THE DELEGATE 2022

EDITOR’S NOTE:

For today’s edition of ‘The Delegate, we have a lot in store for you. First, we have interviews, written by Tahnee and conducted by Jai, lined up from the wonderful Heads of Secretariat Makaziwe Ansan and James Cryer, asking them questions like what their day looks like and what their favourite part is Then we have articles written from students from Tblisi, Georgia and Inés Chapa from Colegio Ayalde about Russian Politics in Post soviet countries and one on North Korea. We also have an article written on observations from last night’s Opening Ceremony by Tahnee and an exciting article written in 2003 alongside others. We hope you enjoy today’s edition and the rest of the conference. Have fun!

Designer Sam Alfred Editors

Mr G Moseley

- Ms O Sava

Photographer

Jaishan Jethwa

Sara Zumaran from Colegio Ayalde, Spain

Journalist

Tahnee Dione Contributions

Henry Steele President of Security Council

Mr M Tanner

Mr G Moseley

Inés Chapa from Colegio Ayalde, Spain

Kwasaki Yui and Saito Koki from Hitachi First High School, Japan

Davit Togoevi, Lizi Chkheidze, Ivane Kuljanishvili, Lizi Arkania, Sandro Sartania, Keso Petriashvili from V.Komarov School in Tbilisi, Georgia

- Alexandra Gidoiu from George Coșbuc in Bucharest, Romania

CONTRIBUTIONS:

Heads of Press

Sam Alfred

Ella Burrows

Artist -

Dora Liu - Inés Chapa from Colegio Ayalde, Spain

Interview with Heads of Secretariat: Makaziwe Ansan and James Cryer

Makaziwe Ansan

1. Why did you choose to be a Head of Secretariat?

Because I wanted to see what goes on behind the scenes

2. What is your favourite part about being a secretariat officer?

Being a delegate can be strenuous at times so it’s nice to work on my own schedule

3. What is the most important task to do as a Head of Secretariat?

Communication and not leaving tasks to the last minute.

4. What does a typical day look like to you?

Making sure both myself and peers are aware of what needs to be done for the day.

5. What has been the biggest challenge/achievement for you so far?

Biggest challenge it’s been hard communicating effectively.

Achievement successfully setting up GA ready for Opening Ceremony

6. Do you have any funny stories about MUN?

Vibing to Latin American music with secretariats and Head of Press

James Cryer:

1. Why did you choose to be a Head of Secretariat?

To help out at RRS most important conference and to meet new people. MUN has been with me since Year 8

2. What is your favourite part about being a member of Secretariat?

Being able to meet new people and making people feel at home

3. What is the most important task to do as a Head of Secretariat?

I think that the most important task is making sure that people know where to go.

4. What does a typical day look like to you?

Running around the school and dealing with any unexpected tasks.

5. What has been the biggest challenge/achievement for you so far?

My biggest achievement is becoming a Head of Secretariat.

6. Do you have any funny stories about MUN?

We were setting up crisis committee whilst playing Spanish music and dancing to it

of the war in

RUSSIA

Russian Politics in Post-Soviet countries and its influence on Moldova and Georgia

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, 15 independent countries emerged, which caused a significant reduction in the influence of Russia - the legal successor of the Soviet Union.

A great deal of the 15 countries chose the western course, resulting in Russia's constant aggression.

Russia is actively trying to restore fields of influence in the post Soviet space. The president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, believes that “the collapse of the Soviet Union was a major geopolitical disaster of the century.”

For Russia, it is crucial to regain its influence over post Soviet countries, to retain its title of Superpower in the 21st century.

Russia has always used aggressive methods, such as military attacks, provocations of internal conflicts, aiding separatist movements, and the utilization of economic levers, to increase its influence. In the last 30 years, Russia has actively manipulated occupied regions to maintain its influence over post-Soviet countries.

Russia has used similar methods in Georgia (Abkhazian and Tskhinvali Region (incorrectly known as South Ossetia) conflicts), Azerbaijan, Armenia (Nagorno-Karabakh conflict) and Moldova (Transnistrian conflict).

