MUNIFICENCE FEBRUARY 13, 2016 • VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 02 • PARIS, FRANCE
COSPLAY AS COUNTRIES
Can delegates be considered actors?
PEACEBUILDING
A summary of the Security Counsil's goal to establish peace in postconflict zones
MIGRANT WORKERS
Examining how the lack of human rights for some migrant workers
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OPENING CEREMONY
Some of our favorite pictures from this morning's riveting speeches
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Your SG Has a Question For You by Hamza Sait
Staff Writer
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our lifestyle is being competed for. As you read this, powerful people are actively attempting to take everything away from you. The phone in your pocket, the clothes you wear, the way you speak, the god you worship, the paper in your hand, the life you lead. These individuals have made it their lifetime goal to take everything you know away from you, and they are willing to die for it. So your SG, Chloe Olsen asks, whose version of the future is going to win? Yours or theirs? This is a high school conference. Whether you like it or not, all of us students are in the same boat, and will sail into the future… together. However, that being said, we all have a say in which direction this boat travels. We are the next generation; the actions taken by us today will dictate the
world of tomorrow. We need to fight those who wish to steer our ship into heavy storms. We need to fight those who wish to steer our ship around backwards. We need to fight anyone and everyone who opposes us moving forward. The conference was originally supposed to take place back in December. However, on Friday the 13th of November 2015, the Islamic State decided to take matters into their own hands and take our conference away from us. They wanted their version of the future to win. A future in which youth are not able to discuss and converse about issues in an open environment. But we are holding our conference anyway, because their version of the future isn't going to win. Yes, the conference was set to a later date, and yes, we didn't end up with as many participating delegates, however we, as
photo by Luigi Maruani----=
SECURITY GENERAL Chloe Olsen challencheges delegates to take onan active role in establishing whos e idea for the future will prevail
the students of the next generation are simply not going to take the actions of the Islamic State sitting down. I ask those of you who are attending this conference to appreciate the fact that your attendance is an active act of defiance against all of those who wish to take your values away from you. For that I applaud you.
"Diplomacy is too important to be left to diplomats." An Interview with the COnference's Keynote speaker by Megumi Sano
Staff Writer
photo by Luigi Maruani
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uchira Kamboj, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO-Paris, was interviewed by the MUNificence staff following her inspiring speech as this year’s Opening Ceremony keynote speaker. She shared with us her perspective as the first woman to serve as Chief of Protocol in the Indian Foreign Service. The following is an excerpt of our interview.
M.S. So, how do you think your speech went today? R.K. To be very honest, I think it hit some right notes. M.S. Has your gender in any way impacted how you were treated in the workplace? R.K. I was the first woman Chief of Protocol for the Indian Foreign Service. Being the Chief of Protocol is a very tough, demanding job. The perception was that only men could do this job. So I broke that glass ceiling as women are breaking it everywhere these days. M.S. You mentioned in your speech that “diplomacy is too important to be left to diplomats alone.” In what ways do you think we can contribute? R.K. As I have said in the speech, this world of ours is now shrinking and compacting. It’s becoming an even smaller world. [In the world of diplomacy,] some issues can be considered as ones that should be dealt with one particular country. But today, terrorism affects every country in the world. Climate change affects every country in the world. Immigration also affects many, many countries in the world, to give you just three examples. So I think now it’s not just us professional diplomats who are here to make the world a better place. It’s all of us and especially the youngsters today. We must be aware that all of these issues impact not just you in a particular country but everyone else across the globe. For example if you take climate change, it’s too important an issue to be left just to the negotiators. All of us in our individual ways can work towards creating a greener planet and we all know that. It is our world. The problems are ours. And we better take care of this planet because as they say it’s the only planet that we have. Thank you Ambassador Kamboj, it was a real pleasure to speak to you.
