POGDORICA, MONTENEGRO 2014

1st-7th DECEMBER, 2014 MONTENEGRO, PODGORICA

SUMMIT NEWSPAPER

EDITORIAL TEAMEditor-in-Chief Charlene Broad

Editorial Designer Eleanor Landford

Media Relations OfficerSylvia Miga

Photographer Eleanor Landford

JournalistsHanna ClarysHarveen KaurLerato MoepengLucy Dean

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A letter from the Editor

A message from the Director

Where it all startedOpening Ceremony report

Achieving peace between conflicting countries – is it possible? EAPC report

Complexity and fluidity – the future of NATO as a global peacekeeper Academic panel session for EAPC

‘Chairing’ is caring Q&A with a Chairperson

Will NATO come to the aid of suffering Alkadas? Crisis Management simulation report

Sympathy vs. Empathy in post-conflict zones Lecture by Prof Ileana Rogobete to DPPC The roots of transatlantic relations Lecture by Major Serge Stroobants to PPC and NRC

CONTENTS

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Reaching a consensus is no easy task PPC report

Expanding NATO alliances and fostering cultural relations: Future leaders take note Academic panel session for PPC

NATO’s capabilities to manage crisis Lecture and Q&A session with Kurt Engelen

A day of rest and recuperation; Cetinje and Budva Field trip report

NRC steps it up a notch in a bid to resume cooperation with Russia NRC report

Uncertain, but not desperate times ahead for NATO Lecture by Radu Magdin to NRC

Surviving the battlefield Q&A with a Participant

They came as delegates, but left as friends Closing ceremony report

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR George-Mihael Manea Founder and Director of Model NATO Youth SummitFounder of Euro Atlantic Diplomacy Society Association

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The “three’s a charm” conceptualisation by Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS)’s Editor, Charlene Broad, arrived at an end, as the third generation of MoNYS alumni recently graduated.

MoNYS started in 2011 as a student initiative in order to offer a practical framework to the student community who are passionate about diplomacy, international relations and security studies. The three generations of alumni have been involved in unique NATO decision-making processes which have become a point of reference in Europe, and worldwide.

MoNYS today, represents more than a simulation. It has all the features of a real situation, from Crisis Management to

Montenegro; from Western Europe to the Western Balkans. Not only were participants well prepared, speakers from across the world made themselves available for the event, which hosted both comprehensive traditional and digital media coverage.

The 160 MoNYS 2014 participants, from 51 nations, represent only a few key ingredients of what made this edition a successful one…

And my words are reflected in the numbers and statistics produced; with a reach of 41,316 people to the MoNYS Facebook page, and more than 55,000 unique visits to the MoNYS website over the last six months.

MoNYS is not history, its alumni and legacy continue on.

MoNYS is a brand that will continue its successful story.

I look forward to potentially meeting you at MoNYS 2015, dear reader.

With Best Regards,

George-Mihael Manea

the Adoption of the Summit Declaration; Young leaders act in a diplomatic setting to reach consensus, high profile speakers host forums, and overall, MoNYS has the full support of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division. MoNYS is a platform where multilateral diplomacy meets academia, and where delegates, together with speakers from various backgrounds, form the bases’ of networking. Over the past three editions, Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Former NATO Secretary General, Ambassador Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, Former NATO Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, Dr. Jamie Shea, Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges, and Mr. Ted Whiteside, NATO acting Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, were directly involved in MoNYS development.

This year, the summit represented a brave initiative where the event was transferred from Brussels, Belgium to Podgorica,

MoNYS is “...the youth of the world putting diplomacy into action.”

Charlene Broad Editor, Model NATO Youth Summit

WHERE IT ALL STARTED…Opening Ceremony report

BY: Lerato Moepeng

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A group of participants from 51 countries gathered on December 1st at the Old Building of the Government of Montenegro, to inaugurate the third annual Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS).

The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests from all over Europe, among them Nebojsa Kaluderovic, the Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro.

Kaluderovic stressed the importance for students to participate in summits like

which had never been held outside of Brussels, Belgium.

