Joint Declarations are new to the 2008 agenda.  Joint declarations (JDs) give students a chance to debate in a format that is NOT about their own Proposed Draft Resolution (PDR) and are valuable educationally as well as in terms of diplomacy.  OAS members strive to reach consensus on all agenda topics and JDs at the Model encourage that delegates work together for the collective good.   Quite simply, a JD is a document that all could sign on to as a consensus statement of their work on the agenda topic designated as a Joint Resolution.  To understand what a JD is, it might be helpful to state what a JD is NOT.  First, the topics designated as JDs on the agenda are not meant to replace the work of delegates on their own PDRs.  Delegates are to submit one resolution from the list of committee agenda topics as has always been the case.  Most of the committee sessions will be devoted to discussing those PDRs after they have been submitted electronically for faculty review or resubmitted once at the Model.  Debate on JDs will occur toward the end of the week as noted on the Program.  Second, JDs are not the same as working groups.  Working groups are established based on similarities among PDRs as electronically submitted for faculty review.  Working groups will be allowed to submit their PDRs during the First Committee Session as noted on the Program.  There should be sufficient time for teams to collaborate on a combined resolution which lists their countries as the sponsors of the resolution.  Third, JDs are not to be submitted electronically.  The idea is that each delegate researches the JD from their country’s perspective and comes to the Model prepared to engage in dialogue and negotiation with other delegations.  The document that is created at the Model is one of consensus.  Caucusing time throughout the Model should be used for this purpose. Fourth, it is also possible that some committees will not reach consensus.  While we encourage a consensus document, it may be that a JD will not be ratified by the committee.  This is not a failure and it is hoped that the debate will be creative and thought-provoking.  In sum, Joint Declarations are an opportunity to use diplomacy during the Model to produce a consensus statement on a serious issue facing the hemisphere.  Delegates need not come to Washington with a draft declaration in hand, but should come with ideas and principles so that they can engage in valuable discussion during the Model.