Elbmun2011

The Stream elbMUN 2011 magazine

In this edition Reports on each council Exclusive interview elbMUN election results

2 elbMUN

Sponsors of elbMUN 2011

gefördert durch den Freistaat Sachsen

Imprint Editorial board: Anna Neubauer, Annette Kammerer, Yannic Glowitz, Alexander Sacharow Layout:

Tilman Miraß

Pictures:

cover: misterqm@photocase.com, Annette Kammerer, Vladka Jelínková, Patrick Kunath,

Alexander Sacharow

blog.elbMUN.org

elbMUN 2011

Editorial 3 Honorable Delegates,

W

e ran around, trying to get the best

"The Stream" as spirited as possible. Doubtless

answers, we printed tons of paper, trying

most of the topics cover the work in the coun-

to find the most beautiful layout, we were as

cils, but also focussing on "yielding the floor" to

present as possible, trying to catch the most

those wearing the formal suits and dresses.

amazing moments. Now we proudly present the first elbMUN magazine ever!

Sincerely yours,

As the diplomatic lifestyle can be boring from time to time, we set ourselves the aim to get

Annette Kammerer | Chief Editor

Ëš Finishing the magazine at 7:27 a.m.

Contents 3 Editorial 4 Social Events 5 The Team 6 Security Council 8 ECOSOC elbMUN 2011

10 UNEP 12 Interview 14 The Huddle 15 Election Results 16 Utopia

4 Social Events Gossip in Elbflorenz

by Anna Neubauer

A

Model United Nations conference is not only about

discussing, lobbying, writing resolutions and amendments but also – and maybe this is even the major part – about socializing, getting to know new people, partying together and making new friends.

At this year’s elbMUN the participants and staff members got

˚ Culture night.

many chances to enjoy the soci-

ECOSOC’s chair David Ahrens

renzwinger" with some people

al part of the event. Already du-

put it: "Participation in the social

dressed up in traditional clothes

ring the first day the participants

events is voluntary? Well, I'll

and a presentation of a Capoeira

where spending a lot of time to-

force my delegates to be happy!

group and the band Macondo-

gether – hanging out in the park,

You know, I definitely don't want

Son. Apart from the first already

visiting Dresden-Neustadt and

to be the only one who is tired

existing couple there have been

especially during the sightseeing

and drunk the next morning."

many "approaches" and even

tour through Dresden’s historic

Even before the opening cerem-

some successful "get-togethers".

district. A special attraction was

ony officially started the parti-

On Wednesday evening we had

the amazing sunset atmosphere

cipants were chatting a lot and,

an amazing time in the pub

at the Elbe River, similar to some

of course, with the champagne

"Stilbruch" enjoying "a couple of"

romantic Italian cities in sum-

afterwards the socializing got on

beer and absinthe before going

mer. Inspired by the great mood

more easily. As a consequence

on with the pub crawl. We are

some of the participants took

the first relationship statuses

looking forward to the gossip

the initiative and went straight

were declared in the Security

happening during the confe-

ahead to one of Dresden’s va-

Council (Russia: "I'm Single...")

rence and even more for tonight

rious pubs. A good start into a

To die away the day there was a

at the elbMUN Prom.

week full of events and as the

colorful Culture Night in the "Bä-

elbMUN 2011

The team 5 Behind The Scenes Patrick Kunath co-organized this

Another moment I consider to

year’s elbMUN. He originally co-

be special, when the two kids

mes from Dresden and studies

played some jazz music during

in his hometown. The 2011 elb-

the Opening Ceremony. The first

MUN conference is his premiere

song they performed was one

on the international MUN floor.

by Horace Silver, a musician I like a lot. I had not known that

The Stream: The 2011 elbMUN

they would perform one of my

has now finished – six days

favourite songs. So it was a great

of simulation after a long and

surprise.

intense preparation. How can one imagine the organization of

Now that the week is over, what

such an event?

are your plans for the next days

Patrick: The most important

after the elbMUN? Do you alrea-

aspect when preparing the

˚ Thirsty Patrick star.

elbMUN was to start early. That’s

dy think about next year?

Since this is my last semester at

what the organizers of the 2010

a good infrastructure. In my

university, there will be many

elbMUN told us right at the be-

opinion the elbMUN is also quite

things to do in the upcoming

ginning. We tried to stick to it, to

emotional. At least I hope that

weeks, including my bachelor

take care of everything, from the

this is what participants say after

thesis. I guess that if I hadn’t

first second onwards. For sure it

the week.

these university obligations, I

never works out as you imagine

would fall into a sort of limbo,

but I am an optimist. I was con-

Were there any special moments

always waking up and thin-

vinced that it would work out.

in the past months of preparati-

king what would be next to be

on that you remember?

organized. For sure, previewing

There are more than 20 MUNs

There are two particular very

the next two days, I am looking

for students in Germany. Which

positive moments: We had dif-

forward to relaxing, sleeping and

special characteristics would

ficulties to find a venue for the

doing sports. I hope that I will

you assign to the elbMUN?

registration day. One day I had

not miss the elbMUN!

