Globalizing Cultures

by: JACQLYN HANNA, PRESBYTERIAN LADIES COLLEGE, SYDNEY

In an age of globalized media, protecting cultural identity is important so that culture and history is not lost and current generations are able to comprehend what has happened in order to understand more about their futures.
Through the introduction of new mediums such as the Internet, it is much easier in today’s society to be overcome by technology. As the media has a significant influence on everyone’s daily lives, it has the ability to diminish culture and create a homogenous cultural landscape. Globalization in the media can be divided into three categories: those relating to the production of media, those relating to the content of media, and those relating to the reception of media.
Yesterday, the issue of protection of cultural identity in an age of globalized media was debated in GA 3. Delegate of Thailand Renée Klioufis stated, “We were talking about keeping culture within a world that is constantly evolving . . .In countries such as Thailand, we tried to preserve our culture in any way possible, although in countries with many dialects, the resolution creates further struggles for the government.”
GA 3’s resolution on the protection of cultural identity in an age of globalized media urged governments to protect national cultural industry and activities, and encouraged member states to establish or further develop national media corporations such as national television stations, print media, Internet and/or radio. The resolution also stated that member states collaborate with United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to implement student exchange programs focused on creating awareness among young people regarding different cultures and the importance of cultural diversity.
Members had various opinions on the resolution, both in regards to the countries they were representing and personally. Delegate of Pakistan Srushti Kamati claimed, “[Pakistan] does not give [the resolution] that much importance. It is not that significant of an issue when compared to the economy and politics, although it is important because it captures culture, history, and family. It gives an insight into the past, and present generations are now overtaken by the media, particularly the Internet, and are losing their cultural identities.”
Delegate of Sri-Lanka Christine Yen, said, “It was personally pretty important, but not to my country. Although the resolution passed, I do not think it should have. It was amended eight times, clearly demonstrating how it lacked several points. Since the world is emergent, it is important that we move on and accept our cultures and embrace them with our current world.”
In order to protect all cultures, GA 3’s resolution called for all nations to ensure that traditional languages are taught in schools, and urged governments of member nations to further ensure the accessibility of regional languages and dialects. In addition it proposed that governments introduce media labelling, to be standardized by UNESCO to inform consumers of the origin of internationally broadcasted media sources, and encouraged governments of member states to increase support of locally made media resources by offering tax breaks.
GA 3 Delegate of Japan Vishwas Kashyap alleged that, “Japan has always been proud of its culture and heritage. Recent developments however, have been worrying, since they have seriously threatened the sustenance of the existing cultures in our country.”
Although Japan viewed the resolution positively, Delegate of Guatemala Caleb Wiley said, “The resolution passed to my disgust. We ran out of time to discuss all amendments.”
The resolution strongly recommended the creation of an International Festival of Cultural Identities, in order to promote each country’s culture.
“It was a great resolution, and it felt as though the values of all countries advanced. The resolution debated was the best possible decision to overcome an age of globalized media,” Delegate of Canada Henry Mangold concluded.
Overall, the resolution satisfied the majority of the states, and highlighted a significant issue. Protection of cultural identity in an age of globalized media impacts everybody; it is the responsibility of the governments to ensure cultures are not lost due to media influences and that cultural diversity is embraced.

Flaws in the System

by: Natalie Boyle, Teda International School

As much as we’d like to believe otherwise, no one is perfect. With an organization as large as the UN that has an average annual operating budget of $1.9 billion and spends $15 billion a year on various programs and peacekeeping operations worldwide, it is often difficult to resist temptation and keep all of its employees in line. UNOs like UNICEF and the UNDP face similar problems, and spend on average $10 billion dollars annually for economic, social and educational programs, mostly for the developing world. Because of its immensity and global scale, corruption is almost inevitable, but because we still idealistically hope that the United Nations is somehow perfect, the shock of its discovery is devastating. Many people have simply given up hope.
The infamous Food-For-Oil scandal was particularly damaging to the United Nation’s reputation. A 64 billion dollar program that gave Iraqi citizens in 1996 suffering under UN sanctions food in return for Iraqi oil sold under the auspices of the UN was investigated in 2004 under the direction of then Secretary General Kofi Annan. Sixty percent of Iraq’s population was solely dependent on the food and humanitarian assistance the program provided.
It was found that corruption plagued the organization; the head of the program, Benon V. Sevan received $150,000 in bribes from an Egyptian businessman. Reports accused 2,200 international companies of colluding with Saddam Hussein, who was able to earn 1.8 billion dollars in illegal kickbacks and another $11 billion from oil smuggling. According to the initial reports, Savan also refused to allow a formal UN audit and shredded years worth of paperwork; it was also found that a large proportion of the food distributed was “unfit for human consumption.”
A further embarrassment was the revelation that Kofi Annan lobbied for the oil company for which his son worked to receive large contracts with the oil for food program. The reports found that corruption benefited a plethora of international governments, companies, CEOs and individuals. The scandal cost the UN a lot of public goodwill; ever since many people believe that the UN is simply another corrupt organization working to advance its own agenda.
As GA 5 deals specifically with the Oil-for-Food program and UN corruption, it is necessary to turn from the past and look to the future. The UN is currently upgrading its accounting practices, has created the new Independent Audit Advisory Committee, has required all senior level officials to make full financial disclosure statements that are available to all, has created an independent Ethics Office that not only advises individuals but also has the ability to protect whistle-blowers, and is currently working on the implementation of a UN judicial system to hold corrupt officials accountable.
These measures seem to be ineffective, however, as public opinion of the UN is still either muted optimism or vehement pessimism, and UN corruption is still an issue at THIMUN-Singapore. “Firstly, transparency needs to be improved, [as well as] auditing procedures,” said Jessica Kung of the International School of Beijing, “[and] accountability should be established for those in charge of an operation.” “Introducing an open bid process for procurement in UN operations, documentation of information and allowing access to it, audits and revision of regulations in cooperation with NGOs and UNOs [would also be] useful,” said the Delegate of the USA, Rena Minegishi, also of ISB. The delegate of Morocco, Siddharth Gopakumar (British School Muscat), also shared the dream scenario for a resolution, saying “ an accountability program which includes strict guidelines for UN officials, like having to complete operations on budget and in time limits, [and] a transparency program which reports and takes measures to prevent nepotism . . . can control corruption [in the UN].”
It’s a difficult day when the innocent child is forced to admit his hero is flawed, but it is a necessary part of his development. It is important, however for all pessimists to remember, and to acknowledge the fact that the UN has done enormous good; the complete eradication of smallpox and the fight against polio, which has been eradicated in all but sixteen countries, the independence of over 80 different countries, the creation of relatively stable democracies in over 85 countries and the feeding of 113 million people who would have otherwise died of starvation would not have happened without the involvement of the United Nations. Corrupt or not, the United Nations changes lives.

