BACKGROUND GUIDE NGO COMMITTEE MEDMUN MEDMUN 2018 at Sciences Po, Menton on March 23-25, Prepared for

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1 BACKGROUND GUIDE NGO COMMITTEE MEDMUN 2018 Prepared for 1 MEDMUN 2018 at Sciences Po, Menton on March 23-25, 2018.

2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements.3 Welcome Letters..3 Historical Crisis Staff....5 Function and Composition of the Committees.8 2

3 1. Acknowledgements Thank you to the MEDMUN Crisis Staff 2016 & 2017 for preparing a draft version of the Function and Composition of Committees section of this background guide. 3

4 2. Welcome Letter Honorable delegates and esteemed chairs, Welcome to MEDMUN 2018! I am looking forward to meeting all of you at the end of March here at the Sciences Po Paris, Menton Campus for the sixth annual edition of MEDMUN. This year at MEDMUN, delegates have the opportunity to engage in eight dynamic crisis committees as part of three unique crisis simulations: the 1956 Suez Crisis, Kurdistan 2050, and a Sykes-Picot 2018 committee. Alongside our crisis committees, our Crisis team will be running the MEDMUN Press Committee and our new NGO committee. The decisions made in committee will be based on difficult choices that will simulate real-world outcomes. Your choices do matter, and hopefully engaging in MEDMUN 2018 will help build your tact, diplomacy, and spur-of-the-moment thinking. We expect you to work to use these skills to engage yourself in your position to the fullest extent possible. The theme of MEDMUN 2018 is Institutional Integrity: Human Rights, Political Pluralism, and State Stability. In our historical crisis simulation, the 1956 Suez Crisis, delegates will work in the post-war age of falling empires and budding states to explore all aspects of institutional integrity. In the Kurdistan 2050 simulation, delegates will fight to build and preserve the institutions of a state that we may or may not truly see form in our lifetimes. In the French-language crisis simulation, Sykes- Picot 2018, delegates will be debating what makes the ideal institutions of the modern Middle East, and redrawing the very borders that we have come to know so well and study so deeply. Our NGO committee will be providing aid to all of the other committees to ensure that their institutions can be upheld, while debating their role in that process as well. And of course, the Press Committee will make sure that all of these developments are made as transparent as possible with their reporting. Our crisis staff began our work last year at the end of the MEDMUN 2017 conference, and we have been working since then. We strive to make the crises as realistic as possible, and seek to push delegates to engage in the simulation with the aid of diplomacy, armed conflict, political aid and manipulation, and of course, integrity. The Crisis Staff and I cannot wait to welcome to our beautiful home in Menton, Perle de la France. We hope that you will have fun, and we encourage you to take advantage of meeting your fellow delegates from around the world during the conference and at our parties, while also exploring everything our sunny beach town has to offer. Feel free to reach out to any of the Crisis Staff; we look forward to hosting you soon! Henry Woelflein MEDMUN 2018 Crisis Staff Director 4

5 Hello delegates and chairs of MEDMUN 2018! I am pleased to welcome everyone in this new journey that has just been introduced to MEDMUN and which I believe is going to play a key role in the conference. As the newest addition to the MEDMUN Committee list, the NGO Committee provides the opportunity for delegates to take the role of Nongovernmental Organizations from around the world. Delegates will be given the opportunity to both debate topics relevant to NGOs and act as these NGOs in other committees. In this capacity, delegates will be able to contribute to debate, and offer donations from the NGO s operating budget to the resolutions which seem most relevant to and supportive of the NGO. You are going to be delegates of a committee that takes actions in the conflict presented and simultaneously you are going to use your own skills to develop strategies and ideas as to how to maximise your contribution or discourage a country or organisation to take part in the conflict. You are going to embark on questions of ethics, bias as well as personal passions as you are will be asking yourselves questions such as; Should we donate to this country? If so, how much and why? To what extent can we really be entirely objective with our choices? In combination with your own knowledge on the topic and the interaction between you and the rest of the committee you will be in an apt position to utilise your roles in the simulation. Nikola Tsili MEDMUN 2018 NGO Semi-Crisis Coordinator 3. NGO Committee Staff Members Nikola Tsili is a Greek student who studies at Sciences Po, Campus de Menton, and who holds the position of the NGO semi-crisis committee. He moved to London for three years before commencing his studies in Menton, and he is fortunate to have experiences issues regarding the Mediterranean through an oriental and western perspective. He has enjoyed different opportunities with refugee-focused NGO s in the Greek Islands. His experience made him keen on the Syrian civil war, and afterwards in the Middle East region as a whole. Nikola, or Nikos for short, is looking forward to meeting all the partakers and hopes to make this year s MEDMUN memorable, inshallah. Henry Woelflein is a second year Student at Sciences Po Paris, Campus de Menton as part of the Dual BA program between Sciences Po and Columbia University. Henry was born in London and grew up outside of Washington, D.C. Henry was part of the MEDMUN 2017 Crisis Team last year, after being involved in Model United Nations in high school. As the Chief of War Games last year, he researched and oversaw the simulation of armed conflict in the Persian Gulf and Yemen for the crisis committees. Henry is back, and this year he s the Crisis Director for MEDMUN As Director, Henry hopes to develop committees and simulations that bring the unique past, 5

