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BEIWATCHbeijing model united nations

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VOLUME XVIII ISSUE I MARCH 12, 2011BEIMUN XVIII

An array of performers, guest speakers and MUN officers welcomed delegates to BEIMUN XVIII, setting a humanistic tone for the conference. During the opening, they not only mo-tivated delegates to make their voices heard, but also introduced the fous of the conference: human welfare and social development.

The ceremony was opened by Connie Lee, the General Assembly President, who encouraged delegates to be confident and speak up.

“Don’t be afraid to participate because you will make a mistake,” Connie said. “Your first conference is one that you will remember for the rest of your lives.”

Connie was followed by Mr.Colin Aitken, who elaborated on the importance of giving each delegate equal opportunity to make his or her voice heard. He reminded the room of delegates that “Gross Domestic Product ” is not synonymous with “im-portant,” and that a nation’s power is not an indicator of how much respect a nation deserves.

“What does it really mean,” asked Mr. Aitken of the audience, “to be a sixteen-year-old kid who has never gone to school because your country is ravaged by war?”

But despite this wise message that the resolutions passed in MUN

were representative of real people and real issues,the officers recognized that it would not be easy for delegates to keep this in mind at all times.

“It is too easy to isolate ourselves from those in poverty, and hard to truly understand the shocking dispar-ity of wealth,” stated Undersecretary General Simon Ma.

He suggested that delegates draw on their surroundings for understand-ing, as Beijing is a “city of paradoxes,” with five star hotels next door to dingy motels and foreign cars being serviced by people whose salaries are far below the poverty line.

“We should see that all of us in this room are a privileged group. With

great power comes great responsibil-ity,” concluded Secretary General Eric Wang.

Guest speaker Casey Wilson, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wokai, also introduced delegates to the field of microfinance, which pro-vides financial service to the poor by giving them loans to start businesses. She firmly believes that microfinancing can improve the living conditions of people in poverty.

As the ceremony came to a close, delegates, advisors, and officers reflected on their respective goals and hopes for the conference.

BEIMUN XVIII Opens with a Humanistic AngleBy Ashley Kim

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BEIMUN March 12, 2011

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Mr. Aitken is passionate about BEIMUN

By So Yeon Park

Mr. Colin Aitken, General Director of BEIMUN 2011, is a social studies teacher at the International School of Beijing. Although this is his first year in the coordinator’s seat here at BEIMUN, Mr. Aitken’s previous MUN experience has proved invaluable in the run-up to this year’s conference.

His career as a MUN director began at his old school in Mexico City. As Mr. Aitken notes, “the school had a well-developed MUN program, so they encouraged me to join.” Until then, although he had heard of the MUN program, he “had never actually participated.”As this year’s General Director, Mr. Aitken strives for success at BEIMUN. He acknowledges that without the delegates’ efforts and dedication success would be difficult to achieve. According to Mr. Aitken, this year’s delegates seem “really earnest about being involved.” He also feels that the detailed resolutions and speeches he has seen show that the delegates have thoroughly researched their assigned topics.

Not satisfied with merely replicating other MUN conferences, Mr. Aitken has worked hard to put his own

stamp on BEIMUN this year. He admits that, “while the conference is clearly a simulated model of the UN,” he believes that “tangible achievements” from this year’s BEIMUN can be achieved through the coordination of donations and fundraising activities.

Describing himself as a passionate and positive individual, Mr. Aitken has a definite goal for BEIMUN XVIII. He hopes that the delegates “gain some important knowledge about their issues from BEIMUN.” It is also his goal to direct the delegates’ attention to this year’s conference theme: social development and human welfare. Mr. Aitken hopes that the delegates “will not forget the people behind these theme issues, especially those deprived of the basic necessities in life.”

Assuming the mantle of General Director, and seeing himself as a “privileged individual,” Mr. Aitken is striving for a successful BEIMUN conference that contributes positively to informing future leaders about the plight of the less privileged in the world.

