THE DAILY
No. 2
SAIMUNER Tuesday, June 20th 2017
www.saimun.net
The 4 ‘Es’ That Will Steer SDGs in Africa By Naomi Wanjiku
“Sub Saharan Africa loses 95billion dollars every year only because of gender inequality,” said Mr Seed. He went on to say that the only way we can solve that is by working together as a globe and empowering both genders equally. Given that every year 1million Kenyans and 100million Africans join the workforce, African nations should make sure that they develop themselves economically and hence ensure equitable growth in their countries. Ali Mohsin l PHOTO
Siddhart Chatterjee, UNON Resident Coordinator giving his speech during the openeing ceremony
Mr. Siddhart Chatterjee graced the SAIMUN opening ceremony yesterday. The event was graced by more than 300 delegates, both international and local at the UNON. “The median age of Kenya is 18, the median age of Africa is 19.1, which basically means that you represent that median age across Africa. This is the greatest opportunity Africa has ever had,” said Mr Siddhart Chatterjee, the Resident Coordinator of the UN (United Nations) office in Nairobi. In a key note speech at the opening ceremony of the SAIMUN (Sub-Saharan International Model United Nations) conference at UN – Gigiri, Mr Seed encouraged the youth dominated delegation to promote the development of sustainable goals through 4 mnemonics – Education, Equality, Employment and Equity.
“When you see young people getting radicalized or joining extremist groups, particular segments of society are being left behind,” said Mr Seed. But through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for example SDG 4 – access to education, SDG 3 – universal access to healthcare, SDG 5 – Gender equality, there is equity and hence nobody is left behind in the process of growth. Mr Seed advised the delegates present to achieve the SDGs through inclusion of all people, making sure there is no inequality, ensuring the society contributes to the growth process, and engaging in dialogue with the civilizations and various communities to understand the complexity of the environment.
According to Mr Seed, who is also the head of UNDP (United Nations Development Program) in Kenya, education contributes to the development of an economy. This is because, one is able to acquire skills which enable them to be part of the workforce thus contributing to the GDP (Growth Domestic Product) of a country.
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Delegates at the SAIMUN opening ceremony yesterday keenly listening to the speeches
2 THE GREEN CITY UNDER THE SUN
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
Nairobi Series: Malls, changing the skyline
By Savita Toor Like in many of Africa’s sprawling cities, Nairobi has experienced the mall culture for years and for the growing middle-class of these cities, malls are known as the hubs of entertainment and social interaction.
In the nineties, Nairobi was categorized by quiet, uninterrupted leafy suburbs and bungalows that stretched on as far as the horizon, and whatever the eye could see. Shopping malls were never places to go and hangout and eat – they were more so vestiges of serious businesses. Business men took advantage of the situation and created malls in a unique way that enticed recreational uses of the malls as well. Some of the recently opened malls in Nairobi are; The Two Rivers Mall, Garden City Mall, The Hub Karen and many more. Two Rivers Mall is not only the biggest mall in sub Saharan Africa but also has an eco-friendly environment alongside unique feature. This project sits on a Mega 110 acres with the mall itself taking up just 11 acres. Here are some of the unique features of the mall that you should know; It is an eco-friendly mall that is not only between two rivers but also covered with enough trees. In addition to the already existing green cover and rivers the mall has planted more trees more than any other mall not only to beautify the mall but also to protect the environment from excessive pollution. The mall has shown absolute independence from the rest of the city with an aim of it being a city of its own. The mall has led to the finishing of many projects including proper road networks where they have constructed their own roads to avoid their clients getting stuck in traffic. Itsupplies its own electricity. The roof is covered with hundreds of solar panels that back up the load needed at the Mall. The water is supplied by the Two Rivers Water Supply Project. How much more independent can a mall get? No other mall has such accomplishments. As if that’s not enough, the Chris Kirubi Square is made up of a magical walk over to the entrance of the mall as car users are below the walk over so no collision and eliminated accident possibilities. The square is blessed with a magical dome that
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Two Rivers Mall, teh biggest mall in Sub-Saharan Africa
illuminates with brilliant colors later in the night that illuminate it beautifully. A mall is a mall right? And in every mall you expect to find Shops, offices, service amenities, restaurants, lifestyle outlets here and there, right again? The Hub Karen has a little extra to offer in terms of defining the shopping experience in Kenya. The Hub Karen, an European style two storied mall that opened its doors to the public in February 2016, has been described as “the mall that is changing the face of Retail”. Here’s why: The Hub Karen boasts a 2000sqm open-air Piazza with a clock tower at the heart of the development which gives it a European vibe. The outdoor, liberating feel of the mall allows the kids to enjoy their time at the mall. It opens a wide range of activities through which kids are allowed to fully utilize the space as they are allowed to ride and enjoy their hover-boards and skateboards making their experience at the mall worthwhile. It presents them with the perfect opportunity to socialize and have fun too. It is also open for a host of activities over the weekends. Free Wi-Fi Being a visitor to the mall comes with internet benefits which is a first in Kenya. The Hub Karen mall is host to the first Carrefour Hypermarket in East Africa. Funscapes is a flagship family entertainment zone designed especially for a younger generation.It is a child-friendly amusement zone with an Octopus ride and a Magic carpet ride among others to be enjoyed. The Planetarium is the very first theatre dedicated to astrology ‘edutainment’. To add to the uniqueness of the mall you may also get to enjoy lakefront restaurants and food court outlets that will give you a fresh experience altogether.