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February 13, 2016
PAMUN
RESCHEDULED
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by Blythe Edwards Staff Writer
ust one week before the scheduled 2015 PAMUN conference, on Friday, the 13th of November, a group of coordinated terrorist attacks stunned the world. Paris went into lock down, France declared a nationwide three month state of emergency, and responding to the resulting travel concerns from participating schools, the PAMUN organisers rescheduled the conference. Many participants felt more strongly than ever the value of participating in PAMUN where students of all nationalities come together to consider the issues facing the planet. The American School of Paris (ASP), as the hosting and organising school, and PAMUN expressed a strong commitment to moving forward in the face of obstacles and to promoting peace, justice and tolerance through international dialogue. Rescheduling the PAMUN conference for February 2015 meant adjustments. Arrangements had to be made with the conference centre. Not all participants were able to make the new dates. Previous conferences had included over 900 attendees, while the current PAMUN expects approximately 500 participants. However, smaller does not mean diminished. A pressing issue was to be certain that all of the research reports would be up to date 3 months later as the world is a fast changing place. The ASP host team needed to edit all of those reports on topics as wide ranging as human rights violations towards migrant workers and measures to reduce global warming, the later being especially work intensive as the original PAMUN date was scheduled for 2 weeks prior to the UN Paris Climate Change Conference, while the rescheduled date falls 2 months after its conclusion. Veteran host ASP, which has carried out the PAMUN for 15 years, rose to the challenge, not only from their love of MUN, but also in an effort to honour the victims of the November attacks. As Nicolas Julian, Deputy Secretary-General of PAMUN, expressed it, “Showing that we were not willing to give up in the face of terror or adversity is truly what we wish to express through this conference.” Rallying together in a spirit of unity for the cause of global peace, justice, and tolerance, this PAMUN conference promises to represent something greater than just an MUN conference. It represents the resilience of international students fighting for a better world.
MUNIFICENCE
Delegates as Actors by Karya Sezener
Staff Writer
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ights are on. Microphones are ready. The gavel is struck: Action. For the delegates it is now show time. It is time for them to forget their personal identities, and step into new shoes. It is a performance which by nature is challenging, but most definitely is worth it. The expression of ideas is a virtue that is essential to our lives. The ability to recognize one’s own thought patterns, closely held values, and core opinions on important issues is quite a central action, which by nature may appear natural or even automatic. Yet, that is not what MUN delegates do. Being a delegate means obtaining the ideas of a country or related to a certain outlook which may not be parallel to one’s own views and beliefs at all. Delegates have to forget themselves, and yet be themselves at the same time. They have to conceive what the hypothetical response of someone other than themselves would be and then deliver that with believable accuracy and genuine dexterity. Due to the debates’ argumentative nature, the speeches require persuasiveness and ingenuity which can only be attained by genuine interest and seeds of belief. Hence, they have to make themselves believe what they are saying even if they otherwise would not. All of these processes are quite similar to the production of plays and “fictional” literature. Authors and playwrights impact the world by presenting fictional versions of reality. Yet, the allurement in theatre lies not in its fictional nature, but in its hypothetical
nature. The events portrayed are occurrences that could take place inside the borders of definitive societal conditions and values of the particular time. Hence, these hypothetical representations end up revealing truths about the society that belongs in the “real world”. A great theatrical revealer is the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Being the second most performed playwright in the world (right after Shakespeare), he wrote many plays reflecting particularly on gender roles in society. His landmark play A Doll’s House was one of the first works of acted texts that overtly expressed defiance to gender norms, and on a grander scale, the state of the society. This opposition created immediate controversy but in the long run greatly impacted core changes in the society and instigated a metamorphosis in societal values. Ibsen’s success serves to be an exemplar of societal change. MUN’s power in provoking change lies in a similar principle: the delegates are actors. Some principles of acting are that one needs to be comfortable and refrain from being tense, have a lucid idea of who the character is and a perfect focus on the present moment. All of these principles are helpful tips for any delegate. Moreover, what differentiates MUN from UN is the very element of roleplay. MUN has a fundamental difference from the UN: all discussions are rooted in the undeniable fact that they belong to a certain fabricated vision. If the whole vision is a grand play, the formal attire is the costume, the sophisti-
cated language is the style of the playwright, the chairs are the directors and the delegates are the actors that bring it all alive, bring heart to the whole conversation. “Being a delegate is cosplaying as countries” says Eren Günes, delegate of Kenya in DISEC, thereby adding that this central role-playing procedure adds a profound emotional dimension. It is entertaining, challenging and empathy broadening. The delegate of Uruguay in Disarmament committee says, “It’s eye opening to understand other opinions than one’s own.” The process is most definitely transformative, both for the individual and the society. Referring to the speech of the Secretary General during the opening ceremony, an incredibly important question is whose version of the future is going to play? By its theatre-like nature, MUN answers this question brilliantly: all of us’. Everyone in this conference plays a key role in the production of our grand play and in the long-run the grander global performance. Lights are turned off. Microphones have been removed from the electricity sockets. The actor-delegates are heading out with the knowledge that they were simultaneously themselves and a country today. They move out of the conference hall, realizing that their double-identity truth stands. In the global performance stage, they remain to simultaneously be themselves and a player in the ever-changing, ever-evolving-- Reality of our world.