Sin-galore in Singapore

By Akilan Shanmugaratnam, Hwa Chong Institution

Singapore – a cosmopolitan hub nestled in the heart of South-east Asia, a land of milk and honey appealing to foreigners seeking upward mobility. Sterile and sanitized, the island state has resolutely upheld its pristine image, projecting itself as a major tourist destination and centre for business.
Geylang Street – a culinary destination rooted firmly in the Singaporean heartlands. Steeped in heritage and exuding rustic charm by day, illuminated vulgarly by neon lighting & frequented by scantily clad women by night.
These women are nocturnal wraiths, haunting the garish alleys of Geylang, flouting their bodies just as a hawker might promote his wares. And every now and then, though not as often as they might hope, one of these women might attract a customer. These women are street prostitutes, women who trade in their own flesh.
Innumerable images are inadvertently associated with the flesh trade in Singapore – an invisible industry, an illicit indulgence; a tourist attraction perhaps, or even a local street snack.
The legislation of Singapore does exert legal authority over this shady segment of society, permitting licensed brothels to conduct their business, while criminalizing street prostitution and pimping. Brothels and other such commercialized sex venues have to submit to mandatory health inspections, and approved sex workers are issued a yellow card, the tell-tale green light for business to flourish. Despite this diluted measure of aberrant professionalism and regulation, the US State Department reported this year that Singapore does not fully comply with the minimum standards to eliminate the trafficking of women for sex.
This report hit a raw nerve with the third wealthiest population in Asia, but struck a resonant chord along notorious regions similar to Geylang Street. I paid a visit to Geylang myself, to witness firsthand the infamous hordes of solicitors, labeled “roaming nightingales” by the Chinese media. Indeed, women from China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines line the streets like unwitting contestants in a morbid beauty pageant, embellished with tawdry trinkets and bawdy outfits.
On my visit, the taxi driver sagely opined that the “supply is bolstered by the demand,” highlighting the duality of the relationship between prostitutes and their customers. Prostitutes are entrenched in desolation, whereas their customers are motivated primarily by desperation. However, the unfortunate reality of this universe, to invoke an age-old adage, is that two wrongs simply don’t make a right.
As I ventured further into the labyrinth of lust, I began to see beauty salons, massage parlors and medical centres in an altogether new light. I was attired formally, prompting questioning glances to be cast my way, some curious, others accusatory. I learned from my taxi driver that “they are forever looking out for government inspectors.”
It seems to me that to customers, the choice between a Chinese girl and a Thai girl is merely akin to selecting between frog leg porridge and chilli crab porridge at the stall across the street. Prostitutes abandon any semblance of decency to carve out a meager living, while their customers disregard their dignity entirely. They forfeit their rights to enter a servitude fraught with mortal risk, dispensing with all subtleties to overcome their financial destitution. This involves neither the romance nor passion associated with imperial concubines and geishas; rather, the decision these women make is one grounded in calculated pragmatism and stoic resignation.
I withhold any personal judgment, but the delegates certainly had responses aplenty, portraying a myriad of perspectives on this contentious issue. In the Youth Assembly, Adriel Tjokusaputro lamented the legal status of prostitution in Singapore, asserting that “As prostitution goes up, the reputation of a country goes down.” Fellow delegate Jennifer Cho constructively interjected, proffering the suggestion that “The government should provide channels for prostitutes to enter more desirable professions, and salvage their future.”
In the particularly relevant Human Rights Council, Letitia Tandean, delegate of France, and Mia, delegate of Ghana, linked voices to make the impassioned proclamation, “Prostitution is a way to boost the economy, and if it is voluntary, then it shouldn’t be disregarded or disallowed.” Kristine Rysgaare, delegate of Bosnia-Herzegovina, was of similar disposition, averring that “It’s good that [prostitutes] are allowed, if they really need the job, though they could take courses to pick up new skills.”
These delegates have formulated definitive opinions, and vociferated their views with admirable clarity, but the Singaporean population at large seems to remain mired in denial. Times evolve and ages progress, but the issue of prostitution in the refined island city remains shrouded by a veil of crude ambiguity.

Back to the Middle Ages

BY: Brooke Bullock, American School of Doha

Bleeding, with disease setting in, trapped thousands of miles from home, and to get out you have to provide the information they are looking for. Does this sound like the modern world? In the age of technology and information torture shouldn’t be an option for gaining facts, yet governments resort to secret deals and cruelty to gain their means. Trying to climb past diplomatic assurances and political dissidents on a hill too steep, the modern world is backsliding into the middle ages.
Torture is banned under international law and includes prohibiting transferring detainees to torturous states. There are no exceptions, even during times of war. Despite this internationally acknowledged law, countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Russia still practice torture. The most common torture victims are “political dissidents,” said a Human Rights Watch (HRW) article, “Egypt: Government Must Address Torture Epidemic.” These political dissidents often include Islamists, Chechens and Kurds. It is not only these regions practicing torture, however.
The Western world is making the greatest backslide into torture. In previously mentioned countries, torture is a continuing process, but the practice had significantly decreased in the Western world before now. Countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands are increasing torture practices. Amnesty International reported “several cases where detainees held in US custody in Afghanistan and Iraq died under torture.” They sneak around torture accusations, through “diplomatic assurances.” A diplomatic assurance is a promise from another country to accept terrorism suspects and treat them humanely, thus removing blame from the sending country for any torturous acts. “Governments that are using diplomatic assurances know full well that they don’t protect against torture,” said Kenneth Roth, an executive director at HRW. “But in the age of terror, they’re convenient.” Delegate of China Alex Baghdjian agreed with Roth’s statement that torture is convenient; however, he did not comment on China’s stance on government torture. Human rights shouldn’t be based on convenience.
Among many countries that are backsliding, some are stepping forward to acknowledge their past torture crimes. “After years of denial, Chile has finally acknowledged its legacy of torture,” said an executive director of Human Rights Watch, Jose Miguel Vivanco. The commission in charge of this recognition, however, will not identify the perpetrators of the torture crimes. Identifying perpetrators and allowing for their prosecution rests mainly on the shoulders of victims who are willing to step forward, not that it matters. An amnesty decree is currently in
effect that exempts all human rights violators from prosecution.
Many countries take a stance against torture and are signed on to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Reports always seem to surface, despite what seem to be great measures taken against torture. Delegate of Angola James Goh commented that “[Angola] expressly refuses to admit torture in their nation although there have been reports on it.” Other countries such as Uganda have been questioned about the effectiveness of their anti-torture polices. The Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, a Uganda-based organization, documented recent cases of torture against political opponents despite measures the Ugandan government instituted to comply with the Convention. “Torture persists in Uganda because no one is investigated or punished for it,” said the director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Livingstone Sewanyana. Many countries contradict their promise to uphold the Convention by continuing torture practices in some form. YA Advocate Fleur Brennet said, “ It’s unethical. They say they won’t [practice torture] but they do.”
In the two-faced issue of government torture, a solution cannot be found unless countries are willing to halt all torture practices. Diplomatic assurances and flat out discount of the Convention allows the modern world to slide back to the Middle Ages and times where torture was a normal practice. In the present age there should be other options to gain information other than barbarically harming human lives.

Deputy Profiles

BY: Natalie Boyle, Annie Park, Yura Jung

Peter Hung Security Council Deputy President
Peter Hung has been participating in MUN for “four, long years”, and has definitely worked his way up in the ranks to earn his honorable title. He has taken part in eight international conferences, three of which he has chaired. While he is very confident in the delegates’ abilities and is looking forward to “watching people solve problems,” he is still very afraid of that moment when “none of the delegates raise their placards” when the floor is open. Hung is also very active outside of MUN. He works for the school newspaper, is on the forensics team, and is a very talented songwriter.

Jacques Zhang Security Council Deputy President
Inspired by his brother to get involved in MUN, Zhang has attended various conferences such as THIMUN-Singapore, MYMUN and BEIMUN during the past four years. Though he stated that the SC has “four topics that are deep in terms of armed conflict” and that “[the forum] really needs time to sort things out,” he did express concern over the possibility of a Veto by one of the P5. “It’s bound to happen . . . but we try and sort it out through debates and try and satisfy the P5,” he said, proving the point that the Security Council isn’t just about power, but also about finding peaceful solutions.

Aman Biswas HRC Deputy President
Although he is a relative newcomer to the world of MUN chairing, Aman Biswas has proven himself capable of dealing with the delegates of the Human Rights Council. Aside from being involved in MUN, he is also in organizations such as Rotary International and Amnesty International, as well as various other local organizations, while balancing a difficult academic load. Biswas did, at first, express some concern over a potential mutiny of the delegates if he made a mistake, but was somewhat reassured by the fact that the delegates were so “respectful” and nice.

Sehoon Joo HRC Deputy President
Calmly, Sehoon Joo pushes the button for the screen in the HRC. He adjusts the screen to the perfect height for maximum visibility. Then the screen shuts off, and so he does what any dedicated Deputy President of the HRC would do; he hits it. Sehoon Joo is only a junior at ISB, but he has already attended ten conferences, gracing BEIMUN and THIMUN-Singapore thrice each. Besides being a dedicated MUN participant, he is also involved in Roots and Shoots and is a Taekwondo aficionado. He certainly hopes that his HRC forum will try and make “changes happen” during this conference.

Evan Sawan APQN Deputy President
There can be no greater show of commitment than to debate from 9 AM to 2 PM without a single break, but the APQN, led by Sawan did just that. Only a sophomore, Sawan has only participated in three local conferences over the past two years, but he is an officer to watch out for. The APQN is often viewed as being akin to the SC in difficulty, but despite the fact that all the Advisors in the panel were new, Sawan sees them as “really well-prepared.” “They know how to approach the chair with their problems,” he said. He may be young, but Sawan is dedicated to making this APQN an especially productive one.

