INSIDE THIS ISSUE: PAGE 2: Gender Roles in MUN PAGE 4: Je Suis THIMUN

VOL I ISSUE I AUGUST 2015 ONLINE EDITION

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15-17 October 2015 Qatar Leadership Conference Doha, Qatar By Fran Laughlin, Co-Chair of the Board of I would like to extend a warm conference such a special thing. Directors for THIMUN Foundation welcome to readers of the first There is also an article about page of THIMUN MAT- a subject which touches any TERS, the forerunner of a new writer or journalist very closely, online magazine devoted to written by Alain Meidinger, a By PeterTHIMUN Loy, Treasurer of the Board makingMatters THIMUN, not only a things MUN, and particular- member of the Board teaching of Directors for the THIMUN successful conference, but also a ly to what is happening in the in the Lycee Vincent van Gogh Foundation vehicle for positive change. In THIMUN world. If you are in the Hague. a world where the daily news Yes, it does. and future forecasts are often already a subscriber to the Ol- The Hague THIMUN Con- filled with dismay, THIMUN ive Branch, our sister magazine ference is about to get under True, the title of this new on- serves to offer the youth of to- focussing on the Middle East (is way, and we would welcome line periodical is intentionally a day a voice, the experience and this the term they use in Olive any articles (with photos) about entendre – the articles the skills to make a better to- Branch?) region, you will know the conference, issues on the are matters related to THI- morrow. MUN. But perhaps more im- what we are talking about. The agenda, coming to the Hague – portantly, it is a declaration of As such, THIMUN becomes first articles on this page are anything in fact that you think what we believe: THIMUN more than a mere simulation largely written by members should appear in the next full Matters. – it becomes the internship for of the THIMUN Foundation, issue of THIMUN MATTERS future careers. It is our hope and reflect to some extent how – and we’re talking to you, stu- Each of you involved in THI- that you have a wonderful MUN makes a contribution THIMUN experience in The we feel about THIMUN and dents, teachers, visitors, musi- and a difference. Student dele- Hague – and that you leave about you, delegates, MUN cians, organisers! gates, student officers, admin- with optimism and outlook for Directors, administrators and istrative staff, MUN Advisors a brighter future. all those who make a THI- Contact us: [email protected] – you all have a part to play in MUN or THIMUN-affiliated Soundoff!This is a somewhat controversial topic, but one that needs to be addressed. We’ve spoken to numerous delegates, both male and female on high school and college circuits all over the world, to get their opinion. Gender Roles & Model UN - Do you believe there is a gender divide in Model UN? “There is certainly a gender divide in MUN, yet I don’t feel that it is one in which we see ac tive, mean-spirited discrimination from MUNers based off of gender. Rather, I believe that we have created a MUN in which male and female delegates fall into roles that are felt to “suit” certain sexes. So, while delegates are not engaging in discrimination due to malice or personal prejudice, it is my opinion that we have allowed a system to flourish under which delegates fall too easily into the trap of ‘that’s a job for a girl’, or ‘I think that a guy would be more suited for that role’.” “Yes, I do believe that, and unfortunately the more feminine the delegate dresses, the more this divide seems to appear.” Has your MUN experience been impacted by gender bias or stereotyping? “As far as I know, my MUN experience has never been shaped positively or nega tively by gender bias or stereotyping. Whether or not this is due to my gender, my personality, or any number of factors, I suppose that I might count myself as being- “Sponsors (teacherone of advisors) the lucky many ones.” times are trying to control the way in which we (girls) dress. For example, my sponsor didn’t allowed us to use skirts. Actually, she still doesn’t allow girls to use skirts at conferences.”

Do assertive female delegates face more criticism than assertive male delegates? “In my experience, there is the occasional criticism of both assertive male and female delegates. As someone more often on the receiving end of this criticism than delivering it, it would be difficult to say whether or not the criticism these delegates receive is harsher solely based on their gender.”

“I definitely think that assertive female delegates face more criticism than assertive male delegates. Having said this, however, I would also point out that this criticism does not come solely from male delegates. It is not infrequently that I hear a female delegate refer to another member of her sex as being ‘bossy’, meaning that these gender stereo- types are regrettably universal.” “Yes. Definitely yes. Female assertive delegates are more negatively viewed than male delegates with the same dispositions. It’s sort of a cause for… ridicule or silent stigma on a female. Never on a male.”

Do you believe gender stereotypes are prevalent in specific committees?

