- official balmun newspaper -
Issue 1/2009 • Friday, June 12th
Let‘s Build Bridges! Students from all over the world at the BALMUN conference
Bigger, better: BALMUN the Second by CHRISTINE RUPPERt
It was only a few minutes after half past six: Then the moment everyone has waited for was there. Carolin Kieckhäfer and Robert Martenes opened the BALMUN 2009 conference. Everyone met in the cafeteria to listen to their speach, take something to eat and drink and, of course, to get together like this meeting was named after. All the delegates, teachers, organisators and some visitors came together for the very first time. For one hour we sat together and everyone was welcomed very warm. Most responsived to Robert‘s please to shake hands with as many people as possible. But at least it made everyone smile. See page 6 for more.
Enjoyed the welcome meeting: Ina Fischer (18), President of the GA Victor Boadum (18) and Leah Wiedenmann (16) Photo Matthias Bannert
Connecting coasts: Sydney Harbour Bridge PHOTO MATTHIAS BANNERT
by KAROLIN DARMÜNTZEL
For the second time a Model United Nations conference takes place in the Hanseatic town of Rostock. Around 200 participants join the BALMUN conference which inspired not only the delegates but also the whole school last year. Innerstädtisches Gymnasium is proud to host such an important and big event after one year of preparation and hard work done by a group of heavily committed students. The topic of BALMUN 2009 is “Building Bridges - A foundation for sustainability and progress”. It will provide a basis for the hopefully intensive and fruitful debates in all the committees and direct the conference into the direction of an open discussion about globalization and its effects on regional questions. Consequently, the Security Council will for example deal with the issue of the situation in Somalia in order to exemplarily prevent possible global effects of lo-
cal crises. But BALMUN won‘t only work with regards to the contents of the debates, it wants to emphasize as well the personal side of a get together between young people with different ethnical backgrounds, cultural identities and maybe contrary opinions and views. Thus, “Building Bridges” does not only mean the progress by connecting the world via political or economical issues but also to meet other students, to make friends or just to have a good time here by enjoying the BALMUN dance on Saturday or exploring the city of Rostock. This conference will not only give you the potential to speak English a whole weekend and to prove your skills in talking and behaving in the style of the UN. It will also be a chance to broaden your horizon and to discover new places, new people and new points of view. It will link synapses in your brain and build bridges to new banks.
Page 2 • Issue 1/2009
Editor‘s note
Girls, girls, girls and a great second time Girls, girls, girls. As I read for the first time the applications for this year‘s press team I was really surprised. Nearly all are girls. Max from the tech staff said: "Oh Matt, I will visit you everytime." Yesterday Chris from the staff team said "I need a girlfriend. Are they beautiful?" Sorry, but I have to work with these girls. And what I know for sure is that they (and the boys too) are great! I‘m so exited about the second BALMUN conference. I remember the one from last year and it was so great. I‘m really sure we gonna have a great time, and a cool BALMUN newspaper. For any hints and good stories - you‘ll find us in room 0.13
Matthias Bannert
Read what the Editor-in-chief thinks during BALMUN www.twitter.com/ egyptianrevival www.twitter.com/balmun or on Facebook IMPRINT Head of Press / Editor-in-chief Matthias Bannert
Welcome to Rostock Don‘t miss the home of "Baltic Model United Nations", called the Hanseatic City of Rostock. There is a lot to see and explore in the wonderful heart of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. by Josefine Rosse And Christine Ruppert
Many people who hear about Rostock just think of a city in the north-east of Germany nearby the Baltic Sea. Of course, Rostock is known for its wonderful nature and coastal region but there is much more which makes the city so unique. First of all, Rostock is with its 200 500 inhabitants and 181,4 square kilometers acreage the biggest city in the region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. With regards to culture and economy it is also the most important city here. Rostock‘s port is the second largest in the region of the Baltic Sea and the largest for cruises. That is why it is an important transport interchange place for passenger traffic. Rostock is classified as a commercial and industrial town. Especially shipping
companies like Aida cruises and Scandlines are established businesses. In cultural areas the city has much going for. Museums, theater, exhibitions, countless sights and sports facilities offer a varied and intermingled program. Special arrangements like the Hanse Sail in August activate thousands of tourists to visit Rostock. According to the “Hanse” this project started in 1990. It is one if the biggest events in summer. Around
Layout Matthias Bannert, Christine Ruppert Editorial staff Karoline Darmüntzel, Anja Dietzmann, Kate Ilyina, Wencke Lubojanski, Luise Jacobs, Laura Michel, Valeria Nieberg, Josefine Rosse, Paula Taube, Daniel Redkozubov, Thomas Wegener, Maria Wunderlich Produced by
Language Guide: Yes/ No - Ja/ Nein Your Welcome - Bitte Thanks - Danke Excuse Me - Entschuldigung I don‘t understand - Ich verstehe nicht Could you please help me? Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? What time is it? - Wie spät ist es? Good Morning! - Guten Morgen! Good Evening! - Guten Abend! What‘s your name? Wie heißt du? My name is... - Ich heiße... How are you? - Wie geht es Ihnen? Goodbye! - Auf Wiedersehen! Bye bye! - Tschüß! See you tomorrow! - Bis morgen!