Kevin Chu ECOSOC Deputy President
Kevin Chu has attended about ten MUN conferences. Formerly, he has been the President of ECOSOC four times as well as the Co-Chair of DISEC. Although his dad’s involvement with international relations and politics motivated him to join MUN, Chu believes that what keeps him interested in participating in conferences are the teachers and the friends. He considers MUN a great opportunity for students to improve their oratory skills, to network, and to make students more aware of global happenings. Chu wants to see all the delegates in ECOSOC speak out more during the conference to enhance debate.

Melissa Boey ECOSOC Deputy President
Having participated in eight conferences and leading three of them, Melissa Boey is no beginner at MUN. Boey first joined MUN not because of her interest in global conflicts, but because her boyfriend was involved in the activity. She ended up falling in love with the program and continued taking part in the pastime that “helps adolescents understand the seriousness of global problems and contribute to solving them.” Boey considers all conferences to be “highly beneficial” to students, and she hopes to see all participants “step up and make a contribution to the debates” throughout the next few days.

YA Presidents: The Driving Force

By Ting Chen, American School in Taichung

Lead by Soukaina Rachidi-Alaowi, Charles Tsai, Natasha Turk, and Cecile Gros, the Youth Assembly, with its thirty-five delegates, continues to sparkle in a corner of THIMUN-Singapore.
Charles Tsai, currently a senior at the International School of Bejing, started MUN in his freshman year. He began as a delegate in the Human Rights forum in BEIMUN. He made his first appearance in THIMUN-Singapore as an ECOSOC delegate and the same year he took on a chairing position in BEIMUN’s Youth Assembly. When he first joined the YA, his first impression, like many other people, was that the committee seemed “very relaxed and informal.” However, as he began to engage in the discussions, he noticed the delegates’ enthusiasm. “The biggest difference is that, for example, when I was in the HRC I had the impression that MUN was all about writing resolutions and trying to convince other people to follow your idea no matter which country you represented,” Tsai explained, “whereas in YA we as teenages can take actually take on specific leadership roles and work for a better future.”
Tsai is very satisfied with this year’s conference. The delegates surprised him with their diligence because there was not much time for them to prepare. “YA was first cancelled until Mr. Boyle-Woods restarted it two or three months ago and we had to get eveyone together in a very short amount of time.” Tsai was deeply impressed with the delegates’ detailed research and their innovative ideas. He recommended all future participants to use YA as an opportunity to expend their vision. “Delegates should actually do the things they have proposed and not just just write them out on paper,” noted Tsai. As for his future advice for potential YA presidents, Tsai encouraged them “to try to keep [themselves] on task and to find a compromise between different ideas.”
Natasha Turk of the American School of Doha in Qatar, who has participated in YA for the last two years, agrees with Tsai: “In YA I like the fact that we wrote the action paper together. It was one of the things that you actually do. I feel that the other MUN is just sitting there and you don’t really get to do anything.”
Her fellow YA coordinator, Soukaina Rachidi-Alaowi (also from the American Scool of Doha), added, “You can actually make a substantial difference because these action plans we make, they are going back to the schools, and they are being implemented. Change doesn’t have to always filter down, sometimes they can filter up. YA starts to change from down below and it goes up. So by changing the community, you can change the region, and even globally.” Both officers believed that the delegates were all really motivated. “What’s so difficult about MUN is when you try to be another country, you have to take yourself out of your own context and put it into the mind of someone completely different,” concluded Rachidi. “This is a committee that they can make their own. This is their footprint on MUN.”
President of the third forum, Cecile Gros from the Overseas Family School, was also chairing for the first time at YA. Gros began her first conference in her French school as a delegate. This is her third THIMUN-Singapore conference and she had been to BEIMUN twice. She hopes to go to The Hague next year. “I have already learned a lot from my experiences,” said Gros. “I am more comfortable speaking with other people now. I used to be really freaked out because I was worried that I would make a mistake. Then I realized that I was not the only one – everybody was freaked out.” She admits that Chairs need a lot of patience since most delegates here are first-timers, so they had to be led step by step.
Under the leadership of these discerning Presidents, the Youth Assembly grows sturdily. As Rachidi said, these potential delegates are not representing other people, but themselves. These are the real voices that needed to be heard throughout the world.

Men In Brown: Administration Staff

BY: SHAHID JUDGE, WOODSTOCK SCHOOL

Dressed in their trademark brown jacket and red tie, the Administration Staff at the THIMUN - Singapore conference work hard to help provide assistance to THIMUN staff and delegates in any way possible. Their jobs involve handling logistics and ensuring that certain equipment, such as chairs and tables, is at the right place at the right time, working at the information desk where the initial registration for the conference took place, and ushering delegates to their respective committee meetings.
These volunteers are students at the Hwa Chong Institution, the venue for this year’s THIMUN - Singapore Conference. The group members are scattered all over the vast campus, offering assistance to any lost delegate looking for the path leading to a committee venue. Some members are even stationed outside committee rooms to help deal with problems such as the shortage of chairs, white board markers, etc.
Each member has his own personal reason as to why he is taking part in this event. “It is mainly for the experience,” said Brandon Tan. “Through this conference I get to see how the United Nations works and deals with international conflicts.” Sam Kee, who had taken part in the Anglo Chinese School MUN Conference in June earlier this year, said, “I like helping THIMUN organizers make the conference smooth.” Cai Yong, Executive Head of the Administration Staff, said, “There are challenging problems but it is fun dealing with them and helping the organizers.” Some of the members have taken part in the MUN as delegates, but those who haven’t, wish to do so.
Before the conference began, the Administration Staff underwent a short training session to prepare themselves for their duties during the conference. “It was bascally more logistical,” said Cai Yong. Aaron Koh, Deputy Executive Head of the Administration Staff, said that the staff did not need much training when it came to helping people find their way because they are students at the Institution and know the area well.
The Administration Staff has certainly attained the admiration of several people present at this conference. “They are terrific!” said Mr. David Taylor, MUN Director from the Overseas Family School in Singapore. “Each year they get better and better. No complaints.” Mr. James Geddes, MUN Director from Woodstock School in India said that the Administration Staff has been highly efficient.
The members of the Administration Staff are keen, enthusiastic and proactive, and are always willing to help with a smile on their face.

A Fab Four

BY: PROANNE LIAO, NATIONAL EXPERIMENTAL HIGH SCHOOL

Although there are many participants in THIMUN-Singapore, a few delegates have shown their eloquence and deftness in the conference. When asked for the most active participants in their committees so far, the chairs of ECOSOC, Human Rights Council, Security Council, and General Assembly 5 have named the delegates of Niger, Canada, Russia, and Costa Rica, respectively. They have all shown exceptional qualities that demonstrate their experience and interest in MUN.
The delegation of Niger in ECOSOC, Dhruv Medepalli and Adam Korkhiawala from American School in Bombay, have been involved in MUN conferences for four years--seven conferences. “I guess I feel special,” Medepalli said when told of this nomination. Their participation in MUN derived from their interest in public speaking and in the many things happening around the world, which is essentially what makes up MUN. Medepalli described himself and his partner as “quite memorable because [they] irritated the chairs so much, and because Adam talks a lot.” The delegation have been main submitters on many resolutions.
“As Canada [in Human Rights Council],” stated Jason Lee and Erik Christianson of International School of Beijing, “both of us have taken on an active leadership role within our forums, and have compromised greatly with key delegations to produce a feasible and realistic resolution which has been well received.” Their nomination as notable delegates could be considered surprising because they do not have as much experience as many other delegates. However, the delegates’ hard work in MUN has affected them greatly. Christianson said, “MUN has helped me identify realistic ideas and maintain a logical political stance when critical thinking is so important in times of the so free and prolific spreading of ideas and information.” To them, MUN is a form of expression of radical ideas to their peers, since the delegation feels it is quite difficult to express them while casually talking.
Powerhouses in Security Council, the delegates Samantha Ngooi and Marcus Stove represents the Russian Federation very well. They love debating, especially about world affairs, about which they are extremely interested. When asked why they think they stand out amongst the hundreds of delegates attending THIMUN, they replied, “Audibility and clear speaking, I hope!” Despite the fact that they have only participated for the past year, the chair of Security Council believes that they are a notable delegation.
Representing Costa Rica in GA 5, Seongwoo Park from the Association of Korean Schools said, “When we’re dealing with terrorists, I’m really interested in how the United States and NATO are doing with the terrorists in the Middle East.” Park has great interest in the process and essence of international relations. Despite this and his skill in MUN, he has only been a participant for about six months. “I found out that United Nations peacekeeping forces were not that adequately equipped; they were very undermanned, under funded, and under-resourced. I really wanted to make a difference in this situation,” he said. He hopes that what he accomplishes in MUN will truly affect the real world.
These delegates have expressed their interest in MUN very clearly, both in lobbying and debating. Public speaking and the knowledge of current events are crucial in our world, for ignorance could create walls between people and the happenings around them. However, the delegates nominated have shown their open minds and strong voices through this THIMUN-Singapore conference.

