ROME MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2017 EDITION PREPARATION GUIDE. RomeMUN MARCH Powered by

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1 PREPARATION GUIDE RomeMUN MARCH 2017 Powered by

2 Welcome from RomeMUN 2017 Executive Director Dr. Daniela Conte Distinguished Delegates, It is my privilege to extend my warm welcome to all of you to the Rome Model United Nations 2017 and it is my honor to serve as Executive Director to the 8 th edition of this international conference. My name is Daniela Conte, and I m the President of Giovani nel Mondo Association. The Association Giovani nel Mondo is a non-profit, independent, non- political and non-sectarian organization. The Association pursues educational and cultural purposes of both a national and an international nature. The Association primarily addresses young people between eighteen and thirty years of age in order to support them in their educational formation and growth in the professional, academic and socio-cultural field. Giovani nel Mondo association launched RomeMUN in 2009 and we are very proud to say that our conference in few years became one of the biggest and most prestigious MUN conferences all over the world. RomeMUN is the conference with the biggest number of scholarships and grants for participants 250 scholarships programme for this years festival. Moreover we have activated a programme of international exchange with other MUNs all over the world so we have dozens of free seats to offer for the best RomeMUN 2017 delegates! For more info about it please see MUN is such an inspiring experience, where you are not only learning about major issues around the world, but also developing network and making friends of a lifetime. It is a valuable experience for practice on researching, public speaking, decision-making and problem solving. Last but not least, MUN opens your mind and develops your analytical thinking. For the second year RomeMUN is part of a bigger project: the International Careers Festival, so each participant will have the opportunity to improve their soft skills and to meet interesting NGOs and international institutions and to find job opportunities. I look forward to meeting you all. Sincerely, Daniela Conte RomeMUN 2017 Executive Director executivedirector@internationalcareersfestival.org

3 Contents PREPARATION GUIDE... 1 Tentative Programme... 4 RESEARCH AND PREPARATION FOR ROMEMUN Study the structure and history of the United Nations... 9 Understanding what a Model United Nations conference is Study the structure and history of your committee Understand the politics of your assigned Member-State Focus on the Agenda Topics Prepare a Position Paper Position Paper Example AWARDS CRITERIA FOR ROMEMUN POSITION PAPERS GENERAL RULES OF THE CONFERENCE

4 TENTATIVE PROGRAMME SATURDAY MARCH AUDITORIUM DELLA TECNICA- CONFINDUSTRIA- ADDRESS VIALE DELL ASTRONOMIA 30- ROME 9.00 PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION : OPENING CEREMONY YOUTH AND INTERNATIONAL CAREERS- WHERE TALENT MEETS OPPORTUNITY SATURDAY MARCH UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI INTERNAZIONALI DI ROMA- ADDRESS VIA DELLE SETTE CHIESE, : LIGHT LUNCH : COMMITTEE SESSION I : COMMITTEE SESSION II SOCIAL EVENT PM : DISCOVERING ROME SUNDAY MARCH UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI INTERNAZIONALI DI ROMA- ADDRESS VIA DELLE SETTE CHIESE, : COMMITTEE SESSION III COFFEE BREASK COMMITTEE SESSION IV : LIGHT LUNCH : COMMITTEE SESSION V : COFFEE BREAK : COMMITTEE SESSION VI 1 More details on social events will be communicated on February, the events are not compulsory and not included in the delegate fee 4

5 MONDAY MARCH 13 UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI INTERNAZIONALI DI ROMA- ADDRESS VIA DELLE SETTE CHIESE, : COMMITTEE SESSION VII : COFFEE BREAK : COMMITTEE SESSION VIII : LIGHT LUNCH : COMMITTEE SESSION IX : COFFEE BREAK : COMMITTEE SESSION X SOCIAL EVENT PM : DELEGATE DANCE PARTY FEATURING FATMAN SCOOP TUESDAY, MARCH 14 UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI INTERNAZIONALI DI ROMA- VIA DELLE SETTE CHIESE, : CLOSING CEREMONY : INTERNATIONAL CAREERS FAIR- RECRUITING INTERVIEW AND ORIENTATION SESSION 3 2 More details on social events will be communicated on February, the events are not compulsory and not included in the delegate fee 3 A more detailed programme of the fair will be distributed to each participants. NGO Institutions and Companies will be present at the fair to recruit and oriented interested participant, it will be possible for participants to apply for interview to be held during the fair, only interested profile will be contacted. In order to apply for an interview delegates need to fill in a specific form they will receive on February. Please note that due to the high number of participants at the fair the last day the lunch will NOT be provided by the organization 5