6 present, and future of the Middle East and Mediterranean to light through the exploration of the most intriguing and complex issues the region has to offer. 6

7 4. Function and Composition of Committees The NGO committee in MEDMUN 2018 is a new committee, and will function similar to a crisis committee. There will be no formal committee procedure in the NGO committee, and it will be divided into committee sessions and humanitarian missions. Committee Sessions: There will be 3 committee sessions, during the first, third, and last committee periods. During the first session, delegates will be given their portfolio powers, i.e. an operating budget, that they can use during the humanitarian missions. Delegates will debate the topics and questions listed later in the guide during the committee sessions, as well as reporting back on their progress in humanitarian missions once they begin. Humanitarian Missions: There will be 2 humanitarian sessions, during the second and fourth committee periods (Saturday morning and late afternoon). During humanitarian missions, delegates will be expected to go from committee to committee, using their operating budgets and their political influence to convince delegates representing countries to accept their support for their resolutions. Delegates will be responsible for managing their own operating budgets; you do not have to use all of it, but you cannot use more than you are allocated. Delegates can only enter committees with the express permission from the chair, and must ask the chairs how much of a role they can play in the committee, while offering options: Only speaking with delegates during unmoderated caucuses or via note passing. Being allowed to speak during moderated caucuses as well as unmoderated caucuses. Ideally, NGO delegates will arrive at the committees in which they will be conducting their humanitarian missions early, before the start of the committee session. However, if the delegate wants to transfer committees, then they should make sure to only enter and approach the chair during an unmoderated caucus. Delegates are expected to send an approximately 1-page, double-spaced position paper entitled: COMMITTEENAME_POSITION to henry.woelflein@sciencespo.fr and nikola.tsili@sciencespo.fr by midnight (00:00) Paris time on 21 March 2018 describing their position and any plans they may wish to follow through on during the simulation. 7

8 About the Topic Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) are of a fundamental importance in today s globalized society. NGOs provide aid, promote ideologies, encourage dialogue, and can advance the interests of those without a voice. While most NGOs have an altruistic goal, the manner in which they pursue these ends does vary. Amnesty International engages with human rights and exposes the harms committed by actors and governments globally, while actively advocating for change in the mechanisms triggering such abuses. On the other hand, the Red Cross is often inserted into the same situations, but takes a strict non-interventionist approach to the issues - focusing instead on directly helping the people involved. This grants the Red Cross open access to almost any country and any situation but sometimes prompts criticism that the Red Cross is apathetic to the greater trends in the world or is refusing to take a stand against the political situation on the grounds. As delegates in this year s NGO committee, you will have an opportunity to discuss among many varying NGOs the proper role for NGOs in society, conflict, and institution building. Moreover, you will be able to act based on these views. You will have the unique opportunity to demonstrate your attempt to help others and make the world a better place, while taking the shoes of different NGOs. Our discussion in committee will be conducted in English; however, when acting outside the forum and actively engaging with the issues in other committees, you can engage in any of the four languages present at MEDMUN - English, French, Arabic, or Italian. Keep in mind, the most important part of this committee is that you are able to engage with the issues and attempt to make meaningful change in the mindset and following the ideology of the NGO you are representing. Questions to Discuss While preparing and discussing in this committee, please keep the following questions in mind: What role should NGOs take in the promotion of state institutions, human rights, political pluralism, and state stability? Are NGOs one of many actors in a pluralist society, or do they exist for the promotion of such society? Should NGOs donate to money to states based on the international image or domestic reality of each state s actions? Should the moral principles that NGOs follow be absolute? How far should the principle of non-intervention and total neutrality go? How can NGOs collaborate to build a better world? Should they collaborate? 8