Tourist Ethics

BY: JOON LEE, KOREA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

Place your hand on your chest, and ask yourself, “Did I do anything wrong on this trip?’ But what is “wrong”? And who decides? The Global Code of Ethics for Tourism(GCET), according to Ethnics in Tourism, is a comprehensive set of principles whose purpose is to guide stakeholders in tourism development: central and local governments, local communities, the tourism industry and its professionals, as well as visitors, both international and domestic.
Now allow me to briefly introduce you to the ten articles.
Article 1: “When traveling, tourists and visitors should not commit any criminal act or any act considered criminal by the laws of the country visited…”
Do NOT call Napoleon a pig in France.
Do NOT drive drunk in San Salvador because an offender may be punished by death before a firing squad.
Do NOT go out in public without wearing underwear in Thailand.
You probably laugh at these laws but I can assure you that you would not be laughing if you were fined, imprisoned, or executed.
Article 2: “Tourism should respect the equality of men and women” and “Tourism should promote human rights .”
Person A: “Only females are allowed in this tour site!”
Person B: “What in the world did you just say?! Did you read Article 2 of the GCET?!”
Person A: “Uhh. No”
Article 3:“All stakeholders in tourism development should safeguard the natural environment with a view to achieving sound, continuous and sustainable economic growth…”
Let’s say Country A is building the fastest train in the world to attract tourists, but the train emits highly toxic smoke. This is not acceptable according to Article 3.
Article 4: “Tourism resources belong to the common heritage of mankind…”
Person A: “The pyramid is mine!”
Person B: “No it’s not! It belongs to everyone!”
Article 5: “Tourism policies should be applied in such a way as to help raise the standard of living of the populations of the regions visited…”
Person A: “Ahh, I lost all my money playing Poker in Country A.”
Person B: “Did you not hear the saying: ‘What is lost in Vegas, stays in Vegas?’ At least your money benefits the citizens of Country A. Be optimistic!”
Article 6: “Governments have the right– and the duty – especially in a crisis, to inform their nationals of the difficult circumstances, or even the dangers they may encounter during their travels abroad; it is their responsibility however to issue such information without prejudicing in an unjustified or exaggerated manner…”
Government official of Country A: There is a flu in Country B. All tourists are encouraged to take vaccinations.”
Article 7: Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring around the world.
Son: “Mom, I am going on a trip to Japan with my friends!”
Mom: “NO! You can not go!”
Son: “Mom, did you not read the Article 7 of GCET?! Everyone has the equal opportunity to enjoy touring! You can not deprive me of my rights.”
Mom: “Fine… you can go.”
Article 8: “Tourists and visitors should benefit from the same rights as the citizens of the country visited concerning the confidentiality of personal data.”
Person A “ What is Person B’s GPA?”
Government Official: “1.0. Oops. I wasn’t supposed to tell you that!
Article 9: “ The fundamental rights of salaried and self-employed workers in the tourism industry and related activities, should be guaranteed under the supervision of the national and local administrations, both of their States of origin and of the host countries with particular care…”
Entrepreneur A: “I am going to set up a lemonade stand in Heathrow Airport because it has the most tourists using the airport! I am going to be rich!”
Article 10: “The public and private stakeholder in tourism development should cooperate in the implementation of the principles and monitor their effective applications.”
Entrepreneur A: “Our company wants to build a resort on this beach.”
Government: “Yes, you can build it as long as you build a sewage system to prevent the water from getting polluted.”
Always remember that GCET applies to everyone, both the travelers and the locals. Whenever you are traveling, never forget the fact that you are representing your country. Thus, to make everyone’s trip safe and happy, follow the guidelines set by the World Tourism Organization.

Economic Growth and Climate Change: A Delicate Balancing Act

BY: CHAE YOUN CHO, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEIJING

Arctic ice is rapidly melting and scientists predict that the region will experience the first ice-free summer by 2040 or even earlier. According to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, the average global temperature has scaled up 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) since 1880, much of this increase in recent decades. Global warming is one of the most destructive disasters, and while some call it “impending,” current scientific consensus states that the world is already experiencing significant climate change.
Despite the existence of so much research and so many predictions, the rate of global warming is increasing, with 11 of the 12 recent years ranking as the warmest years since 1850, according to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). With solutions to this appalling damage are urgently required, it is important to consider how different countries manage their environmental issues and how their economic policies have affected their contribution to the global environment. The Economic and Social Council forum (ECOSOC) in 2008 THIMUN-Singapore conference discussed this issue, with many delegates raising their country’s voices in an effort to resolve the global problem.
According to the environment performance index, which rates a country’s carbon emissions, water purity, and conservation practices, Niger scores 6 out of 100, ranking the lowest of all nations. The Delegate of Niger Dhruv Medepalli from the American School of Bombay commented on this: “As an LEDC we do not have the appropriate funds to advance. Niger’s corrupt government also doesn’t make a substantial effort to change the local environment. Moreover, Niger lacks the use of relevant technologies and the funds to purchase them. The measures which are being taken are more external than internal; foreign companies have been setting up relief funds for local people as well as giving aid to companies that would be able to make a difference. All in all, Niger is making a steady climb up the ‘green’ ladder and in the near future, Niger will make a commendable impact on the industrial world.”
China, the second largest producer of CO2 in the world, has experienced a clear correlation between their economic boom and pollution. Regarding their country’s environmental issue, the Delegates of China Melysa Chong and Jibran Mirza both from the American School of Doha, commented, “China is now taking action through initiatives like the Kyoto protocol. Because China is a major industrializing nation, much research is being conducted to find the most beneficial non-renewable resources in a economically sustainable way, but it will take time to become an eco-friendly country.”
While the above countries have recently acknowledged the alarming rate of global pollution and their involvements in it, other countries have long been aware of this issue and made a substantial improvement in their regulations. For example, Japan, despite its rapid economic growth, currently enjoys a relatively clean environment, ranking 30th in the world in the Environmental Sustainability Index. The Delegate of Japan Mayank Srivastava from Anderson Junior College said, “Japan will be investing US$30 billion towards research and development in the fields of the environment and energy.”
Sweden, which ranks the second “greenest” country according to the environmental performance index (EPI), has reduced carbon emissions by 20% in 20 years whilst enjoying economic growth of 40%. The Delegate of Sweden Glerdon Goh from Hwa Chong Institution stated, “To achieve this, Sweden has implemented several measures including carbon taxation, and using compressed natural gas for rail transport.”
According to many delegates, government control, the type and size of industries, and basic education about the topic seem to be major factors in determining a country’s contribution to the global environment. As the Delegate of France Diya Malhotra from Overseas Family School stated, “There is never enough a country can do to control climate change.” Although we are citizens of separate countries, our actions are not confined to borders of countries. Hence, a global effort to mitigate global warning is urgently required.