6 RESEARCH AND PREPARATION FOR ROMEMUN 2017 The RomeMUN Conference is an educational project with the purposes of: 1) Increasing the practical and experience-based approach to college study in Italy; 2) Providing delegates from different countries worldwide the possibility to acquire skills and experience that will be useful both during and after college; 3) Bringing youth closer to the United Nations institutions and activities. RomeMUN prides itself on realizing, for the eigth time in Rome, an international meeting which allows hundreds of college-level students to address some of the most important and delicate issues of our time. In this guide you will find some of the guidelines necessary in order to become a successful delegate. However, be aware that in order to achieve this goal your contribution is essential, as it is the main part of the conference. Please note: the key to being a successful RomeMUN delegate is through your preparation before the final conference All MUN projects around the world are very complex, particularly for those who are experiencing their first conference. With that said, this guide aims to give you the best tools in order to prepare yourself. If you have any questions or doubts about the content of this guide, please feel free to contact RomeMUN staff for personal assistance; the following are the most useful contacts: RomeMUN Executive Director Dr. Daniela Conte presidente@romemun.org RomeMUN Secretary-General Ebenezer Essilfie - Nyame ebenezer.essilfie@romemun.org secretariat@romemun.org RomeMUN Deputy Secretary-General Jorge Alejandro Gonzalez Galicia jorge.galicia@romemun.org secretariat@romemun.org 6

7 RomeMUN 2017 Officials List General Assembly (GA) Jacob Robinson (Chair) - jacob.robinson@romemun.org Envangelina Mitropolou (Vice Chair) - evangelina.mitropolou@romemun.org George Emmanuel-Teteeh (Director) george.emmanuel@romemun.org Security Council (SC) Pablo Sanchez Rodriguez (Chair) - pablo.sanchez@romemun.org Selma Lacic (Director) - selma.lacic@romemun.org Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Shashank Sharma (Chair) - shashank.sharma@romemun.org Gabriel Jair Pantoja Gonzalez (Vice Chair) - gabriel.pantoja@romemun.org Bianca Cunha Coutinho (Director) - bianca.cunha@romemun.org United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Hamza Naeem (Chair) - hamza.naeem@romemun.org Amy Currotto(Director) - amy.currotto@romemun.org Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) David Cavey (Chair) - david.cavey@romemun.org Alexandra Small (Director) - alexandra.small@romemun.org United Nations Educational and Scientific Committee (UNESCO) Maddalena Zocca (Chair) - maddalena.zocca@romemun.org Iskender Usupvaeb (Director) - iskender.usupbaev@romemun.org United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ali Zain Kara (Chair) - ali.kara@romemun.org Vaibhav Mittal (Vice Chair) - vaibhav.mittal@romemun.org Ece Yucer (Director) - ece.yucer@romemun.org 7

8 USEFUL MATERIAL FOR DELEGATES In your personal area your will find: The list of committees and topics The RomeMUN delegate guide -(valid for all delegates) The Study Guide of your committee (in order to study the agenda topic) The assignment list of your committee (so you can see if you have a partner or not) Some general suggestions from your Secretary General It is up to you to do a research about your country position about the agenda topics. USEFUL REMINDER FOR DELEGATES In preparing for MUN it is useful to learn how to manage your time, as well as using smart study habits. In studying smartly you must be ORGANIZED! Try using this method to help you prioritize what you should be studying before the conference begins. There are six main areas of research, which should be addressed in the preparation process: 1. The structure and history of the United Nations 2. Understand what a Model United Nations conference is 3. Study the structure and history of your Committee 4. Understand the politics of your assigned Member-State 4 5. Focus on the agenda topics from what is written in the background guides and beyond 6. Prepare a position paper outlining your Member State s policies towards the agenda topic 7. Understand the Rules of Procedures How to find sources about these six main areas of research? 4 Remember, you are NOT representing your opinion! 8