photo by Luigi Maruani
February 13, 2016
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MUNIFICENCE
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An SG's Rise to Power
An Interview with our SG, Chloe Olsen bySvenya Braich
Staff Writer
SB: What are the most stressful part about a conference this size? CO: I think when you have so many delegates, it becomes difficult to ensure that everyone has a good time, and so we as the executive team put our faith in the chairs. Right now we're working on the Chair workshop, and I love each and every one of the chairs, and I have no doubt that I can rely on them to make sure that the delegates have a good time. SB: What's your favorite part of your role? CO: I think there are a lot of different things that I like being SG, you have the ability to influence others, and the fact that you are giving this amazing opportunity to give a speech in front of 500 people (usually 1000) about any topic you'd like, you really have the liberty to take your speech wherever you want to go with it, which is really an amazing opportunity to be able to say these things to these people, and to inspire them just like previous SG’s have inspired me. SB: How did you deal with the change in venue and the rescheduling? CO: The first thing that happened actually, was that we lost one of our DSG’s, because he ended up moving to the United States, but he applied to be a chair and we were more than happy to accept him, but we were very sad to loose him as a DSG, and I told myself that that was going to be the only hiccup of the conference, because every conference has hiccups, and this was mine. However, not even a few months later, we lost UNESCO. It was a really big setback for me, because I had always envisioned myself standing up on the UNESCO stage giving my speech, but then again, a characteristic of a strong leader is being able to adapt, and I feel as though we are finally able to find another location that is stunning, we have an art nouveau building, and a medieval monastery, and every one seems to be pleased. SB: How did you start with MUN? I started in 4th grade I was an admin at my brothers conferences and I remember thinking that everyone there was just so smart and confident, and then once I got into middle school, I was too nervous to join MUN, because I thought that there was no way that I was smart enough. In 7th grade I finally got the courage to join, and I ended up winning best delegate in my committee and in 8th grade I had climbed all the ranks of MUN. But then I got to high school, and I had to start all over. So in 9th grade I was a delegate again, in 10th grade I was an advocate for the ICJ, last year I was a DSG, and now I have to honor of being SG.