Special for Dresden is the lo-

the idea just to ask a hotel close

cation, the Saxony State Par-

to my apartment. It worked

liament, with its professional

out and I was so happy about

surrounding, the nice view and

the uncomplicated procedure.

elbMUN 2011

by Yannic Glowitz

6 Security Council

Ëš The pinnacle?

The pinnacle of international diplomacy

by Randy Carr and Jacob Romer

T

fight against terrorism. After the devastating attacks on the U.S. on September 11th, the Securi-

he Security Coun-

ty Council convened a special

cil has long been

session to deliberate on effective

known to be the

and feasible measures to bring

factual seat of power inside the

the perpetrators of the attacks

United Nations, the pinnacle of

to justice and curb terrorism

international diplomacy and,

worldwide.

more generally, the crown jewel

Ranging from the monitoring

of effective governance in the

and freezing of financial assets

post-Westphalian global system.

to streamlining cooperation

As the sole UN organ endowed

in law enforcement and legal

with the power to impose legally

proceedings, the council consi-

binding obligations on all UN

dered a wide range of measures,

Member States when acting

while being firmly committed to

under Chapter VII of the UN

maintain mutual respect among

Charter, it has, in the past days,

nations and prioritize peaceful

put itself at the forefront of the

cooperation in the war on terror.

Ëš elbMUN's next pineapple.

elbMUN 2011

7 Fear & Loathing in the Security Council Five Vetos, all alike in dignity, in fair Saxony, where we lay our scene.

From ancient grudge break to new unmoderated caucus, where civil blood makes terrorist’s hands unclean.

From forth the fatal loin of these distinguished reps, a pair of star-crossed papers take their life.

Whose misadventured piteous redundancies doth with their death bury their authors’ strife.

The fearful passage of their death-mark’d drafts and the continuance of France’s rage which, but the session’s end, naught could remove is now the three day’s traffic of our stage. ˚ The Saxon Parliament.

by Randolf Carr and Jacob Romer

Terrorisme Sans Frontières

by Florian Sonntag (HRW)

requests to impose strict sanc-

man rights? Redundant. Human

tions on every organization and

dignity? Ignored. Discussions

hat is terrorism? What

government that is found to

were held, suggestions were

does a terrorist do? And

engage in or support the terro-

made, but the NGOs were not

what can be a peaceful solution

rist attacks of September 11th,

heard so far. When this draft

by the Security Council? A lot

including, but not limited to: […]

resolution will be adopted, the

of questions, but no answers. A

freezing financial assets […]."

frontiers for terrorism might be

short conclusion of the first days

"Including, but not limited to"?

cut – but at what price? The

at elbMUN.

"Found to engage"? And this is

veto powers intend to answer

1946: A spirit of brotherhood?

not enough: The USA's proposal:

violence by using violence.

Article 1 of the Universal Decla-

"The Security Council, conside-

Perfect conditions for another

ration of Human Rights sta-

ring the use of military force as a

war. Against terrorism, maybe?

tes equal rights for all human

measure of a counter-terrorism

For sure: Sans frontières. And

beings.

strategy".

against Human Rights.

Clause 7: "The Security Council

Controversies? Definitely. Hu-

W

elbMUN 2011

8 ECOSOC

˚ ˚The The world's world's saviors. saviors.

Any productive countries?

by David Ahrens

nal corporations appears to be

will be binding, and the very first

necessary. So the ECOSOC was

preambulatory clause actually

uffering from a high

given the task to design a new

states that existing regulation

fluctuation of delega-

binding Charter for all transnati-

was considered as "sufficient" –

tes’ attendance ("I have

onal enterprises.

so it is not likely that much will

to go and save the world"-Attac)

The final resolution (approved

change.

and unwanted interruptions ("ty-

with eight votes in favour, six

The fun bit:

rannybook") while at the same

against and one abstention) is

Joining a council with the topic

time promoting a high degree of

calling for a stronger involve-

"Corporate Social Responsibility

joy; this year’s ECOSOC is pro-

ment of NGOs, and requests

and the Charge of Transnational

ving to be a successful one. But

the establishment of a new UN

Corporations" sounds as if you

let’s take one step after another.