Resolutions in the Making

BY PROANNE LIAO

All committees of THIMUN started with a blast as delegates excitedly interacted with each other while lobbying. In both small classrooms and massive auditoriums, groups of students formed, discussing their policies concerning their issues. General Assembly 6,Chair Alex Ito, commented on an oddly large group discussing the question of compensation to civilian victims of armed conflict or their surviving heirs, “We’ve got this big group on only one issue… This is a controversial topic, so I would want two or three [resolutions].” Usually, smaller groups of delegates discuss their stance on an issue, and then merge with other groups to create a resolution, but this group did not function in that way. This abnormality caught the eye of the chairs.
Smaller committees such as APQN did not split into groups—instead, they sat in a group and discussed the issue in Nepal. ICJ also did not lobby, but started their trials, as their committee does not concern resolution making.
Before THIMUN, many delegates used the Internet as an agent of communication to hold pre-lobbying discussions. Forums proved to be a very useful way of online communication before the conference, where delegates got to know each other both on a personal level and professional level. Delegates who did not communicate through the forums found it more difficult to find their allies and launch straight into making a resolution, which would have made lobbying much more efficient.
Within a few committees, including ECOSOC and GA 3, each issue had its designated area, in which more groups formed. One of the groups in ECOSOC was in the process of producing a resolution on the consequences of mass air travel, and said, “We’re looking for many ways to decrease mass air travel.” Though delegates of ECOSOC may have controversial ideas to discuss, many countries may have the same ideals, and may consider merging their resolutions.
One would expect large and powerful countries to be main submitters, but GA5 Chair ,Paik Haenn, believes that smaller countries may also be likely main submitters. The chairs expect a wide variety of countries to participate, and not only the countries involved in the issues or countries that stand at the extremes.
Those committees in smaller classrooms seemed to be more active in comparison to those in the auditoriums, but also seemed less likely to efficiently finish merging and writing resolutions due to the compact environment. THIMUN’s lobbying session proved to be a much different experience to those who have been to other MUN conferences. Compared to smaller conferences, delegates found that THIMUN participants as a whole are much more active. In many other MUN conferences, lobbying is known to be a time to sit back and relax. With their laptops flipped open and fingers typing away, most delegates were actively participating in their heated discussions on their issues. However, a few delegates took the backseat and signed onto resolutions that did not harm them, yet did not contain their voices. Only a few delegates will dominate the debates if others do not speak up. Chairs have encouraged delegates to participate not only in the future debates, but also in lobbying.
More controversial issues required more attention, and therefore a larger group of delegates. Amongst the many issues for each committee, there is usually one or two that take the most time and effort to resolve because of the controversial nature. For example, the ECOSOC issue of economic growth in the view of climate change has two extremely controversial sides. Developing countries may oppose the idea that developed countries want to promote their economy even though there is an immediate environmental problem. Oftentimes delegates do not have a complete idea of a resolution until it is close to the end of lobbying. Then, combining all of the ideas, the main submitter should type up the final resolution that all co-submitters have agreed upon.
As a start of the conference, lobbying has brought the diversity of the many participating delegates together, mingling so that resolutions to the issues could be resolved. Even though these resolutions may not pass, lobbying provides a less formal way of discussion, allowing delegates to become comfortable with each other and the MUN environment around them. Hopefully the debates following the lobbying will be just as lively as the many discussions in each committee held today.

Human Rights in Tibet

BY BROOKE BULLOCK, AMERICAN SCHOOL OF DOHA

Tibet, the “Roof of the World” has been struggling with China for at least a century. Riots and mutinies have resulted in mass casualties and suffering of the Tibetan population. Human rights in Tibet have been a debatable topic for some time now, and both the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama have come under question. The recent riot on March 14, 2008 in Tibet, where indigenous Tibetans protested the business dominance of Han Chinese, has brought the argument over human rights in Tibet to the forefront once again.
Tibet has a history of riots and mutinies against Chinese control and human rights.
Starting with an insurrection that expelled Chinese troops in 1913, Tibet has continued along its path of not-so-peaceful resistance. In 1959 the Tibetan people rioted against Chinese occupation leaving 87,000 dead. Most recently, a riot in March of 2008 was staged against Han Chinese business dominance. Indigenous peoples left in their wake 19 Chinese residents dead and 623 injured. While China attempted to put down the March 2008 riot by sending in peacekeeping troops, accusations of trampling on Tibetan human rights surfaced.
Despite such accusations, some consider China to be helping Tibet a great deal. Since 1978 China has spent billions to restore monasteries in Tibet while also building major infrastructure, including railroads and highways. The downside to China’s efforts is that these infrastructures are privileges restricted to the generally wealthier Han Chinese while indigenous Tibetans remain at the low end of economic classes and receive little benefit from such improvements. This has caused resentment against Chinese rule. China’s violations of human rights go beyond infrastructure though. So far China has been accused of violations such as arbitrary arrest, torture, unfair trials and the absence of freedom of expression and assembly. According to a Human Rights Watch article called “Tibet Since 1950: Silence, Prison, or Exile,” Chinese authorities have imprisoned Tibetans for political expression such as leafleting and distributing the writings of the Dalai Lama. Exiles recount stories of beatings in prisons, untreated near-fatal illnesses and penalties enforced on entire families at the fault of one member.
China cannot be accountable for all the problems in Tibet, however. Some believe that the Dalai Lama’s rule would be more crippling than the Chinese government. Previously under the Dalai Lama, it was estimated that ninety-percent of the Tibetan population were serfs, laborers bought and sold with land or treated as slaves who suffered under harsh conditions and still harsher treatment from landlords. Tibetans serving as serfs were often subjected to such tortures as eye gouging, the pulling of tongues, hamstringing and amputation. Though they still form the majority of the bottom economic class, the percentage of serfdom is not as high. Adding to this, some Tibetans and many foreign countries fear the Dalai Lama and his regime because they are afraid of a religiously controlled nation, especially in the post-9/11 world. This religious rule, called Buddhist theocracy, has created fear within the indigenous people and the foreign world.
All of these issues have pushed the Tibetan people to call for independence, but their cry for freedom remains insignificant in the Chinese mind. Tibet has tried to break through Chinese control but found little help among the general population in China, making it difficult to be heard. According to Newsweek reporter Fareed Zakaria a “vast majority of Chinese have little sympathy for the Tibetan cause.” However, the public is barely given a chance to see the political views of the Tibetan people. Five young Tibetans were detained by Chinese government because of “possession or circulation of published materials about the Dalai Lama or Tibetan independence.” When Tibetans are persecuted for political expression, it is hardly a fair fight.
Human rights remain a hot topic concerning Tibet. Whether Chinese control or the Dalai Lama regime would be more beneficial to the people poses a defining question for the world to consider. Unjust persecution and detention, as well as suppression of free expression, are rampant in Tibet. A cry for autonomy has risen among the people of Tibet as a solution to ease the suffering of its people. Tibetans deserve their basic human rights to fair trial and freedom of political expression.

Armed Conflict: The Forgotten Victims

By: CHAE YOUN CHO, INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF BEIJING

Although the number of ongoing armed conflicts has steadily declined since the end of the Cold War, war victims are not a thing of the past, and repercussions from wars linger. Despite this declining trend of the armed conflicts worldwide, the number of civilian fatalities has increased, with few effective solutions implemented. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), civilian casualty rates have experienced a dramatic increase from 5% at the turn of the century to 15% for the First World War, 65% for the Second World War, and the shocking 90% in the wars during the 1990s. While these numbers are staggering, the reported casualties only include the number of deaths directly connected to the violence and do not take into account other acts of violence such as sexual exploitation, rape, and servitude. Of these casualties, UNICEF estimates that 500,000 children under five died as victims of armed conflicts in 1992. Children accounted for forty percent of the civilian fatality rates in Chechnya, illustrating the brutal repercussions of the armed conflicts. While some civilian victims are accidental, conflicts involving deliberate attacks on civilians (especially children) are increasing. The 9/11 attacks in 2001 is but one example of politically or militarily motivated attacks on non-combatants. The heinous destruction in countries involved in armed conflicts is also alarming. The United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) reported that, “Homes were demolished, and according to reports, residents have been offered neither alternative housing nor any form of compensation. These difficulties are mainly linked to obstructed access to food, education, housing, and health services. The continued insecurity both in the area of origin as well as in those to which the displaced persons have fled, is an additional source of concern.”
Various laws and treaties have been signed to compensate civilian victims of armed conflict or their surviving heirs, starting from the Geneva Convention in 1949. One of the essential rules of international humanitarian law states, “Captured combatants and civilians who find themselves under the authority of the adverse party are entitled to respect for their lives, their dignity, their personal rights and their political, religious, and other convictions. They must be protected against all acts of violence or reprisal. They are entitled to exchange news with their families and receive aid. They must enjoy basic judicial guarantees.” Other treaties that have been signed between nations to seek reconciliations include the Treaty of Portsmouth, the Treaty of Versailles, and the Potsdam Proclamation. While such regulations are detailed regarding the post-war reparations, compensations, and territory allocations, few have been successful in guaranteeing rights for civilian victims, prisoners of war (POW), and hostages. On October 6, 2008, civil war victims in Kathmandu, Nepal started a rally, demanding relief for families displaced by the long-term armed conflict. Instead of any lack of aid, it was the government’s measures to help dislocated families from the civil war that have been quite ineffective in the reunion of families. Several complications with relief programs and government aid have limited the availability and distribution of relief funds.
The 6th General Assembly in the 2008 THIMUN-Singapore conference will tackle the issue head-on as they discuss compensations to civilian victims and present various effective ways to help them out. The delegate of Cuba, Veronica Chung, from Jerudong International School stated that a major problem with past attempts at relieving war victims is “their lack of long-term ideas. Not only are the measures unstable, but they also tend to focus on one aspect of the aid. They also neglect progressive steps to improve the war area, which can mess up the aid process.” The Deputy Chair of General Assembly 6, JeeMin Son, from the International School of Ho Chi Minh City, commented about what the chairs were looking for in the resolutions “They need to rethink the term ‘compensation.’ Many people refer only to financial and shelter aid as compensations for civilian victims, but they are very general. Security and psychological relief are also important considerations.”
Armed conflict, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is “a dispute involving the use of armed force between two or more parties.” While aims to end such conflicts themselves may be difficult and sometimes impossible, attempts to compensate civilian victims of these conflicts can be quite practical when appropriate measures are taken. Acts of violence towards civilians are particularly heinous because of their arbitrary nature and the senseless results. Most of the delegates in this conference will not become soldiers; however, they will be citizens of their respective countries, and could therefore be victims themselves. As such, it is important that we never forget the civilian victims of war.

