GE11MUNC

GE11MUNC Flow Chart

Training 1: Introduction to Topic Areas Training 2: Research & Position Paper Training 3: Rules of Procedures

Training 4: Demonstration of Conference

Committee Meeting

Deadline for Position Paper: 20 July

General Assembly

Contact
ge11munc@roundtablecommunity.org.hk Subject of email: start with [Country Name/Committee] e.g. [Niger/HRC]

GE11MUNC Training Workshop (I) Introduction to Topic Areas

Mr. Steve Chung Lok-wai

Model International Conferences in GE

Model Six-Party Talks, 2006 Model United Nations Security Council (Reform of Security Council), 2007 Model United Nations General Assembly (Humanitarian Crisis), 2008 Model G-20, 2009 Model COP, 2010 Model UNGA (SOCHUM, HRC, EC), 2011

Basic Concepts of United Nations

History: From League of Nations to United Nations Functions: Collective peace-making, International cooperation, Human rights protection, Equal opportunity protection Member-states: Sovereign-states Resolution in General Assembly: Not legally binding

From High politics to Low Politics

World before WWII, only sovereign states were the major actors in the global arena and issues related to national security and military development were occupied predominantly in any regional and international negotiations. With the rise of non-governmental forces and growing awareness of the value of mankind after the WWII, global platforms were deeply enlarged and issues related to poverty, environmental protection and rights protection were gradually accepted as main topics in international politics The fall of Soviet Union and the dawn of the 21st Century re-invented the notion of Human Security, especially after 911.

Issue 1: Food Security Crisis

Background In the last three years, the global food market has experienced two food crisesin 200809 and 2011. The food price index, compiled by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), reached its historical peak in 200809 and 2011

Issue 1: Food Security Crisis (II)

Question: The myth of insufficient food supply Globally there will be enough food for a growing world population by the year 2030, but hundreds of millions of people in developing countries will remain hungry and many of the environmental problems caused by agriculture will remain serious World agriculture: towards 2015/2030, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Issue 1: Food Security Crisis (III)

Question: Food Speculation Story: Farmer Giles can agree in January to sell his crop to a trader in August at a fixed price. If he has a great summer, he'll lose some cash, but if there's a lousy summer or the global price collapses, he'll do well from the deal. Through the 1990s, Goldman Sachs and others lobbied hard and the regulations were abolished. Suddenly, these contracts were turned into "derivatives" that could be bought and sold among traders who had nothing to do with agriculture. A market in "food speculation" was born. So, after deregulation, it was no longer just a market in food. It became, at the same time, a market in food contracts based on theoretical future crops and the speculators drove the price through the roof.

Issue 1: Food Security Crisis (IV)

Key concepts: Protectionism: Economic means of restraining trade between states through methods such as tariffs on imported goods, restrictive quotas, and a variety of other government regulations designed to discourage imports and prevent foreign take-over of domestic markets and companies. Neoliberalism: An illustration of the market-driven approach to economic and social policy based on neoclassical theories of economics that stresses the efficiency of private enterprise, liberalized trade and relatively open markets, and therefore seeks to maximize the role of the private sector in determining the political and economic priorities of the state.

Issue 1: Food Security Crisis (V)

Powers positions
Food exporting countries vs. importing countries Countries strong in speculation vs. weak in speculation Countries favor of protectionism vs. favor of neo-liberal in trade

Issue 2: Womens Rights

Background In todays world, the worlds pursuit of gender equality has yet affected women in some countries. These women are faced with the same restrictions and discrimination as their ancestors were, due to a gender perception deeply rooted from their traditions and cultural norms.

Issue 2: Womens Rights (II)

Question: Tradition vs. Modern Traditional speaking, women are not welcomed to participate in any open event (even watching soccer live) or should be limited to reproduction function (nurturing children and perform as housewives) The gender role was largely altered because of the two world wars as men were conscripted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xF029bEi00

Issue 2: Womens Rights (III)

Question: Religion vs. Secular Islamic view: Qu'ran states in 4:34, Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard. Christianity disallows women to take any measure on birth control

Islamic women suicide bombers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tjN7yfoqqM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m95_ReSA5U&feature=related

Issue 2: Womens Rights (IV)

Key concepts: Feminism: Movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women Positive/Negative Freedom: Negative freedom is the absence of obstacles, barriers or constraints. Positive freedom is the possibility of acting or the fact of acting in such a way as to take control of one's life and realize one's fundamental purposes

Issue 2: Womens Rights (VI)

Powers Positions
Open-minded society vs. traditional and conservative society Strong in religion vs. secularize countries

Issue 3: Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Background:
Climate change presents a very serious global risk, and does demand an urgent global response. Most of the energy use in todays world are environmental unfriendly and becoming unreliable very soon.

Issue 3: Green Energy and Sustainable Development (II)

Question: Green vs. Safe? Compare to fossil fuels, the invention of nuclear energy resolved the human crisis in energy scarcity and provided a cleaner option for current situation as well From an environmental perspective, nuclear energy cant be beaten. No belching smokestacks or polluting gases. It releases nothing into the atmosphere - no carbon dioxide, no sulfur, no mercury. The nuclear crisis happened in Fukushima recently illustrated the evil side and uncontrollable consequences of the green but unsafe energy production

Issue 3: Green Energy and Sustainable Development (III)

Question: Safe vs. Effective?

Disregard nuclear energy, wind, hydro and solar energy production are not as reliable, inexpensive, and effective as nuclear Solar energy can be somewhat unreliable depending on the placement, location, and surrounding environment of the solar cells The main disadvantage of tidal energy is the effect on the surrounding environment, affecting sea life, and shore access.

Issue 3: Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Key concepts
Sustainable development: is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come

Issue 3: Green Energy and Sustainable Development

Powers Positions
Countries with nuclear programme vs. without but have intention to build nuclear programme vs. anti-nuclear Energy-exporting countries vs. heavily rely on importation Countries rich in renewable energy vs. without renewable energy