“This was also the first time we invited participants from all corners of the globe, due to high interest in Atlantic policies. It’s important for us to open our doors to Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa as we wanted to involve everyone that is and who wants to know what NATO is doing,” he said.

The opening ceremony was followed by a cocktail reception where delegates had an opportunity to socialize with one another and distinguished guests.

MoNYS to help “broaden their views and understanding of decision making policies and public diplomacy.”

He went on to explain why MoNYS was of great significance to the people of Montenegro, as the country hoped to become a member state of NATO by the end of 2015, and that it would give Montenegro a sense of how that would feel.

George Mihael-Manea, MoNYS Director, added that this move to Montenegro marked one of many firsts for the summit,

ACHIEVING PEACE BETWEEN CONFLICTING COUNTRIES – IS IT POSSIBLE?EAPC report

BY: Lucy Dean

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knowledge through talks from Mr. Ted Whiteside, NATO acting Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy, His Excellency Vladimir Gasparič, the Slovenian Ambassador to Montenegro, and Professor Sotiris Yanakakis of Istanbul Aydin University, among others.

Amidst social events, simulations, debates and meetings, the five days sped by and before the delegates could say, “Point of personal privilege,” it was Saturday afternoon, 4pm and the communiqués were nearly finished.

The room is humid and the delegates ties are loosened and hair is tousled. Empty coffee cups litter the room but the delegates laugh when José Villena-Pepe, one of the two chairpersons, points out, “This desperate feeling you have is the same as the real [NATO summit] thing.”

Minutes later the delegates erupt into applause, shaking hands and grinning. The communiqués have been passed.

too inexperienced,” Steph-Mai Lowe, the delegate for Belarus said. “However, the whole process is set up to cater for both those who are inexperienced and those who have participated in simulations before.”

The communiqués that the EAPC write were the result of this process. The two topics discussed were, “How could NATO, as a political and military alliance justify its existence in the post 2014 era without being involved in a military option?” and, “Afghanistan after 2014 – “Reset” plan in launching a new, non-combat mission to train, advise, and assist the Afghan security forces after 2014.”

Within the EAPC discussions, the delegates for Norway, Spain, Romania and France provided confidence and eloquence; a sturdy support for newer delegates to state their countries needs and desires.

As well as thorough and consistent research, the delegates gained additional

It’s Tuesday morning, nine o’clock, and 50 delegates in blue suits and pressed blouses sit, stand and mill around the cool white room in the Podgorica Congress Center Government Building. Smiles catch and conversations are started with admirable confidence. It’s not surprising – these delegates are all intelligent, charismatic, empathetic and devoted to building a better world. They have to be – the Model NATO Youth Summit, (MoNYS) and especially the European Atlantic Partnership Committee, (EAPC) which delegates are members and partners of, is not for the fainthearted.

Over the next five days, these delegates will rise early and finish late, working hard on the two communiqués to be sent to NATO headquarters. Sometimes the delegates will clash but disharmony does not exist. There is too much work to be done.

“What I feared the most before the summit was that I would be

COMPLEXITY AND FLUIDITY – THE FUTURE OF NATO AS A GLOBAL PEACEKEEPER Academic panel session for EAPC BY: Lucy Dean

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Adaptability is the key to modern global security, the European Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) found out on Tuesday 2nd December.

The EAPC, a forum designed to facilitate dialogue between NATO memberand partner states met with Professor Silviu Rogobete from the West University of Timisoara, Romania, and His Excellency Vladimir Gasparič, Slovenian Ambassador to Montenegro, to discuss NATO in the current era.

Prof Rogobete stressed the complexity and sophistication of global relations. He told the EAPC, “We live in a highly sophisticated and uncertain political, social, military and economic universe.”

“The word ‘uncertainty,’ is at the heart of our universe…paradoxically, uncertainty

social and economic approach Prof Rogobete said.

As the aggressive expansion of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) suggests, modern conflict is often tied with religion and terror, he highlighted.

