Modern Knowledge Schools Model United Nations Manama, Bahrain مدرسة املعارف احلديثة منوذج األم املتحدة املنامة,مملكة البحرين Modern Knowledge Model United Nations Café Philosophique Guide This guide includes the technical methods of Café Philosophique. This booklet holds everything related to the party, including the rules and methods of debating and dialogue, Once you have read the booklet, you will be familiar with procedures of Café Philosophique to be ready and prepared for the third annual Modern Knowledge Model United Nations Conference that will take place on the 15 th and 16 th of February, 2019. This handbook is to be used to the participants in the MKMUN III Conference only. Copy Right 2019 Modern Knowledge Schools, Juffair, Bahrain. All rights reserved. Head of Councils: Hamad Yusuf Co-Head of Councils: Salman Muslem! 1 of! 6
Table of Contents Welcome Letter 3 What is Café Philosophique? 4 Topic Breakdown 5 Procedures 6 2! of!6
Modern Knowledge Model United Nations Dear Delegates, Hamad Yusuf Head of Councils Salman Muslem Co-Head of Councils Baheya AlDawaishan Secretary General Shaikha Rahimi Deputy Secretary General Kim Lally Director Oula Akawi Assistant Director On behalf of the MKMUN III team, we would love to welcome you to attend our third annual Model United Nations conference. It would be an immense pleasure to meet you all on February 15th and 16th, 2019. Since its inception, MKMUN has grown immensely, and it is with full confidence that we say that our third year will be even better than the previous ones. From a small conference of 150 delegates, to over three times that number with over 400 participants in our second year, MKMUN s growth stems from the wonderful people who trust in its abilities, and who come back every year for more. At MKMUN, we pride ourselves on our attention to the finest details, from the designs of our badges and stage, to our carefully selected councils and issues. Here at MKMUN, we truly deliver from the heart, and we hope that some of our passion passes on to you as well! We have a magnificent team of highly dedicated individuals, working tirelessly to make this an exceptional conference, and you, dear reader, are part of that team as well. The future needs confident young leaders, such as yourselves, willing to challenge the status quo and stand up tall for their convictions. Having said that, it is our sincere hope that you will join us through this journey at MKMUN III in order to discover and give a voice to the leader which exists in all of you. Best Wishes, Baheya AlDawaishan MKMUN III Secretary General Shaikha Rahimi MKMUN III Deputy Secretary General 3! of!6
What is Café Philosophique? Café Philosophique is a grassroots forum for philosophical discussion, founded by philosopher Marc Sautet in Paris, France, on December 13, 1992. By celebrating World Philosophy Day each year, on the third Thursday of November, UNESCO underlines the enduring value of philosophy for the development of human thought, for each culture and for each individual. "Philosophy is an inspiring discipline as well as an everyday practice that can transform societies. By enabling us to discover the diversity of the intellectual currents in the world, philosophy stimulates intercultural dialogue. By awakening minds to the exercise of thinking and the reasoned confrontation of opinions, philosophy helps to build a more tolerant, more respectful society. For UNESCO, it is also the way to unleash humanity s creative potential and generate new ideas. Philosophy creates the intellectual conditions for change, sustainable development and peace. " Audrey Azoulay UNESCO Director-General 4! of!6
Topic Breakdown Day I: A. The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights main Q. If the United Nations was initially formed to maintain world peace and protect human rights, why is social injustice still an issue? The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization tasked to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international co-operation and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations. Specifically, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and has been translated into over 500 languages. However, philosophers of this café are required to break down and analyze the reasons behind social injustices in the world today, referring back to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Day II: B. Morality main Q. Can anything ever be morally justified? It often becomes clear that the assumptions behind our moral reasoning are contradictory, and the question of what is right and what is wrong is not always black and white. Morality is understood as principles that distinguish between right or wrong, but that tends to refer to subjectivity. Philosophers of this Café could consider the following questions in their discussions: Is owning a gun right or wrong even though it is a weapon that causes violence? Is censorship on books right or wrong? Is it right or wrong to grant humans full freedom? When so much loss is associated with war, is the joy behind victory right? Michael Ruse, a philosopher of science, reports that morality is a biological adaptation, no less than our hands and feet. What counts as definitional of morality, in either sense of morality, is controversial During this discussion, philosophers are expected to change thoughts and justify their own to back up their main statements. 5! of!6
Procedures: Introductory statement: This is Café Philosophique s Opening Speech. Philosopher are expected to present their thoughts about the topic briefly in 1-2 minutes. Main statement (1 sentence ONLY): This is Café Philosophique s Resolution. Philosophers submit a wellconstructed sentence conveying their subjective thoughts about the topic. Chairs, or in this case Les Présidents, pick top 3 Main Statements based on arguments during discussion. Discussion: Open discussion for all philosophers to exchange thoughts and opinions. Personal pronouns are permitted. Voting: Les Présidents pick the top 3 main statements then philosophers vote on the statements selected. Chairs announce both winning statements during MKMUN III s closing ceremony. 6! of!6