In which commitee are you participating? An welcheKomitee nimmst du teil?
© 2009 Bannert Media All rights reserved.
Which country are you representing? Welches Land vertrittst du? What do you think about BALMUN? Was denkst du über BALMUN?
Photo The Baltic Herald
The weather today?
How to survive in freaky Germany
For BALMUN
Executive Managers Matthias Bannert, Erik Muttersbach
If you‘re interested in sports, you should keep an eye on the soccer team „FC Hansa Rostock“. The arena was just rebuilt some years ago and it is a high magnet for fans from all over MecklenburgWestern Pomerania. All together Rostock is a modern and beautiful city which offers a lot for young and old people. With its near to the beach and the sea it is not only wonderful but unique.
The place where decisions are made: the townhall of Rostock
by Wencke Lubojanski
Duty editor Christine Ruppert
1200 Rostock became more and more economical important as a member of the „Hanse“ which was a big trading company. This lasted until the middle ages. We can say that this were the boom years of the town. Another climax was the founding of the university in 1419, until today it is one of the most important ones in northern Germany. A lot of young people live and study here.
Who is the Chair of this committee? Wer ist der Vorsitzende dieses Komitees? When is the next cookie break? Wann ist die nächste Kekspause? On the way/in your spare time Where is the next toilet? Wo ist die nächste Toilette? ...the next atm? ...der nächste Geldautomat? Where is the main station? Wo ist der Hauptbahnhof? Where is the beach? Wo ist der Strand? Call an ambulance/ the police! Rufen Sie einen Krankenwagen/ die Polizei! I need a doctor. Ich brauche einen Arzt! Where is the next pharmacy? Wo ist die nächste Apotheke? I‘m looking for a cheap restaurant. Ich suche ein günstiges Restaurant. The menu, please! Die Speisekarte, bitte! I want to pay the bill, please! Ich möchte bitte die Rechnung zahlen!
by KATE ILYINA
12 June – we see these date on the calendar. It is summer now. But if you go out, you‘ll understand that weather conditions are not as great as they should be. But still… It’s even impossible to choose the proper clothes in the morning. Just for instance, girls from Belarusian delegation remember the last year brilliant weather and some of them even didn’t take warm clothes with them, so, if you see somebody in bikini during the session – don’t be shocked. Also a rather difficult thing is when you want to visit Warnemunde – instead of warm sand you will find stormy see, and cold wind. So better bring up with you an umbrella, but not swimming suite with sunglasses! The weather during the conference: Friday: + 15, rain. Saturday: +16, sunny with clouds. Sunday: +18. sunny with clouds. But we hope that the weather inside the BALMUN 2009 will be hot! And also don’t forget the proverb: Whether the weather be fine, whether the weather be not. Whether the weather be cold, whether the weather be hot. We’ll weather the weather, whatever the whether, whether we like it or not.