CONFERENCE NEWS
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
Secretariat Interview: Leah Gitahi USG Head of Protocol
By Julie Ambani
TDS: Hi Leah! What is your role as part of the SAIMUN organizing committee? LG: I am the Under Secretary General Conference Director. TDS: What does being the conference director entail? LG: My work as a conference director is to basically ensure that before the conference all the delegates have their badges and that they are
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in their respective committees. I also ensure that protocol is in every room offering assistance where necessary and that they coordinate the smooth running of each committee session. Added to that, I move around and assist with the planning of the socials. TDS: Is this your first MUN conference to participate in? LG: I have participated in several MUN conferences including the Kenya MUN and so far SAIMUN has been the climax of them all. All these MUN conferences are forums of learning opportunities and I have gained much knowledge by attending them. TDS: What parting shot would you give to the delegates attending this SAIMUN conference?
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Leah Gitahi, USG Head of Protocol at UNON grounds
LG: I would advise everyone attending the SAIMUN conference to have fun. This is a forum where one is able to discover new potential within them. I’d encourage everyone to mingle and socialize with everyone as it is a way of getting new connections and expanding one’s network. Basically, enjoy yourself!
Welcome Dinner: Great Food and Conversation By Soila Kenya Delegates headed to Nyama Mama yesterday after the first day of the conference. It was a time to wind down and relax after a tough day of debating. The bus left for the venue with the excited delegates on board. Nyama Mama management were ready for us and we quickly got settled in. The setting was intimate with long tables, giving a feel of dining room. Whichever table you were on , you were surrounded by a rich, diverse group of people. “Though I didn’t socialize much, the people were friendly and nice. Plus the place is pretty and the food was great!” said Lorraine Kogei, a delegate in the Crisis Committee. Though the food took some time to come, it was was great, as Lorraine professed. Delegates enjoyed platters of juicy chicken, spicy fries, mukimo, scrumptious ribs and pilau.
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Delegates enjoying their dinner at Nyama Mama
The delegates were also on time for the restaurant’s Happy Hour, and so enjoyed a wide variety of small eatables and exotic drinks. The main organizer of the event, Faith Ndanu, was happy with how it turned out. “I think we’re setting standards,” she said. “Though teh food took a while, I beieve people enjoyed theor food. For an MUN event, it was a good start. I look forward to better and better events as the week goes on.”
4 COMMITTEES
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
SOCHUM: Children Trafficking and Sexual Tourism
By Kefa Odindo
From all the countries that participated in the debate, there were some common concerns, such as the various causes that lead to child trafficking, the major ones being poverty, drug addiction, and psychological problems among others. The solutions proposed basically cut across the entire delegation. Some of the common solutions were such as creation of public awareness, rehabilitation of those affected, mostly street children among others.
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Delegates from the SOCHUM Committee during yesterday’s session
Sex tourism is travel to engage in sexual activity, particularly with prostitutes. The World Tourism Organization, a specialized agency in the United States, defines sex tourism as “Tips organized within the tourism sector, or outside the sector butt using structures and networks, with the primary purpose of effecting commercial sexual relationship by the tourist with residents at the destination. Children trafficking on the other hand is the involvement of minors (Below 18 years) in commercial sex. The SOCHUM committee at the SAIMUN conference had over 70 delegates from their respective countries were present and voting in this debate. The chair embarked on the roll call, and then later called for those to be added in the speaker’s list. Delegates representing Zambia, Denmark, S. Africa, Senegal, Syria and Sudan were among those added in the speakers list.
