BUHMUN Background Guide

Transcription

1 2018 Faculty of Society & Design BUHMUN Background Guide Bond University High School Model United Nations Conference May 2018

2

3 Background Guide To End Poverty in All its Forms Everywhere CONTENTS 1. Purpose of Guide 2. How to use this Guide 3. Background on the Implications of Poverty 4. Background to International Efforts to Eradicate Poverty 5. BUHMUN Committees 6. Preparation and Research 7. Position Paper Guidelines 8. Public Speaking 9. BUHMUN Points and Motions 10. Resolution Writing Guide

4 Purpose of Guide Welcome Future Delegate! Welcome to the BUHMUN briefing book! This guide has been constructed to assist you in preparation for the Bond University High School Model United Nations (BUHMUN). This guide will provide you with an introduction to the theme and provide you with a few starting points for your research. If you stumble across anything you find confusing, feel free to the conference organisers via BUHMUN@bond.edu.au. Important: To ensure a comprehensive BUHMUN experience the Committee Rooms for BUHMUN may be merged to ensure greater collaboration. All delegates are encouraged to understand the background of all committee topics to ensure that they are informed on the topic under debate. In crafting your position paper, you need only write on your allocated topic that you are registered for. Dr Mark Dinnen Assistant Professor (International Relations) Faculty of Society & Design Bond University

5 How to use this Guide If you re reading this sentence, then you ve pretty much got it. Good job! Just keep going the way you are. When you find a question, try to answer it, we also encourage you to access information online to find the answer!

6 Background on the Implications of Poverty In 1995, following the World Summit of Social Development, 117 countries adopted a declaration and programme of action which included commitments to eradicate absolute and reduce overall poverty. The commitment defined absolute poverty as a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. In this instance, absolute poverty depended not solely on income, but on the access to services. Overall poverty, on the other hand, takes various forms including: lack of income and productive resources to ensure sustainable livelihoods; hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or lack of access to education and other basic services; increased morbidity and mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe environments and social discrimination and exclusion. It is also characterised by lack of participation in decision-making and in civil, social, and cultural life. It occurs in all countries: as mass poverty in developing countries, pockets of poverty amid wealth in developed countries, loss of livelihoods because of economic recession, sudden poverty as a result of disaster or conflict, the poverty of low-wage workers, and the utter destitution of people who fall outside family support systems, social institutions and safety nets. In dealing with the matter of poverty, the heads of all UN agencies issued a statement defining poverty as a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. The statement went on to qualify poverty as a lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. Simply put, poverty is not having enough to feed and cloth a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow one s food or a job to earn one s living, not having access to credit. Poverty means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households, and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often implies living on marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation. The multiple dimensions of poverty make it difficult to fully appreciate just how many people are living in poverty.

7 While the proportion of people living below the extreme poverty line (US$1.90 a day) has dropped by half between 2002 and 2012, one in eight people worldwide live in extreme poverty, in Sub-Saharan Africa more than 40% live in extreme poverty. In 2015, 10% of the world s workers, and their families, lived on less than US$1.90 per day, and young people those aged between 15 and 24 are most likely to be among the working poor. When looking towards other dimensions of poverty the figures are just as revealing: Nearly 800 million people worldwide lack access to adequate food; One in four children under age 5 have stunted growth; 5.9 million children under the age of 5 died in 2015 mostly from preventable causes; 3.2 million children under the age of 15 currently live with HIV; 59 million children of primary school age are out of school; The annual growth rate of real GDP for least developed countries has declined from 4.7% ( ) to 2.6% ( ). While there has clearly been some success in combatting the implications of poverty, there remains a significant amount of work to be done. Delegates to the BUHMUN conference are encouraged to build on the success of the international community s action and are challenged to create new and innovative ways to deal with the issue of poverty. Guiding Questions 1. How effective has your nation been in eradicating extreme poverty domestically and internationally? 2. What services could we offer impoverished people to help them achieve selfsustainability? 3. What effect does the existence of impoverished populations have on political, social, and economic stability? 4. With respect to BUHMUN, what effects has poverty had on your country?