2011 BEIWATCH STAFF

Editor-in-ChiefJeongSun Lee

Assistant EditorSeoHyun BaeText EditorsSoyoon Bach

Angie JoEunice LeeStacy Yun

ReportersDong Hyeok HanJaimee Haddad

Ashley KimJessi Koo

Winnie LauYu Sung (Kevin) LeeMcKenzie MandichGabriella Mikiewicz

So Yeon ParkElizabeth Song

Gavin TanKaren Zhang

Photography CoordinatorShawn Park

PhotographersJudy Park

JooHyung JangCody van Kampen

He Ra KangLayout Coodinators

Jeremy LeungJames RohLayoutJosh On

Jun Yong BaeAmy Choi

Woo Sung ChoiJasmine Park

Mark Woo Art Coordinator

ArtistsJi Hoo Nam

Sugarmaa Bat-ErdeneSonya D’Souza

Katie WongAdvisors

Linda SamarziaRichard Glover


BEIMUNMarch 12, 2011

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From a Student Perspective: First Impressions of BEIMUN

As you walk into the Crowne Plaza lobby and witness hundreds of students from all over the world looking apprehensive, excited, joyous, enthusiastic, confident, and anxious, you may remember your expectations at your first MUN conference. It is understandable if your first conference is a little nerve-wracking. Making speeches in front of everybody and trying to write good resolutions can be stressful for even an experienced delegate, and that’s not even considering debating or lobbying. Still, first impressions of BEIMUN XVIII seem to be overwhelmingly positive, if the Friday reports from four newcomers can be believed.

By McKenzie Mandich

Delegate: Alice Yin of the Saigon South International SchoolCommittee: Special Conference: sub-committee twoCountry: Burkina FasoGrade: 9

Alice, who is attending her first-ever MUN conference, said she was “really nervous and unsure of what to expect.” Her goal in participating in MUN is to improve her public speaking, which always makes her nervous. Learning about current events is another reason Alice is in MUN, and she added “It’s also a good opportunity to learn how to be professional (which also makes me a bit nervous!)”

Delegate: Saarim Zaman of the International School DhakaCommittee: Environment CommissionCountry: UruguayGrade: 11

Confidence is a good attribute for MUN delegates, and Saarim comes to BEIMUN “definitely looking forward” to the conference. He said he feels “really prepared” and admits to also being “maybe a little nervous.” Unlike many new MUN participants, Saarim really enjoys public speaking and is looking forward to attending many more conferences in the future.

Delegate: Joe Gallagher of the American Community School of Abu DhabiCommittee: Special Conference Sub-Committee OneCountry: GermanyGrade: 12

As a first time participant, Joe confesses to being “pretty scared and nervous because there are so many people. At first I thought I was going to have to do a speech in front of like 100 people, but now I have realized it is only 30 or so, which is a relief!” Joe finds that MUN “opened my eyes on a lot of international world issues that I was oblivious to before. It’s a great chance to discuss those issues and to debate them with people from all over the world.”

Delegate: Alina Luk of the Chinese International School Committee: Youth Assembly sub-committee twoGrade: 12

Unlike the other rookie BEIMUN-ers, Alina is a veteran, having attended a MUN conference in Hong Kong. Like the others, Alina describes her feelings as “nervous, but also really excited.” Alina is participating in the Youth Assembly because of its focus on discrimination, an area of special interest to her. She adds, “It is a really good exposure. It is also great because you get to meet new people and address important issues with representatives of the world.”

PAGE © BeiMUN press team4


Debate + Current Events = MUN for Jane Woo

By Ashley Kim

With four years of involvement at MUN conferences in Qa-tar, Beijing and Singapore, American School of Doha senior Evan Sawan is ready for this, his final BEIMUN conference.

Sawan initially chose to become a delegate for a Qatar conference after hearing positive feedback about MUN from his sister. He also attended THIMUN and BEIMUN as a committee chair, because “a leadership position is more interesting. Unlike delegates, chairs must write research reports on the issues in their respective committees, and they lead the debate during the conference.”

Sawan, who aspires to become a marine biologist, believes his MUN experience will prove useful in his future career.

“For my career in marine biology, I will also be working with others to solve problems and discover new solutions,” Sawan explained. “I also gain experience in learning how to communi-cate my message clearly and efficiently to an audience.”

Aside from specific career aspirations, Sawan also hopes to learn Chinese one day, fostering communication with other cultures.

“I already taught myself how to read Japanese,” Sawan said, “but learning Chinese would be awesome.”