To combat this, he suggested that modern alliances would include, “the best sociologists, philosophers, politicians and academics,” whilst specifically religious diplomats and ambassadors bridge theological differences.

He stated that this knowledge can be a key tool in building peace and partnership.

However, he warned, “The maze is fluid; The maze changes. You have to be adaptable. You have to have quick reflexes.”

should not be avoided, but integrated into our understanding of the world in which we live.” Gasparič, in addition, discussed the importance of increasing stability in the Balkans.

To achieve this, he suggested bringing Montenegro, a NATO partner into the NATO fold – thus making Montenegro the first nation that had been previously attacked by NATO to join the alliance.

“The Balkans is a notoriously unstable place,” he told the EAPC.

“The potential for conflicts here is still rather high. By bringing in one more country you reduce the threat of instability.”

Moves like this could and should become more frequent as NATO moves toward a more fluid and complex military,

‘CHAIRING’ IS CARINGQ&A with a ChairpersonBY: Lucy Dean

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thought I was playing too soft, and she [forced her hands down too quickly] and it twisted and it broke.

Once you have control over your body, you assume you will have it all the time and the slightest lack of control over your own body will give you a terrifying feeling. So then I decided I wanted to study political science.

How did you feel at your first simulation?

It was terrifying. I had a fear of speaking - public speaking - so it was really terrifying. Everything was very new, I didn’t want to speak…I didn’t think I knew enough about NATO and I didn’t think the other countries listened to me.

What would your advice be to nervous delegates?

Speak for the first time. Get up and try it out. Every time there is a chance to speak, speak. That’s the only thing that takes away the fear.

What do you think NATO’s biggest strength is at this current time?

Adaptability. It emerges, it adapts. I think its strength is that its [small] size and its arrangement really allow for it to be flexible and adaptable and that really makes it into an organization that has the potential to become better and better without major restructuring.

Guilty pleasure. Favourite movie. Favourite books. Music you’ve listened to a lot, recently. Party trick.

Sleeping. The English Patient. Bengal Nights [Maitreyi] by Mircei Eilade and anything by Paulo Coelho. Okean Elzy [Ukrainian band] and Muse. Double jointed.

Carina Maximenco, Chairperson of the European Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and Secretary General at Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS) 2014, has studied in France, interned in Denmark and worked at the United Nations, and she’s only 23.

With a double degree in European Studies and Political Science, Maximenco is currently completing a Masters in International Security in Paris.

The Moldovan sat down with MoNYS journalist, Lucy Dean, to talk NATO, nerves and the importance of speaking up.

What did you study?

I studied a couple of things. When I was young, I really wanted to be a pianist so I studied professional piano until I was 18. But then I had a little accident and I could no longer play the piano. Technically, my teacher broke my finger. One time, by accident, she looked at my arms because she

WILL NATO COME TO THE AID OF SUFFERING ALKADAS?Disclaimer: the following describes a simulation of a Crisis Management session at MoNYS

BY: Hanna Clarys

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But there is also reticence. “We must first verify who exactly is the enemy, and examine whether NATO is or is not legally allowed to take action under article 5 of the Washington Treaty,” delegates are saying at the Operation Policy Committee, who are tasked with drafting an assessment of the situation.

Delegates from several member states are acknowledging the difficulties of this exercise and the complexity of the situation. “Information is lacking and NATO’s position on the matter is rather vague,” says the Canadian delegation. “We are not (yet) sure of what needs to be done.”

However, NATO must make a decision quickly if it wants to prevent the crisis to spread in other regions. The humanitarian situation in Alkadas is pressing. The link between the AMB and Islamic State militias in Syria and Iraq is deeply worrying.

Considering the proximity of the island to several NATO member states, and the threat to international security, a thorough assessment of the situation is quickly needed in order to decide on what actions should be taken by the Alliance.

Since the beginning of discussions, no formal decisions have been formed. However, most of the member states at the table show readiness to take action and urge the opposing countries to meticulously assess all the options, including political and military intervention.