8 Background to International Action to Eradicate Poverty In 2000 the United Nations established eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to make the world a better more equal place. The first Goal by the international community was to eradicate hunger and poverty. This was an express recognition by the UN of the prevalence and implications of extreme poverty and hunger across all Member States. The central purpose of this MDG was to halve the number of people who are starving, to raise the income of people living below poverty, and to increase their job opportunities. In 2015, at the end date for the MDG s over one billion people had been lifted out of extreme poverty reducing the poverty rate in developing countries in 1990, when it was 47% to 14%. The success of the international community s efforts with the MDGS contributed towards poverty taking priority in the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG1 calls for the Ending of Poverty in all its Forms Everywhere, which is also the overarching theme of BUHMUN On the 11th of May 2017 the Secretary-General released the report on the progress the international community had made towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The section pertaining to SDG1 is reprinted below. Despite the fact that the global poverty rate has been halved since 2000, intensified efforts are required to boost the incomes, alleviate the suffering and build the resilience of those individuals still living in extreme poverty, in particular in sub-saharan Africa. Social protection systems need to be expanded and risks need to be mitigated for disaster-prone countries, which also tend to be the most impoverished. In 2013, an estimated 767 million people lived below the international poverty line of $1.90 a day down from 1.7 billion people in That figure reflects a decrease in the global poverty rate from 28 per cent in 1999 to 11 per cent in The most significant progress was seen in Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, where the rate declined from 35 per cent in 1999 to 3 per cent in I contrast, 42 per cent of people in sub- Saharan Africa continued to subsist in conditions of extreme poverty in In 2016, just under 10 per cent of the world s workers were living with their families on less than $1.90 per person per day, down from 28 per cent in In the least developed countries, nearly 38 per cent of workers in 2016 were living below the poverty line.

9 Social protection systems are fundamental to preventing and reducing poverty and inequality at every stage of people s lives, through benefits for children, mothers with newborns, persons with disabilities, older persons and those persons who are poor and without jobs. Preliminary data show that in 2016, only 45 per cent of the world s population was effectively protected by a social protection system and that coverage varied widely across countries and regions. In 2016, 68 per cent of people above retirement age received a pension. However, that global average masks large regional differences. In Oceania, excluding Australia and New Zealand, and in sub-saharan Africa, only 10 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively, of people above retirement age received a pension in Other vulnerable groups lack social protections as well. In 2016, only 28 per cent of people with severe disabilities collected disability benefits, only 22 per cent of unemployed individuals worldwide received unemployment benefits and only 41 per cent of women giving birth received maternity benefits. Building the resilience of the poor and strengthening disaster risk reduction is a core development strategy for ending extreme poverty in the most afflicted countries. Economic losses from disasters are now reaching an average of $250 billion to $300 billion a year. Disaster risk globally is highly concentrated in low- and lower-middle-income countries. In relation to the size of their economies, small island developing States have borne a disproportionate impact. The eradication of poverty in all its forms is the goal of SDG1. BUHMUN delegates must provide for a variety of areas to reach this goal, including: improved accessibility to food, shelter, clothing, and basic necessities, aid agricultural development, improve local economies, and provide the tools and services required to make extremely impoverished populations self-sustainable. To do this delegates should be aware of how to effectively utilise the resources, tools, and personnel already at the international communities disposal to empower poor, unemployed citizens to become self-sustainable, happy, and secure. Guiding Questions 1. What efforts has your country taken to ensure that it meets the targets of SDG1? 2. What innovative methods have occurred globally to deal with the implications of poverty? 3. Are there any programs dealing with poverty that are unique to your country or region?

10 BUHMUN Committees At this year s conference four Committee rooms have been established to address specific poverty related problems. The content below provides a brief introduction into each committee area; however, delegates should conduct their own research into their specific topic area. For each topic some guiding questions have been provided as a starting point for your research. Women and Children as the Victims of Poverty Around the world women and children are disproportionately affected by poverty. Within the United Kingdom, 20% of women are in poverty in comparison to 18% of men, or 700,000 more women. Even in the world s richest countries there are 30 million children living in poverty. Guiding Questions 1. In what ways are women and children affected more by poverty? 2. How has your country empowered the role of women and children 3. What are the greatest challenges and limitations for the international community in addressing this issue? Poverty and Human Conflict There is a widely understood connection between poverty and conflict, with poverty making countries more prone to civil war and armed conflict, which in turn weakens governance and economic performance. At the state level, poverty can lower resilience to conflict by weakening government institutions, which strips the state from its ability to provide for its citizens, while simultaneously limiting the state s ability to maintain order and authority. Guiding Questions 1. How has poverty exacerbated conflict within your country? (Hint visit the Global Peace Index) 2. Has your state done anything to mitigate these problems? 3. Has your state contributed, or sought, international collaboration to resolve these issues?

