Bigmonitor - Issue 2 - 2017

OFFICIAL BIGMUN NEWSPAPER

23/02/17

5 KR / 1 €

Big monitor Issue 2

Opening ceremony

Article on the opening ceremony and the speeches from our guest speakers

Eyes for the future Martin Lidegaard talks about his politics, the importance of education and youth initiatives such as Bigmun

A long time ago

The founders of Bigmun reflect on the development of the Bigmun conference since they started it in 2010

CURRENT NEWS South Africa’s request of withdrawal from ICC hindered

TODAY’S COLUMN PIECE Juan Carlos contemplates on the complexity of inspiration and the first day of Bigmun

BACKGROUND ARTICLE HIV fallacy every woman is told: no cure

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LETTER from the Head of Press

Pauline is planning to take one or more gap years after graduating IB to gain some introspection and figure out what she wants to do when she grows up.

Hello everyone! My name is Pauline and I am this year’s Head of Press.

The existence of the press has to me always been a given part of society. I am the daughter of a journalist and I grew up in a household where multiple newspapers are read every day and where current events are the most frequent topics of discussion at the dinner table.

Until recently, I have never really considered how lucky this made me. How lucky I am to have access to not only one but multiple sources of news every single day. And most importantly, how lucky I am to having been raised to not believe everything I am told.

The entire demeanor of the press symbolises freedom of speech. And in the time of ‘fake news’, the press has never been more vulnerable.

Lately, the press is being accused of being untruthful, corrupt and biased, which is the complete antithesis of freedom of speech. Here I think it is vital to remind ourselves that it is important not only to tell the truth, but also question what the truth is. And if someone, even if it is a world leader, declares this to be wrong, it is the press’ job, our job, to yell even louder, to be loquacious and to trust ourselves and our cause enough to know that we are doing the right thing. We cannot negate our own power - we need to have faith in ourselves and our abilities and know that the enemy is not the so-called providers of ‘fake news’ but the people declaring the news to be fake based on personal agendas.

And this is why I feel so privileged to be in the position of Head of Press. Because here I get the opportunity to tell the true stories of a bunch of very real, young and talented individuals at a very real and innovative political gathering. And I get to do this in cooperation with my very real and ambitious team. Together, we will do our best to keep our readers informed and aware.

And I encourage all of you reading this, to do the same: To always stay informed and always stay critical!

Pauline Sophia Fich Mortensen Head of Press -2

Bigmonitor

CONTENT O2 O4

Letter

Letter from the Head of Press for this years Bigmun Conference, Pauline Sophia Fich Mortensen

Opening ceremony

Article on the opening ceremony and the speeches from our guest speakers

As the delegates from all over the world fill the Assembly Hall with the quiet melodies playing subtly in the background, the atmosphere of the room is slowly permeated by the immense expectation of the 5 days to come.

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Bigmun Comic

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Eyes for the future

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Current events

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Column

Our very own comic following Bryan’s MUN adventure

Martin Lidegaard talks about his politics, the importance of education and youth initiatives such as Bigmun

South Africa’s request of withdrawal from ICC hindered

Bigmonitor

Juan Carlos contemplates on the complexity of inspiration and the first day of Bigmun Head of Press

Coming back to Birkerød Gymnasium 6 years after their graduation the two girls were in awe of the immense change.

Not only to the school, but most also, their high school's lifework, BIGMUN. With big eyes and larger smiles, the two girls reminisce about the school they both spent endless hours in, through the IB, and the startup of the BIGMUN conference.

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Pauline Sophia Fich Mortensen Editor in Chief Emma Drostby Head of Layout Maria Cecilie Wrang-Rasmussen

A long time ago

Head of Photography

The founders of Bigmun reflect on the development of the Bigmun conference since they started it in 2010

Background article

HIV fallacy every woman is told: no cure

Zoe Svendsen Borra Heads of Social Media

HIV fallacy every woman

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BIGMUN 2017 Opening Ceremony By: Laura Hvid-Hansen

” I do not wish to look backwards, but rather forwards… a future in which i hope to see all people united

As the delegates from all over the world fill the Assembly Hall with the quiet melodies playing subtly in the background, the atmosphere of the room is slowly permeated by the immense expectation of the 5 days to come.