9 The RomeMUN background guides provide detailed explanations of topics as well as what has been done by the different committees to reach their goals. You will have to research you country s position on all two topics in order to be able to participate successfully in the conference. 1. STUDY THE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF THE UNITED NATIONS Use as references the UN Charter; here we quote only the Preamble of the Charter for all chapters see : WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, AND FOR THESE ENDS to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and to ensure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, HAVE RESOLVED TO COMBINE OUR EFFORTS TO ACCOMPLISH THESE AIMS Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations 5 5 Charter of the United Nations, UN official website, from 9

10 OTHER US EFUL SO URCES: United Nations website: On the Web site of the United Nations you can access individual committee sites, links to specific issues on the UN s agenda, related information and data, and links to Representations of Member States to the UN, etc. United Nations Bibliographic Information System: This source is one of the most basic and useful sources, including UN documents, resolutions of UN bodies, meeting and voting records or press releases. United Nations WebTV: This source is useful if you want to see with your eyes what really happens inside the UN bodies, the most important meeting of UN are recorded here. To see the videos it is necessary to download Real Player program. 2. UNDERSTANDING WHAT A MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE IS Model UN Conferences are formative programs aimed to teach students the inner workings of the United Nations. Participants represent member countries in a simulation-game of multilateral diplomacy, reproducing the debate of one or more UN committees like real delegates. The aim of this experience-based program is to find common and effective solutions on the agenda topics by signing and approving a number of resolutions. Model UN conferences have been organized in many countries all over the world. In an MUN conference delegates reproduce two main aspects of multilateral negotiations, the formal and informal debate. Formal debate is a simulation of the committee s meetings where member states express their own positions in front of the entire Assembly trough brief speeches (details on the rules of procedures section); the informal debate is a way to speed up the process of debating; also called with the parliamentary term Caucus, the informal debate is a procedural time out, where the committee can break down into smaller groups for discussing the topic, drafting resolutions, or debating the merits of various resolutions. For a deeper look into MUN world see the video Model United Nations for Everyone 10

11 3. STUDY THE STRUCTURE AND HISTORY OF YOUR COMMITTEE The RomeMUN 2017 conference will consist of the simulation of the following committees: Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, FAO, UNHCR, UNESCO, and UNEP. It is necessary that all participants understand the role and the history of that body of the United Nations they have been assigned to in order to more actively participate in the debate. We tried to give delegates a general overview of these elements inside the Specialized Background Papers that will.be.available.committee-by-committee. Please note that this year we will have also an European body to represent: the Council of Europe. Quite different is also the functioning of the International Court of Justice so please have a deeper look on the rules of procedures of the ICJ. 4. UNDERSTAND THE POLITICS OF YOUR ASSIGNED MEMBER-STATE At the RomeMUN conference you are the representative of your assigned member state. DO NOT FORGET IT! One of the scopes of the simulation is to represent your member state as honestly and correctly as possible. That is why it is so important that the most part of your individual research focuses on the general overview of your country (populations, labor sectors, natural resources, type of government, economy, position in the international arena, important alliances, economic and social issues), and particularly about what your country has done regarding the three agenda topics. The CIA World Fact Book ( provides you a general presentation about your country. Your individual research must focus on what actions your country as taken in the United Nations. 5. FOCUS ON THE AGENDA TOPICS As a participant of any MUN conference you have to present a position paper before the beginning of the conference. A position paper is a document in which you present the position of your member state on the agenda topics. In order to write a strong position paper, you must understand the topics, and know how your country feels about each topic, as well as any actions your country has taken in favor or against each topic. 11