9 Committee Matrix 9 Médecins Sans Frontières Irrespective of nation, race, religion, they have been supplying emergency materials needed to fight against the epidemics. Parts of the world where no one dares to go during natural disaster, people of the above organisation will go. Responsible for distributing medicine and their expertise on the field. Limited resources and workforce due to peril of travelling to conflicting countries. They have doctors and they must decide where to send them. Which side are they going to help? The victims or the perpetrators? How do they distribute their doctors? Which side has the highest emergency? Mercy Corps They have worked for removing poverty, making them feel secure from any violence, or communal attacks. Aims to provide good governance, and create major breakthroughs against poverty and lasting change. They have 500 workers and they get funded, currently holding 200K. Where do they give the money and how they make sure there is lasting change and their investments would not get wasted? What proposals they put forward to the rest of the time for long-term sustainability. Danish Refugee Council DRC fulfils its mandate by providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities in the conflict areas of the world. Provides good governance, and create major breakthroughs against poverty and lasting change. They have 500 workers and they get funded, currently holding 200K. Where do they give the money and how they make sure there is lasting change and their investments would not get wasted? What proposals they put forward to the rest of the time for long-term sustainability. Acumen They also work to make sure no one stays hungry. The organisation believes that every human should put their full effort in making most needed goods of those neglected people available. Patient capital is a third way that seeks to bridge the gap between the efficiency and scale of market-based approaches and the social impact of pure philanthropy. They have a lot of funds and they have the possibility to gain even more funding. To what extent this long-term approach is applicable? Should they give some of their capital to the other organisations? BRAC Since inception in 1972 it has been working for eradicating poverty in many ways. They have a workforce of teachers and educators equalling to 450 and they also have 50K capital to invest in their project of maintaining the education in the conflicting areas. To what extent is this feasible? What are the dangers? IS the capital they have enough? Action Against Hunger

10 10 The organization helps malnourished children whilst providing communities with access to safe water and sustainable solutions to hunger. They have a lot of capital but they have to manage a way to efficiently implement it. Almost 500K to be invested and they also have the equipment to build water facilities and food centres in the affected areas. They need to collaborate with other organisations to do so. Which are they going to be and how can they get guarantees from the states of their security and implementation of the project? Heifer International They are known for their brave efforts during critical war like conditions. The organisation has been awarded many times prior for their selfless effort towards orphans. They have 2,500 volunteers to deal within the project and they also raise a lot of awareness which enables them to raise funds. They own 350K and they are more risktaking than the rest of the organisations. Amnesty International Amnesty International s mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of human rights. They are purely a research-based and they cannot intervene directly to the affairs of the situation. How can they be sure that the people in the organisation keep their neutrality? How can they have access to the places they really want to have access to, and who is guaranteeing them they will collect the most unbiased possible results? Red Cross Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact from diseases and public health emergencies. Increase local community, civil society and Red Cross Red Crescent capacity to address the most urgent situations of vulnerability. Actively promotes respect for diversity and human dignity, and reduce intolerance, discrimination and social exclusion. They have one of the biggest budgets alongside UN-funded organisations equal to 1m. Operates at multiple levels, with the IFRC, the ICRC, and the national Red Cross (or Red Crescent). Human Rights Watch The group pressures governments, policy makers and human rights abusers to denounce abuse and respect human rights, and the group often works on behalf of refugees, children, migrants and political prisoners. HRW actively monitors and surveilles the immoral practises in the prisons as well as the life of the civilians. They have no interventionist role but they do pressure the government to intervene. They have no restraints however if they actually want to intervene in human rights abuses, with full personal responsibility. They get funding by private citizens and they rely on their support. Their budget is limited. UNICEF UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF seeks to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. They have 1.5 million in their disposition and they are willing

11 11 to share their budget and donate to other organisations but they would like to hear their proposals. Ashoka The best part about the organization is that they not only try to remove poverty, but show people ways show that they can be independent. They have a quite a limited financing and they want to raise funds by pitching to the other organisations. They have innovative ways on tackling problems and remove poverty, however they really depend on the organisations to implement them. Oxfam Oxfam s programs address the structural causes of poverty and related injustice and work primarily through local accountable organizations, seeking to enhance their effectiveness. They have relative access and connections to local authorities in the region and they could help other organisations who want guarantees and security to implement their projects. Their funding has decreased since the last scandals in Haiti and thus they are unable to implement fully their commitment in their projects. They have to try and persuade the big NGOs to assist them financially and put their trust in them. Islamic Relief Worldwide An international humanitarian organization that provides development programs and humanitarian relief around the globe, regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief. They have an expertise in the Muslim World and thus they are very valuable in their approaches as well as their expertise on the current affairs in the region. They also depend on private funding to operate and thus it is crucial for them to get funding from them. They might need to interact with non-ngo s to provide knowledge and get funding from them too.

12 5. Bibliography Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International." Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) International. Accessed March 11, "About Mercy Corps." Mercy Corps. September 27, Accessed March 11, "What we do." DRC. September 01, Accessed March 11, "About Acumen -." Acumen. Accessed March 11, ShineTheme. "Follow Us." BRAC. Accessed March 11, "Action Against Hunger logo." About World Hunger Relief Organization Action Against Hunger. Accessed March 11, "Heifer Haiti Director and Project Participant Honored For Excellence in Development." Heifer International Charity Ending Hunger And Poverty. Accessed March 11, "What We Do." What we do. Accessed March 11, "Children." International Committee of the Red Cross. March 07, Accessed March 11, "About." Human Rights Watch. January 17, Accessed March 11, "What we do." UNICEF. Accessed March 11, "About Ashoka." Ashoka Everyone a Changemaker. February 23, Accessed March 11, Oxfam International The power of people against poverty. Accessed March 11, Accessed March 11,