Issue 1/2009 • Page 3
k c to s o R in s e c la p t e e r G Meet &
Cheek by jowl with a Nordic Beauty Hungry? Thursty? Searching for a place to meet some original hanseatic people, to relax with your friends or to spend your freetime with completely nonpolitical things? by Maria Wunderlich
Just adhere the hints given here and you will survive the four days between Northgerman people, in case you will always be aware of the danger that permenantly emanates from the Baltic Sea... Besides the normal fastfood-offer of McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut and Subway Rostock will entrap you with its charming Cafés, individual Bars and Restaurants. For those who can not imagine life without it we should probably start with some coffein to get activated: At the “Meyerbeer Café” which is located in the city-centre, nearby the main shopping mile Kröpeliner Straße, you can enjoy more or less any imaginable hot or cold drink, with or without coffeeflavour, my personal favourite is the “Frozen Joghurt”. If you also want your teeth to have something to do try the brownies or cookies, a special experience for every chocolate vicitim. (Drinks about 3 €) As we are talking about chocolate – Rostock could woo the real fans between you with handmade chocolate, a chocolate fountain and of course chocolate drinks and cakes in the “Chocolaterie de Prie”. You can find this little manufacture at the city harbour, in the same complex of buildings as the “Bacio Lounge” where we will celebrate the Balmun Dance. Chocolate of any priceclass After relishing the chocolate-covered fruits out of the chocolate fountain you could spend some time at
the city harbour, by being active or passive. Watch the sailing boats and yachts that are floating along towards the sunset...(alarm – kitsch!) ... or have fun with friends while playing boule or Kubb / “Viking chess”. I suppose it could be time now to eat some snacks or even a fullyfledged meal.If you would like to connect that with a trip to Rostocks pituresque Old Town I would advise “Krahnstövers Likörfabrik” which is just in the centre of the antique city core. For those who are pianists there is a special offer – play for half an hour and your meal is for free.
Snacks from 3 to 7€ Do you think you are free from giddiness? Venture the ascension on Rostock’s highest steeple of St. Petri Church and enjoy a beautiful view over the hanseatic town! 45 m and 196 steps for 2 € Fast-food-addicted? But looking for a Restaurant showing more personality? The “Alex” at “Neuer Markt” which is the start of “Kröperliner Straße” might be something for you. Burger, wraps, sandwiches and salads, b u t also ice cream and waff-
les are tasty extracts of the menue. Food from 3 to 9 € As you are in the city centre it would be the occasion to go shopping... Looking for some refreshment? “Milano” in the “Rostcker Hof ” offers ice cream and milk shakes in almost exhaustless brands, from classical Vanilla and Strawberry to Rochér, Piña Colada or Passion Fruit – Yoghurt. Scoop of ice cream for 0,60 € I would impute to you that you have never seen an eco-
logical W C ? In Rostock you will have the chance to get to know one. Next to the “Rostocker Hof ” you will recognize a yellow building and a channel within, follow the street and you will arrive at the “Heumond” a café which is in the building of the “Ö k o v i l l a”. . . Taste some hot pearjuice with cream and
cinnamon in case it is not as warm outside and feel comfortable. Drinks from 2 to 3 € Now you are searching for a place to savour sun and ice cream? A usual meeting point for Rostock’s people is the “Brunnen der Lebensfreude” – translated: “Fountain of Zest for Life” and the lawn in front of the main building of the University which was founded in 1419 and is the oldest in North Europe. If that is still to noisy for you choose the path on the left side of the fountain and university building and you will reach the “Kloster wiesen”, former hol-
ding of the monastery and “Wallanlagen” beyond the old city wall. Grant your feet a break in nature. The most vivid place to experience night life is the “KTV”, short for “Kröpeliner Tor Vorstadt”, a multicultural quarter many students appreciate because of its young spirit and culuture and moderate prices. The “Stadtkind” and “Warmbad” are located vis-àvis and in neighbourhood to the brewery of Rostock. Both offer drinks and snacks, I do pretty much like the melon lemonade by Fritz Kola and the “Dreikäsehoch” – Snack at “Stadtkind”. If Monday is the day you are leaving you have the chance to use a special offer by this Café – every Sunday evening at 8:15 p.m. half the TV-nation assembles to watch the “Tatort”, a part of German TV-history that is also shown by the “Stadtkind”.