11 Poverty and Prejudice Inextricably linked, with UN rights experts stating that poverty is very closely related with racism and is a major contributor to the continuance of racist attitudes and practices, which in turn generates more poverty. In many places throughout the world racial and ethnic minorities are affected by poverty disproportionately. Guiding Questions 1. Are there any racial or ethnic groups within your country that are experiencing discrimination and/or economic hardship? 2. Has your state made any concerted effort in addressing this? (Hint look towards the speeches of your political leaders for ideas) 3. What international mechanisms has your country supported in combating prejudice at the country, regional, and global level? Poverty and Terrorism Significant debate surrounds the relationship between poverty and terrorism. Some have argued that recent terror attacks confirm that there is no longer a link between the two, yet other studies have confirmed an increase in the membership of extremist organisations during times of economic hardship. Guiding Questions 1. How does poverty provide conditions that are conducive to exploitation by terrorist organisations? 2. What actions can the international community take to prevent this exploitation? 3. In your government s counter-terrorism or anti-terrorism strategies are there specific strategies to address poverty directly?

12 Preparation and Research In order to prepare for BUHMUN you should conduct research into three different areas: research your specific country; research on the theme being addressed; and research into the relevant UN related documents. Taken together, the research will allow you to develop your strategy for the BUHMUN conference. Use the questions below as a starting point for your research. Country Details 1. What are the major political and economic considerations for your country (e.g. Political stability and level of human development)? 2. What were the last three significant foreign policy issues addressed by your country and/or political leadership? 3. What role has your country played in international organisations in the past? 4. Which other countries may be sympathetic to your country s position? Thematic Details 1. What is the main issue for your country regarding the global community s response to poverty? (Both current and historically) 2. Has your county/region approached poverty in a specific way? If so, how? 3. What is the best-negotiated agreement for your country in relation to a universal response to poverty? 4. What is the best alternative to a negotiated agreement for your country in respect to a universal response to poverty? 5. What is the worst alternative to a negotiated agreement for your country in respect to a universal response to poverty?

13 Relevant Documents 1. Are there aspects of the UN Charter that will be relevant to solving the BUHMUN question with respect to the international community taking steps towards addressing poverty? 2. The eradication of poverty has been addressed multiple times by the UN and some of its subsidiary organs, what are the relevant resolutions and reports? 3. Is there a specialised agency to deal with poverty? Provide a brief overview of all agencies that are likely to be involved. Strategy 1. Reflecting on the information contained within your profile, how do you intend to approach the negotiations of this topic/theme? (Examples might include: the construction of alliances, adoption of a go at it alone method, and/or the utilisation statistics and history to win the hearts and minds of your colleagues)

14 Position Paper Guidelines The BUHMUN conference requires you to prepare and submit a position paper. A position paper is an essay that details your country s policies on the topic(s) being discussed. Writing a position paper assists you in organising your ideas so that you can share your country s position with other delegates at BUHMUN. You will also utilise the position paper to develop your speeches and working papers. In order to be as prepared as possible, it is vital that you research both your respective country, and the topic being deliberated. The following guidelines should be followed by all BUHMUN delegates. LENGTH: maximum two pages MARGINS: must be set at 2.54cm for the entire position paper FONT: Times New Roman (12 point) No national symbols may be used. Citations and references are not required. The position paper is to be written as a policy statement from a foreign ministry. NOTE: failure to adhere to these guidelines may disqualify the position paper from being eligible for a BUHMUN Award. A position paper comprises of three parts: a heading; an introduction; and a body. PART 1. HEADING The heading should include the country being represented, your name, your high school affiliation, and the conference topic being addressed. PART 2. INTRODUCTION The introduction should be limited to one (1) paragraph only. Within the introduction you should briefly outline your country s experience poverty, both the impact of poverty and how the country has addressed this impact. This does not need to be a comprehensive list of actions, but enough to appreciate your countries concerns and/or perspectives.

