the european international model united nations newsletter june 2009 TEIMUN’s second keynote speaker: Herman Schaper! a possible remedy to the lack of participation in NATO missions. According to Schaper, the chronic shortage of manpower in operations such as ISAF in Afghanistan, is the result of the large financial cost of participation. Transportation and basic accommodations in military operations are very costly. “The pooling of financial resources by the NATO member states, would significantly lower the threshold for participation for many countries.” As permanent representative of the Netherlands to NATO, Mr. Schaper has commented on the role Barack Obama’s new administration expects Europe to fulfill. “Americans say: ‘Yes, we Mr. Schaper visiting the Dutch ISAF troops in Kandahar. really want to consult things with the EU, but we do expect you to TEIMUN is proud to present the at the UN in New York after the do more than you are doing at the second keynote speaker for the summer. moment. Because Afghanistan is opening ceremony: Mr. Herman From 1981-1982 he repre- a problem for all of us and you Schaper, Permanent Representa- sented the Democrats ‘66 party have to play a more active role.’” tive of the Netherlands to NATO in the Dutch Parliament. He had This role does not necesin Brussels. previously worked as a research- sarily involve a greater commit Mr. Schaper was born on er at the Netherlands Society for ment of military forces, according 24 March 1949. He is married and International Affairs. He has pub- to Mr. Schaper. “It could also be has three children. lished several articles on Dutch to do more through the EU in sup From 2001 until the sum- foreign policy, European security porting the police in Afghanistan, mer of 2005, Herman Schaper and transatlantic relations. because there is the EU mission. was Deputy Director-General for Herman Schaper has a de- It could also mean development Political Affairs at the Ministry gree in modern history from the aid, reconstruction and it could of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. University of Leiden and a mas- mean to use the troops which are Since 1 September 2005 he has ter’s in international relations there in a better way.” been active as the Permanent from the University of Virginia. Especially as Mr. Schaper Representative of the Nether- In his past experience, he will be shortly passing from NATO lands to NATOIn March it was an- has demonstrated he possesses to the UN, he will undoubtedly nounced that Mr. Schaper would a talent for innovative thinking have some very interesting inbe taking up the permanent rep- that often leads to unorthodox sights in the workings of these inresentation for the Netherlands solutions. Recently he suggested ternational organisations.
the european international model united nations newsletter june 2009
Introducing... An essential part of TEIMUN consists of the Chairs, Vice Chairs, Registrars, Advocates, Secretary General - in short: the Staff. For all our readers but the 2009 participants especially, “Introducing” provides a little background information about these pillars of support. New this year: the UNEP!
This year’s TEIMUN participants will witness the introduction of a new council: the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP). Established after the UN Conference on the Human Environment in 1972, UNEP is looking “to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nationals and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations”. UNEP created a lot of awareness for environmental issues such as the depletion of the ozone layer, human-induced climate change and various pollution-related issues. With its headquarters situated in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP is the first part of the UN based in a developing country. Main functions and responsibilities of the Governing Council of UNEP are provided by the General Assembly resolution 2997 (XXVII) as follows: (a) To promote international cooperation in the field of the environment and to recommend, as appropriate, policies to this end;
(b) To provide general policy guidance for the direction and coordination of environmental programmes within the United Nations system; (c) To receive and review the periodic reports of the Executive Director of UNEP on the implementation of environmental programmes within the United Nations system; (d) To keep under review the world environmental situation in order to ensure that emerging environmental problems of wide international significance receive appropriate and adequate consideration by Governments; (e) To promote the contribution of the relevant international scientific and other professional communities to the
acquisition, assessment and exchange of environmental knowledge and information and, as appropriate, to the technical aspects of the formulation and implementation of environmental programmes within the United Nations system; (f) To maintain under continuing review the impact of national and international environmental policies and measures on developing countries, as well as the problem of additional costs that may be incurred by developing countries in the implementation of environmental programmes and projects, and to ensure that such programmes and projects shall be compatible with the development plans and priorities of those countries; (g) To review and approve the programme of utilization of resources of the Environment Fund. Considering the growing worldwide attention for environmental issues nowadays, the TEIMUN board felt UNEP deserved a place in this year’s conference. For more information on the UNEP and other councils, visit the site.
the european international model united nations newsletter june 2009
Introducing... Part two: in-depth with the Chair of the Board! In the previous issue of the TEIMUN Newsletter we already extensively made the acquaintance of the “number one” man in the UN Staff, the UNSG. But, there is another individual who has been working tirelessly for a successful TEIMUN conference, and will continue to do so until the last sessions and after-session drinks have ended: the Chair of the Board of TEIMUN 2009 - Thomas Hermans. TEIMUN Daily: How long is your TEIMUN history? Thomas Hermans: Quite short, actually. Before I decided to apply for the Board, I hadn’t participated in an MUN yet. Last year I participated in TEIMUN with almost my entire current board. I represented Germany in the North Atlantic Council, together with Pieter Kuhlmann. We even got the “most fruitful delegation” award! And after that I participated with the rest of the Board in LIMUN this year. TD: What has been your best TEIMUN experience so far? TH: Let me see.. I remember Mark’s (van Embden, Board - dir.) singing skills he demonstrated in London, and the fact that he and Wiek (Kleijne, Board - dir.) were taking pictures with and of all the girls in one club we were in London. They must have photographed at least fifty random strangers. But more in general, I highly enjoy the international
TEIMUN rivalry...