“Yes. Unfortunately, HRC in the models I joined was sometimes seen, and I quote, as a ‘fluffy’ council. However, with the correct strategy set by following generations’ executive teams, this view changed. GA3 replaced HRC, and you soon discover it is the chairs that make up the reputation of a committee. That’s just my opinion.”

“I don’t think so. I’ve staffed a lot of conferences as well, and in crisis is actually where I’ve seen almost the best 50/50 split gender-wise at MUN. If anything, I would say that the GAs actually have a tougher time recruiting female delegates, because it’s already such a male-dominated room, and it gets very competitive and passive-aggressive amongst delegates, and for people who don’t already compete in MUN and see their talents as lining up with the GA, they wouldn’t want to participate there.”

PAGE 2 VOL I ISSUE I AUGUST 2015 THIMUN MATTERS “What’s a book or movie that has inspired you?” “Mine is actually a play called a Streetcar Named Desire, and I like the main character Blanche because she is a raw embodiment of human desire and how it leads to figurative death. It just captures everything natural and raw about humans.” -Ahana “In English, I think it’s the Dead’s Poet Society. It’s an old film with Robin Williams and it inspires me because it’s a great reflection about life and the fact that you should think for yourself.” -Romane

“Princess of Arabia, it’s a true story about a princess in Saudi Arabia which talks about how oppressed her life is and tells her story.” -Salma “Superfudge”-Aziz