15 PART 3. BODY The body of your position paper is a summary of your country s position on a nuclear free world. This section should include subheadings to convey your country s concerns and ideas. Remember, a memorable position paper will not only provide facts, it will also suggest resolutions to the ongoing problem. When reflecting on the content of your position paper, it may be worthwhile to ensure that a number of these points are covered: A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic; How the issue currently effects your country; Your country s policies with respect to the eradication of poverty in all its forms everywhere and/or the committee topic and the justification for these policy positions; Quotes from your country s leadership about the issue; Statistics that support your country s position on the issue; Actions taken by your government with regard to the issue; Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified; UN actions that your country supported or opposed; What your country believes should be done to address the implications of poverty; What your country would like to accomplish; How the positions of other countries effect your country s position Remember: you are representing a country s perspective on a topic, please do not inject your own views of the topic into your position paper.

16 Public Speaking Public speaking is a highly valuable skill that will develop as you participate in Model United Nations. Knowing how to prepare and deliver a well organised and throughout speech will assist you in school as well as your future career. During BUHMUN there will be several opportunities for you to speak. As a representative of your assigned country you are expected to speak about your country s policies relating to the conference topic, as well as your proposed solution. One of the easiest ways to organise your speech in a Model UN, especially for an opening address, is to use the three-part HPA formula, which is outlined below.

17 BUHMUN Motions and Points The information below provides you with an indication of the process of raising a motion. Step one: Raise your placard Step Two: When the chair has called upon you, introduce your motion in accordance with the script below. BUHMUN Motions 1. Time Limit on Speeches When opening debate, if you wish to adjust the amount of time originally proposed on the speaking time. a. [Country] would like to propose that we limit the time of speeches to minutes 2. Formal Informal refers to the form of debate where delegates raise their placards and the chair calls upon the delegates whose turn it is to speak. a. [Country] would like to motion for a -minute formal informal caucus with a -second speaking time, for the purpose of. 3. Informal Debate refers to the form of debate where delegates can move from their seats to talk directly with other delegates. a. [Country] would like to suspend the meeting for minutes to go into INFORMAL DEBATE to discuss [reason for informal] 4. Informal Informal Debate refers to the form of debate where delegate can move from their seats, or the room, to discuss issues with other delegates. a. [Country] would like to suspend the meeting for minutes to go into INFORMAL INFORMAL DEBATE to discuss [purpose]. 5. Suspend the Meeting (Break/Lunch) If you wish to take a break and do not want the meeting to continue in your absence. a. [Country] would like to suspend the meeting for minutes in order to. 6. Withdrawal of Motions If you have proposed a motion, and wish for it to no longer be considered, it must be withdrawn. a. [Country] would like to withdraw our motion from the floor. 7. Closure of the speaker s List Once a topic of debate has been agreed to delegates will only have a specific period for which to add their names to the speaking list, any delegate may move to close the list once this time has expired. a. [Country] would like to most for the closure of the speaker s list.

18 8. Closure of Debate if you wish to close the debate prior to time expiring, a motion must be moved a. [Country] would like to move for the closure of debate. ' 9. Roll Call Vote a roll call vote can be called at any stage during the session, such a vote will reveal which delegates are present, and which intend to vote. a. [Country] would like to request a roll call vote. 10. Adjournment of Meeting typically moved at the end of the session. a. [Country] would like to move for the adjournment of the meeting BUHMUN Points In general, points are a way to ask a committee, or bring something of nonsubstantive importance to the committee s attention. 1. Point of Order this is used when there has been a violation of the rules of procedure. a. [Country] believed that there has been a procedural mistake. 2. Point of Inquiry this is used when a delegate has a substantive question for a speaker during formal debate. a. [Country] would like to rise to a point of inquiry. 3. Point of Personal Privilege this point is used when a delegate s ability to participate in committee is impaired (e.g. you cannot hear the speaker). YIELDS a. [Country] would like to rise to a point of personal privilege Upon completion of your speakers list speech you are expected to yield any remaining time that you may have. The following yields are considered in order. 1. Yield to Chair This means that the chair will absorb the time remaining in the speech. a. I yield my time to the chair." 2. Yield to Questions This means that with the remaining time the chair will call upon other delegates to ask the delegate giving the speech questions. a. I yield my time to any questions 3. Yield to Another Delegate This means that with the time remaining in the speech, another delegate will be able to elaborate on the ideas that the first delegate presented. a. I yield my time to the Distinguished Delegate of [country]