THIMUN-Singapore Begins

By Shahid Judge, Woodstock School

Hundreds of enthusiastic delegates and staff piled in through two entrances of the expansive Hwa Chong College Auditorium. The impressive setting foreshadowed the major event that was about to begin. After a short video on the THIMUN, the President of the General Assembly, Samantha Sawan, requested delegates stand for a minute of silence in honor of victims of global disasters. Ms. Sawan then welcomed delegates to the 4th Annual THIMUN-Singapore Conference after which she requested delegates rise once again and welcome the keynote speaker, Dr. Amy Khor.
Dr. Khor, Senior Parliamentary Advisor of Environmental and Water Resources in Singapore, announced that a central goal of THIMUN, like the United Nations, is to enhance “tolerance and peace.” In addition, the UN aims to provide the needy with food, housing, education and basic health care.
“It is heartening to see young delegates participate in this conference,” said Dr. Khor, expressing her belief that climate change was “an apt theme” for this event. “It is an issue of great complexities,” commented Dr Khor, as she described the negative effects of climate change, caused by green house gases, which in turn, affect building infrastructure, water, food and health.
Dr Khor described the Kyoto Protocol as the first step towards the elimination of the problem of Global Warming. However, she regretted the fact that some countries have not been able to achieve the goals of the Protocol.
What you (the delegates) learn from the conference can help make the world a better place,” said Dr Khor, and she encouraged delegates to research and act to address climate change.
As Dr Khor was thanked and presented with a plaque, the audience acknowledged her with a standing ovation.
Next, Lee Kaheen took center stage with a short piano piece, then Ms Sawan invited the Chairperson of the THIMUN Singapore Conference, Linda Dubock to speak.
“THIMUN is part of the United Nations Education Department,” she said, “a Foundation dedicated towards the advancement of education as well as the promotion of interest in, and support for, the work of the United Nations.”
Ms Dubock announced that one of the aims of this year’s conference was to make it as paperless as possible. She said that delegates, “as educated people”, are responsible for saving energy.
Ms Dubock requested that delegates take the initiative and make use of the ideas they learn from the conference regarding the problems facing the world today. “You (the delegates) have a responsibility to give the society back what it gave you”, she said. “By that I mean education.” She was also presented with a plaque.
Ms Sawan then introduced the Secretary General of the conference, Haebin Kim. Secretary General has been associated with the MUN for a long time. She has acted as an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advocate, President of the Advisory Panel in THIMUN Singapore, as well as Deputy President and President of the ECOSOC Committee at BEIMUN. During her speech, she announced that the delegates are here to learn. She concluded by mentioning that open-mindedness and selflessness are the two most important values when it comes to working for the betterment of the world.
Ms Sawan introduced the final performance of the Ceremony: Twenty Four Festive Drums, performed by students of the Hwa Chong Institution.
After an impressive performance by the percussionists, Ms Sawan presented a collective gift for the performers. She then invited the General Secretary to draw a ballot in order to decide the first country that would deliver the opening speech. Iceland was chosen and the Ambassador of Iceland delivered the opening speech of the country.
Before delegates were dismissed, as President of the General Assembly, Ms Sawan declared the 4th Annual THIMUN Singapore Conference open.

Secretary General Haebin Kim

Having acted as an ICJ advocate, President of Advisory Panel in THIMUN-Singapore, Deputy President, and President of ECOSOC at BEIMUN, Haebin has enjoyed many aspects of MUN, including the hard work that is required to be successful. Hence, MUN has played a great role in her life.
Her interest in MUN grew as she discovered a passion for making speeches and going overseas. Yet, it was learning about the real world that truly motivated her to become a member of MUN. Since then, she has learned that MUN is the “safest microcosm,” since it provides space that allows people to develop their skills in collaborating and making speeches.
Haebin faced her biggest challenges when leading forums because each was different from the others. Nonetheless, she successfully finished the conferences by collaborating with other team members and getting fully prepared. Serving as the Secretary General this year, she hopes to facilitate another successful event.

Admission of New Members

By Joon Lee, Korea International School

What comes to mind when the words, "United Nations Security Council" are heard? "Power!" one might say. Indeed, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is responsible for many of the important decisions and roles of the UN. Its powers are outlined in the United Nations Charter: the establishment of peace-making operations, the establishment of international sanctions, and the authorization for military action. The Security Council practices its power through passing resolutions. Resolutions are not easy to pass because there are five permanent members in the UNSC that have veto power. They include the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France - these five countries represent the world's superpowers. The world has changed dramatically, and with this big a change, an even greater result should follow - a result such as adding new permanent members to the UNSC.
Japan and India are possible candidates for this great change. According to the CIA World Factbook, these two candidate countries both have higher GDPs than those of three of the current permanent member countries (Russia, the United Kingdom, and France). The two candidates are without a doubt influential countries that may be considered to be new members of the Security Council. But although these countries may be qualified, the admission of new members can cause controversy because there are no definite guidelines for selecting new members. Most countries desire to join the council due to the amount of political clout they might gain. However, certain countries may protest a country's admission due to international disputes.
Japan has struggled with continuing conflicts with neighboring countries, issues including tensions between Japan and North Korea due to kidnapping incidents. According to an article by USA Today titled "North Korea agrees to release family of kidnapped Japanese," "Tokyo announced in October 2000 that it was donating 500,000 tons of rice to North Korea through the United Nations, but has not sent food aid since then because of the nuclear and abductions issues." Therefore, North Korea would definitely not approve of Japan's becoming a permanent member of the UNSC. In addition, Japan has also had problems with South Korea, involving Japan's denial of military prostitution of Korean women during World War II and an ongoing dispute over an islet called Dokdo. China, one of the Security Council members, would definitely disapprove of Japan's admission. One of the main reasons is Japan's alleged failure to teach their young generation about the atrocities that China had to suffer due to the Japanese invasion during WWII. Some believe that the Japanese government distorted their history textbook, which angered both South Korea and China. These three countries respresent three roadlblocks likely to deny Japan's admission.
India has support from most of the countries in the United Nations, thanks to its generally good relationship with foreign nations. However, there are two major countries that may refuse to support India - Pakistan is not a great supporter of the nation because of the unfriendly relationship that has formed over Kashmir. In addition, India has helped East Pakistan (current-day Bangladesh) fight for their independence since 1971. India maintained a good relationship with the Soviet Union during the Cold War and signed the Indo-Soviet Twenty Year Friendship Treaty. Therefore, the relationship between the United States and India has been cold ever since. Although most countries support India, without the agreement of all permanent members of the UNSC, India's admission cannot be passed.
The admission of new members into the UNSC is not only difficult to accomplish, but also unprecedented. Although Japan and India could make good candidates, not all representatives of the United Nations may agree. Also, admitting new members may not be the best idea because it would make passing resolutions even harder , with too many members that hold the power to veto.