12 Our suggestion is to study topics one by one and then write down the position paper. RomeMUN provides you the background guide with an introduction of each topic and an extensive annotated bibliography. The guide represents an understanding of how each of the topics has been addressed in the last year at the international level and particularly in the UN. In order to exchange points of view with the other delegates attending RomeMUN and to receive more information about the agenda topics, the RomeMUN team has set up an online forum. The RomeMUN team will be hosting meetings on the forum for all of the delegates to participate in the second part of February. More info about the online webinars will be provided soon in your reserved area. 6. PREPARE A POSITION PAPER ALL POSITION PAPERS MUST BE UPLOADED BY MARCH 1 st TO THE SPECIFIC AREA called Position Paper. YOU simply need to log in to and upload it in the Position Paper section. The following are the main guidelines for writing your position paper: The position paper has to be prepared by each delegation per each committee (for example; if you are 2 delegates representing Germany in GA you have to present ONLY 1 position paper about the topic under discussion in the GA; if you are a group of 8 people representing Sweden in 4 different committees you have to present 4 position papers; etc ) The pp is the summary of your country position on the topics set in the agenda. The position paper is one of the most important parts of your preparation. It is the beginning point of your research and one of the ways you will be presenting your country s political position on the agenda topics. The best position paper will be awarded at the closing ceremony of the conference. All papers must be formatted as following: length must not exceed one single-spaced page or two double-spaced pages font must be Times New Roman size 10 pt or 12 pt your country name clearly labeled on the first page each agenda topic should be clearly labeled national symbols are inappropriate The majority of your preparation time for the Conference will be spent researching your actual committee topics. Search for speeches made by your country on the topic, as well as important resolutions that were discussed. What are you looking for in your research? Basic Questions: 12

13 Which is the focus of each of the topics? Why are these issues important internationally? Especially for your country? If this issue has been addressed previously by the committee, why does it remain unresolved? What are the most important resolutions on each topic? Is your country a signatory? What actions have various international bodies taken in the past regarding these issues? What actions are being taken, or what committees exist to address them? What should be done from the perspective of your state to solve the issues? Please note that your position paper must cover what the UN and your country have done previously to address the matter, what is currently in place, and what is planned for the future. Internal structure of the position paper: Introduction: Historical excursus (in brief) and Focus on topic; Problem analysis: Political relevance of the topic, actions taken in the past by your country, Statements of political representatives of your country (Head of State, Ministries), reference to previous agreements to implement or to modify; Solutions and proposals: Possible solutions, strategies proposals and actions to be taken, proposing at least one resolution, recommendation or declaration of principles, Cooperation with regional or international organizations. The Position Paper must be coherent: Internal coherence: logical evolvement of the essay, starting from the problem and ending with the solutions External Coherence: declarations in line with the real politics of the represented country An example of a position paper is on the next page. 13