Snacks and Drinks from 2 to 6 € As I told you something about multi culture you shall get the opportunity to taste this variety of (inter-) national cuisine at “Café Lom” which offers modern Arabian food and drinks besides the standard curry-meals. Food and Drinks from 2 to 10 € Not very far from our conference building you will find another charming place to be – the “Momo”-Café which underlines its personality by its special interieur – old sofas and arm chairs in comination with large tables for many people and low prices. The hot chocolate may be the best in Rostock. Drinks from 2 to 4 € Last but not least a specialist in things concerning cocktails – the “Wicki Wacki Woo” with its menue of 555 cocktails, 70 of them without alcohol. Because the prices are of student friendly amount the WWW often is overcrowded – but – do not be afraid – the WWW offers you a two-pack – WWW I and WWW II also have a “Happy Hour”, from Sunday until Thursday from 7.30 to 8.30 p.m. – nearly every alcoholic cocktail for 3,20 €. Cocktails from 4 to 5€ It is about half past 3 and you are still hungry? Rostock’s place to go in the middle of the night is the “Dobi Döner”, I think to remember its real name which is “Best Kebab”... Turkish food around the clock! Food from 2 to 4 € Read carefully and do always take care of this guide as you would of a “Nutrition – Insurance”. And finally: Enjoy all your drinks, your food and your time in one or more of the bars, restaurants and chilly lounges of Rostock! Photo Kirti Poddar
Page 4 • Issue 1/2009
Disgrace or justifiable achievement? Delegates about expectations and hopes according to BALMUN Young pupils first time at BALMUN conference. What are their thoughts? by LUISE JACOBS
"A great success“ was the first MUN conference in Rostock last year. Everyone brimed over with enthusiasm for this event that the second conference in June this year has to step into the shoes of an event with such a good result. Especially the delegates who participate the first time like the Mexican and Russian delegates consider this good fruit as an incentive to work hard on their resolution and the prearrangement: "It took so much time to accomplish the resolution because simultaneously with doing research I had to do a lot of homework and to learn for upcoming exams. So honestly I am convinced that BALMUN is based upon a high level.“ (Janne, 16, Russian delegate and responsible for the Environmental Commitee) A lot of the delegates‘ spare time activities have taken a back seat in the last few weeks because the meetings within the groups were really time-consuming. Despite this requirements everybody agrees about the fact that you only achieve something when you aim high and spend a lot of time in working. Therefore most of the delegates see the expediture of time as appropriate and necessary for a successful outcome, like Lasse,17, Mexican delegate who is responsible for the Security Council: "I am sure that it is just advisable to work hard for this conference because we don´t want to disgrace ourselves on the first MUN we partici-
Janne, 16 Russian delegate Environmental Commitee
"Writing the resolution took much time. Honestly, I believe that BALMUN 2009 will be on a very high level.“
pate. So we really hope that our efforts will be profitable and that Mexico won´t be verbally dismembered so much because of the swine Influenza...“ "Verbally dismembered“ is a very good catchword because a lot of the delegates associate BALMUN with the hope to discuss present delicate issues like the Influenza and the pirates near the seaboard of Somalia. Especially the Mexican delegates are sure that they will feel torn between being attacked verbally by other nations and being the center of discussion according to the Influenza. In addition to that present topic the contrabandism of drugs and the significance of the Mexican boarder will also be in the focus of the discussions. Beside the current discussed issues there will be topics which already exist a longer time: "I hope that our proposal according to the water
supply in the conflict areas will be picked up and that the resolution will get through“ (Janne, 16)
Lasse, 17 Mexican delegate Security Council
"It‘s the first time we take part at BALMUN and we definetely need to work very hard for this project.“
Proud to take part at this year‘s BALMUN conference: the students from Otto-Hahn-Gymansium Photos Luise Jacobs
Representatives of Amnesty International like Anna-Maria, 17, want the topics like child poverty and misusages to be brought up: "I really cannot
comprehend that in our world the death penalty and child labor still exist. It is beyond comprehension that
Anna-Maria, 17 Represantative of Amnesty International
"One of my aims is to talk about child poverty and misusage. As representative and as human.“
nations like America and China didn´t afford yet to enlighten their society about the nonsense they are exercising every single day!“ But what do all these "new“ delegates want to take along of the MUN conference? "This project is a really great chance to improve my english skills and to look behind the scenes of an almost real UN conference. And yes I really see this as a big challenge. So I hope that I will have a better understanding of all those political processes after this event and to brush up my political basic knowledge.“ ( Mareike, 17, Mexican delegate and responsible for the Human Rights Commitee) Beside the expectation to amplify the basic linguistic survival skills both nations are excited about meeting other nations: "Of course I want to give proof of my eng-
Mareike, 17 Mexican delegate Human Rights Commitee
"I want to have more political knowledge and understanding after this year‘s conferencence.“
lish skills but I look rather forward to meet new people, to be together with them, dicuss and have fun due to the fact that I love to get to know otherone´s perceptions and the way they are thinking.“ (Vivien, 17, Mexican delegate, represented in the Economic and Social Council) What nearly everybody has in common is the image of the BALMUN conference: "I know it´s actually a conference which is based upon work and informative discussions but I am still hoping that the fun will dominate which will definetely relieve the exhausting assemblies.“ To put it in a nutshell the Mexican and Russian delegates are very pleased to be part of this year´s conference and look forward to live through these four days where the work comes to the fore but the fun definetely won´t get a raw deal.