What is most striking is the silence that surrounds the countries with the most decisive power and influence; The United States, United Kingdom and Germany are not openly active in the debate, while countries like Lithuania and Luxembourg were the first ones to clearly state that “the Alliance cannot afford to stand by in the face of such an imminent threat.”

December 4th 2014 – Podgorica (Montenegro). ALERT. At 6 o’clock this morning the ambassadors to NATO were convoked to headquarters to discuss the quickly deteriorating situation in the Republic of Alkadas, an island just 150 kilometers off the Greek coast. The recent flare of violence instigated by the Al Kadhr Mujahidine Brigade (AMB) in the Eastern regions of Alkadas makes NATO face a possible security threat.

Yesterday, a convoy of refugees from the besieged region being escorted by Alkadian military personnel were hit by a grenade, killing 10 people. Since, Alkadas’ Prime Minister, Antonio Tuttobene, called upon the international community for urgent assistance. With a capital being flooded by refugees and having lost control over one third of its territory, Alkadas is no longer able to handle the situation on its own.

SYMPATHY VS. EMPATHY IN POST-CONFLICT ZONES Lecture by Prof Ileana Rogobete to DPPC

BY: Lerato Moepeng

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Prof Rogobete drew special attention to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and how intergovernmental organisations should deal with conditions such as this when conducting peacekeeping missions.

“PTSD fails to incorporate the relational dimension, cultural and spiritual experiences,” said Prof Rogobete. She stressed the importance of not using a Western approach when it came to understanding the effects of war trauma and conducting peacekeeping missions.

Aiming to broaden “perspective to understanding human suffering and recovery contexts and explore meaningful military civilian cooperation in post-conflict areas,” was Professor Ileana Rogobete, who spoke to the Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC) on December 2nd.

To substantiate her point she explained the difference between sympathy and empathy, and how these concepts translate to post-conflict peacekeeping, and why the latter is a desirable approach when connecting with people of a different culture who suffer from war trauma.

She related a case study where a woman had experienced war trauma and received treatment using a Western approach and why this approach didn’t work. She challenged the delegates to consider a systematic collaborative approach to build resilience.

Prof Rogobete outlined steps on how to use a systematic collaborative approach to ensure proper healing to identify NGOs or relief agencies with the purpose of establishing cooperation, as well as setting up training centres where peacekeeping officers can learn more about the culture and acquire cross-cultural skills in developing cooperation.

THE ROOTS OF TRANSATLANTIC RELATIONS Lecture by Major Serge Stroobants to PPC and NRC BY: Lerato Moepeng

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“The Marshall plan is really the focal point in transatlantic relations between North America and Europe,” Major Stroobants said.

He continued, saying that even though Europe was emancipated, they still needed the US because they realised when it came to the “pillars of power in security and defence we [Europe] still need the United States because there is still a threat from the Soviet Union.”

During the arm’s race “we [the United States] start to realize that the world is not such a nice place…we would have problems not only from the East but also from other regions of the world,” he added, “forcing NATO to develop concrete military plans.”

He said the institutionalisation of NATO became the lynchpin of transatlantic relations between Europe and North America.

“There’s a reason why we have the political stances we have today.”

“We share values on democracy, on economics and we have the same interests,” Major Serge Stroobants told the Political and Partnerships Committee (PPC) and the NATO-Russia Council (NRC). Major Stroobants, an adjunct professor at Vesalius College in Brussels, joined delegates to discuss the influence of European integration on transatlantic relations. He said he identified the period from 1945 to present, which he said explains transatlantic relations today.

He explained that in 1945, when World War II had just come to an end and shortly thereafter, the Western allies formed the United Nations in an effort to maintain peace and create a ‘better’ world. By the end of the war, much of Europe was in ruins. The United States responded with the Marshall Plan – this was the American initiative to aid Europe in economic support to help rebuild European economies.

Ted WhitesideNATO acting Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy

REACHING A CONSENSUS IS NO EASY TASK PPC report BY: Harveen Kaur

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from Bulgaria was particularly persistent in campaigning to be included to the list of sponsors.