Jane Woo has always been excited about debate and had an interest in current events. “When I found out MUN was a combi-nation of the two,” she laughed, “I just had to join right away!” Although she was first attracted to MUN due to the mixture of “intense debates and intelligent delegates,” those are not the only aspects of the activity that this senior from Korea Interna-tional School loves; she was also captivated by the diversity of the conferences which have allowed her to meet interesting new friends. The hard work that the delegates put into the conference every year was enough to inspire her. As a member of MUN since her freshman year and the current Deputy Assistant President of General Assembly 2nd committee, Jane has naturally sat through numerous conferences that were as entertaining as they were enlightening, and she expects this year to be no different.

“I expect some really, really hilarious moments,” she anticipat-ed, “and BEIMUN has never let me down on that front before.”

MUN Experiences Shape Future for Ewan SawanBy Jaimee Haddad


March 12, 2011 FORUM REPORT

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Having to sit on the floor during the lobbying session did not prevent General Assembly (GA) delegates from eagerly discussing their issues. The GA was divided into three subcommittees that focused on disarmament and international security, economic and financial problems, and social concerns. In each subcommittee were issues that garnered more popularity than others.

In GA 1, the first subcommittee, interest centered on information and telecommunications in the context of international security. Sam Wu, delegate of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), shared his strong stance on the issue.

“Internet censorship is a very good thing,” said Sam. “The government should have absolute control over its citizens’ communication and telecommunications. Internet is a privilege and not a right. Internet comes with power, and power comes with evil. So, the more access to the Internet the people have, the more evil there is in the world. North Korea is the only country in the world free of evil because of communism.”

Shiyang Ni, delegate of Myanmar, concurred with Sam’s position, describing it as “operative.”

“I agree with [this] stance because Myanmar has limited censorship

of the Internet,” said Shiyang. “[Censorship] is very necessary because there is evil information on the Internet, and when people have too much access to the Internet, they have access to the evil of the nation, and that’s what changes peoples’ minds and breaks order in society.“

Meanwhile, in GA 2, the issue of financial aid to disaster-stricken, least developed countries (LCDs) attracted the most delegates.

“Just last year, China was struck with a disastrous flood,” said Kevin Han, the delegate of China. “Due to poverty, famine and natural disasters, China is especially in need of help. Considering the fact that natural disasters are one of the major problems of China, financial and humanitarian aid is crucial for international as well as national stability.”

Insun Choi, delegate of Israel, also promoted wise money-management and education to teach more citizens about rebuilding post-disaster infrastructure.

Despite a lack of main submitters, the delegates agreed that raising awareness and requesting help from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) would be essential in helping these nations.

Nearby, in GA 3, assistance for

internally displaced persons (IDPs) became the focus of discussion. Delegates reached a consensus that governments should promote IDPs’ rights.

“[IDPs’] rights have been taken away and it’s not fair or humane to drive these people out of their homes,” said Zahra Ahmed, delegate of Turkey. “There are IDPs in Turkey as well, so the delegate of Turkey wants to make the world a better place [by promoting their rights].”

Although GA delegates faced

the inconvenience of sitting on the floor while lobbying, they managed to participate in productive debates and offer constructive criticism. They concluded the day by mulling over a variety of issues ranging from North Korean telecommunications to natural disasters.

General Assembly Takes to the FloorBy Elizabeth Song


FORUM REPORT

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March 12, 2011

Special Conference CommitteesDiscuss Social Development and Human Welfare

BEGINS DISCUSSIONS ON ADVOCATES HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

By Karen Zhang

By Gavin Tan

Special Conference committees focus on a new topic each year, and this year the discussion revolves around human rights, with the most attention centered on rights for people with disabilities, human organ trafficking, and equal opportunities for women.

Delegates of Special Conference sub-committee one focused on the establishment and protection of human rights for people with disabilities. Delegates as a whole were alarmed by the UN’s lack of awareness and aid to help the disabled. “Disability does not mean inability,” said the delegate of Uganda, Hee Young Park.

On the other hand, delegates of countries such as Pakistan stood firmly against the promotion of more opportunities for people with disabilities.

“Even if disabled people are employed, Pakistan’s government believes that

disabled people are simply less efficient, and that providing them with a wider range of careers will only damage the country’s economy,” said Justin Peng.

Meanwhile, delegates of Special Committee sub-committee two expressed great interest in the eradication of human organ trafficking. Delegates including those of Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium asserted that selling human organs illegally was a violation of fundamental human rights.