Peacebuilding in Post-Conflict Zones: The UN's Core Mission Reintegration Commission by Lea Moukanas
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Staff Writer
ar – famine and poverty ensuing – have been ravaging our world since the dawn of time. Yet, building and maintaining peace in post-conflict zones is an even more complicated process that clutters and shambles numerous countries in the world. Created in 1970s, peacebuilding became a key concept with the United Nations at the turn of the twenty-first century to prevent the recurrence of violent conflict. To the UN, it is crucial to identify its root cause and create a societal expectation of peaceful conflict resolution in order to achieve lasting peace and stabilize society politically and economically. In 2000, the Brahimi Report defined the United Nation Peace Operations as “activities undertaken on the far side of conflict
to reassemble the foundations of peace and provide the tools for building on those foundations something that is more than just the absence of war.” To do so, the United Nation’s Peace Building Commission (PBC) supports peace efforts in countries emerging from conflict and sets peacebuilding priorities. First, to assure and enhance peacebuilding is to stabilize the post-conflict zone. United Nations set the disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) activities that have become crucial components to bring a favorable climate to peace, both short and long term. For instance, the United Nations’s DDR plan is active in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Rwanda. Jean Sayingoza, Chairman of the Rwanda Demobilization and
(RDRC) states that their “program, which includes counselling, financial support, skills training, and education, has been a key factor in the pursuit of peace and stabilization in the Great Lakes Region.” Second, to efficiently build peace in post conflict zones is restoring the state’s laws, basic facilities, legitimate institutions, and public infrastructures. For instance, the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (ORLSI) focuses on establishing durable peace through justice and security. Finally, besides establishing a stable environment and restoring core laws to a solid nation, the United Nations have to handle social and economic issues to guarantee the country’s development on a long term basis. This third dimension to building efficient
photo by Caroline Klaey
peace can vary, depending on the countries, from trauma and community counselling to promoting economic development without forgetting to develop environmental awareness. In accordance with the 1945 charter of the United Nations, the UN has the heavy, yet substantial role to build peace in post-conflict zones. However, creating a stable environment, legitimizing official institutions, and ensuring socio-economic development are long processes and the expected results are not immediate. Countries, along with the security council, have to dedicate more funds to accelerate and maximize the impact of the resolutions.
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February 13, 2016
MUNIFICENCE
Migrant Workers: What Rights do They Really Have?
by Blythe Edwards
Staff Writer
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very forty eight hours, one migrant worker died in Qatar in 2014 (as estimated by The International Trades Union Confederation). Indeed, working conditions for poor migrant workers around the world are often considered unacceptable by international standards. Coming mostly from South East Asia and Africa, these people are frequently subjected to sexual violence, unpaid wages, unsanitary living conditions or dangerously long working hours. The Gulf states are usually those most criticised for their migrant worker abuse cases. Due to the region's rapid urban development, Gulf states need to import foreign labour from other countries if they are to build the soaring buildings that form their new skylines. The majority of workers come from poor regions in an effort to earn higher wages than are available in their home countries, much of which are sent back as remittances to support their families. Foreign workers are much more likely than domestic workers to be abused by their employers who may take advantage of their inferior legal status. When Qatar was declared as the 2022 host of the football FIFA World Cup, the international media turned a spotlight to the issue of migrant worker rights. The International Trades Union Confederation (ITUC) has predicted that around 4000 migrant workers will die during constructions for the World Cup. However, the BBC in investigating the claims noted that the ITUC estimates count the deaths of workers in any line of work and from any cause despite the fact that a third of migrant workers in Qatar don't work in construction. The number must also be considered in the context of the size of the migrant worker population (an estimated
1.4 million). The Indian Government has said in a press release: "Considering the large size of our community, the number of deaths is quite normal". However, while the ITUC's publication "The Case Against Qatar" may be alarmist in its use of the number of deaths, it does highlight the vulnerability of poor migrant workers in foreign countries who may not have the education, language skills, or legal standing to exercise their rights. The Middle East is not alone in its record of migrant worker rights abuses. As Claire Janda (delegate representing Angola) reminded “It's really important to consider that this is a widespread issue. It is happening in the Middle East, but it is also happening in the United States. So it's something that really covers a lot of territory and it's not just concentrated in one place�. The United States is home to millions of undocumented (mostly Mexican) agricultural and domestic workers who are often sheltered in substandard conditions, underpaid, and working illegal hours. Domestic Workers United conducted a survey that found 23% of workers surveyed were paid less than the minimum wage and 10% of US domestic workers reported that employers had not paid them some or all of their wages due. In the PAMUN review of the issue, delegates must be careful to approach the issue with migrant worker interests in mind. If stronger laws dictating working conditions are to be enforced, many low skilled labourers may lose their jobs and may have to return to their home countries where employment opportunities may be even worse which is what drove them to become migrant workers. One issue that stands out as particularly open to change is the system of ‘Kafala' which requires workers immigrating to