Flowers fill the floor as well as the stage, while the stressed staff members fling across the space, politely showing delegates seating in the amphitheatre seats.

Photographers eagerly snap photos of moments to commemorate the opening ceremony of BIGMUN 2017 from every angle possible. Quickly but steadily every seat is filled, conversation begins -4

towards a common goal: peace and equity.

amongst delegates from different continents, united behind their joint nation. Amongst the front seats, the two founders of BIGMUN, Lisa and Christine, take place next to the seats of the guest speakers.

Blazers are readjusted, skirts pulled down, hair patted and yet, the atmosphere slowly begins to relax in its excitement and a relaxed feeling takes place in the room.

The people continue their expectant chatter, as the choir enters the side stage quietly. The melody played in the background comes to a triumphant end.

By the subtle hand movement, the delegates rises, as Her Royal High-

”

ness Princess Marie of Denmark, enters with a bouquet in hand. As she is seated the room remains silent and the serene melody of Lukas Graham’s “Take The World By Storm” begins. Whilst the BIGMUN choir unite in high and low tones, quick images of global news flashes across the big screen.

Taking the stage, Andrew welcomes the crowd in every language present, whilst small outbreaks of giggles can be heard at particularly hard pronunciations. Being there since the beginning of the first BIGMUN conference, Andrew looks at the audience and erupts in the joy of seeing so many people.

Introducing the Princess, Andrew is responded with a warm smile, subsequently moving to the introduction of Martin Lidegaard. Being one of the most seen politicians of Danish current politics, he jokingly remarks on the frequent televised appearances of Martin. Andrew also shyly remarks on the many likes he personally left on Martin’s Facebook page, which is followed by giggles from the audience.

Introducing the BIG7, they stand up to receive applause from the audience and as a finale to the opening speech, Andrew concludes his “joy in looking forward to BIGMUN and hearing the debates”.

Welcoming each school by name, Kloppenborg is met with large applauses and cheers, from certain schools, whilst other are less elated. Beginning the more serious matters of his speech, Kloppenborg opens with the words: “All the things that have given security the last 70 years are at change, and we do not know where it all ends”, instituting the serious matters of the world, matters to be discussed at this BIGMUN. Yet Kloppenborg does not end it as such, but rather encourages the crowd, in their roles as politicians until sunday. Making the importance of the UN clear, Kloppenborg states the need to “for every generation to fight to preserve what was given by the previous generation”.

Photos by: Tut MacCormac

Finalising his speech, Kloppenborg comments on the threatened stage of our planet, and the alarming elections around the world, yet also with the uplifting spirit of seeing so many young people, united together for a purpose.

As the next speaker, the Princess of Denmark, Marie, enters the stage, cameras, everywhere in the room, go off, creating a blinding moment upon stage. Through her own work, Marie knows the massive change that can be brought by co-operation, doting on the admiration of the students present here to make a difference. Aware of the problems we are currently facing, Marie speaks of the challenges facing us and how we as the future generation must “prepare ourselves from a world on the move, a world of misinformation, threatened by politics and climate change”. Quoting the prime minister of Denmark, she eloquently hints towards recent elections in the US through the words of “We cannot build walls against the world. If we do, we build wars against ourselves”, summarising her points on education and cooperation in a united world.

Met with hundreds of admiring

looks from the audience, she urges the audience to make use of the next 5 days. What we learn here, that is what will guide us in our future. Concluding her speech with these words, she exits the stage, elegantly as a princess, followed by a massive applause. The applause is quickly interluded by the angelic voices of Andrew Archer and Ida Jacobsen, singing their own rendition of Black Eyed Peas “Where Is The Love”, with clear association to the current affairs of wars and conflict, segregation and racism. Halfway through the song, the verse is picked up Jakob Haaland, and his quirky dance moves. Naturally the performance is followed massive applause mid-way through song.