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A delegate from the SOCHUM Committee yesterday afternoon
Saudi Arabia however had an outstanding counter measure, to allocate up to $3Billion towards fighting the vice in the country. The debate went on but had to be cut off before conclusion due to the interest of time. The first agenda, Child trafficking, was not fully exhausted in discussion, and thus chair pushed the motioned to be discussed to conclusion on the 20th as the second agenda, sex tourism, is introduced to the floor.
The delegates that took the floor mostly gave their opinion on where their respective countries stood as far as child trafficking and tourism was involved. It was agreed by consensus that this is an act that does not go online with humanitarian practices. “We should identify the problem and tackle it from the point it hits us most,” the delegate from Senegal stated. The chair opened the floor for respective delegates to push motions of discussing. Tanzanian’s motion discuss the causes of child prostitution was passed. The motion was seconded by Denmark, and afterwards passed by delegates.
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Faith Muthoni, co-chair in the SOCHUM Committee
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
COMMITTEES
DISEC: Russia Stands Alone
By Cynthia Makena
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Russia was adamantly against off shore military bases stating that it tended to lower the host country’s sovereignty and caused it more harm than good. As per Russia’s request, there were nine more general speakers chosen to give their opinion. Chile, Norway, Yemen, Australia, Greece, Belgium, France, United Kingdom and Jordan spoke contrary to Russia’s views with some representatives, like the United Kingdom, feeling that Russia was speaking contrary to its actions as it had off shore military bases in countries such as Kyrgyztan and Moldovia. Ali Mohsin l PHOTO
Sophiya Rana, Chair of DISEC Committee
The first DISEC session of the conference began with a great follow up of protocol. Despite a disorganized beginning the committee was able to pull together and begin the session with many very anxious to start the debates. After following the required protocol, the delegate representing Russia, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed pushed forward the motion; ‘Off shore Military bases are a threat of peace and security.’
Mr. Ibrahim Muhammed, when asked, stated that he pushed for the motion because he felt that Russia faced a threat of being dominated by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an intergovernmental military alliance. He however, like the chair, Sophiya Rana, enjoyed the debate and believed that they would have delved deeper if not for the limited time. Ms. Sophiya Rana only hopes that the upcoming sessions will be filled with more “positive debates and interactive session”.
UNEP: Water Resource Management By Savita Toor Every household looks forward to getting clean water everyday. Freshwater is central to all developmental efforts. However, it still faces growing pressures across the world – from urbanization and overconsumption to underinvestment and lack of capacity, poor management and waste. The delegates of this committee began the session by introducing themselves and the country they are representing. The agenda was, “Implementation of water resource management.” The motion for the debate was set to a moderated caucus for 20 minutes for the above mentioned agenda. The delegate representing Singapore suggested that it was vital for clean ups to be conducted along rivers, lakes and other water bodies. The delegate representing Iran stated facts saying that around 1.2 billion people in the world currently live in areas of physical scarcity and another 500 million were fast approaching the situation. He added that around 1.6 billion people continue to face economic water shortage where countries lack
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Delegates in the UNEP Committee yesterday afternoon
necessary infrastructure to take water from rivers and aquifers. It was agreed that in order to achieve sustainable development everyone has to manage their most vital natural resource, water, in an integrated manner, or precisely through Integrated Water Resources Management. The delegates also mentioned a few challenges that are related to water resource management including vandalism, leakages, pollution, water treatment and last but not least water conservation.
6 COMMITTEES
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
Security Council: Extremism and Radicalization
may also be radicalized while trying to find their identities.
By Naomi Wanjiku
A case of Afghanistan was given by the delegate of Bolivia to show how some of the people in society are radicalized straight from birth. “In countries like Afghanistan, children at 5years old are already been radicalized and been told that this what they should do to get some sort of imaginary reward,” said the Bolivia delegate. Isabella Monginal PHOTO
Neeti Pradhan, co-chair Security council committee
The root causes of extremism and radicalization was the main motion of discussion in the United Nations Secretary Council (UNSC) Committee during their first session in the Sub-Saharan International Security Council (SAIMUN) conference on June 20, 2017. The delegates pointed out that marginalization and segregation of people in some communities causes them to be radicalized. This is because they feel left out and worthless. Other causes of extremism are poverty among people and lack of employment especially among the youth. The delegates pointed out that the youth
By Cynthia Makena
“Religion is the biggest tool used to radicalize or cause extremism,” said the delegate of Bolivia. The chair of the committee, Chewan Rai, advised the delegates that in the next session, they should raise motions with an objective. “ By the end of the moderated talks you need to ask yourself and say, did I achieve what I wanted?” said the committee chair, Chewan Rai. The UNSC main responsibility is to maintain international peace and security. With 15 members, they determine existence of a threat to the peace. Its agendas are identifying conditions and factors that may lead to the rise of radicalization and violent extremism among youth.
