries and therefore supports further research from the World Health Organization on the subject. However, Slovenia embraces a natural diet and will continue to promote and cultivate natural crops, as long as it proves feasible for the country. Slovenia sees a future with genetically modified crops as its economy blossoms and pushes passed a largely agricultural economy. Slovenia purposes the World Health Organization should provide for research into these crops, however, the country discourages enacting any plan to produce these crops on the large scale before further research is conducted.