Qatar or the UAE to hand in their passport to their employer who applies for a work visa on behalf of the migrant worker. Kafala ultimately makes employees dependant on their employers for authorisation to leave the country. which undermines worker independence and may in fact make the migrant workers as vulnerable to employer abuse as the illegal aliens in other countries. Kafala must be seriously reviewed or even abolished. The UN must also work to educate and raise awareness for the issue at hand. Countries should be encouraged to be transparent about their immigration and work visa programs so that potential migrant workers understand the system which they are entering by accepting a job in the foreign country and what their rights are as a migrant worker. The UN can also urge countries to consider stronger laws that will protect migrant workers. Likewise freedoms of association and recognition of workers unions could strengthen migrant worker's ability to protect their rights. Whether or not Qatar is guilty of the ITUC's accusation that it is "a country without a conscience", it is not alone in needing migrant workers for its economic growth, as well as having serious issues to address to verify that those migrant workers have adequate legal protections, thus insuring a just system. The UN should consider the plight of migrant workers generally and with a view towards encouraging more economically developed countries that need migrant workers to establish a legal framework for those men and women to have access to the employment they seek without having to risk employer abuses against which they have no legal protections.
MIGRANT WORKERS working at Kirby Farms in Mechanicsville, VA on September 20th, 2013 hand-pick sweet potatoes and sort them according to size. Photo by Lance Cheung
February 13, 2016
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MUNIFICENCE
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Tackling Income Inequality in the USA by Kathleen Falconer
Co-operation and Development- countries, the United States has one of the five highest discrepancies when it comes to this gap in central concern of MUN is to estab- wealth. On an individual basis, income levels lish how parity can be achieved in a can be relatively fluid. Half of American’s are variety of cases. Often, this manifests expected to have at some point fallen below itself as trying to bring LEDCs up to the same ‘standards’ as more economically developed countries. However this year’s delegates of ECOSOC have been tasked with reducing income inequality in developed nations. Income equality may sound like a goal all would be willing to reach. However, as hinted to by the simple fact it is a topic of debate at MUN, it is not nearly as straightforward as one might think. Income inequality is worth having, isn’t GRAPHIC symbolizing the prominent wage it? Whilst there is an argument stating that gap between men and women. (Graphic the wealthy are entitled to money they have designer unknown) earned, economist and professor at Sheffield University, Philip Badger, in an article for the poverty line by the time they are 60. On Philosophy Now, states that a person's eco- the other hand, 53% of American’s are also nomic standing may be due to factors such as expected to spend one year in the top 10 perinheritance rather than this perceived notion of centile (Fortune). merit. Likewise, it would be far too simplistic The problem is far more evident when and frankly ignorant to assume a person less looking at the trends of income by generawell off is such due to their inability to ‘put the tion. According economists at St. Louis Fed’s work in’. Thus we conclude income inequality Center for Household Financial Stability, is certainly a topic worthy to be discussed. the likelihood of a person over 60 having a An intrinsically interesting topic, it is made net worth of one million is 1 in 7. For those even more so by the steps it takes to dispel under 40 it drops to 1 in 55. Philip Longman the fallacy that is ‘developed’ countries. There for Washington Monthly elaborates on this really is no such thing, rather all nations are by explaining that whilst historically there developing in one aspect or another and will has always been a large, this used to be as a continue to do so until the very end of time result of generations being better off than their itself. predecessors. This is no longer the case. Of the OECD- Organisation for Economic When asked what issues he foresaw that Staff Writer
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would prevent finding a resolution for the US, Alessandro Casino- United States delegate for ECOSOC- was very clear. “The fundamental issue I see as a delegate of the United States is that the US will receive a lot of opposition from countries that have more socialist or egalitarian policies. Although the US has a president that would like to lower [the gap], it conflicts with their capitalist and free market economy. The major difference is the split between congress and the president over this issue. I believe, due to the corporate nature of the US, it has extreme troubles in lowering the wealth inequality. My view on the matter is actually quite a vague one, I believe the US has to promote economic growth and income inequality at the same time, which is close to impossible. Whereas countries like Sweden and Denmark and more socialist countries would obviously be willing to limit the power of some corporations.” Having looked at the statistics on the issue and understanding the complexity of the political landscape the USA faces, it would follow that the US is likely to be the developed country in which inequality is hardest to combat. Alessandro would certainly agree, “Yes it is the hardest to tackle because it’s trying to keep both growth and wealth equality.” One can only hope that through debates such as these, we may inch, however, slowly towards such standards as held by Sweden and Switzerland. Contrary to what the name would suggest, developed does not, and should never mean stagnant.