He later told press, “I think our committee was really competitive. This challenged each delegate to be the best we can.” After some hours of deliberations, he was eventually voted in as a sponsor.

In conclusion, the PPC re-affirmed their commitment to establish institutions in Afghanistan, following democratic principles promoting equal representation of ethnic groups and gender mainstreaming.

For most of the participants, they shared the highlight of the PPC simulations was being able to work closely with other committed individuals.Saskia Laasik the delegate representing Latvia said, “We started off as a group of individuals, but throughout the week we had to put aside our differences and work as a team.”

Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina when they met the MAP criteria, should be invited to join the NATO partnership at the end of 2016.

However, the delegate representing Greece insisted that that the invitation should not extend to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This caused tension within the committee and a resolution was not reached, until it was decided that the nation, within the framework on the UN, resolved the issue of its name.

Mid-week, delegates focused on gender mainstreaming and NATO’s responsibility to combat the deeply entrenched patriarchal society in Afghanistan as part of the rebuilding process. This topic caused much debate between the delegates.

The main issue that divided delegates was the sponsorship of the communiqué. The delegate

Amidst rising tensions and intense negotiations, 28 youth acted as delegates for the Political and Partnerships Committee (PPC) and were assigned to the task of drafting two communiqués on NATO’s Open Door Policy and Gender Mainstreaming.

The PPC proceedings were chaired by first timers, Eithandee Aung and Anna Nadudvari. Aung told press she “was really excited to see how the delegates would improve and to see their confidence increase.”

There were two topics on the agenda to be discussed. The committee first talked about NATO’s Open Door Policy and the specific criteria that make up the Membership Action Plan (MAP). Delegates expressed the symbolism of holding it in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro.

For the most part, the PPC were united and agreed that

EXPANDING NATO ALLIANCES AND FOSTERING CULTURAL RELATIONS: FUTURE LEADERS TAKE NOTE

Academic panel session for PPC

BY: Harveen Kaur

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He suggested that despite this positive contribution, “47% of people within Montenegro oppose it,” due to NATO’s previous bombing of Montenegro in 1999, which fostered distrust amongst the country’s citizens.

Dr Vukovic suggested that due to the lack of support from the people and its high rate of corruption, Montenegro may not be ready to join the alliance.

This brutally honest response impressed Chair of the PPC, Anna Nadudvari, who said she was surprised by the attitude of the guest speakers as “they were not falsely optimistic…but committed to improving the situation within Montenegro.”

As well as building strong military relations, Prof I. Rogobete addressed the importance of building resilient cultural relations within peacekeeping operations, particularly NATO’s promotion of gender equality within the deeply entrenched patriarchal society of Afghanistan.

Educating men is the key to solving the problem of gender equality, she continued saying, “educating men is the most effective way to promote and implement gender equality within Afghan society.” She said women must work together and be supported by men if gender attitudes are to change within Afghanistan.

Overall, the delegates were impressed by the honesty and insight provided by the academic panel.

The Political and Partnerships Committee (PPC) heard from a panel of academic experts on Tuesday 2nd December, who spoke about the challenges of integration faced by NATO in the 21st century.

The panel consisted of Dr Ivan Vukovic from the University of Montenegro, Professor Silviu Rogobete and Professor Ileana Rogobete both from the West University of Timisoara.

The panel outlined the challenges faced by Montenegro joining the NATO alliance.Prof S. Rogobete said the “key to ensuring security is dependent upon building strong international relationships” and that joining NATO would be the “best framework” for Montenegro.

NATO’S CAPABILITIES TO MANAGE CRISIS Lecture and Q&A session with Kurt EngelenBY: Harveen Kaur

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Yet some MoNYS delegates felt that this black and white approach to the situation was unsatisfying. One delegate expressed disappointment saying, “I cannot agree with these points, the situation is much more complex.”

Engelen agreed with its complexity, but acknowledged that due to time limitations they were not able to discuss everything in full depth and encouraged delegates to approach him with questions after the session.