“How can Argentina be recognized as a nation if she can’t even protect her people?” said Jung Won Jung, the delegate of Argentina.

The committee also addressed the issue of social development through empowering women. Though delegates recognized that many nations are aware of the lack of women’s rights, they presented strong arguments illustrating

the lack of action taken to ensure the equal treatment of women.

“Fifty per cent of the population [in Tajikistan] thinks that universities are more essential for men to attend than women,” said Carolin Lohbeck, the delegate of Tajikistan.

Delegates provided creative suggestions to resolve the problem: Lebanon suggested that nations in the UN enact stricter laws regarding human trafficking, while Guatemala advocated the establishment of programs that discourage discrimination.

Overall, the delegates of sub-committees one and two alike demonstrated great interest in discussing ideas with one another to come up with satisfactory solutions to the proposed issues.

With political and social unrest disrupting stability in the Middle East and Africa, citizens are vulnerable to violations of fundamental human rights. The Human Rights Council tackles human rights violations by discussing the safety of human rights advocates, especially of those in countries such as Libya and Bahrain.

“Libya hopes that in the current unrest, the UN’s Human Rights Commission will give us an opportunity to show the world that we care for our people and their rights. Libya also wants to work together with various Non-Government Organizations and UN

organizations to eradicate the atrocities that are plaguing Libya today,” said Alyssa Than, the delegate of Libya.

However, Libya is not the only country currently experiencing social unrest. Countries such as Bahrain also need to generate resolutions to protect human rights advocates.

“Bahrain will inevitably need to make miniscule changes that will hopefully give more freedom and rights to the people,” said Holly Bunner, the delegate of Bahrain. “Before resolving issues that involve other countries, it needs to focus on resolving domestic problems regarding the issue.”

Others stated the need for a more

long-term, permanent resolution. Senegal, in cooperation with USA, Uruguay, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine, and Australia, plans to call on Amnesty International, the Carter Center, and the International Service for Human Rights.

“[We try to ensure] the safety of human rights advocates,” said the delegate of Senegal, Megan Rohlitz. “Focusing on increasing public knowledge of human rights as stated by the UN can increase public support for human rights advocates within the country, keeping an overall focus on the long-term courses of action.”


ENVIRONMENT

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March 12, 2011

The UN Celebrates Trees in 2011Every year, the United Nations

chooses a specific issue to focus on during conferences and events. This theme highlights international matters that concern the present and the future. Reflecting a distinctly green approach to world issues, this year has appropriately been designated the “International Year of Forests.”

For over 1.6 billion people worldwide, forests are sources of employment, shelter, and energy. These environments produce forty percent of the world’s oxygen, provide filtration for fresh water systems, and serve as the basis for the cultures of millions of people.

The protection and continuation of these resources is of vital and universal importance. Accordingly, the UN’s objectives for this theme are to “reverse the loss of forest cover, enhance environmental benefits, increase the area of sustainably managed forests, and to mobilize increased financial resources.”

The UN explains that this year is “a global event to be celebrated at all levels - regional, national and local.” Acknowledging the direct role forests play in the lives of over 300 million people who make their homes in forests, the UN plans to host international conferences, forestry fairs, and official tree-planting days throughout the year in countries ranging from Belgium to Kenya to New Zealand. One particularly timely event is China’s annual Tree Planting Day, which is hosted in Beijing on March 12th.

Conservation and forests are also topics that weigh heavily on the minds of many delegates at this year’s BEIMUN conference, particularly those in the Environmental and Human Rights Commissions. These commissions emphasize the importance of forests for the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants.

Topics of discussion include the sustainability of forests, and how these issues are complicated by commercial interests.

“When you invest [in industries] that cut down more trees, you need more resources for economic growth.We need to change the mindset of the world,” says Kevin Leem, the president of the Environmental Commission. He uses Finland as a good example of equilibrium between environmental and economic success, but adds that Brazil has not been so lucky, as “they need land for people to live in and they need trees for economic growth.”

“Hug a tree!” suggests Katherine Tsen, president of the Human Rights Commission. When choosing issues to address during the conference, Tsen

considers the environment a crucial factor in dealing with human rights. “We don’t usually think of human environments and humans in the same realm. I saw connections. I really wanted the delegates to... explore what even the UN hasn’t done yet.” In response to Tsen’s prompt, delegates are creating interesting proposals, such as setting up a recycling Non-Governmental Organization).