Journalists: Unacknowledged Heroes of the World

By Natalie Boyle, Teda International School

On June 8, 2008, the body of BBC Reporter Abdul Samad Rohani was discovered in a ditch in Afghanistan's Helmand Province. In December 2004, James Taricani, a Rhode Island reporter, began a six month house arrest sentence for refusing to name a source. In 1980, a Reuters reporter was shot and killed while leaving a dinner party in West Beirut with his wife after receiving information of a rebellion against Havez Assad's regime there. Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, an Afghan journalism student, was sentenced to death on blasphemy charges. The National Guard detained four journalists after the 9/11 attacks; film was confiscated and a photographer was held for three days before being released without charge. These are merely a few examples of people being denied freedom of the press. Death threats, kidnapping, assassination, unlawful detention, and other forms of intimidation have become part of the daily lives journalists all over the world.
The International Federation of Journalists estimates that over the last 12 years, more than 1,100 journalists and media personnel have died doing their jobs. There have been over 1,100 journalist and media personnel deaths, only one in four of which occurred during a war or armed conflict. That means that on average there were two deaths every week. Reporters Without Borders states that in this year alone, 28 journalists have been killed, and 132 were imprisoned along with 70 so called cyberdissidents. According to the Fund for Independence in Journalism, in two thirds of the instances that resulted in death, the killers were never identified, and in 90% of the cases, they were never prosecuted.
While we would like to believe that it is only in third world countries that journalists are prevented from publishing the news, sadly, it is not true. Since 2004, more than a dozen journalists have been prosecuted in the United States for refusing to reveal their sources. The United States is currently ranked 48th in terms of freedom of the press (Iceland is first, while North Korea is 168th). All over the world, journalists face opposition to their vital work -- informing the people of the world of abuses of power, disasters, wars, human rights triumphs, politics, and miracles -- but the fact of the matter is, governments are, and rightfully should be afraid of the power of information.
The Cold War is a perfect example of this issue. As the Soviet Union was crumbling around him, Mikhail Gorbachev implemented a policy of 'Perestroika,' or reform, that was aimed to curry favor with the masses. 'Glasnost' was the similar policy of openness that was supposed to entail the gradual relaxation of censorship of the press. Unfortunately for Gorbachev, the media discovered a wealth of information concerning the Chernobyl disaster, governmental corruption, social issues, and food shortages, information about which had previously been confined to a small number of people due to governmental censorship. The media, consequently, was also allowed to spread nationalistic ideas that directly affected the growth of nationalist movements in the Soviet Union's many republics. Essentially, it was freedom of the press that led to the collapse of the USSR, so it is no wonder that governments today are so frightened by the power of the press.
A modern example is the recent Olympic Games in Beijing. Article 51 of the Olympic Charter states that the International Olympic Committee should “take all necessary steps in order to ensure the fullest coverage by the different media and the widest possible audience . . . for the Olympic Games.” And while China did allow temporary laws to be implemented allowing some freedom for foreign journalists to interview any consenting Chinese citizen, this freedom was not extended to the Chinese press. In fact, many of the foreign journalists did not notice a difference; media personnel were still interrogated for the names, phone numbers, and addresses of their very vulnerable sources. Many of these sources, consequently, lost their jobs, were threatened, and in some cases, were severely beaten.
Foreign journalists in Tibet were told that “previous procedures” concerning the media were in effect; these involved huge quantities of paperwork that made traveling to Tibet virtually impossible. Similarly, the government was eager for journalists to cover their response to the Sichuan Earthquake, but as soon as something was uncovered that suggested governmental mishandling, officials reverted to “previous procedures.” In one case, an Associated Press reporter and two photographers were forcibly removed from a group of protesting parents.
This is not, however, a unique situation; governments and organizations all over the world have resorted to intimidation to force the media to be silent. Instances of media intimidation have been documented everywhere: in China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Eritrea, the Palestinian territories, and Beirut, and more. One cannot forget the footage in Myanmar last year of the Japanese journalist being shot: His film was never recovered, but his story was told.
Media freedom is something we as educated people tend to take for granted, and yet, it can be so easily be taken away. We rely on a free flow of information in the world today, but we don't realize how much people go through to provide us with this necessary commodity. So next time you pick up a newspaper, try to be aware of the lives that were possibly lost or destroyed in the recounting of the world's stories.

Newbie’s Guide to THIMUN-Singapore

By Ting Chen, American School in Taichung

There is no doubt that THIMUN-Singapore kindles a spark of nervousness and excitement whenever it is mentioned. Every year, international students from around the globe arrive at the gates of the Hwa Chong Institution, each ready to start a fresh new page on his or her MUN booklet. Compared to the previous year’s sixty-five participating schools, THIMUN-Singapore 2008 welcomes the addition of six more schools, totaling around 133 delegations. As the number of participants increases, the percentage of newcomers also continues to soar.
One problem that most newcomers face is the immense size of the institution. The twists and turns of the corridors and hallways often throw people into severe confusion. The delegate of Brazil, who wishes to remain anonymous, first became acquainted with THIMUN-Singapore during his sophomore year. Like many other newcomers (and some returnees), he was clueless about the conference location. “When I arrived, I was startled by the school’s enormous size,” he recalled. “The auditorium was three to four times larger than the auditorium in my school.” When he was returning to his committee after lunch, he “went in circular paths and could not find [his] way back.” He finally arrived at the doors of the Economic and Social Council “after twenty minutes of bewilderment.” Many participants have also shared similar experiences. The delegate of the United Kingdom from the General Assembly felt that he was “trapped in [a] maze because all [of] the committee rooms looked the same.” He recommends that newcomers bring along maps and follow the crowd at all times.
Despite the Hwa Chong Institution’s confusing setting, the THIMUN-Singapore conference allows all participants (advisors included) to make many new friends who share different cultural backgrounds and points of views. Most delegates have pointed out that lobbying serves as the best opportunity to communicate with others. “It gives everyone a chance to show his or her individual identities,” remarked the delegate of Brazil. The delegate of UK from the Human Rights Committee also suggests that enthusiastic newcomers socialize “through sources such as MSN and Facebook.”
Due to the great number of delegations, large committees such as ECOSOC, GA, and the HRC are often tightly packed. Newcomers need an incredible amount of courage to stand up on the podium in front of a large audience. “I was so nervous because I had never seen so many people who speak excellent English gathered together in an auditorium before,” said a Security Council participant as he remembered his first experience in ECOSOC. “When I got up, my hands were shaking and my feet were trembling. Sometimes when I spoke, I would stutter.”
In addition to being courageous, first-timers should be aware of their diction at all times during debates. They must realize that every word counts and that anything they say can easily be used against them. Though not all new THIMUN-Singapore participants are MUN novices, it is still difficult to get used to the challenging and provocative points of information that THIMUN delegates throw at each other. At this conference, eloquence and smooth rhetorical skills rule the floor. As the delegate of DPRK observed, “Be ready to be criticized, but get back [at those attacking you].”
However, not all debates carry on ceaselessly and humorlessly. The delegate of Brazil recalls a creative speech made by one of the main submitters last year: “The delegate defended his resolution by calling [it] a golf course,” said Brazil. “People were pointing out flaws in his reso, and he simply responded by saying that [flaws in a quality reso are inevitable]; a golf course would not work without holes.” Perhaps it is this blend of wit and vigor that evokes all MUNers’ passion for debate.
Newcomers, welcome to THIMUN-Singapore 2008. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and engage yourselves in heated debates. Let your voices ring through the microphone, and touch us with your exuberance. Examine the problem and expound on your ideas. The world is in your hands.