UNHCR: Protocol Practice
The UNHCR committee had many delegates, majority of whom were new to the procedures of MUN debate sessions. Nevertheless, their chair, Mr. Srijan Khanal, took it upon himself to take them through the procedure, explaining the correct process to be followed and correcting them when they failed to follow protocol, since SAIMUN is after all a learning experience. Mr.Khanal enthused that the sessions were very productive especially as the delegates were mostly beginners. He however encouraged his delegates to do extensive research so that they could learn more for themselves and from others. One great challenge that was faced in this committee was the absence of a Syrian delegate, especially since they were trying to find a solution to the ‘Syrian refugee crisis’ caused by the Syrian war. Delegates of Kenya among others sympathized with Syria and asked the neighboring countries to assist. Jordan and United Kingdom requested for a political solution rather than a military solution to the Syrian war. Russia, who had declined to take
in more refugees, felt that the issue was on the continuing war and not the refugees and asked the UN delegates for a solution to it. “He has been very patient with us as most of us are beginners” Ms. Sabrina Osman, one of the delegates, explained when describing the chair and how he took them through the session. Mr. Khanal promises to push his delegates and expects them to do their research for more productive debates during the SAIMUN Conference.
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Delegates in the UNHCR Committee yesterday afternoon
THE DAILY SAIMUNER
COMMITTEES
CRISIS: Invasions and Assasinations
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By Kefa Odindo Crisis is a time of intense difficulty or danger, call it a situation of life and death. Each crisis in the world need its counter effect and thus, we have crisis committee meant to be the sharing of majorly crisis in various parts of the world, and finding solution towards it. Just as its name suggests, the committee is one vigorous one, filled with heated debates and discussions aimed to reach solutions to the crisis at hand. This may perhaps be one of the most active committee of the UN. This specific committee meeting is a designed to be a simulation that will help equip the delegates with the relevant and essential skills that will help them in the decision making process of eradication of the crisis. A round table discussion is usually the most preferred mode of sitting. It will allow more intimacy and seriousness of the matter at hand. Therefore, after the respective protocol was observed and followed, the chair assigned the days simulation based on the Rwanda genocide of 1994. They added up a twist by inclusivity of Kenya and China teaming up to invade the already failing state, Rwanda.
By Cynthia Makena
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Delegates in a heated discussion in Crisis Committee
The delegates got into very competitive discussions, in an attempt to solve the genocide situation crisis in Rwanda and at the same time tackle the forces of the Kenya-China that are working on taking over the country. It got so heat up that assassinations were even items placed on the table as actions that may help end the stalemate. However, after all the crisis debate, the resultant state of affairs was republic of Rwanda ended up as a failed state as the delegates were unable to solve the crisis to keep Rwanda afloat. Thus a KenyaChina republic formed. In closing, the members received the relevant corrections from the chair, and urged to prepare well enough for the next crisis: World War II.
#SAIMUN17 Training Session
Just before lunch, Ms. Tracy Muringa took the delegates through an extensive training session. Going through the protocol and rules to be followed in the SAIMUN conference, from dressing to proper debate sessions. Ms. Nirali Patel, chair of the Crisis committee, stated, “The training session is important. The conference can only be fun if you know what you are doing.� Despite sending copies of the conference rules and protocols and having two previous training sessions, the team found it necessary to carry out the session again in order to accommodate anyone who did not access to these or those who felt they needed a quick reminder.
and protocols are followed by their delegates. Ms. Muringa, promised that she would be around to help the chairs and delegates who have problems that cannot be solved by their chairs.
After the session, the chairs of each committee were challenged to carry out their job to head a substantive debate and to make sure that the rules
She finally encouraged all delegates to have fun and speak up so that they can enjoy the most from the conference, even after making mistakes.
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Delegates were introduced to their chairs during the training
Today’s social: Quiz Night at Buddha Bar, Westlands
Fun Page Stuff
Today’s program: Tuesday, 20th June 2017 9.00am - 12.00pm Comittee session 1
1.00 - 4.00pm
Committee session 2
5.30pm - 8.00pm
Today’s weather:
Nairobi
Buddha Bar
Crack it!
19˚C
What word can go before: EDITORIAL Chief Editor Soila Kenya Assistant Editor Julie Ambani
*answer in tomorrow’s issue
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Writers Kefa Odindo Savita Toor Naomi Wanjiku Cynthia Makena Photographers Isabella Mongina Bill Akide Ali Mohsin Khimji Jude Mulisya Graphic Designers Soila Kenya