The main objective of this article is to research and to inform the readers about the relevance of the above mentioned conflicts in Moldova and Georgia, and to evaluate the future dangers posed by Russia which may be faced by the countries.

The research methodology was based on materials reported by these and some other western countries.

The article was written after the observation, assessment and processing of the published sources. The information provided proves that the conflicts within Georgia and Moldova are results of Russian-provoked separatist politics. The war in Abkhazia in 19921993 is clear evidence of Russian manipulations which aroused major ethnic confrontations between Georgians and Abkhazians.

After the Rose Revolution, by the decision of newly formed government, Georgia took a pro Western course, which led to retaliatory steps from Russia: “Passportization” (distribution of Russian passports to citizens of Georgia living in Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions in 2005 2011), embargo in 2005, war in 2008, recognizing Abkhazia and

Tskhinvali as independent states on 26th August 2008, climbing occupation (“borderization” process occurring by violating 6 clause treaty written in 2008 signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Georgian counterpart Mikheil Saakashvili), constructing military bases in the Tskhinvali region.

An apt example of separatist politics is the allocation of Transnistria from Moldova in 1990. Russia concentrated the pro Russian population in South Moldova, encouraged separatists and provided military assistance in order to lay the foundation to inner politic confrontation.

Regardless of these actions, Moldova still attempted to make moves towards western politics. To prevent Moldova from succeeding, Russia took following measures: imposed sanctions on Moldova, subsidized gas, demanded energy debt to be paid, and the Russian Central Bank froze Moldovan bank assets, causing Moldova to pause its attempts of taking pro-Western path.

In addition, Russia keeps the Abkhazians, the residents of the Tskhinvali Region, and Transnistrians under an unknown influence, does not give them the opportunity to develop independently, and spreads disinformation.

Today we see that Russia is trying to expand its influence in the post Soviet territories by annexing Ukraine and that raises the question as to which of the countries discussed is more threatened in the future. To answer this question, we need to look at both countries from Russia's perspective and determine their strategic value.

Factors of Russian Interests

Towards Georgia Postsoviet nation

Towards Moldova Post soviet nation

Prevention of western influence

Prevention of western influence

Creation of a buffer to NATO

Creation of a buffer to NATO

Regional control Access to the Black Sea

Maintenance of the military strategic position

Transit potential

According to the given table, during the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia has started to pay more attention to Moldova. In the case of Russia's influence, Moldova may become a military base like Belarus. On the other hand, Aggressor's failure against Ukraine may expand interest in Georgia as an alternative to Ukraine for expanded power over the Black Sea. In addition, Russia's attraction to Georgia is increased by the country's favourable geopolitical location, both in terms of control of the Caucasus and East Asian regions, as well as its transit potential. However, in case of Russia's defeat or weakening in the war with Ukraine, the mentioned states have the opportunity to solve both the separatist problems and to make an abrupt and effective integration into the European and Euro Atlantic organizations.

Asmus Ronald D. A Little War that Shook the World: Georgian, Russian and the Future of the West. Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

Brzezinski Zb. The Grand Chessboard, American Primacy and Its Geostrategic Imperative. Washington 1997.

Dura, G. The EU and Moldova’s Third Sector: Partners in Solving the Transnistria Conflict? MICROCON Policy Working Paper 14. 2010.

Weaver C. The Politics of the Black Sea Region: EU Neighborhood, Conflict Zone Or Future Security Community?

of Leicester, UK.

MUN Mystery Mishaps

Mystery One

The case of the missing placards

Someone or something is removing placards and seat flags from a number of committee rooms. Or have members of the Secretariat forgotten to print them?

Mystery Two

Who shrank the UN flag on the flagpole outside Chapel? It used to be the same size of the Union Jack but no longer. Has the school laundry washed the flag at the wrong temperature?

