MUNITY-East

By Jim Hsiao, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

Aside from occasional bouts of hilarity, the Human Rights Council was mainly solemn and focused. The issues on the agenda included questions of the situation of human rights in Myanmar; sport as a means to promote education, health, development, and peace; reducing the number of children living and working on the street; promoting and protecting the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; prioritizing children’s welfare in areas of armed conflict; and promoting the rejection of doctrines based on racial discrimination and xenophobia. On the morning of November 16th, 2011, delegates debated a resolution on using sports as a mean to promote education, health, development, and peace. Slowly, the debate morphed into a conflict in philosophy. Delegates delved into the depths of human nature, arguing either for or against the inherent evil of humanity. Both sides were passionate and defended their beliefs with zealous fervor that was singularly impressive.

Photo cred: Mars Huang IBSH

Delegates of HRC actively sought chances to speak. Their alert eyes were focused on the podium and resolution, and their hands gripped the edges of their seats in anticipation of further action.

The placards were practically flying and spent more time in the air than on the tables. Every time the chair asked for speakers, the delegates threw their hands up, clawing like zombies for dangling prey. To the participants, the conference was serious business. Maansi Kumar (International School of Beijing), delegate of the World Bank, remarked that everyone had “extensive knowledge on their issues, and were very serious about debate.”

Wielding their infallible understanding of the issues, the delegates coordinated their points and questioned their opponents’ arguments. The council was an unforgiving and brutal place, where every foible in an argument would be subject to assault. Ultimately, this intense debate rooted out weaknesses in the resolution, honing it to perfection, and acted as the first line of defense against destructive or inefficient alterations and arguments. For example, when the delegate of China proposed that sports could never be fair since “women have thousands of years of evolution working against them,” the other delegates fiercely criticized the remark, creating a balance to maintain a resolution that promotes equality for all. Fighting for universal basic human rights, HRC delegates represent the pinnacle of morality and justice.

By Tsai-Wei Chen, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park

On November 15th, 1920, confident delegates from all around the globe gathered for the first League of Nations assembly held in Geneva. Little did they know, however, that their legacy and very ideas of community peace would inspire THIMUN-Singapore to host its seventh annual opening ceremony 91 years later––tomorrow.

Coming from countries from all over Asia and Oceania, 964 delegates from 74 schools will arrive at the SALT Center of the Hwa Chong Institution campus to participate in the four-day conference. This year, THIMUN-Singapore will adopt the theme of “Crime and Punishment.” As in preceding years, the conference’s theme will provide each committee with pressing issues for delegates to actively debate and, hopefully, resolve through efficient collaboration.

The First General Assembly (GA), or the Committee of Disarmament and International Security, will deal with the formation of an Islamic conference as well as the control of weapons in the Indian Ocean and in various states. The Economic and Financial assembly (GA2), will attempt to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by promoting ecotourism, protecting coral reefs, and developing agriculture. The Social and Humanitarian assembly (GA3) will tackle the societal issues of discrimination against widows and victims of leprosy in hopes of preserving cultural unity. The Administration and Budgetary assembly (GA5) will discuss financial issues concerning the United Nation mission programs and pandemic diseases. Discussion in the last GA, Legal Assembly (GA6), will focus on crime prevention, the worldwide drug problem, and the security of diplomats.

Heated debate on issues regarding “Crime and Punishment” will also take place in the Economic and Social committee (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council (HRC), and Security Council (SC). In the ECOSOC room, delegates will engage in issues pertaining to sexual exploitation, financial crimes, and natural disasters. SC delegates will review the current situations in Côte d’Ivoire, Sudan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, the HRC will take on the humanitarian issues in Myanmar and discuss the promotion of the welfare of children.

As delegates in committees involve themselves in heated debates and hectic lobbying, students in the Advisory Panel and in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will also take part in vivid discussions of worldwide issues. The Advisory Panel will deal with the situation in the Indochinese peninsula, focusing on the importance of the Mekong River, drug trafficking, and the creation of a free trade area. Representatives in the ICJ will deal with lawsuits between Japan and Australia and between Germany and Italy.

Whether students excitedly embark on this annual pilgrimage to Singapore with high hopes of beaming with pride at their passed resolutions or with enthusiasm to meet new people, THIMUN-Singapore VII will most definitely be a memorable experience for all. The enthusiasm and vigor each day has to offer leaves all students impatient to experience more. So, without further ado, THIMUN-Singapore officially welcomes you aboard the four-day train of excitement. We wish you a smooth ride.

By Minah Kim, Mon’t Kiara International School

As Article 1 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” The Human Rights Committee of the United Nations exists in order to protect the rights and freedoms that all human beings deserve. This year’s conference features topics that cover various aspects of human rights that urgently need to be addressed. One of the six topics of this year’s conference is promotion and protection of the right to development for developing countries. During lobbying, the delegate of China, Akshay Savlani said, “one of the primary concerns of this topic is whether the more economically developed countries are willing to support the development of less economically- developed countries.”

Another topic is combating the defamation of religions. Delegates who are working on this issue are already having a heated discussion within their lobbying groups. Delegate of Norway, Kasthury Paramiswaran, says that the issue is a highly sensitive topic and it is difficult to come up with an appropriate solution which satisfies all the religions around the world.

Protection of journalists in situations of armed conflict is said to be “an interesting yet controversial topic.” by the delegate of UK, Annika Winsness. It deals with the freedom of press, which is different in every country. The safety of journalists was one of the main concerns regarding this topic.

The global food crisis and the right to food are described as be a serious issue that the world isn’t too aware of. Therefore the delegates plan to emphasize their resolution in promoting the awareness of the issue. The protection of human rights defenders discusses the security and rights of individuals who work to promote human rights.

Delegates are also working to support the issue of human rights for persons with disabilities with respect to national implementation. The theme for 2011 includes the monitoring of international cooperation in support of national efforts toward the realization of rights for persons with disabilities. Delegates of this issue are working on creating infrastructure and providing services for the minorities such as disabled women and children. The delegate of Slovakia, Marco Francis, said, “It is simple to implement government policies for this issue; however, it is important for people in the country to actually be willing to help. Also it is crucial to prevent corrupt governments from taking away the donations from those who are in need.” The chair of the HRC describes their committee as a hard working. “We can’t interrupt them when they are focused”, said the president of HRC, Katja Putzke.

The Human Rights committee is definitely ready for their debate to begin. There is no doubt that the debate will be intense, fruitful and constructive as it is filled with passionate delegates. It is a committee we should keep an eye on for the next four days of the conference.