THE OPENING CEREMONY
All opening ceremony photos by Caroline Klaey and Luigi Maruani
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February 13, 2016
MUNIFICENCE
Capitalism: the Real Culprit by Caitlin Fowlds
Staff Writer
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alking through the PAMUN conference this weekend, one can see the affluence that capitalism has brought to many. Students go shopping before the conference, buying new suits, dresses and shoes to parade down the halls. I received frantic text messages from my fellow delegates’ pricey phones, as they sifted through wellstocked closets to find the perfect outfits. Since capitalism took over, people seem to have more stuff. Economists worldwide have applauded Capitalism for the increase in America’s, and other countries’ GDP, as well as the freedom experienced by consumers. Some of our
world’s leading countries, such as Germany, the United States, China, India, and Japan implement this system. But how effective will Capitalism be after the ideology has caused our planet’s destruction? Unsurprisingly, the five countries which emitted the most Carbon Dioxide for trade reasons in 2011 (China, USA, EU28, India, Japan and Russia, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)) all have capitalist markets. Other than China, these countries have higher consumption-based emissions rather than production-based. This is because of the capitalist regime in the countries.
Social psychologist Tim Kasser, PhD, of Knox College in Galesberg, III, stated, " [America’s] form of capitalism encourages materialistic values.” We now have enough money to demand the best of everything: shoes from Italy, cars from Germany, watches from Switzerland, cheaper goods from China. While a free-market economy allows people to buy these goods, Earth’s temperature will continue to rise. According to The Telegraph, Instagram’s most-followed accounts (an indicator of which people and lifestyles are idolized) in 2015 included celebrities such as the Kardashian sisters, Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj. Natalia Goloskokova, Marketing Strategist,
states that countries with the most Instagram users include the US, Russia, and the United Kingdom capitalist countries. Isn’t it sad that these people - all of whom represent wealth and materialism - are the icons in capitalist societies? Once you’ve spent millions on luxury goods (the importation of which has taken a massive toll on the environment), you’ve made it. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that 15 percent of the US’s carbon dioxide emissions are generated by industry, while another 31 percent is generated through transportation. With other capitalist countries displaying similar figures, it is clear that a free-market industry is a significant
contributor towards the expected global temperature rise of around 2.4-6.4 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, states the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Despite its many flaws, there is currently no obvious alternative to capitalism. Therefore, to begin to combat the rising of the earth’s temperature, I would urge you to cut down on the quantity you buy; however, this would be hypocritical as I too am greatly materialistic. Greed is a natural human trait. Nevertheless, it is evident that the only way global warming can be prevented is by reducing emissions, and this will not happen under our current system.
