MUN Delegate Handbook 2013

RBSMUN 2013 Delegate Handbook

September 26, 27 and 28 Prepared by Shreeya Sharma, Elvin Shrestha, Divya Agrawal and Anshu Vaidya

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 2

Rato Bangala Model United Nations 2013

Table of Contents

1. Program Schedule ……………………………………………………………………………………………….….3 2. What is the Model United Nations (MUN)? …………………………………………………………….…4 3. Procedure …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…7

3.1 How to Research? 3.2 Speeches 3.3 Caucuses 3.4 Position Paper 3.5 MUN Vocabulary 3.6 Resolution

4. Rules and Do’s & Don’ts ………………………………………………………………………………………….19 5. Dress Code …………………………………………………………………………………………………......……...20 6. Awards …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..21

6.1 Awards List 6.2 What wins you an Award?

7. Messages……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………....22 7.1 Message from the Secretary General 7.2 Message from the Deputy Secretary General

8. Committees…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….24 9. Press Members ………………………………………………………………………………………………………26 10. Delegation ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..27 11. Logistics ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………36 12. Pages …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….36 13. Topic Area Summaries ………………………………………………………………….………………………..37

13.1 Security Council (SC) ………………………………………………………………………….……………37 13.2 Syrian Crisis Committee (SCC) …………………………………………………………………………38 13.3 Human Rights Council (HRC) …………………………………………………………………….........39 13.4 Historic Security Council (HSC) ……………………………………………………………………….41 13.5 Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) ………………………….42 13.6 Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) …………………………………………………44 13.7 Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM) …………………….46 13.8 Legal Committee ………………………………………………………………………………………..........47 13.9 Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) …………………….49 13.10 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) …………………………………………....51

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 3


1. Program Schedule

26th September 2013, (Day 1) Thursday 8:15 AM -‐ 9:15 AM Opening Ceremony 9:30 AM –Till designated lunch time Session in committees Lunch

11:30 AM-‐ 12:15 PM 12:00 PM-‐ 12:45 PM SOCHUM SC UNEP HSC CSTD ECOFIN Legal Committee DISEC Syrian Crisis Committee HRC

After lunch-‐ 3:00 PM Session in committees 27th September 2013, (Day 2) Friday 8:00 AM-‐ 9:00 AM Photo session 9:00 AM –Till designated lunch time Session in committees Lunch


After lunch-‐ 3:00 PM Session in committees 3:00 PM-‐ 4:00 PM Refreshments 4:00 PM-‐ 6:30 PM Delegate Dance 28th September 2013, (Day 3), Saturday 8:30 AM –Till designated lunch time Session in committees Lunch


After lunch-‐ 3:00 PM Session in committees 3:00 PM-‐ 3:30 PM Certificate distribution in committees 3:30 PM-‐ 4:15 PM Refreshments 4:15 PM-‐ 5:30 PM Closing Ceremony

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 4


2. What is the Model United Nations (MUN)? Introduction: Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. The concept of Model United Nations is to have students actively participate in a simulated United Nations so that students can develop the art of peaceful negotiation among potential national and international leader. Simulating international organizations began even before the birth of the United Nations, when students held a series of Model League of Nations in the 1920s. MUN is a successor to a student-‐directed simulation of what preceded the U.N. itself, but it is not documented exactly how Model UN began. Following is the official definition of Model UN from the United Nations Association of the United States of America (Retrieved from www.un.org)

Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the UN General Assembly, UN Security Council, or other multilateral body, which catapults students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. In Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors of UN member states, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe to debate current issues on the Organization's vast agenda. The students, better known as "delegates" in Model UN, prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the UN's rules of procedure-‐all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect almost every country on Earth.

Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in Model UN, students do research on the particular global problems to be addressed. The problems are drawn from today's headlines. Model UNers learn how the international community acts on its concerns about · peace and security· human rights · the environment · food and hunger · economic development · globalization · and more. Model UN "delegates" also look closely at the needs, aspirations, and foreign policy of the country they will "represent" at the event. The insights they gain from their exploration of · history · geography · mathematics · culture · economics · and science -‐-‐ contribute to the authenticity of the simulation once the actual role-‐playing gets under way-‐-‐and ensures a lively and memorable experience.

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 5


Delegates and their roles: A Model UN delegate is a student who assumes the role of an ambassador to the United Nations at the Model Un conference. Delegates are fundamental to any Model UN Conference. An delegate does not need to have experience in international relations, but a delegate’s job is to research the positions of a Un member state, both on specific topics that will be discussed at he conference and a general overview of that nation’s policies. Delegates should be ready to discuss the issues with their counterparts and to prepare draft resolutions, or other documents based on the specifics of each simulation, which codify solutions to problems. Delegates use formal rules and procedures to discuss real-‐life problems and current events. Prior to the start of a conference, each committee’s staff members determine the topic that delegates will discuss and write a background guide that describes the topic and gives questions that they should use as a guide for research. Just as the real United Nations and other committees record their work and most often take action by issuing written instructions or recommendations, MUN committees frequently write resolutions or other documents that require or request action from other countries, organizations, and groups. Drafting and editing some form of written document takes the most time in a typical committee. Delegates should work with other delegates representing governments with similar positions or interests. At times, delegates should cooperate because they support the same working paper or draft resolution despite other disagreements. At other times, delegates should work together because of traditional alliances or friendly relations. Working constructively means writing resolutions together, combining similar resolutions, and reaching a consensus without digressing from a country’s real-‐life foreign policy. If delegates cannot agree, then they should find other working partners and propose alternatives before working against a working paper or draft resolution. Delegates should be wary of changing their position on a topic to the point of compromising their country’s national security

(contd.) For over 50 years now, teachers and students have benefited from and enjoyed this interactive learning experience that not only involves young people in the study and discussion of global issues but also encourages the development of skills useful throughout their lives: · Research · Writing · Public speaking · Problem solving · Consensus building · Conflict resolution · Compromise and cooperation. The popularity of Model UN-‐ing has contributed to the rapid growth of this activity over several decades, and today upwards of 200,000 high school and college/university students participate in a Model UN each year. Some are classroom exercises, others school-‐wide, and still others regional, national, or international. Those in the last group are called "conferences" because of their larger sizes bringing participants from all over. Many conference participants are "repeaters," since the spirit and substance of these simulations create an appetite for this activity more commonly known as "MUN Fever". Those with MUN Fever may continue on as adults to seek out "intergenerational" simulations.

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 6


Secretary General and his/her roles: The Secretary General has authority over all participants of the conference. He or she has the right to make decisions on all issues or questions vital to the harmonious operation of the conference, under the discretion of the Advisors. The other Student Officers will enforce these decisions. The Secretary General will also be responsible for scheduling of the Conference sessions. The Secretary General shall have right to rule on all questions concerning the students and the decisions of the Chairs in consultation with the Advisors Such decisions will be final. The Secretary General will have the rights to assume the Chair positions at any time in the interest if restoring order, smooth debate practices or at any other time they determine it to be necessary or beneficial. Disciplinary issues particularly of the coordinators will be the responsibility of the Secretary General. The Secretary General will also be responsible for the Crisis Situation and for making sure that there are Press Releases being distributed. Chairs and their roles: The Chairs declare the opening and closing of each meeting, direct its discussions and announce decisions. They ensure the observance of the rules, give the right to speak an put questions to the vote. They rule on points of order and, subject to the rules, have complete control of the proceedings of the assembly and over the maintenance of order at formal meetings. They may propose limitations of debate time, a limitation on the number of times each delegate may speak on any question, and on the closure of debate. They may also propose the adjournment of the meeting or the adjournment of the debate on the item under discussion. They may also suspend the rules in consultation with the Advisors and the Secretary General or his/her Deputy in order to positively affect debate proceedings. The primary function of the Chair is to work actively with the delegates through sessions, but especially in to lobbying process, encouraging arid helping them to merge draft resolutions where there is a common intent and to compromise where there is a difference of view. Thus, when a resolution is eventually debated in a forum, the forum as a whole, at least a sizable majority of the delegates, can identify itself with the resolution. It is very important that the Chairs have ability to keep order and to enforce Parliamentary Procedure. Chairs play a crucial role in determining the success or failure of the negotiations and debate on the agenda items. They must be actively involved in the substance of the issues, both on the lobbying process and during formal debate. They should see their role a the intermediary during the lobbying process, bringing various interest groups into contact with one another in order to ensure more worthwhile debate. If the General Assembly does into session without the vital preliminary contacts between interest groups having been fosters by the Chair, much of that forum’s time will be taken up by questions about the terminology used in the resolutions, empty rhetoric and dramatic posturing in stating ideological positions and basic points of view. Ideally, these aspects of communication between members should have been completed during lobbying, ad hoc committee meetings and regional organization meetings. It is the Chair’s job to facilitate this. Vice Chairs and their roles: Vice Chairs are second in control of the committee. They assist in all aspects and works with the moderator on the judging and record keeping. Moderators and their roles: Moderators help the sessions with record keeping. They mediate chits that come to the Dais and contribute to the judging through detailed notes. They keep the Speaker’s List and take roll calls.

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 7


3. Procedure 3.1 How to Research? Pre-‐conference preparation is a prerequisite for success. Preparation for the Model UN begins with gathering information. You have to be able to spend enough time before the conferences to not only find information but also to be able to analyze and put forward your arguments. An integral part of your research is to know the UN system. This will help clarify the whole MUN simulation process and ensure greater confidence on your part. Another important aspect of your research is knowing your country extensively from its history, culture, political structure to any political involvement in current world affairs. This can be done by making a country profile. It is also very important to know where your country stands. You need to find out who your allies and oppositions are, what bloc your country belongs to and what its viewpoints are on the main conference topic. In order to interact with other delegates it is recommended to be well aware of their countries’ stances as well. An effective resource to do this is the study guide. Read through each topic area to make sure you pick up all the details and subtleties of the issue. Lastly, you need to know all rules and procedures of the conference thoroughly to maintain a level playing field and a certain level of professionalism. Listed below are some additional sites and resources which can help you find legitimate UN documents for your research:

• unbisnet.un.org • UNAUSA.org • Un.org/news • Icj-‐cij.org • Yearbook of the United Nations • United Nations chronicles • UN document index

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 8


3.2 Speeches Speaker’s list The speaker’s list is the order in which delegates make their speeches during formal debate. It is important to get on the speaker’s list right from the start and as frequently as possible. This will maximize your speaking opportunity and will definitely raise the quantity and quality of issues coming up. Preparation and content Planning a speech doesn’t require writing it out word for word. Deliberate and carefully calculated speeches may lack spontaneity. The use of flash cards with key phrases may prove to be useful to avoid mediocre and monotonous speeches. You have to be flexible with what you are going to say as with new issues coming up, your speech may no longer be in context. You can introduce new ideas in a speech or elaborate on old ones. You can support and defend your allies’ positions, attack opposing positions and take stances on your own. The content of the speech however must be in accordance with what is being discussed and what you want to say. Delivery Public speaking is one of the most important skills needed to be a successful delegate in the model UN. Confidence gives more volume to the ideas that you are presenting. You need to convey a message of certitude and strength and to do so you will need to avoid showing any signs of fear, stress, doubt, anxiety, or nervousness. It all depends on the way you communicate your ideas. You want to get your point across and if you are well prepared, the only thing you need to worry about is making your views clearer. Tips to enhance your public speaking

• Prepare. • Practice. • Consider your audience. • Eliminate unnecessary filler words like “umm”, “well”, “sort of”, “like”,” so”,“you know” etc. • Use meaningful pauses. • Breathe. • Pace yourself. • Choose a powerful posture. • Project your presence. • Gesture. • Connect with your audience. • Get to the point. • Be constructive and try to come up with solutions rather than criticisms.

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 9


3.3 Caucuses Caucuses or informal debates, is an important part of the model UN simulation as it provides opportunities for delegates to collaborate, negotiate and formulate draft resolutions. There are two types of caucuses; Moderated caucuses and unmoderated caucuses. Moderated caucuses A caucus may often appear to be disorganized and hectic. With the help of the moderator however, more productive and efficient caucuses can be conducted. Here, delegates for and against a particular issue are divided accordingly and are then given chances to speak alternatively for at least a minute each. This way, the best elements of formal debate and caucus are combined ensuring both, order in the committee and a spontaneous flow of ideas. Unmoderated caucuses An unmoderated caucus is a state of committee during which no speaker is recognized by the moderator. Here, no debate takes place yet the committee is abuzz with activity. During this period of time delegates try and come to a consensus, organize blocs and write resolutions. Delegates can also use this time to check on their co-‐delegates outside the committee room. Moving a caucus When you motion for a caucus, you will be asked the duration for which you want to caucus and the purpose for which you want to caucus. Raise a caucus if only you feel that a discussion outside formal debate amongst delegates is necessary. A caucus is generally called either to review ideas, or to establish a consensus or to contact other people. Tips for effective caucusing

• Enter the caucus only with a plan in mind. • Find delegates in your bloc. • Offer constructive critiques and ideas and be resourceful. • Negotiate. • Listen. • Record ideas in form of official paperwork. • Be inclusive. • Use time effectively.