He finished by saying he was very impressed by the high caliber of questions asked by the delegates which he believed provoked informed discussions about important global issues.

The delegates of Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS) went above and beyond asking probing questions to Kurt Engelen, Vice-President of Euro-Atlantic Association of Belgium when they met him face-to-face at an academic session on Tuesday 2nd December.

The MoNYS delegates participated in a question and answer session, which revealed opposing views between NATO’s capabilities to mobilize a military response during times of crisis, and how the actions of Russia can be interpreted.

The recent actions of Russia provided a polarizing response within the MoNYS community. Some feared that NATO wasn’t properly equipped to combat a military invasion by Russia, whilst others believed having such a defensive attitude towards Russia was unjustified and provocative.

Engelen said the real threat of the Soviet Union to the Baltic States is evidently seen through the invasion of Crimea, asking the delegates, “were the Russian troops found in Crimea on holiday?”

This led to a MoNYS delegate pointing out that “it takes 3 months before NATO mobilizes a military response, which is concerning to the Baltic States.” Many young delegates were concerned that this slow response was insufficient in providing adequate defence.

In response Engelen assured them that the military capabilities of Russia were exaggerated by various propaganda techniques. He added that NATO was equipped to launch military action against an evasion with troops that can be easily deployed from Germany.

“

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I loved everything [about Budva] because

it was a combination of nature and the art,

and the genius of human achievement.

Anika Zlateva, delegate for the Czech Republic in the PPC

A DAY OF REST AND RECUPERATION; CETINJE AND BUDVA Field trip reportBY: Lucy Dean

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“What – you mean you don’t have vases with your parents faces painted on them at home?” one delegate whispered to another. They are gazing intently at two vases, both old and beautifully painted. They feature portraits of the royal family. “No,” said the other laughing, looking around to see if anyone else noticed. They are in the dining room of the National Museum of Montenegro, the palace of the former King Nikola.

It’s Friday – the day that the delegates explored more of Montenegro, and everyone was excited. It’s raining softly outside, but the palace turned museum is small and cozy.

This feeling changes rapidly when the delegates turn a corner and enter the bedroom of a princess. “Sheesh,” they say to one another. Some bend down to get photos. Others look away quickly, focusing on the lacy sheets and high ceilings of the room.

The source of the shock is clear and unavoidable. White fur, long teeth and black eyes; it’s a polar bear fur rug lying on one side of

Cottages puffing out smoke, abandoned castles and mountains wreathed in mist bordering the road. It is a land that could have been home to dragons once upon a time.

When the buses trundled down the mountain and the sea came into sight the rain stopped. Camera flashes lit up as the delegates craned their necks to see the city, the islands and the sea. It’s Budva!

The skies are grey and the sea is too but a few intrepid diplomats take the plunge. Others consider them crazy and go to the mall. Most, however, disappear into the old citadel of Budva. They climb as high as they can and look out over the sea. It’s beautiful, strong, romantic, and - they look up with heartbreaking expressions of disbelief and distaste - it’s raining.

Back to the bus; It’s time to return to the hotel. The delegates are sleepy and a little damp. Heads nod as the buses drive through this fantasy-land as they return to Podgorica for simulation-NATO mode.

the bed. On the other side, a wolf fur rug. The animals both look angry, snarls frozen on their faces. The delegates shuffle through the room, mouths agape and eyes wide open.

…Montenegro! So much beauty, so much rain and just a little bit of weird.

From here the delegates visit an art gallery museum and then split up, but most reconvene at the local (tiny) Irish pub.

They leave a few hours later with fire in their bellies and smoke in their lungs. The sky has broken and the rain is swift and harsh. It’s 5 Euros for an umbrella, so naturally the delegates climbed back onto their buses sodden, shivering, but smiling – it’s lunchtime and the hotel had packed them lots of goodies, but notably a treasured Snickers bar each.

Next stop: Budva.