Media Moguls of MUN

By Jen Wang

Media has been a part of our every day lives with TV, newspapers, magazines, online news and gossip sites. The truth of the matter is that media plays a significant role in our lives, whether we like it or not. Joining the ranks of publicized media, Model United Nations is jumping on the bandwagon.At THIMUN-Singapore III, we are now taking advantage of our available resources to help ensure that MUN becomes a beacon of an ambitious unified global student community. The main theme of the third annual session of THIMUN-Singapore is gender equality, however the underlying subject seems to be raising awareness. Like the attention that has been brought to breast cancer by multiple fashion houses, MUN is attempting to bring the same amount of attention to its cause by advocating casual wear such as the t-shirts made by Youth Assembly (YA). Members of YA, Penney Soon and Liying Tay, both from the International School of Beijing, are selling shirts to raise awareness about global warming. In their action paper, there is a proposal to raise awareness. They chose to create shirts as an advertisement for their cause, essentially have people become “walking icons,” explained Tay. They printed t-shirts and plan to sell them at THIMUN-Singapore this year to measure the idea’s effectiveness. This conference has become a testing ground for them to focus on a target audience where they will be able to “[raise] awareness within the youth [and for the] future,” said Soon. Soon and Tay aim to show the participants of THIMUN-Singapore that “resolutions work, and students can make a difference.” They believe that global warming is a crucial issue for our future and that “if students understand how serious the issue is, they would have more innovation and incentive to develop creative ideas to conquer this problem,” added Tay. They both agreed that an important aspect of MUN is to do more than just “write action papers and resolutions that give ideas for change,” says Soon. She believes that Youth Assembly gives students more freedom to express their individual opinions. “Many of the action pa-per ideas are actually very easy for individuals to implement,” remarked Tay, “however, they do require commitment and dedication to be successful.” Soon added, “We actually were a little bit late with ordering the shirts, so we were under a lot of pressure to get them in time to sell.” In addition to the media frenzy forming around MUN, this year, for the first time in THIMUN-Singapore history, the conference has an official Videographer, undertaken by Kevin Sun. He spends his day running around under the hot Singaporean sun to every individual forum in order to film what is going on during the conference. “I’m here to encapsulate how the students interact with global issues,” emphasized Sun when asked about his role at THIMUN-Singapore. The goal of the video is to help students who are not in MUN understand the workings and even perhaps “convince those students who are on the borderline of wanting to join,” remarked Sun. He hopes that the promotional video will give students a more concrete vision of global issues and will extend their possibility to change the world.Also, with our rapidly developing technological world, this generation tends to favor video and pictures rather than printed publications, added Sun. “Video offers a bigger attraction for the minds of our modern generation.”Although Model United Nations is recognized as a way for students to discuss and debate current global issues, the actual power to alter things seems to be out of reach for now. However, with the promise of a more publicized MUN future, perhaps one day the participants will be able to evoke a positive transformation in society. Until then, we just continue to write resolutions and hope that these ideas will carry on to make a change in our adult lives.

Is Sex the Problem?

By Ting Chen
As always, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSC) is on fire. With the question of sex tourism charging the air, delegates continue the heated debate of how to protect the poor children of the world from sexual exploitation. Laws in several countries have legalized sex tourism, also known as “traveling for the purpose of sexual intercourse.” Not only do these laws imply that there is nothing morally wrong with the sexual exploitation of children, but their economies also rely on these perverted practices to improve their GNP. As one delegate put it, “The morning is not the beginning of a whole new happy day for the children; it is the beginning of sexual torture.”The conference on sex tourism took off with the resolution of the Delegate of Bolivia, the main submitter. “The resolution dealt with multiple aspects simultaneously to alleviate the trauma that sexually exported children may receive,” he said. The resolution clauses provide aids and strategies to protect children from being exploited for sex tourism. Emphasizing the importance of education, which can solve the problems of poverty and unemployment, the resolution won many supporters. “We believe children should go to school instead of relying on the money on the [sex tourism],” stated Jennifer Ching, the delegate of Mexico.Of course, when there is agreement, objections also exist. Although the resolution provides a broad view of the improvements to change the status quo, it does not give detailed steps on how to stop sexual intercourse with children. “This resolution focuses on providing children with aid in isolation,” emphasized Katie Fuller, the delegate of UMIFEM. “For this resolution to result in any actual change, specific incentives and alternatives must be given to the families and nations.” She points out that the induction of children into prostitution is a longstanding tradition in some countries and that in order to stop these practices, clear steps to a life-style change need to be planned. The Delegates of Brazil, Megan Cooper and Heather Banerd, also expressed their dissatisfaction. “[The resolution] is well-intentioned, but good intentions are not enough to pass this resolution. As the delegate of the UK is saying now, it tries to cover way too many topics at once. It is way too vague and unspecific on an issue. Thus, it is not good enough for Brazil to support.” After one and a half hours of debate, a majority of delegates passed the resolution. “The debate was quite dead, but reasonable,” responded William Cha, the delegate of Bolivia, “I enjoyed it a lot.” Fuller, on the other hand, replied, “I was disappointed this resolution passed. I think it was naïve.” Although the opinions of the delegates are polarized on the resolution, these hardworking participants are striving to understand sex tourism fully to make a better tomorrow for poor children who are the victims exploited by sex tourism.

SC Looks to Broker Peace and Stability in Lebanon

By Sonja Chai

The third day of conference for the Security Council was marked by a shift from the lobbying of the past two days to a more formal debate procedure. As Deputy President Yihan Tan of Shanghai American School Puxi, said, “The atmosphere was quite casual [while lobbying], so it took the forum a little bit to settle into parliamentary procedure. However, delegates quickly began very focused, careful debate on the clauses.”SC President Serene Wong, from the International School of Beijing, affirmed the high quality of debate: “ ...the delegates are very enthusiastic and submitting many amendments to ensure constructive debate.” Delegates appear to be in consensus with the quality of the debate. “Delegates are getting very involved with the resolution and a lot of important points are being raised to better the resolution and make it more realistic,” added Wong.The subject of the morning’s debate was a resolution on the question of Peace and Stability in Lebanon. According to Yihan Tan, the Security Council “deals with really pressing, controversial issues,” and the debate on the topic at hand is of good quality, since the “topic of peace and stability in Lebanon [is] very contentious.” Part of the contention might have been a direct result of the resolution itself. Delegate of France Julia Lee, from United World College of Southest Asia, commented that the resolution “seem[ed] to be effective but . . . lack[ed] a few details or specifics.” Delegates of Ghana Lily Guo and James Miao, from Concordia International School Shanghai, agreed to some extent: “This resolution appear[ed] ‘pretty’ but [was actually] lacking in substance and impractical if imposed. It would also appear that the clause-by-clause debate of this resolution makes for more in-depth, focused debate. In addition, the SC “has many animated characters that provide for refreshing debate,” according to Hansen Gu, Delegate of the United Kingdom, from Shanghai American School, Puxi. Delegate of the United Kingdom Etienne Ma, also from Shanghai American School Puxi, concurred, stating that “Delegates seem rather creative in their interpretation of their countries’ national policies, leading to debate that is not only constructive, but also entertaining.”The constructiveness of the debate is especially commendable given that “Lebanon has been a very difficult topic,” revealed Tan. “We...had a motion to table the reso but everyone decided that we should do our best to amend.” The Security Council has “many passionate and well-researched” arguments, says Tan. “Sometimes we get tired and frustrated, but we’ll get through it.”

ICJ Deals With Disputes

By Andrew Tarn

With its shaded windows and relative isolation from other committees, some may find the International Court of Justices to be somewhat of a mystery. The truth is, inside the ICJ students participate in courtroom-like meetings, acting as advocates and judges (the judges act as a jury). The reason for the shaded windows? “We didn’t want to let the advocates see our decision,” said Justine Kao, a judge/advocate from the International School of Beijing. The ICJ is involved in solving conflicting international court cases; during this conference they will hear the two cases: Argentina v. Uruguay and Costa Rica v. Nicaragua.Since the postcolonial era of Central American countries, territorial disputes have troubled the relationships between neighboring nations. After concluding the Argentina v. Uruguay dispute, the ICJ moved on to Costa Rica v. Nicaragua. In this case, the International Court of Justices dealt with the navigational and related rights between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with the San Juan River dispute being a core issue. Advocates involved include Varun Vidyt Arte and Lily Mu from the International School of Beijing representing Nicaragua, and Hyun Wha Oh and Saya Iwasaki from the International School Yangon representing Costa Rica.Advocate Oh of Costa Rica started out first by presenting her country’s stance on the case: “Costa Rica should have navigational rights of the San Juan River because of the Treaty of Limits in 1858, while Nicaragua was violating these rights.” However, according to Advocate Mu of Nicaragua, “The country has the right to tax tourist boats, as the boats damage the San Juan River’s ecosystem, and there is no article in the Treaty of Limits banning this right.”The ICJ then proceeded to the admission of evidence (deciding what evidence can be used later in the debates), with judges questioning Nicaraguan and Costa Rican advocates on their previous statements. Both sides called in witnesses, with Costa Rica first direct-examining, then Nicaragua cross-examining their first witness. Later, they moved on to other witnesses, and will conclude the case today.During the debates, advocates demonstrated their strong persuasive skills while judges listened attentively. The International Court of Justices is an example of how students can truly “model” the United Nations.