BACKGROUND to begin, you must research the country's history, providing an overview of their culture, their religion, their values, their demographics, their politics. The end result of this should be a complete picture of the source of the conflict and what has sustained it. This written report with maps goes to the UN as part of your report in the end. The report should be thorough, but no longer than five pages.

LITERATURE to prepare yourself for your negotiations, you decide to read a novel set in or written by an author from this country. Ideally, it will have some bearing on your mission and will provide you insight into the country and its people. You must include this book in your report, telling the UN members what insights it gave you into the country you visited. It can be any style--novel, a collection of short stories, a non-fiction book.

THE MEDIA examine the media's portrayal of this country's problems: is the coverage balanced? What role does the media play in the perpetuation of the problem? Could the media be said to be part of the problem? If so, how? Is this problem covered differently in other countries? Do the newspapers tend to cover it differently than the other media? What about the different stations? What about the radio--do they take a different perspective?

TODAY on the MacNeil-Lehrer Newshour they commonly have what they call "backgrounders," in-depth reports that provide--you guessed it--background on the problem to be discussed. This information is provided by Step One: Background. After the backgrounder, they launch into a serious, balanced discussion of the current problem in, for instance, the former Yugoslavian republics. This portion of your report details what is going on at the current time. It is possible--I think!--to try to use the INTERNET to find out about the specific countries.

INTERNET as part of your research, you will utilize the international computer network known as the Internet to solicit people's views on the crisis. You will post a message soliciting their views--those of people who are either experts on or citizens of the country you are studying. There are other possible uses to which we will try to put the INTERNET: for instance, the United Nations itself can be reached directly through the INTERNET.

NOTE: this section of the report depends on my ability to get us set up and working it. It will only be required if I can pull this off. Otherwise, it will be optional.

LOG Obtain a map of the world--a photocopy of a world map 81/2 x 11 is exactly what I want. Map out your trip so as to allow you to stop off in one major European city where you must meet with the United Nations Inspector General Butros Butros Ghali who will give you last minute instructions about how you are to proceed. Given that you are being a meticulous record keeper for the sake of the UN accountants, you must plan out the actual plane trip--including complete round-trip fare--including layover for meeting with the Inspector General--schedules, hotel costs, food costs. To do this, use Prodigy or some other on-line computer service or call your local travel agent and get them to help you. All your travels should be drawn out on a map which traces your journey. You should also find accommodations suitable to your status--if possible.

TRANSLATOR wherever you are going, you do not speak the native language. Prepare a list of ten questions and five requirements for your prospective translator. This is a VERY important position. Your success depends on it. Because the UN has been having trouble lately with translators, prepare a brief statement to include in your report to the UN about WHY a translator is so important in such difficult negotiations. Consider this dilemma, for instance: is it better to get someone from another country who speaks the native language, or someone native to the country?

LETTER HOME after finding a translator, going out to dinner, listening to some local music, you return to your hotel and sit down to write your wife/husband a letter in which you tell them about your day. This may be handwritten or typed--depending on your views of the intimacy of typewritten vs. handwritten words. It should detail what your day was like. It should SOUND like a UN negotiator.

ANALYSIS In your background report and your current state-of-affairs report you talked about the current leaders and/or the people with whom you will be meeting. Make notes on how to proceed, explaining to yourself why this is the way to proceed. Make a list of things to keep in mind throughout your efforts. Who do you go to first? Why? What outcomes seem reasonable to expect?

THE REPORT you have concluded your mission--which was only a factfinding mission--and now must return to New York to prepare and present your recommendations to the UN council. Your report should include a description of what you encountered: a simple, eloquent narrative. It should include visual aids to bring home the nature of the problem. You must create a metaphor to describe the conflict or the country in its current state and proceed to develop that metaphor to whatever extent you feel appropriate. You should then proceed to outline in precise detail your recommendations to the UN and explain thoroughly just how you think this will solve the problems in that region.

OPEN SESSION your job was to convince the UN that your plan will work. It is now their turn to question you about concerns they have with or flaws they see in your plan. You must be prepared to stand and answer their questions.

Criterion