They were going to go to the coastal city of Kotor, but the rain that just wouldn’t let up left Kotor flooded. The idea to visit was vetoed.

NRC STEPS IT UP A NOTCH IN A BID TO RESUME COOPERATION WITH RUSSIANRC report

BY: Hanna Clarys

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“We could have agreed on the peace keepers and ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine and Crimea, but considering the new developments, the joint missile defence system is unacceptable for Russia”, said one of the country’s delegates.

Not only a collective missile defence system was at stake at the Council’s meetings this week; delegates also discussed cooperation between member states to address the increasingly complex asymmetric warfare of our time. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threat and the explosive situation in Syria can only be addressed through a joint response program by NATO, so decided all delegations except Russia in their final paper.

Both communiqués were for the most part, drafted with an intensive lobbying and active leadership by the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Belgium. Both of which were eventually passed by all countries within the NRC, excluding Russia, thus sending a strong message to the world.

The Canadian delegate to the NRC at one of the first simulations said, “We hope to find an agreement with Russia and resume cooperation, but frankly, our delegation thinks it’s a waste of time”. These are not exactly hopeful words. However, when the first communiqué on defence cooperation was being drafted, promising sounds were heard.

The delegation from France was the first to soften up the formulation of harsh words or conditions as, so he said, “getting Russia back at the table is the first and most important objective of the NRC.”

And then, reality checked in. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state of the nation on Wednesday 3rd December kicked hard into negotiations, as he stated that Russia didn’t need help from anyone to guarantee the safety of its people, indirectly declining any cooperation with NATO on a collective missile defence system.

Saturday 6 December 2014 – The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) buzzes with excitement. Today is the day they will pass their final communiqués on the topics they have been discussing for the past week. As the days went by, tensions rose and debates heated up. Delegates navigated between points of information and motions to “ask for informal debate”, alliances were formed and team leaders emerged. When just six days ago, participants only hesitantly raised their placards and stumbled over their words, they are now beyond a doubt “present and voting”. Keeping your wits about you is a must when discussing future NATO-Russia cooperation, both in general and in the face of asymmetric warfare. However always with a wink and a smile, the icy atmosphere and lack of trust that characterizes the current NATO-Russia relations in the real world, is tangible in the simulations as well.

UNCERTAIN, BUT NOT DESPERATE TIMES AHEAD FOR NATOLecture by Radu Magdin to NRC

BY: Hanna Clarys

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Machiavellian. The first word with which Radu Magdin describes politics, covers the entire content of the lecture he has prepared especially for MoNYS. It’s all about power, people.

When Radu Magdin began to speak, the delegates at the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) ceased to metaphorically kill each other in debate and listen. Magdin is known as a leading personality in NATO matters concerning its relation with one of the most feared superpowers of our time, Russia.

He stated our time is marked by uncertainty, describing the trust between political actors on a worldwide level had been breached; civil unrest can

what it did, and is still standing by its actions. And it can do so, because Russia succeeded in finding good narrative about the Crimean situation for its local audience. “And that”, Mr. Magdin continued, “is one of the keys to success in power struggles: as a politician, never ignore the national audience.” Unless you’re suicidal, that is.

So yes, times are uncertain. And if Russia pushes through, it will be a horrible time for NATO. “However”, Mr. Magdin ended with a positive note, “we should not be afraid of that uncertainty. On the contrary, we should accept and acknowledge it, and understand the possibilities materializing out of the current, uncertain situation.” That, too, is power.

be sparked by the slightest economic downturn, and strategic weakness lurks just beneath the surface of a NATO that is trying to get the current Ukraine situation under control. We are living in times we haven’t seen since 1989, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. The contest for a different distribution of power has begun, and Russia is merely testing the patience of NATO and the world.

“However”, Mr. Magdin stressed, “there are no good or bad people within political delegations, from whichever country. There are only national interests and people who defend those interests against all costs.” National interests are the reason why Russia did

MANAGING THE BATTLEFIELD THAT IS MONYS

Q&A with a ParticipantBY: Hanna Clarys

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How is it working in and with a delegation?