DELEGATE HANDBOOK 10


3.4 Position Paper

A position paper is a summary of a country’s stands on the issues being discussed. It is mandatory for each delegate to submit one position paper on each issue, before the conference. A position paper is usually one to one-‐and-‐a-‐half page long, with three basic parts: your country’s national interests, your country’s national policies and your opinion on potential resolution components. National interests must contain what your country would like to see happen in the world. National policies are a summary of your country’s attempt to resolve the issue. Your opinion on potential resolution component is your responses to the proposed solutions and answers to the questions that a resolution must deal with. Writing a position paper may appear to be a daunting task, but with enough research, writing a position paper will be easy and helpful. Writing a position paper will allow you to think about the information you have collected and make full use of your resources. Also, the position paper that you write will reflect your approach to the topic before the dais, allowing them to picture how the conference will proceed. It will, moreover, represent your hard work and will thus prove as an opportunity for you to impress you dais. How to write a position paper The position paper must show a clear picture of your country’s stance on the issue along with you proposal for resolution. A position paper must contain the following:

i. Your country’s national interest: • A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic and committee • How the issue affects your country • Quotes from your countries leaders about the issue • Statistics to back up your country’s position on the issue • Actions taken by the government with regard to the issue

ii. Your country’s national policies: • Your country’s policies with respect to the issue and your country’s justification for these

policies • UN actions that your country supported or opposed • Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified

iii. Your opinion on potential resolution components: • What your country believes should be done to address the issue • What your country would like to accomplish in the committee’s resolution • How the position of other countries affect your country’s position.

# Tips: While your position paper must be official, avoid using fancy language and stick to simple and direct statements. Seal of your country will give your position paper an ‘official’ look, making it more attractive to be read. Do not cramp up various ideas on one paragraph; separate different ideas on different paragraphs. Do not forget to cite your sources, with footnotes or endnotes to reference your sites. Proof read your work, and get rid of any grammatical or spelling errors.



Format of a Position Paper for RBSMUN: Committee: Country: Delegate: Topic: Introduction to the topic:

• In your country’s view, what are the main elements of the problem? • What are the roots of these problems and give a brief history concerning the topic and

committee?

Current Situation: • What are you national interests in the situation? Briefly explain the stance on the topic. • What is your country doing to support or condemn the topic? • What past resolutions or treaties have the country supported regarding the topic?

Solution:

• What does your nation believe needs to be done to solve the problem? • What would your country want to be included in the committee’s resolution?



Sample Position Papers: (Source: HMUN Guide to Delegate Preparation 2013)

Committee: Disarmament and International Security Topic Area A: Nuclear Test Ban Country: The Republic of Sierra Leone School: High School Academy A. The nuclear test ban issue has been the first item on the agenda of the Conference on Disarmament

since 1978 with good reason. In 1963, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the USSR entered into the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), which prohibited testing in the atmosphere and underwater. In 1974, the United States and the USSR entered into the Threshold Test Ban Treaty (TTBT) which placed an upper limit of 150 kilotons on nuclear tests.

The next logical step, a comprehensive test ban treaty (CTBT), has been long overdue. Nuclear weapon testing allows the arms race to continue and even escalate. The implementation of a test ban would slow down the development of new nuclear weapons and thereby slow down the arms race. Furthermore, a CTBT would not, as some states have claimed, threaten the stability of the policy of nuclear deterrence, on which both superpowers rely. In fact, a CTBT would maintain stability by preventing innovations and developments which could potentially give one nuclear state a unilateral advantage. Moreover, the increasing use of super-‐computers has essentially eliminated the need for actual testing.

B. The Republic of Sierra Leone believes disarmament to be crucial for the maintenance of worldwide security and considers a nuclear test ban to be an important step in the process of reaching that goal. Sierra Leone is not a nuclear power nor does it aid other countries in producing nuclear weapons.

Our policy in the past has been to work diligently toward a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. We wish to accomplish this goal through negotiation in the Conference on Disarmament. In accordance with this policy, the Resolution 485 banning nuclear testing in Africa and Resolution 781 banning nuclear testing in Southeast Asia received wholehearted support from Sierra Leone. Furthermore, our government received glowing reports from the international press for our stance on the issue. The African Journal wrote that “To maintain the fundamental principles of Africa, the UN needs more nations like Sierra Leone” (Volume 48, 1993, pp. 12).

C. The Republic of Sierra Leone supports the following proposals for a nuclear test ban treaty: The treaty must be a comprehensive and permanent one. Although Japan’s proposal to have a progressive

lowering of the threshold limit until it reached zero is an interesting idea, not only does this legitimize nuclear weapon testing, it also delays a true resolution of the problem. In addition, it gives the nuclear states a greater opportunity to escape their obligations through inevitable loopholes in the treaty.

Although peaceful nuclear explosions could potentially bring about beneficial results, the nearly insurmountable difficulty in differentiating between nuclear tests for weapons and nuclear tests for peaceful purposes makes such a distinction infeasible. The proposal that a state must provide the Secretary-‐General with all relevant data about the planned explosion is laudable, yet proper assurance of the peaceful nature of a test would require a degree of monitoring to which most nuclear states would not agree.

States can rely not only on all national means of verification which are consistent with international law, but also an international verification system. Current seismic monitoring systems, such as the Norwegian Seismic Array (NORSAR), are sufficiently advanced to determine whether states are complying with a CTBT. In addition, the 1984 experiment involving the World Meteorological Organization/Global Telecommunications System (WMO/GTS) illustrates the viability of an international seismic network. As per the Ad Hoc Group’s report, Sierra Leone is in favor of an international network of seismic monitoring stations which would send their data to International Data Centers (IDCs) for analysis. These IDCs would automatically give out type I data (basic information) with type II data (data subjected to more advanced analysis) available upon request. Of course, even after the conclusion of a CTBT, there should be further research into the development of even more sensitive and accurate seismic monitoring equipment and analysis techniques. If the test ban treaty involved the gradual reduction of the threshold limit, then that limit should reflect current seismic monitoring technology. In addition, on-‐site inspections should be allowed.

Regarding compliance, a test ban treaty is of such paramount importance that violators should be punished. Yet the fact remains that embargoes would most likely have little if any effect on most nuclear states. Perhaps compliance measures will eventually rely on first convincing the superpowers, and any other nuclear states, to enter into a CTBT and then getting the superpowers themselves to ensure that their allies abide by the treaty.



3.5 MUN Vocabulary Abstain: During a vote on a substantive matter, delegates may abstain rather than vote yes or no. This generally signals that a state does not support the resolution being voted on, but does not oppose it enough to vote no.

Adjourn: All UN or Model UN sessions end with a vote to adjourn. This means that the debate is suspended until the next meeting. This can be a short time (e.g., overnight) or a long time (until next year's conference).

Agenda: The order in which the issues before a committee will be discussed. The first duty of a committee following the roll call is usually to set the agenda.

Amendment: A change to a draft resolution on the floor. Can be of two types: a "friendly amendment" is supported by the original draft resolution's sponsors, and is passed automatically. An "unfriendly amendment" is not supported by the original sponsors and must be voted on by the committee as a whole.

Bloc: A group of countries in a similar geographical region or with a similar opinion on a particular topic.

Caucus: A break in formal debate in which countries can more easily and informally discuss a topic. There are two types: moderated caucus and unmoderated caucus.

• Moderated Caucus: A type of caucus in which delegates remain seated and the Chair calls on them one at a time to speak for a short period of time, enabling a freer exchange of opinions than would be possible in formal debate.

• Un-‐moderated caucus: A type of caucus in which delegates leave their seats to mingle and speak freely. Enables the free sharing of ideas to an extent not possible in formal debate or even a moderated caucus. Frequently used to sort countries into blocs and to write working papers and draft resolutions.

Clause: Clauses are parts of a resolution. They are of two types:

• Operative clause: The part of a resolution that describes how the UN will address a problem. It begins with an action verb (decides, establishes, recommends, etc.).

• Preambulatory clause: The part of a resolution that describes previous actions taken on the topic and reasons why the resolution is necessary. It begins with a participle or adjective (noting, concerned, regretting, aware of, recalling, etc.).

Committee: Participants are allocated in different committees, and discuss with others on topics related to the committee.

Decorum: The order and respect for others that all delegates at a Model UN conference must exhibit. The Chair will call for decorum when he or she feels that the committee is not being respectful of a speaker, of the dais, or of their roles as ambassadors.

Delegation: The entire group of people representing a member state or country in all committees at a particular Model UN conference.

Draft resolution: A document that seeks to fix the problems addressed by a Model UN committee. If passed by the committee, the draft resolution will become a resolution.

Formal debate: The "standard" type of debate at a Model UN conference, in which delegates speak for a certain time in an order based on a speakers' list.



Member state: A country that has ratified the Charter of the United Nations and whose application to join has been accepted by the General Assembly and Security Council. Currently, there are 193 member states.

Motion: A request made by a delegate for the committee, as a whole, to do something. Some motions might go into a caucus, to adjourn, to introduce a draft resolution, or to move into voting bloc.

On the floor: At a Model UN conference, when a working paper or draft resolution is first written, it may not be discussed in debate. After it is approved by the Director and introduced by the committee, it is put "on the floor" and may be discussed.

Page: A member in a Model UN committee that has volunteered to pass notes from one delegate to another, or from a delegate to the dais, or from one committee to another.

Placard: A piece of cardstock with a country's name on it that a delegate raises in the air to signal to the Chair that he or she wishes to speak.

Point: A request raised by a delegate for information or for an action relating to that delegate.

• Point of order: Point of order can be raised if a member of a committee feels the delegate speaking is making a offensive or derogatory remarks towards either the delegate of the country. If the chair agrees that the speaker is indeed not behaving appropriately, they will be asked to apologize, if not, debate continues as normal.

• Point of inquiry: This is a point to ask a question to the delegate or the chair, when a delegate is having difficulties understanding anything. The chair will answer in accordance to the rules of the procedure.

• Point of personal privilege: This is the only time when a delegate may interrupt a speaker. A point of personal privilege can be called out when a delegate is having personal difficulties: to be left from the room or if the delegate cannot hear or understand the speaker.

• Point of information: After a delegate has taken the floor, the chair will ask the speaker if the delegate is willing to undertake ‘point of information’. These are when delegates in the committee are able to question the policies and points made by the delegate on the floor.

Roll call: The first order of business in a Model UN committee, during which the moderator reads aloud the names of each member state in the committee. When a delegate's country's name is called, he or she may respond "present" or "present and voting." A delegate responding "present and voting" may not abstain on a substantive vote. Signatory: A country that wishes a draft resolution to be put on the floor and signs the draft resolution to accomplish this. A signatory need not support a resolution; it only wants it to be discussed. Usually, Model UN conferences require some minimum number of sponsors and signatories for a draft resolution to be approved.

Speakers' list: A list that determines the order in which delegates will speak. Whenever a new topic is opened for discussion, the Chair will create a speakers' list by asking all delegates wishing to speak to raise their placards and calling on them one at a time. During debate, a delegate may indicate that he or she wishes to be added to the speakers' list by sending a note to the dais.

Sponsor: One of the writers of a draft resolution. A friendly amendment can only be created if all sponsors agree.

Veto: The ability, held by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States to prevent any draft resolution in the Security Council from passing by voting no.



Vote: A time at which delegates indicate whether they do or do not support a proposed action for the committee. There are two types: procedural and substantive.

Voting bloc: The period at the end of a committee session during which delegates vote on proposed amendments and draft resolutions. Nobody may enter or leave the room during voting bloc.

Working paper: A document in which the ideas of some delegates, on how to resolve an issue, are proposed.

Yielding: The movement that delegate A, who is standing at the front, make to pass the right of front speaking to delegate B who agrees with the idea offered previously by delegate A and will keep extend the idea to gain more votes from the floor. Chairs moderate it.