institution which is supposed

are up to dealing with the heavy

During this year’s elbMUN, the

to facilitate spreading corporate

technocratic stuff. No military,

ECOSOC is tackling "Corporate

social responsibility. In addition

no veto powers – no fun? As

Social Responsibility and the

to this, sanctions for non-com-

a matter of fact, the predicted

Charge of Transnational Cor-

pliant actors are being taken into

collision course of rich and poor

porations". Or tries to tackle. As

consideration. The resolution

never came into being. Instead,

expected, there were broad clea-

seems to meet the demands

the ECOSOC's delegates were

vages to be found between aff-

of affected developing coun-

very eager to be friendly to

luent and developing nations. As

tries, NGOs such as Attac, and

each other. They seemed to live

the negative example of Shell’s

affluent states as well. A more

under the leitmotif: 'I don’t hurt

oversized power and influence

careful examination of this final

you – and you don’t hurt me’.

on the Nigerian state demons-

document, however, suggests

One might call it kindergarten,

trates, control over transnatio-

that little of what is discussed

but calling it German efficiency

S

elbMUN 2011

9 is also true! This, however, was

some radical NGOs. The Chair

merry and casual debate which,

restricted to work ethics – when

just happened to drink his 11th

somehow, turned out to not be

it came to being on time in the

coffee that day, and suddenly

unproductive. The delegates,

morning, the delegates ap-

the air was filled with chanting

somewhat weakened by the ab-

peared to favor singing "I want it

and red balloons. The Chair,

sence of various delegates who

that way" over surrending a few

being discovered lurking around

left towards the MUN hinterland

precious minutes of sleep.

lazily, threatened the demons-

still managed to work out a final

The Council's smooth work flow

trators, tore apart one of the

resolution.

was interrupted by a completely

posters and completely failed to

spontaneous demonstration by

restore order. The result was a

Only one balloon

by Elisabeth Börger (HRW),

responsibility and of the urgent

pact. As an example, the delega-

Kristin Lehnhardt (Freedom

need for the implementation

tes’ appetite for chocolate was

House) and

of social justice, human rights

spoiled when the delegation

Elisabeth Adler (Attac)

and democracy in a globalized

of Human Rights Watch raised

world. To express their concerns,

their awareness of child slavery

n the course of the confe-

the NGOs put up banners sta-

in cocoa production in Western

rence the non-governmental

ting "We have only one balloon,

Africa. But the NGOs did not

organizations Human Rights

continuing – it’s booming soon".

only express their protest, they

Watch, Attac and Freedom

In addition, they threw balloons

also shared their expertise and

House were able to emphasize

in the plenary chamber to sym-

initiated amendments. Never-

the importance of representati-

bolize our endangered planet.

theless, all NGOs, especially

ves of civil society in internatio-

Special attention was drawn to

Attac, were disappointed that no

nal negotiations. They reminded

certain international corpora-

legally binding international law

the delegates of the Economic

tions’ violations of fundamental

was adopted. Therefore, more

and Social Council of their

principles of the Global Com-

effort is needed in the future.

I

Close down casino capitalism.

The chair is going to ask the chair who was the chair before the chair was the chair.

"Any productive countries?" – Dead silence.

elbMUN 2011

Spain

Wischi-waschi resolution.

Chair

Attac

Quotations This resolution is complete nonsense.

10 UNEP

˚ ˚The Farmers world's in action. saviors.

Saving the Animal Farm world?

by Leonie Fasse and Hannes Felix Grosch

House quickly agreed to rein-

by the Russian Federation when

state the Chairs as the rightful

the global community decided

moderators of the Committee.

to actually do something for the

he United Nations

Overnight, a very active delegate

protection of forests around the

Environment Pro-

from the African continent crea-

globe.

gramme – an inter-

ted a breakthrough document,

After a quick recess and bilate-

national organization deeply

which wrapped up Tuesday’s

ral talks, the Russian Federation

devoted to protecting the envi-

discussions in a rather compre-

agreed to return to the negoti-

ronment… uhm, at least before

hensive Working Paper. By noon

ating table, and the day ended

ElbMUN simulated it!

on Wednesday, a consensus-

without any more éclat.

While the first one and a half

based core had been created

The next day started with an

days were occupied with an, at

and submitted to the Chairs for

apology by Russia for its behavi-

times, lengthy lobbying process,

formal acceptance as a Draft

or and a request by the Chair for

tense discussion began on Tues-

Resolution. After lunch, formal

Israel, India and Mexico to apo-

day afternoon – when some de-

debate on the Draft Resolution

logize for their partly aggressive

legations launched a coup d'état

began – and a high number

and overly informal statements.

against the Chair’s monopoly of

of amendments, and amend-

Two apologized, one did not –

formal sessions.

ments to the amendments, were

guess which one!