The final guest speaker, Martin Lidegaard enters the stage, opening with the words of “You’re right, where is the love? The love is here. Exactly in this room.” Doting on the gender balance in the panel, with its 6 girls and 1 boy, Martin moves to the topic of trend of growth, “which the world has never seen before”, both mentioned in Kloppenborg’s and Marie’s speech.

With this massive growth, Martin stresses the importance of handling this growth in the future.

Approaching it with three lessons, education, sustainability and 5-

The love is here.

Exactly in this room.

cooperation, Martin finalises his speech with: “It takes responsibility to make it happen. Start today on Facebook, with family and in school. Spread the understanding of what we need to build together. Do it today, here at this conference.” All done without ever lookng at his notes - if he even had any.

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Secretary General Hannah Fougner takes the stage, as the final speaker, opening with the events that took place in 2016, that to many, was alarming. Yet focusing on the future, Hannah says: “However, I do not which to look backwards, but rather forwards… a future in which I hope to see all people united towards a common goal: peace and equity”. With these words Hannah summarises the points of the ceremony perfectly, whilst also summarising the agenda of “working together, using the opportunity to educate ourselves on topic that affect not only us, but people all over the world” at BIGMUN 2017.

With that, the President of the General Assembly, Carl Johan Steninge-Otto, declares BIGMUN 2017 open. An here, the impressive opening ceremony of BIGMUN 2017 ends with the delegates eager minds ready for the next 5 days of politics and global issues.

Photo: Tut MacCormac -6

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Photo by ZoĂŠ Svendsen

EYES FOR THE FUTURE

By Mads Hjerild Hansen

The BIGMUN opening ceremony was a success for many reasons, partly due to the special guest speakers. The name may have been overshadowed by Princess Marie’s, but Martin Lidegaard gained praise as his appeal to education earned him a roaring ovation.

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Martin Lidegaard, the former Minister of Climate, Energy and Building came to speak at BIGMUN because he thought that it was “important to address a whole, big room full of young, ambitious and hopeful people.”

Martin having also been the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his various accolades, makes his mark. With this in mind, expectations were high, however, to no one’s surprise, he did not disappoint. Martin’s speech about the further development of ending poverty, climate control and education won the crowd, delivering a speech that appealed to the crowds age through speaking about popular topics within the target group, such as climate change, wealth gap, and equality amongst all individuals. Therefore, naturally, the illustrious figure is idolized by the students. When asked about it, he gave a warm chuckle and proceeded to explain his gratefulness and the fact that it was “the dream audience for any politician because [they] are the future” and “still developing [their] ideas, minds, and hopes”. That though, does not mean that the audience was allured to his ideas, as he went on to explain that the young crowd is in “a critical phase - both critical towards grown ups and these are critical years for you.”

”You can only move the world if you have the will to do so.”

Like all, the 50 year old was once young himself. However, his story about his pursuance to politics is not like most since he was “actually quite old.” before he went into politics, he was in ex-Yugoslavia and “saw how a war can completely destroy a young generation of people.” He then decided to have a go at politics “in order to put the world a little bit in the right direction.” Much like the young politicians in the crowd, Martin also has a political hero.

While “not very original”, his idol is Nelson

Photo by Zoé Svendsen Mandela. Much like himself, he admires Mandela’s ability to “show what you can achieve when you combine a very very strong, clear political will with a humble and sympathetic spirit.” He was further inspired through his “non-sentimental relation to power. Power is necessary, it just has to be the right power.”