Mystery Three

Shocking news! Why did last night's disco finish so early? Was the fusing of lights a taste of winter blackouts to come as energy prices rise? Was it an attempt to save on the school's power bill? Will tonight's Après Ski need to find a new venue and be phased in slowly? Or should we just pull the plug on the party?

Mystery Four

What was CJ texting Anastasia during the General Assembly Opening Ceremony last night? Could he have been asking what pyjamas she was going to wear to the disco? Or was it just boring procedural matters? Why not ask him direct?

Mystery Five

What forces prevented the Rev. Padfield from lighting all six faith candles this morning in the Chapel Service? Let us hope, and pray, that his words were not prophetic!

Mystery Six

Approval Panel are still unravelling the acronym UNBODACIOUS ... United Nations Body of ............ ???

Meanwhile the proposed disbandment of NATO, is to be followed by the formation of a new body to de-escalate military conflict called PND (Post NATO Depression)!

Has Halloween come early?

Mystery Seven

Why are the Heads of Secretariat failing to agree on anything? Or is this simply a case of Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus?

World Events during RRIMUN 40

The 1990s saw a significant rise in actions taken for protection for human rights.

1990

Hubble telescope launched into space one of NASAs most successful and long lasting missions allows view of universe 1990

Intergovernmental panel on climate change released its first major scientific assessment

1990

UN forms coalition of 34 nations to liberate Kuwait in the gulf war 1990

Convention on the Rights of the Child comes into force changes how children are viewed and treated as human beings1990

UNICEF convenes the World Summit for Children, it is attended by 71 Heads of State and Government

1991

A cease fire in the 16 year long civil war in Angola is negotiated, then administered by the UN

1991

Collapse of the Soviet Union, Christmas Day, official end of Cold War

1992

FirstUNearthsummit attendedbyleadersfrom over100countries

1992

First UN Security Council summit with leaders from all 15 members in attendance is held in New York

1993

1993

Eritreanindependencewas declaredasaresultofa referendumheldwithUN verification Eritrea subsequentlybecameamember oftheUNandtheOrganisationof AfricanUnity

UN supervisedelectionswere heldinCambodia,resultingina newgovernment,andthedrafting ofanewconstitution,ending nearly15yearsofstrifeinthe war torncountry

1993

UNsfirstwarcrimescourt iscreatedtoprosecute thosesuspectedof executingmassatrocities intheBalkans

1995

Underthedominantthemeof “crimeimpedes development”local partnershipsadspresented asintegraltocrime preventionefforts.

1995

WorldSummitforSocial development(oneofthe world’slargestgatheringof worldleadersinhistoryof 117) renewsthecommitment tocombatingpoverty, unemploymentandsocial exclusion

UNturns50

1997

GeneralAssemblyadds “genderequality”to selectionprocessfor Secretary General

1995

NinthUNcrimeprevention congress Chile,Egypt,Israeland Tunisiapushforinternational cooperationagainstterrorist violence

1997

DeathofPrincessDiana worldgrieves

1996 ComprehensiveNuclear Test BanTreaty

1998 India+Pakistantested nuclearweapons

1999

Eurointroducedas Europeancurrency

1999

Theterrorismprevention branchisfoundedwithinthe UNofficefordrugsandcrime (UNODC)

Observations on Opening speeches in GA

Mr Piggin the second director of Royal Russell’s MUN opened the evening on the behalf of Headmaster Mr Hutchinson on a nostalgic note, reminiscing back to the very first RRS conference where there were no-where near the 450 delegates from all parts of the world we see at this conference. He also took time to acknowledge and appreciate the growth and successes of Royal Russell’s MUN, claiming that “one of the greatest strengths of the Model United Nations, in my opinion, is that they are student led not teacher led,” and included an amusing anecdote outlining how disastrous one other school’s conference was when teachers played all the leading roles. Mr Piggin then ended his speech complementing how beneficial these conferences are, saying that he felt “very privileged to have been involved with MUN for so many years,” describing how it offers “so many wonderful and varied opportunities.”