Vivien, 17 Mexican delegate Economic and Social Council
"I want to meet new people, talk and discuss with them, have fun. And also I want to improve my skills.“
What is the UN actually doing now? They‘re working hard - but what are the topics? by LAURA MICHEL
Like our ,Baltic Herald‘ the UN‘s got a similar UN News Centre with breaking news from the UN Service. Current topics there are the visit of Barack Obama in Cairo, the innovative new scheme of The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in north-west Pakistan or the protection of civilians suffering caught up in armed conflicts, achieved by the Human Rights Council. But these are only a few themes which bother the UN at the moment. The Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, hopes that the speech of Barack Obama will afford new relations between the United States and the Islamic world. Ban Ki-moon also mentioned the bridging of divides and promoting intercultural understanding by ADVERSTISEMENT
the visit of Obama in Egypt. On the 4th June 2009 the United Nations World Food Programme sent nearly 100 metric tons of urgentlyneeded food to north-west Pakistan to help more than two million people displaced by clashes between the Government and militants. The crisis started on the 2nd of May. Since then the WFP fed already more than six million people in Pakistan. The current shipment of highly nutritious peanut
paste called ,Plumpy‘Doz‘ will be distributed to children under five years through 28‘humanitarian hubs‘ in protected areas close to the home of uprooted families. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay focused on the conditions of civilians affected by armed conflicts especially in Afghanistan in the last days. She called the Government of all States involved for taking every measure to protect the civilians, ensuring the inde-
pendent investigation of all civilian casualties and giving justice and remedies for the victims. Further on she mentioned, that even if the antigovernment elements, like suicide attacks, improvised explosive devices or targeted killings, cause most of conflict-related civilian casualities, civilians are killed by pro-government forces as well. Pillay also highlighted the conditions of civilians in Pakistan, Iraq, the occupied Palestinian territory, Colombia, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Chad and Nepal. Besides this the UN works on projects for peace and security, the economic development, humanitarian aid, environment, rights of women, crime prevention, health, poverty and culture and education. The UN News Centre also
shows the daily shedule of Secretary-General Ban Kimoon. Here‘s a short extract from Friday, the 5th June: 3:15 pm Security Council Informal Discussion on Sri Lanka 4:15 pm Meeting with the President of the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Dennis Byron There are further appointments, each planned for ca. 45 minutes. Internal meetings aren‘t mentioned at the website. The daily schedule of the Secretary-General is structured very tight and doesn‘t show much free time.
If you‘re interested in more informations about the current work of the UN please visit this website: www.un.org/news/
Page 6 • Issue 1/2009
Let‘s get together for the second time Get together: The Herald team is always with you! Photos Matthias Bannert
He‘s back again
"No Pictures please!"
By Christine Ruppert and Matthias Bannert
Secretary General Torge Schwandt doesn‘t like Press
Ex-conference managers boyfriend back from Bolivia - and her love bite Never seen her that happy for long time: Ex-conference manager Annemarie Nack‘s boyfriend is back from Bolivia. Just like last year she has a big fat love bite from Kai Budde again. "As you can see we have not seen us for one year", she told us with a smile.
by Matthias Bannert
He smiled as he saw the photo camera. "This year I want no pictures from me", said Secretary General Torge Schwandt. Sorry, Mr Secretary General! We have a free press at BALMUN and as a person from public interest there is no chance to provide photos. Last year "The Baltic Herald" published some photos of him and his girlfriend. One of our headlines was "What are you doing Mr Secretary General" because Torge Schwandt paid from time to time more attention on his darling than on the conference. Do it better this year! So we have no reason for further stories.