“One of my favourite movies is Good Will Hunting, I really like it because of how it shows how some- one can really build up these walls around themselves and how they are scared, prejudiced against and afraid to embrace who they are but in the end they break down and tell everyone about their troubled past and they follows their dreams and you can really see their growth as a person and it is inspiring.” -Gabriella Global Growth in Inequality: A THIMUN Perspective By: Mark Rock erty and what they thought could be done to Illustration by Rhea Goenka help those suffering. We are living in a world fraught with in- Daniel Cremer, delegate of Algeria in the equality and poverty. There is no denying Human Rights Commission, emphasized the this fact; despite our best efforts to help those importance of “utilizing non-governmental less fortunate. According to GlobalIssues. organizations and the military to help coun- org, “almost half the world — over three bil- tries that won’t listen or accept outside aid,” lion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.” implying that many governments would be Concentration of wealth lies in the hands of opposed to foreign aid. He added that the use only a select few, while billions of people toil of the military “has helped in the past and daily in a struggle for life. can continue to help now.” As politically engaged individuals, many Ceylan Ersoy, President of the Human delegates at THIMUN are fully committed Rights Commission from Turkey, and Ilinca to tackling the most pressing Human Rights Briciu, delegate of the HRC from Romania and Economic issues plaguing modern day both noted the mass poverty and government society. In Thomas Piketty’s controversial corruption rampant in their respective coun- commentary on economic inequality, Cap- tries and supported foreign aid. Ceylon advo- leged children from China, summed up the ital in the 21st Century, the author tracks cated the “taxation of the upper class... to use issue thoroughly. He quoted Gandhi in that the trend of inequality since the industri- money to help the poor and hungry” while “The Earth provides enough to satisfy every al revolution and asserts that, according to Ilinca asserted that the current situation was man’s need, but not every man’s greed.” He TheEconomist.com, “Only a burst of rapid “difficult to solve” due to the “neglect of the continued to stress the importance of THI- growth… can be counted on to keep econo- lower class,” but remained optimistic in the MUN, and the necessity of “education and mies from returning to the ‘patrimonial cap- guidance of NGOs to resolve these issues. understanding” in a cooperative effort to italism’ that worried Karl Marx.” A group of students from London and Italy, provide help for those in need. Piketty’s opinion melded well with many of representing Guyana and Guinea Bissau in Regardless of one’s background before com- the economic and sociopolitical ideas pro- the Human Rights Commission, on the other ing to THIMUN, one thing remains true. vided by the rising diplomats at this THI- hand, dismissed the issue as frivolous, insisted We, the next generation, have the power and MUN conference. As representatives of that they “don’t believe it’s a problem” and ability to provide a better future for the rest various countries from a variety of economic that they were in favor of privatization. of the world. The question is whether we backgrounds, the students provided a vast Roddy Bowlby, President of ECOSOC, after can attain that ideal in time. contrast in both their experience with pov- listing his experience in teaching underprivi- PAGE 3 VOL I ISSUE I AUGUST 2015 THIMUN MATTERS You might be a Je Suis THIMUN THIMUN kid if... By: Alain Meidinger, Co-Chair of the THIMUN Foundation By: The Hague Munity “You’re a natural at thinking and speak- ing in third person.”- Jordan Yoong, Anglo Chinese School “You're familiar with the word fruitful.” - Yoojung Lee, American International School of Bucharest “You know and call your THIMUN buds their delegation name, and have no idea what their real name is.” - Fenia Sklika, British School of the Netherlands “You ask for points of information after saying something in class.” Badshah Kazi, Royal Russell School “You laugh at the name Djibouti during Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 – a date of expression is the foundation of our liber- roll call.” - Antonio Mendes de Almeida, which will live in infamy – the ties. Freedom of thought and tolerance are St Julian’s School of America was suddenly and deliberately principles that allow us to live together. “You rely on the MUN’s unlimited fund- attacked’, US President Roosevelt said before On the THIMUN website, one can read: ing for pretty much every clause.” - Hen- the Congress after the attack on Pearl Harbor. ‘We hope to develop a global awareness drik Riemens, Escuela Campo Alegre Yesterday, January 7th, 2015, in Paris, the of- among young people, focusing on the formu- fice of the French magazine Charlie Hebdo lation of peaceful resolutions to world prob- “You have more friends from around was suddenly and deliberately attacked. This lems and practicing the communication skills the world than your own school and/or country.” - Robin De Zeeuw, Interna- date is and will live in infamy. Some cartoon- which help foster this education in world citi- tional School of Curaçao ists such as Dutch illustrationist Ruben com- zenship… Our main aim is for future genera- pared the attack in Paris to 9/11 in New York. tions to practice tolerance and live together in “You say objection to your parents when Behind this attack, behind the shock and peace… for the whole world’. they punish you.” - Unathi Shongwe, furthermore, behind the mixed feeling that According to me, THIMUN and the MUN The British School of Paris has developed between anger and sadness, I programme educate for liberty, encourage “You use "including but not limited to..." thought I had to address my fellow MUNers, each MUNer to read the press, watch the in school essays.” Josh Merchat, Kaiser- students and teachers alike on this event. news on any screen, develop in each MUNer slautern High School a critical judgment. Fundamental values were attacked: freedom According to me, THIMUN and the MUN “You have the daily debate of whether you are going to Seven or Magistrat.”- programme educate for equality, to consider Marianna Lordou, The English School that amongst MUNers there is no difference Cyprus between genders, there is no difference be- tween believers and non-believers. “You can figure out what country a According to me, THIMUN and the MUN delegate is from just by listening to their accented English.” - Nick Yeh, O-MUN programme educate for fraternity, send to each MUNer a common message of mutual “You suffer from PTD (Post Thimun tolerance and respect, where discrimination, Depression).” - Alex Horin, Internation- hatred, racism, and violence are no tools to al School of the Hague debate. “The terms and conditions of Apple on On different social networks, in different your phone suddenly become interest- capital cities around the world, people write, ing during the opening speeches in the gather, mourn on what happened in Paris on GA.” - Timo Maronna, Käthe-Kollwitz- January, 7th 2015. Most of them used these Schule words ‘Je suis Charlie’ [I am Charlie]. Myself, “Lunchtime is a test of strength and ‘je suis Charlie’ and will always be Charlie, determination.” - Nick Yeh, O-MUN but ‘Je suis THIMUN’ also because I strong- ly believe in its values and because I am sure “You deliver your notes in origami so that our MUNers will be the leaders of a bet- that admins can’t read them.”- Sara ter tomorrow. Roberts, St Julian’s School PAGE 4 VOL I ISSUE I APRIL 2015 THIMUN MATTERS THIMUN Singapore 2014 This post was provided by the Editor-in-Chief of MUNITY East, THIMUN Singapore’s conference newspaper, Nicholas Wong