crowd always present in TEIMUN, the fact that 200+ people come to the Hague to have an amazing week - both intellectually and socially - just never ceases to amaze and enthuse me. And, of course, a high-point this year will be when the Board beats the Staff at soccer at the Beach Party. Which reminds me: what side are the journalists playing for? (..awkward silence..)
soon wish to relive in your TEIMUN history? TH: Well, there was one moment I will always recall - if only for the serious mockings I’ve had to endure. It was during my speech at the SCSD last year. I wanted to express my opinion that you can’t negotiate without a firm basis.. But as the Dutch word for basis, ‘bodem’, also translates to ‘bottom’, I found myself saying ‘you can’t negotiate without a firm bottom.’ As soon as I had uttered the words, I realised my error - but it was too late. The entire Dutch audience was crying with laughter - the international guests didn’t have the faintest idea what was going on. TD: What are qualities you think a good UNSG should possess? TH: A good UNSG to me should be very publicly noticeable, charismatic and enthusing. As an SG TD: Let’s say we’re inde- doesn’t have much real power, he pendent - for now. Can you also must attempt to set the agenda name a moment you wouldn’t as much as possible.
In the last newsletter and di- competitions. But we did believe rectly above this article you can read about the euphoria current Secretary General experienced when he defeated the TEIMUN Board on the Beach Party in 2007. Now, it is a public secret that this soccer match is forms the epitome of the - friendly, but real - rivalry between Board and Staff. As independent journalists, of course, we distance it to be our obligation to truth, to ourselves from these childish find out once and for all who reigns
supreme in the realm of TEIMUN. So, we did what any sensible seeker of the truth would do - ask Google! Both fought valiently and with honour, but as in every contest, in the end only one can come out victorious... The result of the bloody battle waged on the online plains you will find here. (Google’s new younger brother, Wolfram Alpha, diplomatically stayed out of the fight - see here)
the european international model united nations newsletter june 2009
Obama and the Climate Summit 2009
American President Barack Obama during his campaign vowed repeatedly to take a more active stance towards issues of climate change, global heating and related issues. With the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit coming up by the end of this year, we take a look at what Obama has done already, and what might be expected in the nearby future. Last week, when a new piece of further environmental regulation some promising development acenvironmental legislation made could harm the US economy. How- cording to one commentator. Chiits way past a difficult hurdle in ever, the Obama administration na has made clear it would not the form of republican opposi- appears to see innovative poten- make the first move, but the door tion. President Obama said in tial in more environment-friendly is open. The country has proposed response to this modest yet sig- technologies and vehicles – such technology transfers, something nificant victory of his: ““We are as cars that run on green electric- that hasn’t happened before. In now one step closer to delivering ity. contrast, some feel the Indian efon the promise of a new clean From December 7th fort is seriously lagging behind, energy economy that will make through December 18th, the calling the government’s response America less dependent on for- United Nations Climate Change to climate change “hugely disapeign oil, crack down on polluters, Conference will take place in pointing”. Of course, only time and create millions of new jobs Copenhagen, Denmark. There, will tell what the powers that be all across America.” world leaders will attempt to can agree upon, and if the US will In the same week, Obama draft a new treaty, one that will also ratify the new Copenhagen pledged to “increase fuel efficien- replace Kyoto – which expires in document. The economic crisis cy, without compromising secu- 2012. The United States was in- may make states more cautious rity.” By stimulating the produc- strumental in drafting Kyoto, but about taking economically incontion of lighter cars, both mobility failed to win support at home. venient decisions – the US Repubwould be able to go up, while When George W. Bush took office, licans for one will make a case for gas consumption could fall. And he renounced it, calling Kyoto a this point of view. However, if the the efforts of the Obama admin- flawed agreement that would political will professed in word istration will be continued, say harm the U.S. economy and un- stands up in reality, there is every government officials. “President fair because it demanded noth- prospect that the new document Obama has made it clear that he ing from countries like China or will make a much-needed impact wants to go to Copenhagen as the India. after 2012. leader and not the laggard, which The international commuwe have been over the last eight nity is hopeful at the perceived Your TEIMUN journalists: years,” said Democratic repre- enthusiasm for environmental isSimon van Woerden, sentative Edward Markey. sues of the new American presiAnne-Maaike Stapel and As before, opposition re- dency. As for the two upcoming Jan Braaksma lies mainly on the argument that Asian giants, China has shown