London International Model United Nations 2016
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LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . Commonwealth of Nations (CoN) London International Model United Nations 17th Session | 2016 11 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . Table of Content Introduction to Commonwealth of Nations 3 Topic A: The question of the leadership of the commonwealth 5 History of the Problem 5 Statement of the Problem 8 Sources 10 Topic B: A Multilateral Free Trae Agreement for the Commonwealth 11 Statement of the Problem 11 Questions a Resolution Must Answer 15 Sources 17 Conference Information 18 Position Papers 19 Contact Details 20 22 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . Introduction to Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary international organisation that operates by intergovernmental consensus of the member states. The member states, which were once territories of the British Empire now run in communion through the Commonwealth Secretariat and NGO’s organised through the Commonwealth foundation. The Commonwealth provides a platform for otherwise less able nations to speak at an international platform and have their voice heard at par with the bigger players of the world community. Apart from instilling a sense of importance and equivalence, the commonwealth aims at helping developing nations raise their standard of democracy, rights and governance. Members: The Commonwealth is the only international organisation that boasts to have participation from all inhabited 6 continents and people from every religion and cultural background. The 54 member states have shared heritage in language, culture, law, education and democratic traditions, among other things, enables Commonwealth countries to work together in an atmosphere of greater trust and understanding than generally prevails among nations. Charter and functional basis: Even though CoN has no official charter; there are several declarations that highlight the roles and ambitions of the commonwealth. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 was 3 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . the first to define the motives of the Commonwealth. The Declaration emphasised on the autonomous relationships shared between the British Empire and its former territories. The Singapore Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting of 1971 resulted in a 14-clause article obligated the Commonwealth to the over ambitious goals of world peace, promotion of a representative democracy and individual liberty, the pursuit of equality and opposition of racism, the fight against poverty, ignorance and disease and free trade. Following the Lusaka Declaration, 1979 and the Langkawi Declaration of 1989, gender equality and environmental sustainability were added to these objectives. Most of these ideals were reinforced and underwent minor revision in the Harare Declaration of 1991. The legal framework is defined as per the Westminster Stature. As of now, promotion of democracy and development take highest priority on the Commonwealth agenda. Decision Making: The Heads of governments of the various members of the commonwealth meet every two years. The summit, known as The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), is held in a different state each year with the PM or President of the host state taking on the role of Chair in office. The CHOGM remains the highest decision making body of the commonwealth, the general purpose of the CHOGMs is the review the remits and roles of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG). The CMAG is an eight-member group of nations whose responsibility is to uphold the commonwealth values as illustrated in the Harare Declaration. However, recent accusations state that the CMAG has tended to limit its work only to unconstitutional changes of government, and that it is not tackling the full range of serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values, this could result in a revised mandate to empower the action group more. Distinctiveness: The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary organisation, which implies that coercion is not as instrument of imposing policy. This distinguishing characteristic has been of historical importance. It is a forum where every country despite their GDP and status reach agreement by consensus. This has been instrumental in the success of the commonwealth. 4 LONDONLONDON INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITEDUNITED NATIONSNATIONS 2016 .. Topic A: The Question of the Leadership of the Commonwealth Introduction The Commonwealth of Nations (CoN) has now existed for 67 years, with only one leadership change occurring within that time. This topic centers on preparations for the next change in leadership, and discussion of the advantages and limitations of the current governance structure. As it stands today, the monarchy of the United Kingdom has always acted as Head of the Commonwealth, with a rotating roster of leaders joining the Secretariat to maintain the CoN’s ability to provide debate and consensus on global issues. But when the time for change comes, is this current structure still suitable in the 21st century? And if it is to be changed, what should the new structure entail? Who should take up that leadership? These are the issues that delegates are invited to research and discuss. History of the Problem The London Declaration was created on 28 April 1949 at the annual Commonwealth Prime Minister’s Conference, where the leaders of eight self-governing countries gathered in London to decide the future of what was then known as the British Commonwealth. In light of Ireland’s recent exit due to its transformation from dominion of the United Kingdom into a republic, and India’s intention to do the same, a meeting was required to adjust the Commonwealth to this new global reality. King George VI, the reigning monarch in the United Kingdom at the time of the declaration, endorsed the decision negotiated between the eight prime ministers. The 55 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . British Commonwealth then transformed into the Commonwealth of Nations, marked by three main provisions: i) It allowed the Commonwealth to admit and retain members that had not previously been dominions, which allowed it to include both republics and indigenous monarchies; ii) These members then became a voluntary body linked in a “free and equal association”i in which the monarch of the UK was accepted as the symbolic Head of the Commonwealth; iii) The name then changed from the British Commonwealth to Commonwealth of Nations in order to reflect the first change, leaning away from a British dominance of the organisation. Upon the death of King George IV, Queen Elizabeth II was invited to take his place. Like her father, the Queen has been committed to the success of the Commonwealth in her role as its Head for the past 63 years. The association known as the Commonwealth Secretariat is housed in Marlborough House, London, a palace made available for this purpose by the Queen. The universal language of the Commonwealth is English, observing parliamentary forms largely used in Westminster, with laws, institutions and traditions based upon the common law of England. Therefore, despite having dropped the term “British” from its name, the Commonwealth of Nations still retains a large degree of British influence and support in the modern day. Current governance of the Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nations has a two-tier hierarchy, with the Queen as its symbolic head at the top and the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation just below it. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II acts as the Head of the Commonwealth. Her role includes a variety of symbolic functions, and has no maximum fixed term. It is up to the leaders of the member states of the Commonwealth to decide upon a successor, should the need arise. The Commonwealth Secretariat is headed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. The first Secretary-General post was created in 1965 and was filled by Arnold Smith of Canada, serving until 1975. The Secretary-General is the public face of the Commonwealth, and is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Secretariat. They are selected by Commonwealth leaders in the same manner as the Head of the Commonwealth, but are subject to a maximum of two four-year terms. The current Secretary-General is Kamalesh Sharma from India, and is the fifth Secretary-General to preside over the Commonwealth of Nations. In support of the Secretary-General, there are the Deputies Secretary-General. Their roles range from having oversight responsibilities for various Commonwealth 6 LONDON INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2016 . Secretariat divisions, advising and reporting to the Secretary-General on economic and social development, and overseeing the political and legal work of the Secretariat. There are currently three Deputies Secretary-General: Gary Dunn, Deodat Maharaj and Dr Josephine Ojiambo. All Deputies are appointed by the Secretary-General following a selection process. The Commonwealth Chair-In Office is the leader of the Commonwealth country that is acting as the host for the current Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), with the role coming into effect at the start of the CHOGM for two years. Their purpose is to voice Commonwealth positions at high-level international forums, and to reinforce the work on conflict prevention and resolution carried out in Commonwealth countries by the Secretary-General. The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) deals with all violations of Commonwealth political values when considered to be of a serious or persistent nature, and can recommend measures for collective action. CMAG may also consider situations of concern in member countries in a proactive, engaged and positive manner. It is noted that the CMAG’S power to suspend or recommend to Commonwealth leaders that a member state can be expelled for violations “is unparalleled by other international organisations”, which may be something to consider when debating the issue of the Commonwealth’s structure. However, the CMAG can only be convened by the Commonwealth Secretary- General, and is made up of a representative from the Chair-In-Office and foreign ministers from eight countries within the Commonwealth.