3.6 Resolution

Solutions to the problems that the committee confronts take the form of a resolution. Resolutions represent the committee’s final attempt to draw together the interests of many competing nations into a comprehensive solution that serves the interests of the collective world community. From the procedural perspective, the resolution is the formal document upon which the committee will take action via the amendment and voting processes. A resolution is a complex document that follows a strict format and reflects the negotiation, debate, and innovative proposals that the committee has produced. Before a resolution can be formally introduced into a committee, it must receive the approval of the dais. The Director will sign a resolution if it demonstrates an adequate understanding of the issue, answers the questions posed in the Study Guide, and has a wide base of support. A well-‐written resolution exhibits relevant background information and previous UN actions and address the ideas in the “Questions a Resolution Must Answer” section of the Study Guide. Format of a Resolution The heading of a resolution should include the committee name, the list of signatories, and the topic addressed by the resolution. The body of the resolution is written in the format of a long sentence.

1) The resolution begins by addressing the committee, e.g. “The General Assembly,” for all GA committees. The Specialized Agencies committees use their own names as the introductory line. The rest of the resolution consists of clauses, with the first word of each clause underlined.

2) The next section, consisting of Preambulatory Clauses, describes the problem being addressed,

recalls past actions taken, explains the purpose of the resolution, and offers support for the operative clauses that follow. Each clause in the preamble begins with an underlined participle and ends with a comma. Some of the perambulatory phrases are given below.

3) Operative Clauses are numbered and state the action to be taken by the body. These clauses all

begin with present tense, active verbs, which are generally stronger words than those used in the Preamble. Each operative clause is followed by a semicolon, except for the last one, which is followed by a period. Some of the operative phrases are given below.

To be accepted by the dais, a resolution must be passed in its current form. This includes answering all of the “Questions a Resolution Must Answer”.



Following are some suggested preambulatory and operative phrases: (Source: HMUN Guide to Delegate Preparation 2013)

Preambulatory Phrases Affirming Alarmed by Approving Aware of Believing Bearing in mind

Cognizant of Confident Contemplating Convinced Declaring Deeply concerned

Deeply conscious Deeply convinced Deeply disturbed Deeply regretting Deploring Desiring

Emphasizing Expecting Expressing its appreciation Expressing its satisfaction Fulfilling Fully aware Fully believing Further deploring Further recalling Guided by

Having adopted Having considered Having considered further Having devoted attention Having examined Having heard Having received Having studied Keeping in mind Noting further

Noting with approval Noting with deep concern Noting with regret Noting with satisfaction Noting with zest Observing Realizing Reaffirming Recalling Recognizing

Referring Seeking

Taking into account Taking note

Viewing with appreciation Welcoming

Operative Phrases Accepts Affirms Approves Authorizes Calls for Calls upon Condemns* Congratulates Confirms Considers Decides Declares accordingly Demands* Deplores Draws attention Designates Emphasizes

Encourages Endorses Expresses its appreciation Expresses its hope Further invites Further proclaims Further remind Further recommends Further requests Further resolves Has resolved Notes Proclaims Reaffirms Recommends Reminds Regrets

Requests Resolves Solemnly affirms Strongly condemns* Supports Takes note of Trusts Urges *reserved for the Security Council



Amendments Approved draft resolutions are modified thorough amendments. An amendment is a written statement that deletes or revises an operative clause. Delegates may amend any draft resolution that has been introduced by adding to, deleting from, or revising parts of it. Only one amendment may be introduced at any given time. There are two types of amendments: A friendly amendment is a change to the draft resolution that all sponsors agree with. After the amendment is signed by all of the draft resolution’s sponsors and approved by the committee, it will be incorporated into the resolution. An unfriendly amendment is a change that some or all draft resolution’s sponsors do not support and must be voted upon by the committee. Ultimately, resolutions passed by a committee represent a great deal of debate and compromise. They are the tangible results of hours of MUN debate. As a result, it is important to become familiar with the resolution process and practice drafting resolution using the proper structure and wording.



Sample Resolution (Source: HMUN Guide to Delegate Preparation 2013)



4. Rules and Do’s & Don’ts Before the Conference:

• Delegates should research well and cite sources of any research materials, especially statistics and policies.

• Delegates should prepare country profiles and position papers without plagiarizing. • Delegates must research their country’s stance regarding the topic under discussion. In

addition, delegates must know other country’s stances as well. During the Conference:

• Delegates must speak in English, the official and working language of the conference. Any written documents, too, must be provided in well-‐written, grammatically correct English language.

• Delegates must be courteous and respectful to the Committee staff and to other delegates. • Delegates must not use personal pronouns during moderated caucuses. • Delegates are not permitted to use any type of electronic device like laptops, phones, etc., in

the committee room when the committee has been convened. • RBSMUN does not tolerate slandering, disparaging, or acting in any other way that is

inflammatory to other delegates.



5. Dress Code

Females Males Suits A suit always looks professional. Be sure to

keep suits clean and wrinkle free. A suit always looks professional. Be sure to keep suits clean and wrinkle-‐free.

Tops No t-‐shirts or see-‐through tops. A blouse, sweater, or button-‐down shirt of any kind is appropriate. Dresses are also appropriate as long as they are not revealing and adequate in length (follow the rules below for skirt length). Participants of the MUN wearing sarees on the first day should not wear see-‐through blouses

No t-‐shirts. A collared/button-‐down shirt is appropriate and do not forget a tie!

Bottoms No jeans, shorts or miniskirts. Slacks and suit-‐pants are acceptable. Skirts must be worn with pantyhose/stockings and should not be more than two inches above the knee. Bottoms should have a subtle pattern; avoid loud designs.

No jeans or shorts. Slacks, preferable in dark color, are appropriate.

Shoes No sneakers or open-‐toe sandals. Remember: high-‐heeled shoes may look pretty, but they can also be very uncomfortable, so use your discretion.

No sneakers or open-‐toe sandals. Loafers or other types of dress shoes are preferable.

Hair Keep hair clean and out of your face for a professional look.

Keep hair clean and out of your face a professional look.



6. Awards 6.1 Awards List Committee Awards Best Delegation 1 Outstanding delegate 1 Special Mention 1 Best Country Profile 1 Best Position Paper 1 Press Awards Best Reporter 1 Outstanding Reporter 1 Special Mention 1 6.2 What wins you an Award? Judging criteria for Best Delegate

1. Pre-‐conference participation 2. Knowledge of committee topics 3. Knowledge and representation of the nation’s interests and policies 4. Ability to work with and persuade other delegates through in-‐depth explanations and

convincing arguments 5. Ability to develop pragmatic and acceptable solutions 6. Quality of position paper 7. Quality of country profile 8. Quality and clarity of opening speech 9. Quality of answers to questions and adherence to time limit 10. Contribution to moderated caucuses 11. Resolution writing, lobbying, and involvement 12. Discipline 13. Attire

Judging criteria for Best Country Profile

1. Meeting Deadlines 2. Originality 3. Language 4. Research and Analysis 5. Layout and Design 6. Bibliography and Documentation of resources’

Judging criteria for Best Reporter

1. Quality of writing 2. Meeting Deadlines 3. Originality 4. Creativity



7. Messages 7.1 Message from the Secretary General

Dear Delegates,

MUNs have long been a tradition of Rato Bangala School, and as the Secretary General of this year’s conference, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the eighth Rato Bangala Model United Nations, RBSMUN 2013. Over 350 delegates are participating in the 10 committees being simulated this year and issues being explored are highly stimulating, offering you a profound opportunity to make a difference.

In the course of three days, delegates of the Syrian Crisis Committee have to find a solution to the Civil war that has dragged on for far too long and claimed far too many lives. Delegates of the Historic Security Council have to go back in time to stop one of the most deadly military confrontations of our time, the Cuban Missile Crisis, from getting out of hand. Delegates of the Security Council have to find a way to change war-‐torn Afghanistan’s fate and help it get back on its feet. Delegates of the Commission on Science and Technology for development, the Human Rights Council and the Environment Program have to answer complex questions posed by stem cell research, hydraulic fracturing and international electronic surveillance, and delegates of the General Assemblies have to find ways to demilitarize the Arctic, bring governments to justice, and prevent international tax evasion.

Dealing with problems that have baffled older, wiser, more experienced diplomats, even the greatest of world leaders for years now isn’t easy, delegates. But as part of the largest generation of young people the world has ever seen, it is your responsibility to turn the tide of history and create a world where the system isn’t entrenched in favour of the powerful, and freedom, justice, and equality for all are realized dreams.

As those of you who have been delegates before already know, the benefits you get from participating in the MUN are endless. MUN forces you to think carefully about things you may have dismissed as being of no relevance to you. It helps you conquer your fear of public speaking. It makes you sympathetic to different worldviews. It makes you skilled players in the fine art of diplomacy. And most important of all, it makes you become better, more compassionate human beings who are also capable of solving problems through deliberation, negotiation and compromise instead of aggression and violence.

MUN is a not only a great opportunity for intellectual growth, it is also loads of fun! By the end of the conference, delegates, I promise you that you will have formed a bond with all your committee members that you will cherish very much. I hope you are as excited about the MUN as I am!

Abha Lal



7.2 Message from the Deputy Secretary General

Delegates It gives me immeasurable pride and honor to welcome you to Rato Bangala Model United Nations 2013, as this year’s Deputy Secretary General. The eighth session will be simulating 10 committees with around 400 delegates, discussing burning world issues and aiming to come up with solutions over the course of three days. From aspiring to bringing an end to the Syrian Crisis to controlling the Cuban Missile Crisis; integrating the economies in the Middle East and discussing the future of technology-‐ this year’s MUN will not only be full of high level debate but will also be extremely educational. Over the course of the last two months, this year’s executive committee has worked really hard-‐ sacrificing numerous Sundays and after school hours to make this experience worthwhile for everyone. RBSMUN calls upon students to understand the magnitude of these problems and write resolutions of high standards. However, if taken as a burden, I assure you delegates that these three days will be nothing but torture. After the five MUNs I have done, I have realized that the key to making most of session is to enjoy yourself-‐ do not take MUN as a hassle or be not driven by the prospect of winning an award, instead, take this as an opportunity to learn and grow. Therefore, delegates, you are expected total commitment towards making each committee energetic, dynamic, lively and above all a fun experience. With crisis fraught three days, delegates cannot imagine the enormity of what they will face in committee. After all the effort that has been put in to it, I hope this will be a worthwhile experience for everyone involved. RBSMUN 2013 will be unique and I hope it will hold a special interest for you personally (as it will for me.) RBSMUN 2013, September 26. Let the MUN-‐ing begin!

Komal Kunwar



8. Committees 8.1 Security Council (SC)

Chair: Komal Kunwar Vice Chair: Ural Mishra Moderator: Nischal Shrestha Topic: The Afghan crisis

8.2 Syrian Crisis Committee

Chair: Kamakshi Kanojia Vice Chair: Raghav Poddar Moderator: Prerana Adhikari Topic: The Syrian Civil War

8.3 Human Rights Committee (HRC)

Chair: Arnav Upadhyay Vice Chair: Samip Narayan Shrestha Moderator: Swati Pant Topic 1: The ethics of international electronic surveillance Topic 2: Countering terror with justice-‐ torture and accountability

8.4 Historic Security Council (HSC)

Chair: Kritika Lama Vice Chair: Biswash Adhikari Moderator: Biraj Koirala Topic: The Cuban missile crisis

8.5 Disarmament and International Security

Chair: Anouska Shrestha Vice Chair: Sathank Mani Sharma Moderator: Priyanka Sharma Topic 1: Demilitarization of the Arctic Topic 2: Curbing illicit trafficking of small arms in Latin America



8.6 Economics and Financial Affairs Committee Chair: Hardik Subedi Vice Chair: Sulay Ranjit Moderator: Pratigya Tiwari Topic 1: Tax Havens: International tax avoidance and evasion Topic 2: Economic reform in the aftermath of the Arab Spring

8.7 Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM)

Chair: Sashwat Aryal Vice Chair: Pratistha Rijal Moderator: Abhilasha Thapa, Prapti Sharma Topic 1: Conflict minerals Topic 2: Responding to modern migration flows: social and cultural rights of refugees

8.8 Legal Committee

Chair: Pawan Acharya Vice Chair: Saurav Sharma Moderator: Smriti Pandey Topic 1: Bringing governments to justice Topic 2: Defining Legal Standards for International Intervention and Peacekeeping

8.9 Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD)