All the World’s A Stage When You’re Moving Drugs by Sonja Milekovic
Staff Writer
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|ost know of the “war on drugs” that was initiated by Richard Nixon during his famous speech in 1971. However, little has been done recently to make this war significant and effective. The mission of the Disarmament Committee this year will be to tackle the issues associated with the narco-trafficking cartels in Latin America. In the coming months, the UN General Assembly will hold a Special Session on World Drug Problem. It will look to solve the main issue of narco-trafficking by focusing on the routes, violence and government corruption. The reforms will focus on stopping the distribution and export of two main drugs: cocaine and marijuana. Finally, the delegates will focus on the harmful health, economic and social effects of these drugs worldwide. The origins of narco-drug trafficking come from the obvious: the cartels. One could compare them to Hydra: if one head is chopped off, two grow back in its place. While the delegates will try to tackle this issue in an innovative way, they will have to look towards more than just
DRUG TRAFFIKING Dollar bills depicted with pills used to symbolize the occurrence of drug trafficking
shutting down the cartels themselves. Therefore, their creativity and ingenuity will be tested in the coming days. Many will approach the multitude of pathways at their disposal in order to demonstrate their aptitude and abilities. One hopes that they will discuss the issue of drug trafficking routes, the violence associated and the government corruptions: all issues at the core of the narco-drug trafficking in Latin America. While many will be quick to judge the United States of America for many issues, they will have to keep in mind that the USA has been making progress in their attempts to lower the illegal possession of marijuana by creating a social experiment of Colorado. While the experiment has worked in some ways, it has not been ef-
fective as a whole. The Global Commission’s Policy on drugs from 2014 has recently stated that the reforms around the world are “moving from the realms of theory to practice.” While reading this report, it seems to make the situation better, but delegates only slightly agree. Thomas Hillenmeyer, a delegate of India in the Disarmament Committee says that “the situation in India for addiction has been getting worse and worse. The smugglers are finding new and spectacular ways to get the drugs across the border. India has several authorities put in place such as Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chennai as an effort to stop these organizations from doing their work.” While many governments are attempting to find
ways to stop drugs, it is difficult with the sheer volume of cartels working against the government authorities. The former president of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso is currently the chair of this global commission states that the reforms must be “bold but pragmatic” which relates much to the “endeavour” as our SG Chloe of this year’s PAMUN conference: sustainability vs. development. Although the two seem very difficult to balance, it will be the challenge of the delegates to create a scale to which the MUN will agree. As the issue rises in importance, the delegates will move with a sense of urgency, as there is no easy answer to this complicated situation. Much effort will be needed from all involved in order to create an environment that will produce ideas that will further develop the issues towards a sustainable future that will benefit all. The Global Commission’s Policy recommends that health and safety be put as the fundamental core of the policies and that those who are innocent and affected by the drug trade receive access to essential medicine. The delegates will rise to the challenge with grace and poise as they attempt to solve the world’s drug problems.
February 13, 2016
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MUNIFICENCE
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From Sandstorms to Rainstorms by Oksana Nikitenko
Staff Writer
As our generation is referred to as “the citizens of the world”, travelling and experiencing different cultures is definitely a part of our lives. When travelling from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Paris, France one experiences a culture shock and it takes some time to adapt, after which even the immediate contrast in weather conditions seem normal. Apart from the obvious differences in language, food, and culture, there are several other things that catch the eye of a non-Parisian. One of the most apparent differences is how the Parisians act towards one another, or more specifically tourists. Everyone is always in a hurry to be somewhere and they have no time to lose. When walking down a street admiring the distinct architecture of French buildings, one’s focus would be interrupted by a “pardon” or “excusez-moi” from someone wanting to pass you because you are blocking the narrow sidewalk. Close physical contact does not seem to be a problem for Parisians, and the ease with which couples show their affection to each other in public is an unusual sight for people from a conservative country such as the UAE. Kisses that last for more than approximately three seconds are seen as inappropriate in a public setting and are frowned upon there. There are also restrictions regarding clothing, its length, and how much it reveals. Considering the fact that the UAE is a Muslim country, it is understandable why booty shorts and a low cut tank top are seen as inappropriate. Since