another. Rare- sion, which took place on the rather a place for cooperation. ly were the four last day. THIMUN Singapore marked members Sec- The conference as a whole the beginning of an eye-open- retary-General was a success because it ac- ing experience for newer dele- Stephanie Tang, complished its vision – produc- gates and a continuation of an Deputy Secre- ing diplomatic delegates whom ever so productive journey for tar y-Generals were able to “pose solutions to returning delegates. Sung Jang and problems” as Ms. Fran Laughlin, and President of Co-Chair of the the General As- THIMUN Foun- sembly Peak Sen dations said during Chua spotted all the opening cere- together in the mony. “May the house please come As THIMUN to order.” With those words room due to the fact that the Singapore X came said by Peak Sen Chua, the respective DSGs were in charge to an end, every- President of the General As- of their committees while the one was reminded sembly all participants knew PGA was in charge of day to that Model UN that the 10th Anniversary Ses- day events such as the opening is not a place for sion of THIMUN Singapore speeches and the plenary ses- competition, but had begun. Though the conference has since come and gone, its mem- ories will be forever cherished. Languages of THIMUN Over the past ten years, THI- By: Hendrik Riemens and resolution.” MUN Singapore has grown Giulia Camargo into one of the largest Model UN conferences in South East However, Asia with more than 1200 par- THIMUN is a huge confer- another THI- ticipants this year. ence with 3,500 students and MUN language The theme set this year was teachers, from approximately guru has a dif- “Asia, transformations and the 200 schools, and one thing is cer- ferent idea. Kai challenges ahead.” Various members of the THIMUN tain about THIMUN: there are Sean Alleva, foundation, including Ms. Irene MANY languages. As you make a delegate in Crepin said that Asia, with a your way through the World GA1 from Zu- population of 4.3 billion, land Forum, you’re surrounded by rich Interna- covering 20% of the Earth’s thousands of people, all commu- tional School, land area, and 49 independent unless the delegates are lobbying, economies is by far the most nicating, but not all speaking the speaks English, Italian, French, they try to “promote English” consequential continent on same language. This has advan- Slovak, German and Swiss-Ger- earth. tages and disadvantages; while man. He thinks that speaking the conference. The conference went by with In the end, languages are very active participation and pas- it also has the potential to be a on a delegate’s success when sion. Delegates could be seen personal. Individuals utilize lan- enthusiastically giving opening barrier. working; however, he says that guage as various means to meet speeches, actively lobbying, Laura Berger, from the French speaking many languages helps various ends. Some believe it’s merging resolutions and vigor- School in The Hague, speaks him “communicate on a person- crucial for lobbying, whilst others ously debating. With ten com- English, French, German, Por- al level” with other delegates. He - tuguese, Spanish and Dutch, ultimately thinks it’s neither an ferent issues, participants could All that is certain though is that all agree that the issues set were and is trying to learn Chinese. advantage nor a disadvantage to THIMUN is full of languages, vastly challenging; some topics Laura explains that “sometimes speak more than one language. and as one of the chairs of the included “International Year I forget words while speaking Even though Laura Berg- Security Council states, “lan- of Light and light based tech- English,” which in her opinion er believes that speaking many guage creates strong bonds.” So, nologies, 2015,” “Territorial is the clearest disadvantage of languages is advantageous for a integrity of the former Soviet even if as delegates you choose Republics,” and “Strengthen- speaking several languages. On delegate, when looking from a not to utilize language as a tool ing the legal clout of the United the other hand, she states that Chair’s point of view, Kai Sean for lobbying, use it to meet new Nations.” speaking these languages helps might be right. The President people, and maybe you’ll learn a The Secretariat had spent her when travelling, and enables and Deputy President of the word or two of a totally new lan- the day maintaining order - her to better “explain points of a Security Council both state that ning from one committee to guage. PAGE 5 VOL I ISSUE I APRIL 2015 THIMUN MATTERS How-to Model UN Research: GA First Committee – DISEC By Liza Bell and Katherine Bonner of the Best Delegate Global Media Secretariat Committee History and Purview ties about disarmament and other topics The General Assembly (GA) was established Areas that are discussed by DISEC: http://www. under Chapter IV of the United Nations un.org/disarmament/publications/more/ (UN) Charter. Since the General Assembly Harvard Model United Nations treaties/disarmament-treaties.pdf. These is the main organ of the United Nations and (HMUN): National Sovereignty and Asym- treaties will help you gain more background has representation from every UN member metric Warfare; Nuclear Weapons and Geo- on existing steps taken with regards to DIS- states, it is able to discuss a wide variety of politics in South Asia EC-relevant topics. world issues. As a result of the extensive If you go to the United Nations Bibliograph- spectrum of topics discussed by the UN, the Berkeley Model United Nations ic Information System (UNBISNET), you - (BMUN): Cyber