Chair: Roshan Chapagain Vice Chair: Romy Dangol Moderator: Mihir Nath Pyakurel Topic 1: Stem cell research Topic 2: Improving access to renewable energy as a means for achieving sustainable development

8.10 United Nations Environment Programme

Chair: Pujyata Karmacharya Vice Chair: Ishan Ghimire Moderator: Ashruta Acharya, Utsah Pandey Topic 1: Environmental consequences of Hydraulic fracturing Topic 2: Genetically modified crops



9. Press Members

Editors Shreeya Sharma Elvin Shrestha

Layout Anshu Vaidya

Roving Reporters • Divya Agrawal • Neha Rajbhandary • Sajal Raj Satyal

1. Security Council (SC)

• Rajshree Upadhyay • Rahul B. Shrestha

• Nirupan Karki

2. Syrian Crisis Committee • Asmita Bhatta • Devanshu Prasad

3. Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN)

• Smriti Karki • Shirish Khatri

4. Historic Security Council (HSC) • Asmita Gautam • Prashansha Shrestha

5. Disarmament and International Security (DISEC)

• Daya Shrestha • Anuka Pokharel

6. Commission on Science and technology for Development (CSTD) • Subhashish Lama • Pallavi R Shrestha

7. Human Rights Council (HRC)

• Meghraj B Singh • Simone Rawal

8. Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM) • Siddhant Begani • Mitesha Shree Shakya

9. United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• Subhekchya Shrestha • Partha Baral

10. Legal Committee • Jahanvi Nahata • Sitashma Thapa

Cartoonists:

• Barad Ghimire • Shalin Chitrakar

Photographers -‐ Dilasha Manandar -‐ Aayush Chitrakar -‐ Abhishek Nepal



10. Delegation 10.1 Security Council (SC) Country Delegate 1 Grade Delegate 2 Grade Argentina Simran Agrawal A1 Samrat Pandey A1 France Kunga Shrestha A1 Suvasini Sherchan A1 Australia Amod Rayamajhi A1 Devriti Dhungel A1 UK Prarthana Karmacharya A2 Lumi Shrestha A2 India Shubhashree Basnyat A1 Saurabh Shrestha A1 Morocco Adhish Dhakwa A2 Shaleen Shah A2 Pakistan Aakash Pant 9 Abhaya Gauchan 9 Colombia Tejaswita Kharel A1 Pratik Karki A1 Republic of Korea Jenny Shrestha A2 Ritisha Pokharel A2 Togo Simran Thakur A2 Srivasa Pradhan A1 USA Shantum Jha A2 Rassen Acharya A1 Iran Wangden Phinto Sherpa A1 Jai Golcha A1 Afghanistan Ashnav Lal A1 Roshan Mallepati Shrestha A1 Russia Bishesh Bajracharya A1 Dorjee Gurung A1 China Nirantar Yakthumba A1 Arushi Pradhan A1 10.2 Syrian Crisis Committee (SCC) Country/Organization Delegate Grade USA Evaniya Shakya A1 UK Pema Dolma Lama 9 France Anul Suwal A1 China Utsav Piya A1 Russia Bardaan Sigdel A1 Turkey Shrawak Lama 9 Syrian Government Rinchenla Lama 9 Israel Gaurav Pathak A1 Iran Ashish Khadka A1 Syrian National Coalition Chirayu Bar Singh Thapa A1 Lebanon Aneesh Hada 9 Al Nushra Niko Gautam A2 Hezbollah Karan S Shakya A1 Egypt Sagun Sharma A1 Jordon Smriti Chhetri A1 Iraq Manit Karmacharya A1 Free Syrian Army Anushka Upadhyaya 9 UAE Aasim Ansari A1 Quatar Niharika Bhattarai 9 Saudi Arabia Deden Dolma A1



10.3 Human Rights Council (HRC) Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Abhilasha Shrestha 8 Argentina Bir Bahadur Uperkoti 8 Austria Harsha Rauniyar 8 Brazil Jigyasa Subedi 9 Canada Irisa Shrestha 8 Central African Republic Deepak Praja 9 China Esha Shrestha 8 Colombia Bivash J Thapa 8 Congo Prachi Adhikari 9 Czech Republic Abhishek Shrestha 8 Egypt Paribesh Sitaula 8 France Anil Gole 9 Germany Riwaj Shrestha 8 Ghana Sandesh Shrestha 8 Greece Manasa Gorkhaly 9 India Ayusha Shrestha 8 Indonesia Cristina Pokharel 8 Iran Kewalin Aryal 9 Iraq Kalandika R L Rana 8 Ireland Maheim Agrawal 8 Israel Akriti Siddhi 9 Italy Aakanshya Shrestha 8 Japan Rudrayini Upadhyaya 8 Kenya Thinlay Wangchuk 8 Libya Giannina Karki 8 Maldives Arhant Shrestha 9 Mexico Sambandh D Lepcha 8 New Zeland Savid Bahadur Basnyat 8 Nigeria Samyam Dhungel 9 North Korea Nirita Yakthumba 8 Norway Nikita Gurung 8 Pakistan Aarya U Bhandari 8 Poland Aaryan Jha 8 Portugal Aryaan Shrestha 8 Russia Reeju Karmacharya 8 Saudi Arabia Priyangsha Shrestha 8 South Africa Bishaka Praja 8 South Korea Shiwangini Dawadi 9 Spain Abhishek B Shrestha 8 Switzerland Agadh Malla 8 Turkey Asravya B Malla 8 Uganda Anushka Singh Maharjan 8 UK Sanskriti Tripathi 9 USA Diya Dhakal 8 Venezuela Anisha Joshi 8



10.4 Historic Security Council Country Delegate 1 Delegate 2 Grade Cuba Karan Sharma Samsara Wyonona Upadhya A1 USSR Abhik Pant Raunak Bhattarai A2 Brazil Arpana Upadhyaya Pratikshya Gurung A1 East Germany Siddhant Basnet Anukriti Shrestha A1 Czechoslovak Socialist Republic Priscilla Ranjitkar Simona Bajgai A1 USA Aastha Kiran KC Priyanka Dangol 9 Egypt Gaurav Jayaswal Dilashma Thapa A2 Turkey Samip Thapa Yashashwi Shrestha A1 Japan Drishika Dugar Raissa Shrestha 9 West Germany Supratik Neupane Sumin Bajracharya A1 China Shrayesh Shrestha Bipul B Adhikari A2 Italy Smina Adhikari Ojashwi Sapkota A2 India Prakriti Panthi Prashamsa Rimal A1 UK Sushan Kharel Sahitya Thaman A1 France Shriti Joshi Shreya Regmi A1



10.5 Disarmament and International Security (DISEC)

Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Gathashree Dahal 8 Albania Rabbi Rai A1 Algeria Nagma Dyola A1 Argentina Akanchhya Giri 9 Brazil Tsering S Bista 9 Bulgaria Sabina Adhikari A2 Burma Ritesh Gorkhali A1 Canada Prachi Adhikari 9 China Yash Poddar 8 Colombia Aryan Maskay 9 Denmark Pranay Chand 9 El Salvador Aakash Thapa A1 France Jai Agrawal 8 Germany Anisha Shrestha 9 Guatemala Sonam Sherchan 8 India Sarthak KC 8 Iran Amrit Rana A1 Iraq Suniva Chitrakar 9 Israel Muskan Agrawal 8 Italy Sneha Malakar 8 Japan Pranay K Shrestha 9 Mexico Raunak Rauniyar A1 North Korea Shashwat Hari Adhikari A1 Norway Sneha Maharjan 9 Pakistan Shivant Shrestha A1 Poland Pradyot Basnet Chettri 9 Peru Franshika Pandey 9 Republic of Korea Bipasana Siddhi Bajracharya A1 Russian Federation Navashree Singh A1 South Africa Shuvechha Pant 8 Sweden Avi Shrestha 9 Syria Chimme N Sherpa 9 Taiwan Sushant KC A1 Togo Bhavika Dugar A1 Turkey Ayusha Pradhan 9 United Kingdom Gaurav Dev Pant A1 United States of America Saudamini Sigdel 9 Zimbabwe Anupa Rimal 9



10.6 Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) Country Delegate Grade Andorra Aadesh Rana A2 Argentina Apoorba Malla A2 Bahrain Rabina Ojha A2 Brazil Nimoy Vaidya A2 China Abhishek Luitel A2 Cyprus Dev Raj Karki A2 Egypt Suman Chapagain A1 France Alaukik Nath Pant 9 India Asmi Kafle A2 Ireland Maniz Shrestha A2 Japan Jeevan Paudel A2 Lebanon Achheta Shakya 8 Libya Anishita Agrawal 8 Luxemborg Devashish Sharma 9 Morocco Sambeg Ksetri 9 Netherlands Anmol Lal Shrestha A2 Panama Bijin Pun 8 Russia Hriti Shrestha 9 Saudi Arabia Sakchham Karki 9 Sudan Abhishek Anand A1 Switzerland Avantika KC A1 Syria Gaurab Khadka A1 Tunisia Subhechchha Lama A1 UK Aishwarya Shrestha A1 USA Rinchen Doma A1 Yemen Rijma Shakya A1 Bermuda Shailya Pradhan A1 Seychelle Shaantanu Sharma A1 The Republic of Vanuatu Krisangee Yadav 8 UAE Prashasty J Karki 8 Mexico Ashrik Pahari A1 Albania Gaurav Manandar A1 Togo Auras B Khanal 8 Monaco Dachyata Thapa 8 Kuwait Aaditya Kharel A2 Quatar Shiron Manandhar A2



10.7 Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM) Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Abira Shrestha 7 Argentina Atul Sharma 7 Austria Mir Khadka 7 Brazil Sivali Bhandary 7 Canada Adishri Pradhan 7 Central African Republic Americus Shahi 7 China Riwaz Udas 7 Colombia Sarthak Niraula 7 Congo Arya Rajbhandari 7 Czech Republic Aayush Shrestha 7 Egypt Sai Mani Adhikari 7 France Utsav Garg 7 Germany Vedant Lal Shrestha 7 Ghana Ayushma Gautam 7 Greece Srijay Maharjan 7 India Sunaj KC 7 Indonesia Suyog Chitrakar 7 Iran Utsav Kandel 7 Iraq Yangchela Lama 7 Ireland Batshala Rijal 7 Israel Aryan Tamrakar 7 Italy Sakchyam Maskey 7 Japan Priska Pahari 7 Kenya Suyasha Shakya 7 Libya Digbijay Basnet 7 Maldives Swaraj Shrestha 7 Mexico Sangya Lohani 7 New Zeland Rojja Kharel 7 Nigeria Sreya Singh Bista 7 North Korea Namdingo Mabuhang 7 Norway Iksha Rai 7 Pakistan Sakchyam R Serchan 7 Poland Vishad Onta 7 Portugal Suravi Rajbhandari 7 Russia Alexa Maharjan 7 Saudi Arabia Kritartha Karki 7 South Africa Amsuman Karki 7 South Korea Nistha Rajbhandari 7 Spain Kreenjala Pyakurel 7 Switzerland Yastika R Rana 7 Turkey Rishav Rupakheti 7 Uganda Bhishan Hari Silwal 7 UK Sanjila Manandar 7 USA Chakra Mani Adhikari 7 Venezuela Jos Bhandari 7



10.8 Legal Committee Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Suryaansh K Shrestha 8 Argentina Aafsha Yadav A1 Australia Roshan Phaiju A1 Brazil Anushka Bhandari A1 China Priyansha Kansakar 8 Colombia Apeksha Rana A1 Egypt Ayusha Pradhan 9 France Sahaj Shrestha A1 Germany Ayush Acharya A1 India Ankan Subedi 9 Iran Aaradhya Kunwar A1 Israel Shambhav Sharma 8 Japan Cellina Maharjan A1 Libya Shriti Satyal A1 North Korea Prarthana Dixit 9 Pakistan Anuraag Shah A2 Russia Amisha Pant A1 South Korea Abhishek Dhungel A1 The Netherlands Suzana Sarkar 9 Turkey Nitish Upadhyaya A1 UK Reina Shahi 9 USA Ritambhara Parajuli 9 Iraq Kanchan Kasaju A1 Spain Shubhanga Satyal 8 South Africa Samata Bajracharya 9 Togo Swasti Shrestha A1 Azebaijan Binam Bajracharya A2 Guatemala Arya Rana A1 Morocco Shardul Khanal A1 Luxembourg Bipul Giri A1 Rwanda Ayesha Shrestha A1 Maldives Amin Rajbanshi 8 Canada Ayush Mainali 8 Denmark Apoorba B Singh 9 UAE Apeksha Koirala A1 Mexico Sushank B Dhamala A1 Cyprus Mendhala Gurung A2 Greece Sonam Dechen Gurung A2




Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Binod Shahi 8 Argentina Shristi Yogi 8 Austria Richa Shrestha 8 Brazil Aabhas Malla 9 Canada Devansh Agrawal 8 Central African Republic Urvi Suwal 8 China Nipun Shrestha 8 Colombia Megha Agrawal 9 Congo Tushita Shrestha 8 Czech Republic Prakriti Kandel 8 Egypt Raunak Pradhanang 8 France Anushka Lal 8 Germany Sabir Khagi 8 Ghana Pranit Shrestha 9 Greece Jasna Budhathoki 8 India Sasha Malla 9 Indonesia Siddhartha P Pradhan 8 Iran Priya Pradhan 8 Iraq Rushat JB Rana 8 Ireland Arushi Sharma 9 Israel Sheran Singh Lama 9 Italy Haruna Shrestha 9 Japan Suvansu Paudel 8 Kenya Ananjan Rijal 8 Libya Shrabish Shrestha 8 Maldives Aagat R Sapkota 8 Mexico Ayur Phuyal 8 New Zeland Bishma Tuladhar 9 Nigeria Jay B Thapa 9 North Korea Sambhawi Karki 8 Norway Anurag Karki 8 Pakistan Sneha Joshi 8 Poland Samata Bhattarai 8 Portugal Nishad Chettri 8 Russia Aavash Upadhyaya 8 Saudi Arabia Kaustuv Dawadi 8 South Africa Hrit Kandel 9 South Korea Srasta Koirala 8 Spain Utkrist S Karki 8 Switzerland Prachi Pradhan 8 Turkey Astha Sharma 8 Uganda Pratishtha Shrestha 8 UK Rea Singh Mishra 8 USA Ranjan Pudasaini 8 Venezuela Tenzing Lhamo Sherpa 8



10.10 United Nation Environment Programme

Country Delegate Grade Afghanistan Ajal Man Shrestha 7 Argentina Karuna Gauchan 7 Austria Jyotirmaya Pradhan 7 Brazil Sujayan R Manandhar 7 Canada Nirnaya Dangol 7 Central African Republic Arya Subedi 7 China Riaz Pradhanang 7 Colombia Shubham Dugar 7 Congo Aayush Regmi 7 Czech Republic Pravin Pariyar 7 Egypt Pritesh Shakya 7 France Supriya Sharma 7 Germany Shreejal Shrestha 7 Ghana Srashta Maharjan 7 Greece Saurav Giri 7 India Sukriti Rai 7 Indonesia Suzwal Shrestha 7 Iran Irtika Bajracharya 7 Iraq Prachin Pant 7 Ireland Mehul Sah 7 Israel Angelina Ghimire 7 Italy Sneha Lohani 7 Japan Nissim Gurung 7 Kenya Snigdha Maharjan 7 Libya Chirag C Shrestha 7 Maldives Charavee Basnet Chhetri 7 Mexico Baibhav Parajuli 7 New Zeland Adrija Vaidya 7 Nigeria Shrinav Basnet 7 North Korea Rhitika Shrestha 7 Norway Shrid Gautam 7 Pakistan Shashank B Rana 7 Poland Nikita Pradhan 7 Portugal Rhyshav Basnet 7 Russia S Sadiq H Siddiqui 7 Saudi Arabia Saharsha Rani Joshi 7 South Africa Arshia Giri 7 South Korea Ojashwi Rani Nakarmi 7 Spain Sanghamitra Subba 7 Switzerland Swekriti Swarop Rai 7 Turkey Pragyan K Acharya 7 Uganda Bibhusha Dhital 7 UK Shlesha Pradhan 7 USA Neil Bikram Rana 7 Venezuela Shuvangini Ranjitkar 7



11. Logistics

Head of logistics: Pratha Adhikari Head of Logistics: Parisha Rajbhandari 1. Aashaya Upadhaya 2. Abhishek Nepal 3. Akshya Prasai 4. Alok Koirala 5. Anisha Dangol 6. Anuska Shrestha 7. Astha Joshi 8. Bibisha Shakya 9. Bipul B Adhikari 10. Deepankar Thapa

11. Dipankar Shakya 12. Mohein Ranjitkar 13. Nahli Shrestha 14. Nivedita K.C. 15. Shagun Agrawal 16. Shataaxi Joshi 17. Shradha Devkota 18. Simran Bhimsaria 19. Swasti Uprety 20. Utkristha Pandey

12. Pages 1. Abhilasha Thapa 2. Aneesha Ahmed 3. Bibhu Bhatta 4. Brishlav Kayastha 5. Dipson Pradhan 6. Dhrishti Shrestha 7. Hikari Shrestha 8. Ishani Singh 9. Kaustubh Dhital 10. Kelsang Shrestha

11. Meghna Adhikari 12. Prasanna D. Karthak 13. Salvika Rayamajhi 14. Satvika Shah 15. Saugat R. Joshi 16. Shambhavi Shah 17. Subhanshu Prasad 18. Suyash Basnyat 19. Utkarsh R. S. Suwal 20. Utsavi Joshi



13. Topic Area Summaries

13.1 Security Council (SC) Topic: The Afghan Crisis

Summary: Afghanistan is an enigma in the international community. Afghanistan is the largest exporter of illegal drugs on the planet. Nearly 10% of the Afghan population is involved in transferring opium in one way, shape, or form. Opium production provides a very lucrative option for farmers, and has grown increasingly popular as farmers’ options are limited by the scarcity of arable land. Wheat farmers, in particular, have switched to growing opium. Narco-‐terrorists and the international criminal organizations that thrive on the illegal drug trade now threaten the national security of many nations. The nexus between transnational criminal organizations and terrorist groups does not end with illegal drug trafficking. Their partnerships are complex, linking illegal drugs, money, geography and politics. Violence and the lack of a stable self governance has led to virtual anarchy in Afghanistan, making opium cultivation, production and trafficking a way of life for many people. Even though poppy has existed in Afghanistan, since the time of Alexander the Great, Afghanistan’s narco-‐economy is a modern day phenomenon. The success of the war on drugs in the golden triangle has been a major contributing factor in this phenomenon. Moreover, the deteriorating security situation brought on by NATO and the United States deposing the Taliban regime and thus placing them at the vanguard of the insurgency has served to reinvigorate the opium economy in the wake of the 2000 Taliban opium ban. The creation of a common enemy the Karzai government and Western military forces has led to a marriage of convenience between the drug lords and the insurgency leaders. Nevertheless, in working with the Afghani government, NATO and the United States are continuing to fight two separate wars: the war on drugs, and the war on terror. While NATO fights the insurgency (but lacks any mandate to directly aid in interdiction), and the Afghan, British, and U.S. governments work to implement a multifaceted counternarcotic policy, the insurgents and drug lords are working together to undermine the Karzai government and fund their respective operations through the opium trade. The eminent withdrawal of most US troops in particular by 2014 poses an immediate threat to Afghanistan’s security, despite the fact that afghan troops have been trained by US forces, many feel that the Taliban and other insurgent groups would get a stronger hold on the country after the withdrawal of troops. However US Secretary of State John Kerry has stated that not all troops will be withdrawn, special forces and counter—terrorism forces will remain but to a lesser extent. All other security measures are solely in the hands of Afghan forces.

Points for consideration: 1. What measures need to be taken by the UN to stop the Taliban from influencing Afghanistan’s

economic, social and political situation? 2. Is there a need for a transitional government to help Afghanistan move away from Taliban

influence? 3. Do sanctions need to be implemented against countries supporting the Taliban and other

extremist groups? 4. How can the rights of minority groups be protected in Afghanistan? 5. Is the use of Private Military Companies a viable option to bring peace to Afghanistan? 6. How can the illicit opium production be curbed? 7. With the withdrawal of US forces and allied troops from Afghani soil what should be done to

ensure the smooth transition in the nation? 8. How to deal with neighboring countries that can directly influence the situation in Afghanistan.



9. How can religious freedom be ensured to the people of Afghanistan? 10. What can be done to uplift the state of women due to the effects of the Taliban rule? 11. How can internally displaced persons due to the conflict be guaranteed safety?

13.2 Syrian Crisis Committee (SCC) Topic: The Syrian Civil War Summary: Incited by the surge of revolutions brought about by the Arab Spring, the Syrian Civil War began with the uprising that took place of March 15, 2011 demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-‐Assad from the Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party and had reached nationwide proportions by April 2011. In retaliation, the Syrian Army open-‐fired on demonstrators throughout the country in April 2011, turning what started out as a peaceful protest into a full-‐blown civil war. The escalating violence in Syria has left a death toll of 106,423 casualties as of 9/08/2012 since 18/3/2011 according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. These reports exclude the existence of more than 10,000 detainees, over 4.25 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), over 6.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance within Syria itself and thousands of people who have poured into Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan as refugees. They have also stated “the real number of casualties from regular forces and rebel fighters is twice the number documented, because both sides are discreet about the human losses resulting from clashes.” Currently, the government controls 30-‐40% of the country with 60 % of the population, the rest being in the hands of the deeply divided rebels, some of whom have shown ties with terrorist organizations like al-‐Qaeda and the Lebanese Hezbollah. International sanctions have been placed on Syria owing to its arming of the Lebanese Hezbollah. Assad’s government has shown the greatest intransigence, supporting several anti-‐Israel armed groups by the US such as Hezbollah and the Hamas. Also responsible for the lack of negotiations is the Syrian National Coalition, which has refused to come to any form of peace talks unless Assad steps down. The Alawite minority, represented by al-‐Assad in the Ba’ath party is also one of the reasons for al-‐Assad’s prolonged rule. The minorities fear that if Assad steps down, their representation in the Syrian Government will be non-‐existent and will soon become extinct, which is a very possible scenario. The Syrian Crisis Committee has been established specifically to deal with the ongoing crisis in Syria – the civil war, the failure of the resolution of which has caused the death tolls to rise over a hundred thousand and the number of displaced persons to rise over 1.6 million since the beginning of the conflict in March 2011. Points for consideration: 1. To what extent should the international community be involved in the Syrian conflict? 2. What are the compromises to be made by each party to come to a consensus on the resolution of the crisis?

3. How will the humanitarian situation in Syria be dealt with? 4. What will happen to the refugees? 5. What will happen to Bashar al-‐Assad? 6. How will the deteriorating human rights in Syria be addressed? Should the International Criminal Court be involved?



13.3 Human Rights Council (HRC)

Topic 1: The Ethics of International Electronic Surveillance Summary: Surveillance of another has been happening for a very long time. Ever since the early world wars enemies always keep record and track of their foes with special surveillance. Previous lack of development in technology led men to being sent into doing the dirty work. They were sent to spy on the enemy posing great risk of life. However, in the late 1900 technology took a leap into a future and entered a whole new dimension. The creation of the Internet has not only connected people all around the globe but also created a global village where we all know about one's whereabouts in a matter of seconds. Alongside the development of the Internet, methods of surveillance have also evolved electronically. Some methods of electronic surveillance used these days are through computers, telephones, cameras and social networks. Adding on to the list, methods of biometric and aerial surveillance have also drastically enhanced. Secret organizations spy by discretely acquired methods of online surveillance such as data mining and profiling. Though the world had its methods of keeping tabs on one another it wasn't until the early 2000's that the world was in dire need of a new enhanced way of secretly spying on one another. Fear of terrorist attack propagated among nations, especially those that were highly involved in the diplomatic world. The world was thrown into an insecure period because an attack from foreign terrorist groups could happen at any possible moment (as shown by the September 11 attacks). The world watched and trembled in fear as the Islamic terrorist group Al-‐Qaeda brought chaos upon American soil. Such very acts of terrorism brought the world to take instant action against preventing and stopping all further terrorism attacks. Reveal: the development of online surveillance. As a preventive measure to bring a hiatus to such horrific attacks in the future countries came up with strategic plans to keep an eye on another country and groups that may seem suspicious. The US first initiated the PATRIOT ACT in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks. This program allowed the country to spy on not only the people on their soil but those of others too. Soon afterwards, the world too followed. Countries either created their own programs or took hand in another's. As of recent times, though it was kept an utmost secret by senior officials, USA has been developing and using a top-‐secret program called the PRISM. Like the PATRIOT ACT, this also allows the user to conduct various surveillances on its desired destination. What is most fearful was the fact that until Edward Snowden came forth and revealed NSA's plans of such secret programs the world was unaware and innocent to such acts. Not only did he leak classified information of the PRISM program but he also exposed information of the metadata, Xkeyscore and Tempora Internet surveillance programs. This act of exposure in the May of 2013 brought the United States to charge Snowden with espionage and theft of government property in June as the world knew what they were up to with other nations. The revelation of such online programs has brought much controversy. He has been titled both a hero and a traitor. He has been claimed to have both helped and bring devastation to the world. Though in the eye of the public he is a hero who had the courage to bring about covert government actions, but he remains a threat to the many that work under the government secretly. Coming from this small action, Spygate lawsuit accused NSA of unconstitutional electronic surveillance. The



lawsuit challenges an illegal and unconstitutional program of dragnet electronic surveillance, especially that deal with the bulk acquisition, collection, storage and searching of telephone communication systems. Issues of privacy are on the move. Though many countries deny the usage of the PRISM and other online surveillance programs evidence has stated that they in fact do. To what extent are they allowed to keep a watch on us? Where is the line that we draw for private matters? Aren't our rights to privacy being evoked in the process? Points for consideration: 1. Specify whether the delegate's country is currently in usage of any such surveillance programs

and report what the country has in mind for the future. 2. What sort of issues arises with this breach in privacy at an individual, national and international

level? 3. What sort of intervention should the committee carry out? 4. How can the countries help in unfolding the specified intervention? 5. What the role of the delegate's country is and how it can specifically help solve the issue