Continuing from the positive note Mr Piggin ended on, Ms Calvet began her speech by reiterating how beneficial MUN is for those that partake, explaining that those who have done so in the past, have now “moved on to make a real difference in the world.”

Quoting and reiterating the inspiring words of our late patron, Ms Calvet highlighted that “when life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat,” and that “words and ideas can change the world,” emphasising that “in the midst of global uncertainty, your word is needed.”

Officially, the speeches of students began with the Security Council making their statements, many of which included their stances on the environment, recovery after COVID 19 and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Notably, though unsurprising, given their detrimental combined economic loss of RM63 billion over the pandemic, Malaysia was “most looking forward to discussions of topics such as the recovery after COVID-19.”

On another note, Russia “does not apologise for our actions,” in regards to their movements against Ukraine in the recent war. This was despite knowing that this would cause significant upheaval and disapproval from many other representatives, including

but not limited to Lithuania who immediately responded asking whether Russia was indeed unapologetic for causing mass destruction, the loss of innocent lives and economic distress globally.

On a far lighter note, Norway closed their speech with a delightful poem, conveying their love for MUN, despair regarding conflict and environmental concerns and gracefully concluding with the simple line “Norway is GigaChad.”

Languages in the UN

The six official languages of The United Nations are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

English and French are the working languages of The United Nations secretariat and are used in day-to-day professional exchanges.

The United Nations hires about 120 interpreters.

At any given moment, The U.N interpretation service has a dozen interpreters working at six booths one for every official language. not to be confused with the translators, who interpret text.

Translators normally spend their first six months to two years being trained at United Nations Headquarters.

Both interpreters and translators must take multiple examinations to test both their knowledge in their languages and skills specific to their career. Additionally, they must also pass an interview.

U.N interpreters don’t need to know every official language. Rather, The U.N hires interpreters who can translate into their native language from at least two other languages.

If you have a love of languages and speak two of the six official ones of The United Nations, perhaps you should apply to work for them?

The question of North Korea

North Korea, now officially named Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPR), was founded in 1945, after World War II ended when the Japanese withdrew and consequently lost their domain over Korea. Then, in 1949 Kim Il-Sung became the first dictator of North Korea, which defined the South as democratic and capitalist, ruled by the United States, and the North as a Stalinist dictatorship.

Not satisfied with the territory limits between his side and the South’s, Kim Il Sung ordered the invasion of the South with the approval of Stalin, which started the Korean War in 1950. After three years of fighting, the War ended thanks to an armistice, but North Korea had gained no territory and stayed the same as before the War, with the exception of an incremented political, economic and social repression.

North Korea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world, now under the rule of Kim Jong-Un, the third leader of the Kim dynasty since Kim Il-Sung. Their dictatorship has from then on aggravated the previously mentioned repression by applying threats and compliance of execution, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, forced labour, and information limitation.

DPR Korea has been a member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) since 1973 but the collaborative program was for many years under national execution, which did not bring any progress or improvement to the country’s situation. In 1997, a WHO Emergency and Humanitarian Action (EHA) office was established, then followed by the establishment of a WHO Country Office in Pyongyang in 2001 to deal with the deteriorating health and humanitarian situation in DPR Korea.

However, the North Korean government is still routinely and systematically requiring forced, uncompensated labour from most of its population including women and children, executing people that try to escape the country or who communicate with other countries through Chinese mobile phone services, and arresting those who have different points of view than the ones of the party.

Since the pandemic started, North Korea maintained there had never been any Covid-19 cases in the country, while South Korean media with sources inside DPR Korea reported several deaths caused by coronavirus like symptoms. However, the pandemic was still used by the North Korean government to enhance restrictions.

According to the WHO, it has been demonstrated that it is possible to effectively implement health programs in DPR Korea in spite of the institutional and the political constraints, which does let us see light at the end of the tunnel and leave room for improvement.

Archives [Press from 2003]

Note

Last Night’s Disco

Pyjamas

TONIGHT’S