Warfare; Middle East Sec- ent committees. These committees are the tarian States how the country you are representing voted Disarmament and International Security on past issues. This particularly helps when (DISEC) committee, the Economics and The Hague International Model Unit- Financial (ECOFIN) committee, the Social, ed Nations (THIMUN): Strengthening on your country’s position through news Humanitarian and Cultural (SOCHUM) publications or their foreign ministry site: committee, the Special Political and De- Crime (UNODC) in Asian-Based Drug http://unbisnet.un.org:8080/ipac20/ipac. colonization (SPECPOL) committee, the - Administrative and Budgetary committee, mer Soviet Republics; The Question of and the Legal committee. DISEC, the First Iran’s Right to Nuclear Power; Measures to helpful solution-oriented scholarly articles Committee of the General Assembly, is one Deal with Terrorist Groups in Sub-Saharan on DISEC topics. The Council on Foreign of the most popular GA-style committees in Africa Relations has an extensive database of these Model United Nations. think tanks and other research-oriented DISEC deals with topics that center around Model United Nations at the Universi- organizations: http://www.cfr.org/non- disarmament, global issues, and threats to ty of Chicago (MUNUC): state-actors-and-nongovernmental-organi- peace that jeopardize international securi- Preventing Spillover Violence in Civil Con- zations/think-tanks-international-affairs/ ty. Under Article 11 of Chapter IV of the - p32566. UN Charter, “The General Assembly may duction and Distribution National, Regional, and Global Security consider the general principles of co-oper- The Center for Systemic Peace has a list of ation in the maintenance of international Common Themes and Objectives all major political violence around the world peace and security, including the principles As should be expected, the topics above are from 1946 to 2014, as well as helpful sources governing disarmament and the regulation - of armament.” subject matters. The following broad topical icpeace.org/warlist/warlist.htm. themes encompass a large majority of the Current DISEC Topics topics listed above: (UCDP) provides a breakdown of all na- *National, Regional, and Global Secu- - These topics are intended to act as a rep- rity ternal, as well as explanations of each con- resentative sample and are pulled directly *Biological, Chemical, Technological, from recent or upcoming high school MUN and Nuclear Weapons search.php. conferences around the globe. Criteria for *Arms Trade Biological, Chemical, Technological, and included conferences:t average of over 1,000 Key considerations when researching the Nuclear Weapons attendees; have the First Committee of the topics above include national capabilities - General Assembly as a committee at their isting Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Spring 2015 conference. oversight and monitoring mechanisms. Be- policies, and news: http://www.globalsecu- cause of the nature of these topics, delegate rity.org/wmd/world/index.html. It features Global Classrooms Lebanese Ameri- research and resolution writing must be very recent press releases and reports, which will can detailed in nature and focus on the opera- be helpful for current event research. University Model United Nations (GC tionalization of ideas. Additionally, because The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) provides LAU MUN): Terrorist Groups in Sub-Saha- of the divisive nature of many of the themes a history of DISEC committee engagements ran Africa; The Issue of Biological Weapons - on their website. The NTI also has country egates will be inclusive and focus on interna- - Ivy League Model United Nations tional cooperation. garding nuclear, chemical, biological, and Conference (ILMUNC): Future of Cyber missile proliferation: http://www.nti.org/ Security; Foreign Military Intervention in Where and What to Research treaties-and-regimes/un-first-committee/; General The Best Delegate website has a large and Arms Trade North American Invitational Model helpful resource for more general research The UN Register of Conventional Arms United Nations (NAIMUN): Satellite links: http://bestdelegate.com/research/. has an interactive map of reported arms Warfare; Global Smalls Arms Trade As with all permanent UN committees, DIS- trade as well as annual reports from the UN EC has searchable press releases at:http:// Secretary-General regarding global arms The Hague International Model Unit- www.un.org/press/en/content/first-com- trade:http://www.un.org/disarmament/ ed Nations Qatar (THIMUN Qatar): mittee. This is an up-to-date database on convarms/Register/. Similarly, the Arms what the committee has been discussing and Trade Treaty page includes information on (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova) its progress thus far. Similarly, the UN ar- the Treaty, news, and facts: http://www.un- and Their Implications for International chives all past session reports and resolutions .org/disarmament/ATT/. Peace and Security; Establishing Interna- on the internet for easy access to documents: The Small Arms Survey website has several tional Norms Regarding the Process of Rec- http://www.un.org/en/ga/first/archives. links with extensive information on existing ognition and Succession of Regime Change; shtml. - The Question of Sudan and South Sudan; tions on the nuances of arms trade:http:// The Question of Limiting Arms Trade Be- www.smallarmssurvey.org/home.html. tween States That Are Not Participating in a Netherlands to create a compilation of trea- PAGE 6