Topic 2: Countering Terror with Justice – Torture and Accountability Summary: One of the topics that the delegates will be dealing with is one of world’s most interesting ongoing debates, the process of countering terrorism, which has violated human rights. Terrorism has never been defined in the UN level up to date. However some criminal acts have been defined as acts of terrorism and some features of terrorism are known; its organized form, dangerousness, randomness and its attempt to influence policy. Terrorism in its organized form has been an early concern in plane hijacking cases. This has led to the international community to host a number of conventions to address the issues. Following 9/11 even sterner actions have been undertaken with multiple resolutions from the UN Security Council. The US has also been very open in its war against terrorism until very recently when the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan. The establishment of CTC further has further aided international response to terrorism. In the course of the events, many human rights have been neglected. The Israelis were the first to try and counter terrorism in open warfare ever since Palestinian groups like Hamas and Hezbollah vowed to reclaim Palestine. They used gruesome methods and were globally condemned for their torturing and surveillance techniques that violated many human rights. Since 9/11,the US has also been very active in surveillance and covert operations that breach several human rights agreement. One of such outrageous operation is the Automated Targeting System that profiles any person without their knowledge and the CIA’s rendition programs that detains individual arbitrarily. Targeted killings and drone strikes in Pakistan and Afghanistan is also widely familiar. In spite of the human rights restrictions countries have not gone about countering terrorism in a just manner. Even torture has been carried out in many cases in secrets military camps. Surveillance that destabilizes privacy rights is carried by most world powers across the globe. There are still laws that allow arbitrary detention for long periods of time in many nations. Military courts carry out unfair prosecutions that deprive many people of their rights. Despite resolutions from GA and SC to respect human rights of suspects and orders from the CAT, world powers have failed to live up to their promises. The working of such programs is hidden behind a confusion of accountability. European nations have forfeited authority of some programs in their countries to CIA, which has made them



impossible to prosecute. UN has been unable to follow up on the resolution that it has implemented. Promises made by countries of providing rights to suspects have not been monitored. Those nations involved in actions mentioned above must pledge themselves to the cause of human rights. International law to protect rights of detainees must be written. The CTED must be taken more seriously. The committee must find a way to ensure the rights have been delivered to suspects no matter of their crime. No one deserves torture or death even in the gravest of crimes. Points for consideration: 1. How human rights are violated on foreign travelers 2. Debate about ongoing detention camps: Location, access and release 3. What is curbing surveillance and data mining 4. How we can reducing innocent casualties in drone strikes 5. Review of laws prosecuting detainees 6. What sort of violation of clauses present in existing international human right laws on torture

13.4 Historic Security Council (HSC) Topic: The Cuban Missile Crisis Summary: The Cuban missile crisis, renowned as the October crisis was a 13-‐day confrontation in October 1962 between the Soviet Union and Cuba on one side and Unites States on the other side. It was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. It was an ideological battle between the Capitalist and the Communist. The world was divided in two parts, one that aligned with the capitalist ideology of the United States and the Communist views with the Soviet Union.

1962 began with the USA designing a second scheme to cripple Castro’s regime. Operation Mongoose intended to stir up socio-‐political discontent in Cuba, which, of course, the USA would clandestinely support to unbridle a full-‐scale insurgency, finally leading to an armed „intervention‟ by the United States.

Members of the OAS (Organization of American States) conference, held in Uruguay, effectively suspended Cuba from the Organization as well as from the collective defense mechanisms deliberated at the time. Selling artillery to the Cuban Government was also forbidden.

In late April, Khrushchev, severely fretful about the missing superiority of the Soviet long-‐range missiles, is exacerbated when he finds out about United States’ bases in Turkey. He presents the idea to carry out a similar plan in Cuba, facing rigid disapproval from his own Deputy Prime Minister.

Throughout August, the United States received scattered reports on the growing presence of Soviet armaments in Cuba. In tandem with these reports, demands for a more „antagonistic‟ Operation Mongoose grew in incidence and confidence. However, Kennedy firmly stayed put on moderation from any unswerving martial intervention.



On September 11th, the Telegraph Agency of the USSR responded to recurrent censures and rebukes by the USA, claiming that the armaments were positioned for purely defensive purposes.

9 days later, the American Senate passed a decisive bill, formally sanctioning the use of military force against The Cuban regime, declaring it a “threat to American Safety”. September 15th sees the first MRBMs deployed to the Cuban Island. Matters spiraled on October 14th morning when American U-‐2 aircrafts captured images of Medium Range Ballistic Missiles. The first occurrence of concrete evidence had its expected effect. The next morning, President Kennedy was notified.

On Monday, October 22, and preparations are made for Kennedy’s 7:00 address to the nation. The State Department informs American allies around the world of Kennedy’s decision.

U.S. Senate leaders are called to Washington for a briefing. They come out of the briefing surprised and doubting the effectiveness of quarantine — many want an airstrike. About 300 Navy ships set sail, thus far not having received the orders for quarantine. Military vigilance was raised to DEFCON 3 and directions were given to be ready to launch missiles within minutes of Kennedy’s speech. 20 airplanes equipped with nuclear bombs were also in the air prepared to strike the Soviet Union.

At 7:00 p.m., exactly as Kennedy is beginning his speech, fighter jets take off from bases in Florida and head towards Cuba. If Castro decided to react militarily, they would be prepared. In answer to Kennedy’s speech Castro marshals all of Cuba’s armed forces.

Points for consideration: 1. What sort of diplomatic agreement can be made between Capitalism and Communism? 2. What is the role of UN in preventing a war between the USA and USSR? 3. How should the delicate balance of power between the two countries be maintained so that

either one of the countries does not become powerful enough to invade the other? 4. What efforts can be made by both blocs to resolve the crisis? 5. Should any sanctions be imposed on the USSR for stockpiling without consulting the UN? 6. Should restrictions be placed over Joint Defense Treaties to prevent circumvention of

International Law? 7. How can we ensure a control over nuclear warfare in the future? 8. To what extent should military treaties play a part in such conflicts? 9. If an international treaty is created, what should it entail? 10. If a war takes place, how should the countries near nuclear plants deal with the threat posed

upon their citizens?

13.5 Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC)

Topic 1: Demilitarization of the Arctic

Summary: For years, the Arctic region remained sidelined as a land of little use and opportunity. Covered in thick layers of ice, the Arctic was inaccessible for much of modern history. However, global warming has now melted huge areas of the Arctic glaciers into seas, exposing resources worth billions of dollars.



Scientists have concluded that the Arctic is home to 20-‐30% of the world’s natural gas and oil deposits. They have also found highly valuable elements such as gold, tin and platinum on the seabed. As a result, a heated scramble to lay claim to Arctic territory has begun: countries surrounding the region are now in a race to extract riches from under the seas. The key players are five countries surrounding the region: USA, Canada, Denmark, Russia and Norway. Time and again, these countries have claimed sovereignty to parts of the Arctic. The problem, however, is that international law currently forbids any country to own the Arctic Ocean. These five countries are only entitled to a sea zone over which they can explore resources and generate energy from water and wind. This sea zone is known as an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which stretches 200 nautical miles from the country’s coast. At the moment, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) manages territorial disputes and sovereignty issues. All five countries, except for the United States, have ratified this treaty. They have been given ten years from the date of ratification to lay claims to extended continental shelves. If they are allowed this claim, they have special rights to the resources in these areas. The melting of the Arctic, as well as the subsequent discovery of valuable resources on the seabed, has heated up a scramble among these five countries. However, this controversy does not seem to be limited only to these countries: other European and Asian member states are also increasingly involved, with countries having different positions on how to divide the Arctic. Military presence and threats are rapidly increasing in the Arctic region, and they are likely to worsen an already-‐heated conflict. We expect the committee to reach a conclusion as to how to divide the Arctic –if at all. But more importantly, we expect delegates to agree on the ways of demilitarizing the Arctic region and make less likely the prospects of a military confrontation between the countries involved. Points for consideration: 1. What approaches are to be taken to solve territorial disputes among nations? Should bilateral efforts be encouraged or should a central mechanism be allowed to intervene?

2. Is it feasible to create a WMDFZ in the Arctic? If not, in what ways should countries position their military and guard their territories?

3. Is the UNCLOS effective enough? How will the United States cooperate with other countries on territorial issues if it has not ratified the UNCLOS treaty?

4. What approaches are to be taken to prevent military confrontations in the Arctic? 5. Should the Arctic be divided among nations for the purposes of exploration and extraction? How can extraction and exploitation be systematically organised?

6. Which countries, if at all, should be involved in rights to the Arctic? (Consider that China and the European Union, which do not have any jurisdictional claims, are also involving themselves.)

Topic 2: Illegal Small Arms Trafficking in Latin America:

Summary: Small arms can be easily reached, handled and transported since they are inexpensive and light. By losing about 90,000 civilians annually through small arms violence, Latin American region is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. Latin America has seen an escalation of illegal trafficking in small arms. These small arms have not only been used in regional conflicts but also been used in terrorists and paramilitary groups. Latin America has found media attention for the trafficking and trading of illegal drugs, but it has never gained attention for the illicit trading of small arms and light weapons. Yet, at the hands of terrorists, drug lords, pirates and rebels, small arms and light



weapons have proven to be deadly for human rights and development. Small arms and gun violence poses an enormous threat to public safety in Latin America which is also the leading cause of death among the age group of 15 to 44 in the region. As a result of corruption and lack of national regulation on small arms trade, small arms have been able to fall into the wrong hands and have fuelled civil wars and narcotics-‐related crimes putting thousands of lives into risk. Even though a small volume of trade is legal between Latin American countries and European and USA, the line between legal and illegal trade is often blurred making it more difficult to monitor the overall trade. Moreover, Illegal arms trade flourishes in the region because a large volume of small arms are lost or stolen from government stockpiles. Moreover, the arms trade problem is more magnified due to the availability of Cold War-‐era arm stockpiles in Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador. Even after the demise of cold war, millions of small arms were poured into the region during the Central American civil war, which posed a regional threat to the stability and security of the region. Columbia’s drug trade not only attracts illegal firearms but also increase flow of illicit guns to neighbouring countries, Central America and Caribbean. Research on Jamaica has shown that criminals commonly smuggle weapons from South and Central American Countries including Columbia, Honduras and Venezuela. Moreover, it was found that drug-‐trafficking transactions were also done through payment in arms in exchange of cocaine. In 2012, the Latin America continued to be ranked as one of the most violent regions, where armed violence and crime related to illegal arms plagued the sustainability of socio-‐economic development of many of the states in the region. More importantly, the committee has to agree on the ways of controlling illegal arms trafficking and make less likely the prospect of flow of small arms into the region in order to promote international peace and security in the region.

Points for consideration: 1. How can the existing trade regulations be effectively improved in a cost-‐efficient manner in

order to address the issue of illicit small arms trade in Latin America? 2. To what extent will lack of effective accountability and transparency of arms traffickingpose

threat to transnational security and what measures need to be taken to improve transparency in arms trade?

