The model United Nations debate on campus Sept.16 focused on whether developing countries should be held to the same standard as developed nations when it comes to environmental sustainability. But this debate was argued in nine languages, including Spanish, Arabic, French, Japanese, Chinese and Russian, and translated into English by student interpreters.

About 50 audience members listened to the arguments from Cornell student delegates representing Japan, China, Jordan, Morocco, Guatemala, Germany and Russia on the compatibility of economic development and sustainability in the Language House on West Campus.

"One thing is certain: We cannot afford to have the developing world follow an unsustainable path to modernization," said Bryce Robertson '10, delegate of the United States. "The United States is in favor of blanket, stringent regulations and limits when it comes to sustainable development that applies to all nations."

Russia, represented by Nikita Ciapurin '11 agreed, as translator Anna Tarakanova '11 relayed his message that "the time has passed that we are spoon-feeding developing countries."

Zein Jardaneh '11, delegate of Jordan, took the opposing point of view, arguing that "standards should be set internally and not externally."

The debate remained divided as Chinese representative Hui Liu '13 and translator Carol Yan '10 said that for China, "the most important thing is economic development."

The discussion expanded as the floor was opened to questions and statements from the audience. Aleksey Biytsov '12, speaking in Russian translated by Tarakanova, asked, "For the developed countries, are you going to cooperate with environmental organizations to help the developing nations? Are you thinking about these preparations?"

Addressing the panel in Mandarin, David Lam '12 said that while delegates argued issues of sustainability, many people in China aren't guaranteed shelter or food. Additional questions were asked in Persian, Romanian, French and English.

"I've learned everything in English, so it was a really big challenge for me to debate in French, even though it's my native language," said Marion Robine '12, adding that the debate, which carried no academic credit, "[is] a way to get more departments to see that we're actually serious" about organizing meaningful, language-based events.

"Two weeks ago we started to prepare for the debate," said Tsenguun Badamsed '12 of Mongolia. "People were intense."

With 20 "yes" and 37 "no" votes from the audience and panel, secretary general and delegate of Guatemala I. Maria Calderon '10 concluded the debate: "The house has agreed that developing countries should not be held to international standards of sustainability."

"The purpose of the Model U.N. is to give Language House students the opportunity to 'live the languages' as a community," said Johanna Nashi, director of the Language House Program. "Working together on this project not only encourages students to strengthen their language skills, but it raises awareness among the students about the importance of social responsibility and the role language plays in deepening our understanding of other cultures."

The Language House, in Boldt Hall on West Campus, is Cornell's language-learning residence and is part of the Alice Cook House community; it is intended for students who want to become fluent in Arabic, French, Japanese, Mandarin or Spanish.

Caitlin Krekel '11 is a writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.