However, the delegates quickly

passed within four and a half

After this rather funny and partly

realized that they were too emo-

hours. One highlight of the last

pre-arranged scenario, commit-

tionally engaged to do without

session that afternoon was the,

tee work went on calmly and

a neutral moderator – and the

rather realistic, outrage displayed

productively until the Russian

T

elbMUN 2011

11

UNEP Federation submitted an amend-

soon become too small for all

With 14 countries, one Star Trek

ment which proposed adding

the people. Considering the high

fan and an animal, work con-

the following clause: Requests

birth rate in India, this was regar-

tinued smoothly and produc-

the UN to apply this resolution

ded as a serious fear.

tively, and at the end, after the

only to the Planet Earth.

The next remarkable point: After

Chairs informed the committee

The positions of the delegations

missing our Greenpeace Obser-

for the last time that animals and

split into two parties. On the one

ver the entire day, UNEP got a

NGOs were not allowed to vote,

side assembled the Star Trek

guest: The Honorable Delegate

the Delegates agreed on a good

fans with Attac as main suppor-

of Orangutan World was kind

resolution supported by almost

ter and on the other stood India,

enough to pay a visit to our

everyone!

concerned that the planet could

committee!

The Orangutan

by Paul Prashant (Attac) and

peaceful protests.

Ionna Catalina Posea (GP)

Again, Greenpeace made its point about massive deforesta-

A

s with many pre-con-

tion that leads to the extinction

ceived notions held by

of orangutans in Indonesia.

individuals, we held ours, too.

Therefore, we brought one into

But throughout the course

debate on the last day of

of the week we had to adapt

elbMUN. This action was part

different strategies in order to,

of the campaign "Choose the

first be considered credible and

right bio fuel or the orangutan

secondly to be considered diplo-

gets it", emphasizing on the

mats, rather than radical NGOs,

mass deforestation taking place

whose opinions cannot be taken

in Indonesia for growing "green

seriously and be integrated into

fuels" and thus gradually wiping

the resolution.

out orangutans.

With this in mind, we started

In conclusion, the NGOs took

the week by lobbying in favor

Ëš The victim.

away this one important less-

of bio fuels, which also aligned

lacking voting rights, we com-

on – losing the battle can be

with the interests of the NGOs

pensated this by making our

a stepping stone to winning

we represented. Even if NGOs

statements in an informal way,

the war, if only all the cards are

are subject to the drawback of

carrying out our mission by

played right.

elbMUN 2011

12 Interview Legalism can turn into ideology Günter Nooke, the German

as Egypt, Libya is much more

European delegates should have

Chancellor's Personal Represen-

characterized by a tribal com-

stated more clearly, “We do not

tative for Africa in the Federal

munity structure. The Egyptian

agree. Thanks for the hospitality,

Ministry for Economic Coopera-

history has always been marked

but we do not share your view”.

tion and Development (BMZ), on

by a state having been in exis-

I am convinced that sometimes

the Arab Revolution, democracy

tence for thousands of years,

we act too modestly and diplo-

in African countries and the thin

much longer than any European

matically. Instead of either hug-

line between economic coope-

country. There is also a diffe-

ging our partners as a beloved

ration and the acceptance of

rence between the Libyan and

cohabiter or to wage a war, we

dictatorships.

the Egyptian administration as

should be capable of showing

well as in the way of how the

autocratic leaders the boundari-

The Stream: Have you already

people at Tahrir Square demons-

es we are setting them.

tracked today’s news on the

trated peacefully, for weeks. An

Arab Revolution? The internati-

armed conflict with rebels trying

But should we not think about

onal contact group on Libya has

to bring down the government

what we did before? Many

agreed to create a temporary

is very different from this against

European countries worked

fund to assist rebel groups.

the backdrop of international

with regimes without criticizing

Mr. Nooke: I am amongst all

law. At the end of November I

them, just for making economic

those who were in favor of

participated in the summit of the

profits. They now support sanc-

Germany’s decision in the UN

African Union and the European

tions and even military actions.

Security Council not to inter-

Union in Tripoli. I also attended

Is it once more just about taking

vene in Libya militarily. The

a speech of Muammar Gadda-

an advantage?

intervention in Libya is very

fi. I am of the opinion that the

complex in terms of international law. Since France accepted Libya’s interim government in Benghazi, we are currently facing a difficult situation.