14 Delegation from Malaysia POSITION PAPER EXAMPLE Position Paper for General Assembly 6 The topic before the General Assembly is: eradicate extreme hunger and poverty. Malaysia is a firm believer that a just and equitable international system needs to be in place for nations to reach peace, security and to pursue economic advancement. However, recent international events have dealt with the 3F crises fuel, food and finance adversely affecting nations worldwide. These crises are the most visible evidences of how interdependent the community of nations has become. Malaysia believes that the UN continues to be a relevant organization to provide a platform for nations seeking collective solutions to global problems. 1. Eradicate the extreme hunger and poverty For half of a century, Malaysia has been trying to promote just economic system, which guarantees equal opportunities for every ethnic group. In fact, a priority for the government, as the Article 25 of the Universal Human Rights Declarations states, is to ensure every citizen a high standard of life, and adequate social services including access to food, clothing, housing, and medical care. Our progress to eradicate poverty and hunger has been demonstrated by the most recent United Nation Development Program (UNDP) report; in fact the New Economic Plan (NEP) created in the 1970 s built a strong economic system based on urbanization that has reduced the poverty trend. It is effectively known that in 1970 half of our population lived below the poverty line, in 2005 just 5.5%. We appreciate the solutions brought by the institution of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but these are not sufficient on their own. Respecting one of the common goals to halve the hunger rate between 1990 and 2015, since 1993 Malaysia has reduced the percentage of children under five years old who are underweight from 23.3% to 10.6%. This is only the first ste p of our development strategy, our ambition is to improve the results achieved in these past few years. However we are convinced that a better world can be built only with just and transparent laws. As underlined in the 2009 Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Sharm El Sheikh, there is an urgent need to reform the UN system to give more representation to every member. An important agency like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the expression of the global subordination of developing countries under the current economic power. Many times the poorer countries remain with a growing debt caused by the unsustainable rates of the loans given by the International Monetary Fund. It is deeply unfair that the financial policies of this institution are under the unilateral oligopoly of few developed countries. Agreeing with resolution A/64/418/Add.3, the issue of foreign debt is fundamental to cope with the problem of hunger and extreme poverty, but it isn t a sufficient reason to get rid of the interest rates on low-income countries until The crisis we are living in points out how in this system the poorest countries are the most affected. As reported by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in the 2009 Rome summit report, the number of malnourished people across the globe has increased from 824 million in 1992 to 963 million in Asian and South Pacific countries have the highest number of hungry people: 642 million. These numbers make regional cooperation fundamental in order to combat the food crisis. Because of the volatility of food prices, every nation with an agriculture-based economy has suffered. For this reason, we want to discuss a reform of the global financial system that could ensure effective rules on the protection of economies based on the agricultural production. Too often, food prices have been used as an instrument for political and economic pressure and this is 6 This is one of position papers which received the Award as best position paper in RomeMUN

15 unacceptable. Food security and the objective to eradicate extreme poverty are essential topics guarantying international peace and security. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU HAVE TO PREPARE ONE POSITION PAPER PER COMMITTEE. EACH POSITION PAPER WILL BE PREPARED BY THE ONE OR TWO MEMBERS OF EACH COMMITTEE. INCLUDE IN YOUR PP ALL THE EVENTUAL SECOND OR THIRD SUBTOPIC (IF YOU HAVE THEM IN THE AGENDA) AWARDS CRITERIA FOR ROMEMUN POSITION PAPERS: Overall quality of writing, proper style, grammar, etc. Citation of relevant resolutions/documents General Consistency with bloc/geopolitical constraints Consistency with the constraints of the United Nations Analysis of issue, rather than reiteration of the Committee Background Guide Receipt of the position paper by March 1st (.doc or.pdf) All position papers are due by the 1st of March NOT VIA BUT on the RomeMUN online system dedicated area ( any late papers will not be considered for an award. PLEASE TITLE EACH DOCUMENT WITH THE NAME OF THE COMMITTEE, AND ASSIGNMENT NAME (Example: GA_NAMIBIA or SC_GABON) Being a Diplomat GENERAL RULES OF THE CONFERENCE Remember that the most important aspect of being a RomeMUN delegate is to act as a foreign diplomat and/or expert. You are the representatives of the government and the peoples of the Member State to which you have been assigned and professional diplomats conduct themselves, and regard one another, with the utmost dignity and respect, regardless of foreign policy affiliation or personal feelings. Even if inside the committee it is possible to assist of strongly conflicting ideological perspectives all delegates must work closely together within the UN on diplomatic matters of mutual concern. Delegate s personal opinions are entirely inapplicable during the course of the simulation. Clothing 15

16 In keeping with the spirit of the simulation, delegates are required to wear formal dress, in a professional business style. Further, national symbols of any kind are forbidden in committee chambers, in accordance with practices of the UN. Only symbols associated specifically with the United Nations (e.g., the seal of the UN) are allowed in committee chambers. Decorum Decorum is one of the most important rules for the days of the simulation. The ability to conduct normal business while in formal or informal session is very difficult when decorum is not maintained. Delegates will be asked for their assistance in this aspect. Now is your opportunity to be a young leader capable of creating a real change in society while enjoying the Eternal City of Rome, we expect the best from you, and of course we will give you the best of us. Sincerely, The RomeMUN 2017 Director, Secretariat, and Officials 16