Accra, Feb. 18, GNA - A three-day conference expected to expose students of the Lincoln Community schools (LCS) in West Africa, to research skills is underway at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre.

The students would also debate on the social, political and economic crisis affecting the world and suggest means of addressing them.

Over 170 students, representing five schools from Ghana, Burkina Faso and Senegal are participating in the conference. They would debate on topics like: The Ongoing Crises In Iraq, Darfur, Sudan, the Middle East conflict, Global Warming, Tsunami Relief Efforts and The Proliferation of Small Arms in Africa.

Ms Serena Wuennenbery, acting as the UN Secretary General, at the opening on Friday, told journalists that the conference which was the third in a series, would also offer the students the opportunity to learn about the diverse cultures in the sub-region and educate them on the need to tolerate and respect divergent views to facilitate peaceful co-existence.

She said the exposure would enhance the content of future conferences in Beijing, China, (March 17-20 2005), Johannesburg, South Africa, (September 2005), and St. Petersburg, Russia, (spring 2006). Mr Erik Paulson, Model UN Director of LCS, said resolutions passed after such conferences were published into a book and copies sent to the UN Secretary General for action.

He said the programme, which started in March 2003 had greatly enhanced the communication skills of students.