3. How can the issue of porous border be effectively tackled? 4. What measures need to taken to prevent terrorist and paramilitary group from acquiring small

arms? 5. How can the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) properly implemented by the nations in accordance to

their national law? 6. What measures need to be taken for the stockpile management and misuse of these arms in

Latin American countries? 7. What sort of demand and supply side approaches must be taken in order to counter problem of

proliferation of small arms?

13.6 Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN)

Topics 1: Tax Havens: International tax avoidance and evasion Summary: The system of taxation was first introduced in Ancient Egypt around 3000 BC to 2800 BC in the first dynasty of the Old Kingdom and later different reigns changed the system according to their preferences and needs. The process is still evolving and countries are deliberately attempting to



conduct such policies in order to benefit them. With time, the taxes that the jurisdictions charge are changing or let us say decreasing. According to many sources, a tax haven is the state, country or any territory that uses a system or policy that exempts people/companies from tax or taxes are imposed at a very low level. Tax avoidance is carried either by creating a subsidiary in an offshore jurisdictions or by moving their tax residence in a tax haven, such as Monaco, or by becoming a perpetual. They may also reduce their tax by moving to a country with lower tax rates. By using the means that are within the law or by simply using the tax system to their own advantage, that too legally, is how tax is avoided. This is where they take advantage of tax havens, where they reside and show most of their earning in such territory so that less tax has to be paid and profit can be easily maximized. Most countries impose taxes on income earned or gains realized within that country regardless of the country of residence of the person or firm. However, now, there are countries that tax their citizens on their worldwide income regardless of where they reside. An estimated 1 trillion € in public money is lost due to tax fraud and tax avoidance every year in the EU. In the US, the public loose almost $150 every year due to unexpected tax avoidance. Whatever be the reason, multinationals have been the main target of investigations when it comes to tax evasion and tax avoidance. There have also been issues whether the OECD or the UN should handle cases related to tax haven, to find a remedy to stop tax frauds, but to no vain. This means that many countries (jurisdictions) are already working on to enact laws to solve the potential problems created by tax havens, but, again, the attempts are not so successful in solving this issue because the countries are still blunt in enactment of laws. Topic 2: Economic Reform in the Aftermath of Arab Spring Summary: What emerged as an initiator to free the Middle East from the harsh authoritarian regime has been lost in the labyrinth of problems ranging from political instability to economic crisis. Today, the nascent democracies and some going-‐to-‐be democracies of Arab world have been stuck in the maze of economic crisis giving rise to problems of inflation, unemployment, fragile fiscal policies making people skeptical about their move to usher in democracy. Arab spring uprooted 42 years rule of Muhammad Guddafi in Libya, threatened the 41 year rule by the Assad family in Syria, seized Ali Abdullah’s power in Yemen, Hosni Mubarak’s 30 years of rule in Egypt and the list continues. The only thing that Arab spring has not yet sprang out is stability in terms of politics, economy et cetera in those countries which had been roasted in the fire of autocracy. The Arab world faces the following economic challenges: 1. Large budget deficits in the countries associated with Arab Spring 2. Lack of vision about the economic reform in the post-‐democratic phase 3. Rise in oil prices due to instability in Middle Eastern economies 4. Decrease in FDI in the countries affected by the Arab Spring 5. Increment in the rate of unemployment in the countries afflicted by the Arab Spring 6. Insecurity attributing to Low inflow of tourists in the economies significantly backed by tourism 7. Impacts of ongoing civil war in Syria in the economies of Arab world 8. Impact of Arab spring in the economies of the world The revolutions and uprisings that are taking place in Arab world have unpredictable and unforeseen consequences. Industries and businesses are constantly suffering loss and hence are grinding to a halt. The famous tourism sectors have stopped operating because of insecurity to



tourists and the entire business has dried up. Add to this the high cost of disruptions, strikes, civil war in Libya and the exodus of the foreign workers and the flight of inward investments. The economy in general stagnates and normal economic life ceases to function. The people are demonstrating against high food prices, high unemployment and corruption, which in turn impede economic development. The young people are particularly badly hit by lack of job prospects and economic progress. Unemployment in the region among the young is very high.

13.7 Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Affairs Committee (SOCHUM)

Topic 1: Conflict Minerals and their effects on the East African Provinces

Summary: Conflict minerals are minerals extracted in conditions of conflict and human rights violations, mostly in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by the National Army, and various armed rebel groups. It’s not just the nation’s domestic forces; during the Congo Wars, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi profited from the Congo's resources. The governments of these countries have continued to smuggle resources from Congo till today. The most commonly mined minerals are Coltan, cassiterite, wolframite, and gold, extracted from the Eastern Congo, and are being purchased by electronics corporations. Essential in the manufacture of a variety of devices, including consumer electronics such as mobile phones and laptops, these minerals are smuggled worldwide. Over the past few years, Eastern Africa, especially Eastern Congo, has faced extreme forms of violence in regards to conflict minerals. These minerals have helped in funding the Second Congo War, also known as Great War of Africa (August 1998-‐July 2003). The sales of conflict minerals benefit the armed groups who receive millions of dollars which are further used in purchasing more ammunition to maintain domination over the people and the mining territories by these groups. During the time of 15 years, Eastern Congo has established the reputation of being referred to as the “rape capital of the world”. Points for consideration: 1. Is it probable to actually completely discontinue the illicit mining of minerals? 2. If yes, what impacts would it cause on the many companies that benefit from it? 3. If not, what can be other possible feasible solutions to actually regulate the situation? 4. Who will be observing the control and closing of the mines? 5. What will be of the workers that worked in the mines? 6. Will Congo be compromising its national integrity by allowing others to interfere in matters within its country?

Topic 2: Responding to Modern Migration Flows: Social And Cultural Rights of Refugees Summary: A refugee is a person who is away from his or her country of habitat because they have suffered persecution on base of race, nationality, religion, political opinion, or because they are linked to a persecuted 'social group' or because they are fleeing from conflict. The delegates of the committee are expected to research on the current context of the topic and come together to a consensus as diplomats and write a viable resolution to solve or at the least minimize the refugee problem. The Geneva Convention gives refugees a number of social and cultural rights. These rights are granted to refugees with the intent of making them equal to the citizens of the host nation. The



original text of the Convention comprise of rights like-‐ equality before law, freedom of religion and expression of religion, freedom of movement and privacy, access to the Courts of the State, freedom of speech, right to education and labour market and so on. One of the most important rights is the principle of non-‐refoulement, which protects refugees from being taken back to places where their freedom and lives could be in danger. Unfortunately, all nations have not been able to grant refugees with all of these rights.

Points for consideration: 1. What are the practical solutions to the problems faced by the refugees? 2. What are the problems faced by the host country because of the refugees? 3. Is there a way to permanently solve the refugee problem? 4. What exactly can be done for the protection and rehabilitation of the refugees? 5. Is there a way possible to mediate the process of sending refugees back to their own native land?

13.8 Legal Committee

Topic 1: Bringing Government into Justice

Summary: “Bringing governments to justice” has become a very popular and well-‐practiced topic in the present. For centuries, governments of various nations have tried and taken control over a country. Arbitrary arrest, unjust trial procedures, taking over of a privately owned possession, use of lethal weapons on citizens and violation of treaties are some incidents that have occurred in the past and are still taking place in the present. Governments who have been violating the rights of the people and the treaties that they have signed upon have to be trailed and should be brought to justice. It is stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that all human beings are foundation of justice, peace and freedom in the world. Furthermore, to rebellion against tyranny, that human right should be protected by the rule of law. Whether it be the early 1970s violation of human rights by the government and state forces in the form of state terrorism or the recent drone strikes, violation of the human rights and other treaties has taken place by the government themselves. The government of any nation holds ultimate power, given by the people in hopes of peace. Time and again, governments of different nations are seen misusing their power and constantly making wrong and selfish decisions. The reason behind this could be the fact that there is no unbiased legislative body within nations that looks after the decisions made by the government. Thus, governments should be brought to justice for their wrong decisions and actions.

Points for consideration: 1. How to tackle the current situation of violation of human rights by governments of different nations?

2. How to help or compensate the victims of human rights violation and who should take the initiative?

3. How to punish the culprits of the violation of human rights? 4. How to bring back treaties that had been signed but violated and make sure that these treaties will not be violated again?

5. How to look after the upcoming decisions made by the governments? 6. How to prevent the use of nuclear and other lethal weapons? 7. How to make sure government of one nation is not breaching the rights of its people?



8. Who will run the nation until the elections are held or the government is overthrown?

Topic 2: Defining Legal Standards for International Intervention and Peacekeeping Summary: International Intervention is a major issue that is discussed widely but still remains controversial and unsettled. The need for defining legal standards for international intervention is one of the most pressing issues and is yet to be resolved. Therefore, delegates are expected to start by establishing a proper foundation that encompasses current international dynamics and the history of international intervention. Moreover, delegates must evaluate the role of peacekeepers in the light of the UN’s role as a body in facilitating intervention. There is a need for legal standards that determines the condition and circumstances of international intervention that seeks to resolve humanitarian crisis. The imperative action after that is formulating a set of clear guidelines for intervention in case of humanitarian violations. As such the problem can be categorized as follows. • Identifying if an event calls for intervention • Determining the appropriate actions that makes up such interventions • Achieving the international consensus necessary to realize this course of action and practice • Achieving general applicability in full range of possible eventualities Moreover, the major problem is considering how these two competing values: human rights and sovereignty, should be taken into account, and under what situations, if any, one can be abrogated in favor of the other. Establishing an agreement on the meaning and determining the relative position of these two terms: sovereignty and human rights is an important task for this committee. Different from both peace building and peacemaking, peacekeeping “is a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the [United Nations] as a way to help countries torn by conflict foster the conditions for lasting peace.”11,12. While it comprises of one of the prominent measures undertaken by the UN to maintain international peace and security throughout the world, the use of peacekeeping troops does not provide us with a complete solution. Rather, it is a way that has been employed alongside other significant activities, including “conflict prevention and mediation, peacemaking, peace enforcement, and peace building.”13. In considering the feasibility of peacekeeping, it is important to remain alert about the developing perceptions and capabilities of UN peacekeeping forces. The role of UN peacekeeping troops experienced a shift during the escalation of the Cold War, acquiring increased military capabilities to respond to a wider range of crises. The first armed peacekeeping operation, took place in 1956 during the Suez Crisis. Peacekeeping efforts were further intensified during the wars that resulted from decolonization. The first large-‐scale mission occurred in 1960 in the Congo. The privileged position of the peacekeeping forces, however, was undermined by failures in highly unstable regions. Inadequate resources and flagging political support imperiled missions to Yugoslavia, Somalia, and Rwanda. The augmenting figure for civilian deaths and the intensification of hostilities during this period resulted in a dramatic decline in the reputation of UN peacekeeping force. Since 1948, 63 peacekeeping operations have been initiated by the United Nations. Hundreds of thousands of military personnel, not to mention tens of thousands of UN police and other civilians, from more than 120 countries, have been involved in UN operations.



Points for consideration: 1. What are the current standards of international intervention? 2. What legal standards should be put in place to assess the necessity and applicability of outside

intervention in internal affairs? 3. What rubric can be used to consider national sovereignty against regional stability and

humanitarian interests? 4. What standards should be used to calculate the severity of humanitarian violations? Which

benchmarks should be employed to prescribe the form and manner of the intervention? 5. What should the UN’s role be in facilitating such intervention? What standards should regulate

the deployment and use of United Nations Peacekeepers?


Topic 1: Stem Cell Research

Summary: The first batch of human embryonic stem cells was made in 1998 at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, immediately showing potential for drug discovery and transplantation. Not soon after, the President of the United States of America, George W. Bush, signed an executive order that greatly limited the amount of resources that could be dedicated to stem cell research due to his conservative party affiliation and the Catholic Church’s influence on the party. Since then, the international community has addressed the issue of stem cell research in the United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning. In 2002, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) was formed by a group of scientists who wanted to use their extensive knowledge in the field of research on stem cells to help develop sustainable, safe and effective treatment. They also wanted to raise public awareness, create education programs for people outside the scientific community understand and appreciate the work done with stem cells. Their organization constituted an international clientele, as they recognized the need of contributions from researchers around the world to help the area effectively expand. Stem cells have a complex story full of ethical and scientific opposition. For a long time for the general population cloning meant research on stem cells. Research on stem cells has become a subject of controversy and interest. In fact, research on stem cells extends far beyond cloning, but a more useful and relevant purpose in the medical community. Many people do not understand what are stem cells, the research is ongoing, and most importantly, it promises that they have much to offer for the future of medicine. If we continue to advance the field of stem cells, the international community must act together because the research on stem cells is widely opposed because the ethical complications. Developing countries are excluded due to lagging behind in technological expertise and financial strength. On top of these ethical and moral criticisms, many nations are missing out on opportunities for research due to a severe lack of funds, trained personnel, and equipped institutions. On the contrary, Development of stem cell therapy not only provides remedies for diseases that afflict parts are aligned, but also helps reduce the cost of stem cell therapies as well. A stem cell treatment that eliminates or dramatically improves chronic diseases is still significantly cheaper than the long-‐term options available today. Developing therapeutic stem cells in the domestic care not only ensures a treatment that can cure diseases, but also helps to reduce the cost of stem cell



therapy as well. As with any form of medical care, not every person who needs it will receive stem cell treatments. However, domestic production from beginning to end will significantly reduce the cost of these treatments. Points for consideration: 1. How can we regulate stem cell research on an international scale in order to offer better

guidelines than the existing United Nations Declaration on Human Cloning? Will still allow sufficient flexibility within each country?