As mentioned, Martin found it important for him to speak. Impressed with the conference, he revealed that “it is actually very similar to the real general assembly, just that here, the audience is more good-looking and there are more women.” Going back to the previous point, Martin finds that students taking initiatives, much like BIGMUN is “extremely important. You can only move the world if you have the will to do so. That will doesn’t come out of nothing. It takes education, training, ideas, networks - actions for change is a very difficult discipline. It is difficult to change the world - but it’s possible”.

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Current events South Africa’s request of withdrawal from ICC hindered South Africa’s decision to leave the International Criminal Justice (ICC), has been condemned as ‘invalid’ and ‘unconstitutional’ by the High Court.

By Rebecca Pham South African judge Jacob Zuma blocked the country’s attempt to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), calling the move “unconstitutional and with no prior parliamentary approval.”

At a press conference, James Selfe, DA federal executive chairperson, said that he and his party was delighted with the verdict, stating they believed the decision to be irrational and unconstitutional:

“We have been vindicated by the court. It is quite clear from the court’s judgment that the withdrawal in such a haste had everything to do with the fact that the government is embarrassed by the fact that it has lost two court cases around the validity of their actions in the Al-Bashir Matter and they took the easy option which was simply to withdraw from the ICC.”

Deputy Judge president Phineas Mojapelo, sitting in the high court of Pretoria, expressed great disappointment with the notification to the court of withdrawal, ordering the South African judge to pull it back.

The capital of South Africa, Pretoria, have previously referred to plans of withdrawal from the ICC. They were heavily criticised for ignoring the ICC’s order for arrestment of the visiting Sudanese President, Omar - 10

Photo: http://citifmonline.com Hassan Al-bashir, who has been accused for genocide and various war crimes. Shortly following the incident, the country announced plans for leaving the tribunal, expressing its inconsistency of the country’s laws and undermining its sovereignty.

Under the Rome Statute, a treaty established by the ICC, member states have a legal obligation to follow through with arrest orders on anyone sought by the tribunal. Any measure taken to leave the court would take effect after one year, following a notice sent to the secretary general of the United Nations, currently Ban Ki-moon.

The conflict involving President Bashir, was the latest in a series of issues concerning suspicion of the institution among several leaders in Africa.

Since the ICC was set into function in 2002, it has repeatedly faced criticism by African countries, deeming them racist and imperialist. 9 out of 10 investigated cases drafted by the ICC, involve alleged

crimes in Africa.

However, people defending the ICC say that the majority of its investigations have been followed by explicit requests or grants of jurisdiction from the countries where the crimes were committed.

South Africa’s main opposition party, the centre-right Democratic Alliance, created the application to stop the withdrawal.

Earlier this week, James Selfe further commented on the move, saying: “We have seen how our country’s approach to foreign policy under [president] Jacob Zuma has been at loggerheads with the human rights-based foreign policy spearheaded by the late president Nelson Mandela. By irrationally withdrawing from the ICC, South Africa is out of touch with other progressive and democratic nations on the continent”.

The government will decide whether to appeal, officials said.

Column of the day:

A small reflection on Inspiration

Photos by: Tut MacCormac

Inspiration is a hard thing to come by, it is not something one can summon at will, no one goes “Today, I am inspired� and goes on about his day being inspired. No One - no pun intended - really understands these moments of brilliance in which solutions to complicated problems come easily. However, it is not impossible to acquire through someone else.

Many of the myths in ancient history were made to inspire the soldiers, under the aegis of superhuman beings with - sometimes - magical abilities. What I mean to say, inspiration can be contagious. And no, I am not asking you to look Greek mythology up. But rather to smite yourself with some current heroes and their action.

Now I am not a very inspiring person myself, in fact I find it stirring that some of you still come with the inspiration to successfully execute the conference, despite having the mother of jet lags, a horrible headache or flat out no sleep at all - or all of them at once - I mean, you delegates are inspiring to me. Being a delegate means so much more than just signing up.

Some of you even dared to travel to a foreign country. It is crazy to think that some of you have the passion for debating and politics to come this far away from home. Give yourself a pat on the back, seriously.