19 Resolution Writing Guide As the outcome document for a Model United Nations Conference, the style of the resolution plays a vital role in affirming the reality of the Conference. Outlined below is a guide to drafting a realistic Model United Nations Conference. Resolutions are written as one continuous sentence with a very strict format to allow the reader to understand the resolution without confusion. Traditionally, UN resolutions contain three parameters: the header; the preambular paragraphs; and the operative paragraphs. THE HEADER Within the header, the resolution contains the document number, the topic or title of the resolution, the committee that has created the resolution, and the sponsors of the resolution. A sponsor of a resolution is anyone who has contributed to the resolution (Note: the reference to a sponsor should only exist within the drafting stage of the resolution, once the full committee adopts the resolution, the sponsor is no longer noted). For example: Resolution Number Committee Name: Topic: Sponsors: THE PREAMBULAR PARAGRAPHS The preambular clause, or paragraph, supplies the historical background for the issue being addressed to justify the action to be taken. The preambular paragraphs can be utilised to construct an argument. These paragraphs are critical to the resolution as they provide the context to analyse the problem. Traditionally, the paragraphs will start broadly by referring to the UN Charter, before becoming more specific. Such an order may look as follows: 1. United Nations Charter; 2. International legal precedent, or previous Resolutions; 3. Observations regarding the theme; 4. Any relevant reports of the Secretary General.

20 Each preamble begins with a perambulatory phrase (see below). The clause must meet the following criteria: The perambulatory phrase must be italicised; The first word of the capitalised; Preambles are not numbered; Each preamble ends with a comma; Skip a line between each clause. Indent all lines of each clause after the first line; Preambles cannot have sub-clauses; Acronyms and abbreviations should be written out completely when they first appear in the resolution. Thereafter, they can be abbreviated. THE OPERATIVE PARAGRAPHS The operative clause, or paragraph, provides the solution in a resolution. The paragraph should progress logically and be sequentially numbered. Each operative clause calls for a specific action (e.g., denouncing a certain action, or calling for a financial commitment). An operative paragraph may have sub-clauses, but there must be a minimum of two sub-clauses. The operative paragraphs begin with an active verb and are followed by a semicolon; only the final operative clause has a period at the end of it. Operative clauses must meet the following criteria: The operative phrase much be underlined; The first word of the clause must be capitalised; Operative phrases are numbered; Each operative clause ends with a semi-colon. The last operative clause ends with a period; Skip a line between each clause. Indent all lines of each clause after the first line.

21 GLOSSARY OF RESOLUTION TERMS Preambulatory clauses justify the need to address the topic. These clauses can refer to the United Nations Charter, treaties, conventions, and previous resolutions. They may even refer to ongoing international events. Each clause begins with an italicised phrase (a sample of which are provided below) and ends with a comma. PREAMBULATORY CLAUSES

22 OPERATIVE CLAUSES

23 Instructs Intends Invites Is fully conscious Notes Notes with appreciation Notes with approval Notes with concern Notes with deep regret Notes with gratification Notes with gratitude and satisfaction Notes with interest Notes with profound concern Notes with satisfaction Opposes Pays special tribute Praises Reminds Renews its appeal Repeats Requests Requires Reserves Resolves Solemnly affirms Stresses its readiness Strongly condemns Suggests Supports Takes note with appreciation Transmits Trusts Underlines with concern Urges Welcomes

24 Office of Future Students (Australian Students) Bond University Gold Coast Queensland 4229 Australia Toll free: Phone: Fax: Bond International (International Students) Bond University Gold Coast Queensland 4229 Australia Phone: Fax: international@bond.edu.au bond.edu.au CRICOS Provider Code 00017B The information published in this document is correct at the time of printing (May 2018). However, all programs are subject to review by the Academic Senate of the University and the University reserves the right to change its program offerings and subjects without notice. The information published in this document is intended as a guide and persons considering an offer of enrolment should contact the relevant Faculty or Institute to see if any changes have been made before deciding to accept their offer.