I didn’t know my fellow delegates before this summit, so it was exciting to meet them and get to know each other. We immediately got along and we work well together. I guess we’re all motivated to represent Russia in the most professional manner possible, and so far, I believe we’re doing a good job, even though the current situation in the real world obviously sparks controversial debate.

What is the most important or valuable thing you’ve learned or experienced?

More and more I’m realizing that it’s easy to be enemies but much harder to make friends or alliances; A notion which is probably the result of having to represent a country that is perceived and treated widely as ‘The Enemy’. And that, in its turn, is challenging, but very worthwhile.

and managing to survive the battlefield that it is. It provides me with an impression of how diplomats and negotiators address each other, how they debate on complicated issues and reach consensus.

What has your experience been like, so far?The first thing I noticed and by which I was pleasantly surprised, is the professionalism of the entire event. Not only concerning the organization itself, but the participants as well. Everyone takes this very seriously, does thorough research and seriously prepares the debates.

The first day of simulations, I was a little anxious because I had never done anything like this before. The rules and procedures were overwhelming and the Russian delegation obviously had to immediately defend itself against all the reproaches from the other countries’ delegates. At that point, I was very relieved to have a partner at my side.

Being a delegate representing Russia in NATO isn’t easy, considering the current state of affairs and the rather hostile climate existing between the muscle-flexing superpower and NATO allies. At the NATO Russia Council, 24-year-old Jonathan Trautmann from Germany is accepting – with verve – the challenge of defending Russia’s national interests and position towards the current crisis. Trautmann spoke to MoNYS journalist, Hanna Clarys, about the MoNYS experience, being under siege, and Russia vs. The World.

Why did you apply for MoNYS?

I am currently studying International Studies at the University of Frankfurt (Germany) with a focus on Peace & Conflict Research. As I’m aspiring a career in the world of international politics, MoNYS is the perfect opportunity to gather knowledge and practical experience on working in

THEY CAME AS DELEGATES, BUT LEFT AS FRIENDS Closing Ceremony report

BY: Harveen Kaur

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One particular delegate, Tribun Berisha, boldly stood up at the end of the ceremony saying, “This is the first time in first four years I have actually felt happy. This has been such a great experience for me and I would just like to thank everyone for being so great.”

The end of the conference delivered the 3rd generation of MoNYS alumni.

Special awards:

Best DPPC Delegate Karine Meunier, delegate for Norway

Best EAPC Delegate Jules Landrieu, delegate for Norway

Best NRC Delegate Aleksanca Panić, delegate for USA

Best PPC Delegate Imogen Clare, delegate for Germany

Best Journalist Eleanor Landford

Maximenco said, “it was extraordinary, the level of commitment between the committees and the high level or academic achievement, but this didn’t take away from the social activities that occurred throughout the week.”

She said that academically the event was a huge success with participants having produced communiqués of a very high quality, and that the papers would be presented to NATO after the summit’s conclusion.

Many participants expressed their excitement for being part of the global summit, with delegate, Cas Legard saying, “Honestly this whole experience has been incredible. Everyone has been so engaging talking about important world issues. I have loved meeting people from all over the world.”

Throughout the week participants were pushed to produce their best work and were able to form life-long friendships.

Sunday 7th December marked the end to what was a truly memorable and challenging week for the 160 participants that traveled from across the globe to attend the Model NATO Youth Summit (MoNYS) 2014.

The closing ceremony marked the end of an entire week of simulations where delegates re-created NATO’s decision-making processes.

After week-long discussions in individual committees and councils, the Defence Policy and Planning Committee (DPPC), Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), Political and Partnerships Committee (PPC), and the the NATO-Russia Council (NRC), all gathered together for an end of summit celebration.

MoNYS Secretary-General and Chairperson of the EAPC, Carina Maximenco, presented the communiqués to the participants, as well as the conclusions of the summit at whole, awarding the participants with recognition certificates and special awards.

www.natoyouthsummit.org