Taking action in finding inspiration is an important step for everyone at some point in their life. Inspiration is rare, some say it comes by itself. But I will restate it, I believe it is contagious, and easily contracted through all forms of human expression: music, art, movies, literature.

Maybe you are feeling inspired today. Was it a phrase you read yesterday? Some video you watched today? Something got that clock ticking, and I suggest you share it, getting other people up and running will make your conference more competitive, thus far more interesting.

Talk to your hosts, talk to your friends, talk to new people and meet new philosophies. That one very crazy guy who is into Seneca’s philosophy might just light your bulb. Sharing experiences help us all feel more complete, you do not have to be a celebrity. You probably have some interesting feats under your belt that your friends will probably share, so share theirs - with their consent of course.

Share life, share experience, share your tips and give each other the confidence to have a great time in the conference. Au revoir, and enjoy your first day at BIGMUN!

By Juan Carlos Haquet 11 -

“You know, the school wasn’t even close to being this big when we started BIGMUN.”

Photo by: Chistian Erforth - 12

A Long Time Ago

By Laura Hvid

From the grandiose of BIGMUN 2017, it is hard to comprehend the humble beginnings of cardboard podiums and a disinterested school.

Yet if anyone knows it better, it would be the two founders of BIGMUN, Lisa Sigl and Christine Müller.

Coming back to Birkerød Gymnasium 6 years after their graduation the two girls were in awe of the immense change. Not only to the school, but most also their high school’s lifework, BIGMUN. With big eyes and larger smiles, the two girls reminisce about the school they both spent endless hours in, through IB, and the startup of the BIGMUN conference. Discreetly pointing to the Assembly Hall, Lisa remarks: “You know, the school wasn’t even close to being this big, when we started BIGMUN. We were upstairs in the old one. You guys get the full house in the new hall. But then again, with the size BIGMUN is now, you definitely need it.”

With more than 500 people from 3 continents and 8 countries, the girls started something unique, which will be hard to ever replicate. Yet all of this, explains Lisa, started in a tiny pub in Ireland, after an appa-

rently disappointing conference: “We were at this MUN conference in Ireland. Us and a couple of friends were sitting and talking about all the things we would have done differently and well… basically, that we could do better than them”.

And that was it. Returning back home to finish their final exams of the ruthless IB, the girls, along with 4 other friends that made up the BIG 6, began the preparations for the first BIGMUN. The first step was to get the school involved and in particular Andrew Archer, the current Conference Coordinator. Recalling Andrew’s reaction, the two girls began to laugh, explaining that Andrew had no interest in politics, even exclaiming during the opening ceremony: “I don’t understand how they got me to do it, I mean I teach math, but I joined them because they were simply so enthusiastic, it was impossible to say no”.

This enthusiasm is what has allowed the first BIGMUN conference to happen. Christine, recalling the biggest issue of the first conference explains, “No one was into it. People didn’t want to spend four days speaking English and discussing politics.

We even had to go so far as to make politics teachers tell students that it was mandatory”, to which Lisa quickly adds: “I had emailed different schools, and no one replied. I ended up having to call individual schools and gently prod them to come”.

Here we are, 7 years later, and BIGMUN has become the biggest MUN conference in Scandinavia. Though Lisa and Christine were unaware of the massive impact their work would have on the later years of BIGMUN, they recognise the spectacularity of BIGMUN 2017.

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HIV fallacy every woman is told : NO CURE

Eradicating AIDS by 2030 is possible with fast-tracking methods and gender equality.

By Momina Hussain The General Assembly 3 at BIGMUN - Social, Cultural and Social Committee (SOCHUM) will be discussing matters concerning the eradication of the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.

