Rotaract Global MUN 2014 - Second Newsletter

2nd edition

Rotaract

Global Model United Nations London, Westminster Human Rights Council passed resolution Reprieve workshop takes on

Rotaract Model United Nations conference A chair’s view of the conference A word from the Secretary General

“An inspirational gathering of youg people who want to make a difference. Events like this pave the way for change” Eve Conway

Delegates

1 having fun at tower bridge after a day at the conference

Human Rights Council passed resolution The Human Rights Council finalised their resolution with sponsoring countries Afghanistan, Syria, Pakistan and signatory countries were Turkey, United States of America, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Iraq, China, Germany.

The Council focused on the creation of an Investigatory Committee to cooperate with local governments and identify the regions where deployments are most needed, as well as the need of humanitarian corridors within Syria and Iraq. HRC delegates suggested that the UNSC discuss the suitability of deploying Peacekeeping Forces to regions affected by ISIS prioritizing a minimum risk to the civilian population.

In addition, the HRC called upon members to immediately suspend their purchasing of oil and other natural resources from areas that are controlled by ISIS and insisted that all humanitarian assistance or military support should be coordinated through the Office of the UNHCR and UNWFP.

A chair’s view of the conference Najaf Raza, chairperson for the Human Rights Council told us about her background and her experience with the MUN conference so far. She started going to MUN conferences when she was 14 years old and even though found it as a nerve racking experience, she fell in love with it and started going regularly.

“This is my first time chairing an MUN conference and absolutely loved it. The best part of this experience has been to see people who are doing it for the first time and being able to encourage them to speak up and gaining confidence in the conference.”

“We shouldn’t believe that our voice means nothing because the politicians of the UN ae the most important people that can make change. We can make a change ourselves if we continue on with the debate and continue on with discussing this issues and coming up with solutions.”

Danai Beka, chairperson for the Security Council, has been extremely active both on the MUN scene as well as part of Rotaract.

“This was the first time when MUN and Rotaract were combined for me, and this has made it a very special experience” Danai said. What I’ve learned from Rotaract and Model United Nations is that everything is interrelated. We should act when a nations faces a crisis and this is what United Nations is all about, this is what Rotary is all about.”

A word from the Secretary General I’d like everyone to know how amazed I am by the performance of this group of delegates. Just yesterday morning, we had a group of novice MUNers whose eyes glazed over when I bombarded them with procedure in my introductory workshop. Taking that into account, I think their progress has been remarkable. The Human Rights Council has managed to pass a resolution that will help protect those subjected to IS atrocities, and the Security Council has clashed over regional conflict in the Middle East – in true keeping with the spirit of the MUN! I’ve simply never witnessed such quick progress at an MUN conference, nor see so many young diplomatic minds gathered at one meeting.

This extraordinary group of young people have made a powerful statement to the international community, and I can’t wait to see what findings the Peacebuilding Commission and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change come up with tomorrow!

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Reprieve workshop takes on Rotaract Model United Nations conference The delegates were challenged in an interactive Reprieve workshop on “War on Drugs� where they debated whether to continue or cut the financial aid against narcotics for the countries which maintain the death penalty.

Amongst the countries represented were Iran, Pakistan, the US, the UK, as well as France and Mexico, creating an interesting international context. The arguments presented sparked an engaging discussion between the two blocks.

The delegates who were for the resolution mentioned the international law and the importance of protecting human rights through the system of justice, not violating them. In addition, the country representatives who were against the resolution argued the importance of keeping the counternarcotics aid which represents 90% of the deterring measures in the respective countries.

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A message for the United Nations My message to the UN and the rest of the world is to look at events like Model UN ... and not to see them as a group of young enthusiasts that are simply pretending to be policy makers but to see them as young citizens that try to understand what it’s like to be in the shoes of policymakers and taking the active step first of changing the world around them.

Tony Koutsoumbos See the entire interview on our YouTube channel at http://goo.gl/VDOq5o

Left: All Work and no rest?

Chair @work . Peaceful Napping committee...

Below: YouTube videos Even more videos have been posted. Feel free to share and have a look. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!

Our vision is to create a system that goes beyond a simple MUN conference.

Our dream is for Rotaract Model United Nations to become a pillar of international youth decision-making. Global events affect all of us, directly or indirectly, which is why we all share the responsibility of forging effective solutions.

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