photo by Oksana Nikitenko
the majority of the population of Dubai is made up of, it is important to respect the host country's culture and traditions. Subsequently, the weather conditions also influence the type of clothing people wear. As Paris has four seasons per year with vast changes in temperature, it is required to have clothing for each; whereas, in Dubai you know it is “winter” when you have to wear a jacket and long pants outside versus shorts and a t-shirt. Lana Dardari, a student from Dubai American Academy, representing the United Kingdom in the Human Rights Committee, commented, “I have to wear three layers under my coat because I am not used to the cold. But it does get more tolerable the longer I stay here [Paris]”. When comparing Dubai and Paris as cities and their policies, they seem to be almost at two ends of a spectrum. Several apparent examples are the abundance and the ease with which one can get substances. It seems like every other person in Paris smokes, a surprising amount of teenagers do too, and you can do it anywhere. Whereas in Dubai smoking cigarettes is not as common, possibly because locals prefer shisha, people under the age of 18 cannot buy cigarettes, and each public area prohibits smoking inside, and thus provides specific areas. Additionally, the ease with which people are able to purchase and consume alcohol in Paris is drastically different from Dubai. One must attain a liquor license to legally purchase alcohol, or go to a hotel, bar, or club, where one must present an ID to verify your age. Consequently, if someone is caught drunk driving they will either have to pay a hefty fine, or could possibly be
deported or go to prison. In general, Dubai is better maintained. It is very clean and both the lack of cigarettes on the sidewalks and the perfectly trimmed bushes and regularly watered palm trees and flowers only emphasize this truth. The lack of graffiti on walls does make the city more visually pleasing; however, the abundance of graffiti in Paris is oddly refreshing as you realize that people have the freedom of speech and are not censored by their government. Not only does it become a component of the mesmerizing atmosphere of Paris, but it adds authentic art that people can appreciate while walking through the streets. Moreover, the lack of huge billboards adds to this atmosphere as well. There are no companies trying to convince you that you need those new Adidas shoes, or that you should attend yet another concert, unlike in Dubai. However, one thing that does catch the eye, that is not visually appealing, is the amount of homeless people walking around or sitting and begging for money in Paris. It does evoke a certain amount of pity, and perhaps even empathy, but all in all it is not necessarily a pleasant experience interacting with them if you do not choose to give them money. Regardless of the cultural, socio-economic, geographic, and political differences that divide the two cities, there is no doubt that both metropolises are architectural and cultural feats, that demand the attention of the entire world.
photo by Sofia Camacho
TALE OF TWO CITIES both Dubai and Paris are known for their beautiful architechture, notably the Burj Khalifa and the Eiffel Tower
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February 13, 2016
features
MUNIFICENCE
The Youngest DSG at PAMUN XV An Interview with Nick Julien by Svenya Braich
Staff Writer
SB: What is the most stressful thing about a conference this size? NJ: Probably getting everything set up and getting preparing everybody for the conference. It was also incredibly stressful to deal with the rescheduling, even though Reshef worked on that more than we did, it's still a really stressful environment to be in, specifically seeing him working with all the changes, and the state that he was in. SB: What's your favorite part about your role as DSG? NJ: I enjoy the responsibility. I enjoy the influence that I can have on the other delegates, and that they can look up to me, because I respect all of the effort that they put into their work and I really like to be able to serve as a leader for them. I also enjoy being able to work with these amazing people and to be able to talk about these incredibly important issues and to be able to make a difference. SB: How did you deal with the venue change and the rescheduling? NJ: We knew pretty early on that we would not have UNESCO so that was something that we had a lot of time to deal with, and of course there's a monetary side to all of this, as our new venue is considerably more expensive, which is why we had to cut off the social event and the provided lunches to break even, which we will have to do next year as well, however we hope to get UNESCO back for PAMUN 17. Personally, the hardest thing about the rescheduling, was making sure that everything was current, because the issue is that we wanted to make sure that all of the topics would still be relevant today when they will be debated. For example we have our special conference COP 21, and the beauty about our original date was that it was two weeks before the big conference, and so it was relevant, but now two months later, it's not as prevalent. However, we chose not to cancel the event, not only because we had put so much work into it, but also because the issue of the environment will always be relevant.
GAME CORNER
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