UNAIDS welcomes the new goals, targets and commitments of the 2016 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on eradicating HIV/AIDS. Countries have agreed to a historic and urgent agenda to accelerate efforts towards ending - 14

the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The Political Declaration provides a global mandate to Fast-Track the AIDS response over the next five years. These fast-tracking methods include: the provision of antiretroviral drugs on a larger scale, expanding prevention outreach; and most importantly, increasing the governmental expenditure on female education, which will eventually lead to female emancipation.

It is crucial to consider that a ma-

jor proportion of the 40% infected individuals by HIV/AIDS of the Southern African Development Community are young women.

Gender Inequality and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevent many women, particularly young women, from protecting themselves against HIV/AIDS because these women mostly have limited access to preventative measures which are applicable during copulation. A study from South Africa

Photos by: Tut MacCormac

“Too often, stigmatisation and discrimination stop young women from accessing health care, including HIV prevention and treatment services that prevent new infections” revealed that young women who experienced IPV were 50% more likely to acquire HIV than those who did not experience IPV. It is essential that a woman from Sub-Saharan Africa, where the infection is endemic, critically examines the socio-cultural dimensions of the epidemic. Critical examination in turn, requires an education. The provision of female education in the African continent is vital for female emancipation. A study of 32 countries showed that women who had some level of secondary education were five times more likely than non-literate women to have some knowledge of HIV. Moreover, illiterate women were four times more likely to believe that HIV could not be prevented. HIV prevention must therefore promote access to tailored and comprehensive HIV prevention services and education for men and women alike.

Too often stigmatisation and discrimination stop young women from accessing health care, including HIV prevention and treatment services that prevent new infections. Furthermore, the provision of HIV testing services and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to women is limited. Misunderstandings about treatment have been linked to poor adherence, increasing the chances of drug resistance and treatment failure.

In the wake of these problems, leaders who gathered at the UN’s headquarters in New York in 2016, agreed upon a key element; the UN AIDS 90-90-90 treatment target, which will set the world on course to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. This treatment plan calls for 90 % of people living with HIV to know their status, 90 % of people with an HIV-positive status to access antiretroviral treatment and 90 % of people receiving treatment to have viral suppression, which refers to a reduction in an individual’s viral load (HIV RNA) to an undetectable level. This treatment will be independent of any form of gender-bias.

Hence, the 90-90-90 treatment is being widely perceived as a ray of light in the midst of a continent of mass despair. Female education, HIV testing services and enhanced female emancipation; put forward by dismantling gender inequality and an extended provision of antiretroviral drugs can ultimately aid in eradicating the HIV virus by 2030. Protecting human rights ensures that women living with HIV come forward and access HIV services and adhere to their treatment. Discriminating against women in terms of the provision of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services is indeed a violation of a fundamental human right; their right to live.

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Paper Battleship

Take turns in trying to guess the locations of the other player’s ships on a grid.

The Rules: Each ship occupies a number of adjacent squares on the grid, horizontally or vertically.

During play the players take turns is making a shot at the opponent, by calling out the coordinates of a square (eg D5). The opponent responds with “hit” if it hits a ship or “miss” if it misses. If the player has hit the last remaining square of a ship the opponent must announce the name of the ship; eg “You sank my battleship”.

The first player to lose all their ships loses the game.

During play each player should record their opponent’s shots on the left-hand grid, and their shots on the right-hand grid as “X” for a hit and “O” for a miss:

Battleship Battleship The enemy

My ship

• 1 carrier (5 squares) • 1 battleships (4 squares) • 2 destroyers (2 squares) • 1 cruisers (3 squares) • 1 submarine (3 squares)

• 1 carrier (5 squares) • 1 battleships (4 squares) • 2 destroyers (2 squares) • 1 cruisers (3 squares) • 1 submarine (3 squares)

Give a heart - 16

The student counsil is selling hearts in the cafeteria this entire week in celebration of valentines day.

One heart costs 5kr, and 1kr will be donated to UNICEF per heart.

The hearts will be delivered thursday and friday this week with a little cookie to go with it.

We take both cash and mobilepay.