If you asked me how to act in Northern Africa now, I would underline the fact that Libya constitutes an exception. Compared to other countries such

˚ Guest speaker Günter Nooke at elbMUN 2011.

elbMUN 2011

13

Interview From the German point of view,

to democracy? To implement

ensure a fair voting procedure,

I want to stress that we have

our Western ideals that are an-

then the loser is arrested and the

not cared about Libyan rulers as

chored in democracy in states

winner is speaking in front of

much as other governments did.

shaped by a tribal culture?

everyone in the General Assem-

Of course there were German

I would like to make a distinc-

bly of the United Nations or vice

companies involved in Libya and

tion between these things. Actu-

versa if the election led to oppo-

we discussed a lot about knock-

ally they are separate topics. The

site result. Sometimes legalism

out effects, but since we are

concept of the human rights

can turn into an ideology. In my

living in a free market economy,

we are talking about is not as

opinion we should politically act

businessmen have to be free

Western as it is claimed to be. All

responsible, maybe even prag-

as well. Nevertheless this must

polls, all investigations about Af-

matically.

not be sponsored by financial

rica state that democracy is voli-

Stability is a value in itself. We

or mental aid from the govern-

tional. This is also confirmed by

need states to protect human

ment!

local surveys. I believe that we

rights. If we do not have govern-

After broadening the economic

have the right to intervene when

mental structures but only rebels

spectrum, a country widens

African governments sign hu-

assaulting villages, nobody is

their horizons for more contact

man rights conventions but do

feeling responsible – women are

– and that’s the turning point,

not abide by them. If you want

violated, little children drilled to

as we have noticed in the GDR.

to take them seriously as an

become child soldiers, the men

You only have to pay attention

equal partner they have to fol-

killed. You need some national

to the way economic benefit is

low the rules, or at least declare

structure, a good government.

shared in weak states. I hold the

why they do not agree with

To me, the Western canon of

view that Egypt is the key to a

them. Democracy is the end of a

human rights is too wide. It is

democratic and efficient Afri-

process, not the beginning. The

not fitting anymore in regard to

can continent. If the pioneering

idea to just conduct democratic

cultural diversity. But: Human

task works well, the possibility

elections and then thinking that

rights are universally valid or

that other countries will follow

the inner conflicts are solved is a

they are not valid at all.

through is more likely.

mistake. The situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Thank you Mr. Nooke for this

The focus of your work is the

in 2006 is the best example that

interview!

promotion of democracy. Is it

the Western concepts have to be

really the right way to use the

comprehended first. Otherwise

by Yannic Glowitz and

economy to open up a country

we first spend a lot of money to

Annette Kammerer

elbMUN 2011

14 The Huddle Russia to Norway: Don't touch me! Point of order. Chair: That would be a point of personal privilege. Russia: No... a point of of personal privilege would be …

Norway: Touch me!

“Fully alarmed by certain Human Rights“, China and "Let's do a quiRussia.

ckie on this clause", Russia.

The faishonable chairs you were power napping in at the Landtag, cost $ 3000 each.

elbMUN 2011

Dream couple

elbMUN 2011

Co-Chair

Chair

USA

HRW

Chair

Co-Chair

India

Israel

Chair

U

Italy

Israel

Goes for President

Mexico

Brazil

Spain

elbMUN's next topmodel º

ES

Ghana

Goes for President

Chair

China Israel S Korea

elbMUN's next topmodel º

S Korea

HRW

Russia Indonesia Russia

Most creative contribution

SC

Goes for President

Italy

France

China

Tunisia Ireland Argentina

elbMUN's next topmodel ª

Spain

France & Yannic

Iraq & SA

Best Diplomat

Most creative contribution

Ecuador

Brazil

Spain

S Korea

Dream couple

elbMUN's next topmodel ª

Chair

ISR & China

Chairs

ISR & MEX

Best Diplomat

Most creative contribution

HRW & GP

Mexico

Kenya

Israel

Dream couple

elbMUN's next topmodel ª

Iraq & US

RU & NOR

UK & France

Best Diplomat

HRW

Russia

USA

China

Election Results 15

elbMUN's next topmodel º

16 Utopia ISaving want the the world world?to be ... ... gay. [in the meaning of colorful]

Chairperson UNEP

... ready to sacrifice personal interests for the greater good – « Are you Harry Potter? » Kenya UNEP

... quoting Miss America: « without nuclear weapons and world peace. » Italy UNEP

... feministic.

Indonesia UNEP

ISaving want to thebeworld? ... ... rich – but I'm working for an NGO.

Attac UNEP

... President of the Security Council, what I am already – the most important person.

Chairperson SC

elbMUN 2011