MUNITY-East

By So Yeon Park, International School of Beijing 

The morning debate session in General Assembly 3 (GA3) was greeted by the delegates’ steady discussion on the promotion of literacy as a means of preserving cultural identity. One humorous moment loosened the solemnity of the conference. Deputy Chair Yeon Tack Jung (Shanghai American School) claimed credit for this change of atmosphere. Jung’s mistake of announcing “please state and raise your point” instead of “please rise and state your point” in response to a delegate’s point of information brought mild laughter to the delegates in the room.

Once relaxed, the delegates closely examined the resolution at hand. Andreina Lamas (International School of Beijing), the delegate of the World Bank, drew the delegates’ attention by proposing an amendment highlighting “the benefits of a multilingual business environment” and the importance of promoting it. Yet, Chris Hwa (International School of Beijing), the delegate of Denmark, asserted that the amendment was simply “useless.” Hwa believed that in today’s globalized society, the business world has already recognized and embraced cultural diversity. Although straightforward in his expressions, Hwa definitely added energy and vivacity to the previously composed discussion.

With a balanced mixture of light-hearted smiles and serious discussion, GA3 proved itself as a both enjoyable and productive committee.

The Chairs:

by So Yeon Park, International School of Beijing

Art by Christine Lin American School in Taichung

Countries base their decisions on the assumption that prohibition is a punishment for underhanded activities. Practicing certain degrees of drug legalization, countries all over the world stumble across this dilemma: will drug legalization help them focus on treatment or just increase drug abuse?

A number of countries have adopted drug legalization to a certain degree. The Netherlands, Switzerland, Great Britain, and Portugal are some of the best-known proponents of decriminalizing drugs that are illicit in other countries, such as heroin, marijuana, or cocaine. Supporters of drug legalization point to some of these countries’ successful cases of drug decriminalization. Critics ask whether they are truly “successful.”

The Portuguese government, for example, reacted to the growing number of deaths and cases of HIV by legalizing some harmful drugs. This decision has apparently been effective: the report released by the government in 2006 indicated a striking drop of street drug overdoses from 400 to 290 that year. The statistics also stated that the number of HIV cases caused by using dirty needles for heroin or cocaine injections also plummeted from 1400 to 400.

The argument behind these striking numbers is that “instead of being put into prison, addicts are going to treatment centers and they’re learning how to control their drug usage or getting off drugs entirely,” says Glenn Greenwald, the author of Drug Decriminalization in Portugal and a former New York State constitutional litigator. Advocates confidently assert that increased freedom for drug use comes with enhanced access to medical treatment. Also, these supporters often point to medical benefits that some of the drugs are known to possess and even potential economic gains.

Art by Christine Lin American School in Taichung

However, opponents maintain that drug-related crimes and arrests may not necessarily be reduced by official legalization. These opponents, including Sei Yeon Ji (International School of Beijing), the delegate of Burkina Faso in the Human Rights Committee, argue that “drug legalization means a more prevalent use of illegal, harmful drugs throughout the society, potentially reaching the hands of younger kids.” Ji further expresses her concern, stating that “mostly, ‘soft’ drugs, such as cannabis, that are thought to be relatively less harmful, are the ones that are legalized in some countries. Often times, once this initial step is taken, these countries are likely to turn to further legalization of ‘hard’ drugs, the ones that are believed to be more harmful.”

Ambiguity still surrounds the practice of drug legalization, specifically concerning the extent to which drugs should be decriminalized. Still, it is a common belief across the board that both the proponents and opponents of this controversial issue should carefully consider the implications of each country’s case, and be able to present a clear plan regarding how drug production and consumption will be monitored and regulated.

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 Susanna Chen, International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park 

Inquisitive, affable, mature, efficient, and quirky describe Jerry Wang, the President of the General Assembly (PGA) of this year’s THIMUN-Singapore. While he takes interest in reading and learning about controversial international issues and ideas from the Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Jerry is also a very affable person who loves to meet new people and goof around like any other laid-back teen, pounding his thumbs on video game controllers with his nine-year-old brother or wolfing down a plateful of pesto tuna pasta at his school compound’s clubhouse. When he is not at the pool training for a competition with the Varsity Swim Team or trying to burn off the few extra calories he gained from an Italian dish he had for lunch, he is working diligently as members of the HS Student Council and the Empowerment through Self-Esteem Education (ESEE) program. He has spent his entire life in Toronto, Shanxi Province, and Beijing. Although he has never lived in the United States, one of his life ambitions is to attend the Huntsman Program on Business and International Studies at the University of Pennsylvania because of his interests in economics and international relations. 

Currently a senior at the International School of Beijing, Wang has already attended eight fruitful and rewarding MUN conferences. This November, he once again embarks on the annual journey to Singapore with 36 other students and advisors from his school. When asked about his best conference, he responded, “My best experience is definitely my first ever conference as the delegate of USA in General Assembly 6 of THIMUN Singapore 2008.” With a group of approximately 35 co-submitters, he main-submitted his resolution on the question of compensation of civilian victims and their heirs for damages caused by armed conflict. The intense and prolific debate during the plenary session “without a doubt left on [him] a deep impression and is the reason why [he has] grown to love MUN so much.”

Wang has come a long way since that very conference. Now serving as president of the General Assemblies, he hopes to further challenge himself with increased responsibility, to learn the delicate art of teamwork along with other esteemed and capable students on the THIMUN Singapore Executive Team, and to assist and organize high quality debate and cooperation between delegates in all forums of the General Assembly. He fervently advises and encourages all delegates to “Speak up! It does not matter what country you are representing. Your voice deserves to be heard. Once you get over the initial anxiety and fear of publicly delivering your ideas, you will feel eager to take the floor and discover a formidable confidence.”