2. Considering implications for democracy, sovereignty, and cultural respect, should we aid research efforts that face backlash from conservative parties? If so, how?

3. How can we streamline the process from laboratory experiment to commercially available treatment?

4. How can we ensure that stem cell therapies become affordable and available to the largest demographic possible?

5. How can we regulate stem cell tourism? Topic 2: Improving Access to Renewable Energy as Means for Achieving Sustainable Development Summary: Explosive oil prices, the increasing energy demand and environmental change issues are shaping the global energy debate today. Renewable energy has turned out to be a viable option for enhancing easy access to energy at maximum locations either off grid electrification, or in urban and rural areas and in promoting productive uses and industrial applications of energy in intensive industrial sectors The potential advantages of renewable energy have only been currently discovered. In the past after the development of steam engines the world had been heavily dependent upon coals and oil. But now as these energy sources are depleting, causing the oil prices to skyrocket, estimates are that oil sources will completely run out by the end of 2050. Even now oil prices have elevated to such levels that the poor population seems to be forced in a tight corner and with their current situation many may have to reconsider burning firewood as in a few years time they wouldn’t even be able to even afford oils for their stoves. Renewable energy carries the prospect of answering all the debated energy issues but the birth of a new prospect gives birth to new associated problems. Easier said than done, countries have encountered many problems while promoting the use of renewable energy and making it accessible to the common population. Points for consideration: 1. How do you initiate reliable access to renewable energy for people in less developed countries? 2. What measures can be taken to develop a variety of sustainable technologies and energy solutions specifically implemented to improve reliable renewable energy?

3. Need of special focus on research in fields such as solar, hydro, wind and geothermal energy solutions but how, keeping in mind the consideration towards more cost-‐efficient technology for under-‐developed and developing nations.

4. How to address the issue of facilitating renewable energy access on the local level? 5. Since existing frameworks and agreements have brought about no desired results, what can be an improvement of these domestic and multilateral plans of action?

6. How a suitable infrastructure can be established for an easy access to renewable energy for sustainable development be prepared?

7. Who will finance and fund for new initiatives and sustainable energy projects aiming at improving access to renewable energy and clean fuels?



13.10 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Topic 1: Environmental Consequences of Hydraulic Fracturing Summary: Induced hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a system in which stereotypically water is infused with sand and chemicals, and the concoction is inserted at high pressure into a wellbore to generate small breaks (typically less than 1mm), along which fluids such as gas, petroleum and saltwater water may transfer to the well. Hydraulic fracturing is a development used in nine out of 10 natural gas wells in the USA, where millions of litres of water, sand and chemicals are pumped underground to separate apart the rock and discharge the gas. Hydraulic pressure is detached from the well, then small scraps of prop pant (sand or aluminium oxide) keep these fissures open once the rock attains equipoise. The procedure is very common in wells for shale gas, tight gas, tight oil, and coal seam gas and hard rock wells. This well process is only conducted once in the life of the well and greatly improves fluid abstraction and well output. The first investigational use of hydraulic fracturing was in 1947, and the first commercially fruitful applications were in 1949. As of 2010, it was projected that 60% of all new oil and gas wells globally were being hydraulically fractured. Adversaries point to possible environmental impacts, including pollution of ground water, reduction of fresh water, dangers to air quality, the passage of gases and hydraulic fracturing chemicals to the surface, surface infection from spills and flow-‐back, and the health effects of these. Experts are worried that the chemicals used in fracturing may pose a danger either underground or when waste fluids are handled and sometimes spilled on the surface. For these details hydraulic fracturing has come under international inspection, with some countries interrupting or banning it. However, some of those countries, including most remarkably the United Kingdom, have recently raised their bans, choosing to focus on guidelines instead of outright embargo. The 2013 draft EU-‐Canada trade treaty includes language banning any "breach of legitimate expectations of investors" which may occur if canceling drilling licences of Canada-‐registered businesses in the territory of the European Union after the agreement comes into force. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hydraulic fracturing is a process to encourage a natural gas, oil, or geothermal energy well to take full advantage of the removal. The broader process, however, is defined by EPA as including the attainment of source water, well construction, well stimulation, and waste disposal. While the main industrial use of hydraulic fracturing is in arousing production from oil and gas wells, hydraulic fracturing is also applied:

• To arouse groundwater wells • To condition or induce rock to cave in mining • As a means of enhancing waste remediation procedures, usually hydrocarbon waste or spill • To remove of waste by injection into deep rock formations • As a method to extent the stress in the Earth • For heat mining to produce electricity in improved geothermal systems • To proliferate injection rates for geologic sequestration of CO2



Points for consideration:

a. Technical considerations • Fracking should be avoided in areas of water scarcity, in close proximity to densely

populated areas, and/or in areas where it can impact on agricultural production. Sites deep below the water table are safer (IEA, 2012).

• Rigorous training and strict oversight can prevent (or contain) surface spills and leaks from wells and ensure that any waste fluids and solids are disposed off properly (IEA, 2012).

• To minimize climate impacts, developers should be encouraged to implement a zero-‐venting and minimal flaring policy. This is technically feasible by separating gas during the drilling process (IEA, 2012).

• CO2 can react with materials used to construct a well. For example, it is known to reduce

cement’s strength and increase its permeability. CO2 can also corrode steel, and thus injection wells should be designed to minimize this risk (Nygaard, 2010).

b. Policy considerations:

Solutions to some of the issues that UG extraction presents are not only based on using better drilling techniques, but are also related to improving environmental governance such as setting rules for environmental, climate and health protection. Such regulations could include:

• Mandating full disclosure of products used in the fracking process and banning substances known to be harmful

• Implementing monitoring and enforcement procedures. • Robust regulations and adherence to industry best practices should be followed,

particularly in the areas of well design and cementing, in order to completely isolate the well from other strata, and especially from freshwater aquifers.

• Governments should also ensure that companies secure enough funds for restoration of land and mitigate any potential impacts on land and water, in order to avoid so-‐called “extract and run” practices (a company declares bankruptcy after large accidents or simply after the end of UG extraction to save on restoration costs).

• Finally, if UG is used during a transition phase from carbon-‐based energy sources, governments should design a plan to achieve this transition. Laws, taxes or other incentives would need to be in place to assure that a certain level of UG-‐related profits are re-‐invested in research and development on alternative sources of energy, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, tidal, and on energy-‐saving

Topic 2: Genetically Modified Crops Summary: Genetic Engineering has its numerous pros and cons. Genetic Engineering is the process of manipulating an organism’s genetic materials (usually using genes from another species) to produce desired traits such as greater yields and higher resistance to pesticides. For some, it is an indispensible tool for solving the world’s food problems; for others, it is an example of human overreaching filled with predictable and unpredictable dangers. GM crops have been modified and used with the intention to provide benefits to farmers, industries and consumers. These crops have higher shelf life and thus are a major relief to those members of the food industry who are troubled by natural calamities and difficult climate for agriculture. The



first genetically modified crop approved for sale in the U.S. was the `FlavrSavr’ tomato, which had a longer shelf life in comparison to others. GM crops are also known for their nutritional enhancement. They also tolerate non-‐biological stresses like drought, frost, soil salinity and nitrogen starvation. The crops have been modified to be resistant to multiple herbicides too, so that the farmers can use a mixture of two, three or four herbicides at a time to get rid of the weeds. Viral pathogens and insects are also weak against the GM crops. These crops have helped to reduce the costs of herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals that were essential for the natural crops to grow well. However, with such great relief comes their adversary that makes us and the researchers question the viability of genetic engineering in crops. They have the potential to cause a range of health problems and environmental impacts. They may produce new allergens and toxins, spread harmful traits to weeds and non-‐GM crops, or harm animals that consume them. Particularly, overuse of herbicide-‐tolerant GE crops has spurred an increase in herbicide use and an epidemic of herbicide-‐resistant "superweeds", which will lead to even more herbicide use. This eventually leads to harmful effects to terrestrial and aquatic lives around the regions and thus, the ecosystem as a whole. Also, GM crops are a threat to the non-‐GM crops, whose identity will be hard to maintain with GE’s growing use. Humans are likewise affected by the consumption of GM crops: they cause allergens and are even suspected to interfere with mammal’s hormones. The prices of GM crops are considerably low because of the increase in yields, cost savings, labor savings and the avoidance of the use of chemicals; causing the non-‐GM crops producers in the domestic markets of the nations to bear loses in their operation due to shift in demands. Points for Consideration:

a. Food Security

• Global plantings of GM crops jumped by 20 per cent in 2004. For the first time, the hectarage growth in GM crop areas was higher in developing countries than in developed ones. • Increasing crop resistance to insects and diseases and reducing weeds could help reduce crop losses and reduce dependence on costly fertilizers and herbicides, resulting in valuable savings for poor-‐resource farmers. However, as the BrundtlandReport cautioned as early as 1987, the challenge of improving food security is more than just increasing food production. • Due to GM licensing agreements and production systems, farmers are pushed to monoculture and thus reduce the variety of crops planted for house hold consumption. • From 2002, GM crops have been offered as food aid. Examples of approaches to GM foods and food aid in Africa include: ANGOLA – Banned imports of all GMO produce, except for food aid provided it was milled. WFP reported that the additional cost of milling discourages some food donors. SWAZILAND – Has no restrictions on GMO imports. ZAMBIA – Banned import of all GMOs, citing concerns over environmental impact and effect on human health. In response, it is alleged that the World Food Programme moved some non-‐GM food aid stocks out of the country. • Africa has more than 2 000 native grains, roots, fruits and other food plants (National Research Council 1996). Development of GMOs should aim to tap the special qualities of Africa’s native flora and fauna in the efforts to improve food security and make genetic engineering beneficial to Africa’s environment and development.

b. Biodiversity



• According to Food and Agriculture Organization and WHO, the introduction of a transgene into a recipient organism is not a precisely controlled process and can result in a variety of outcomes with regard to integration, expression and stability of the transgene in the host. Several concerns can be identified, such as: GM technology could result in the contamination of crops through gene transfer and the development of “super weeds”; transgenic crops may have a negative effect on non-‐target species that are harmless or beneficial; GMOs could impact on genetic diversity; and pest resistance can occur. • There are counter claims to these concerns: the use of herbicide-‐resistant and pest-‐resistant crops is believed to have positive implications for biodiversity. • The value of existing agricultural approaches and non-‐transgenic approaches for Africa need to be considered. The value and productivity of traditional agriculture in development and its genetic diversity should not be underestimated.

c. Human health concerns • Increased use of herbicide-‐tolerant GM crops may pose new risks for environmental and human health. For example, Glyphosate is a major formulation of “Roundup ready” crops and is now the world’s best-‐selling “total” herbicide. Due to the introduction of GMO-‐Roundup Ready crops, human and environmental exposure to the herbicide is expected to increase. However, there is strong evidence that glyphosate-‐containing products are acutely toxic to animals and humans. • New medical risks from GM technologies, for example, gene therapy involves the use of a virus to carry a modified DNA segment and the virus is potentially pathogenic. The risks of these treatments are largely unknown. There are concerns that medical applications involving genetic engineering may produce cancer-‐causing genes from normal human genes. • Increased antibiotic resistance may result. For example, Novartis’ Bt-‐maize contains a marker gene, which codes for antibiotic resistance in E.coli. There is a risk that if animals or humans consume Bt-‐maize-‐based products such as cattle feed or starch, some antibiotics would be rendered useless.



Documents

MUN Delegate Handbook 2013