The presidents of both committees voice advice on what an everyday person can do to help fulfill the UN’s goals. “It’s not that difficult for people to plant trees,” Leem says. This should be a mindset all people should strive to have, as, according to Tsen, the “most important thing is really to respect the environment.”

By Gabriella Mikewicz and Jaimee HaddadSpecial Conference CommitteesDiscuss Social Development and Human Welfare

BEGINS DISCUSSIONS ON ADVOCATES

the lack of action taken to ensure the equal treatment of women.

“Fifty per cent of the population [in Tajikistan] thinks that universities are more essential for men to attend than women,” said Carolin Lohbeck, the delegate of Tajikistan.

Delegates provided creative suggestions to resolve the problem: Lebanon suggested that nations in the UN enact stricter laws regarding human trafficking, while Guatemala advocated the establishment of programs that discourage discrimination.

Overall, the delegates of sub-committees one and two alike demonstrated great interest in discussing ideas with one another to come up with satisfactory solutions to the proposed issues.

long-term, permanent resolution. Senegal, in cooperation with USA, Uruguay, the Republic of Korea, Ukraine, and Australia, plans to call on Amnesty International, the Carter Center, and the International Service for Human Rights.

“[We try to ensure] the safety of human rights advocates,” said the delegate of Senegal, Megan Rohlitz. “Focusing on increasing public knowledge of human rights as stated by the UN can increase public support for human rights advocates within the country, keeping an overall focus on the long-term courses of action.”


ENVIRONMENT March 12, 2011

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By Jessi Koo

VS

Environmental Commission

Impact of GMOGenetically Modified Organisms

(GMOs) are controversial because they contain genes that are manually altered to create a unique sequence of DNA. Delegates in the Environment Commission lobbied in support of GMOs by proposing that these modified crops can benefit society.

One positive aspect of enhancing the crops’ genetic traits is that they become more resistant to vermin, which in turn reduces the amount of pesticides required in the growing cycle.

“The genes in crops are altered so that farmers can use less pesticide,” said Eunice Kim, the delegate of China. “Crop loss results in financial loss for famers and can result in starvation in

developing countries. Also, the use of pesticides can jeopardize peoples’ health. Using GMOs will eliminate some of the hazards of chemical pesticides, thus benefiting both farmers and consumers.”

In addition to pesticide hazards, malnutrition is another common problem in developing countries. With the world population exceeding six billion, ensuring adequate food supply is already a major challenge. GMOs that increase crop yield and can be engineered to contain more nutrients may hold the key to this pressing challenge.

“In developing countries such as Africa, children are going blind because

they are not getting an adequate supply of vitamin A. To help solve this problem, scientists are modifying genes in yams, a staple crop in the region, so that they become richer sources of vitamin A,” said Seunghee Han, the delegate of Canada. “Children are fed these modified yams in order to prevent blindness.”

Delegates used the lobbying session effectively to discuss these issues and eventually tabled a unified resolution explaining how GMOs could benefit countries and provide an adequate, safe, healthy supplyof nutritious food.

By Jessi Koo


ENVIRONMENTMarch 12, 2011

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By Dong Hyeok Han

VS

Environmental Commission

Impact of GMO

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have their genetic composition altered through artificial means. Groups of delegates argue that the wide-spread introduction of GMOs into our society will generate into a complete debacle. Although many support the possible advantages of GMOs, many believe the advent of scientific advancements yields disastrous side effects that clearly outweigh the seemingly positive outcomes.

When indigenous genes are hybridized with altered genes to make

GMOs, the natural gene pool of the ecosystem becomes polluted. This process produces “super weeds” that are resistant to a majority of viruses and adverse weather conditions.

“ A c c o r d i n g to the law of ‘the survival of the fittest,’ biodiversity will decrease as these super weeds dominate the other organisms that lack resistance to viruses,” said Sunny Lee, the Deputy Assistant President.

The eradication of certain species would inevitably affect the food chain, which causes the

interdependence between distinct species in nature to collapse. As the base layer of the food chain vanishes, bigger animals dependent on that food source will also suffer. According to June Lee, delegate of Cuba from the Environmental Commission, humans will be the ultimate victims of this disastrous chain reaction.

The introduction of GMOs not only affects the social aspect, but also presents problems from an economic aspect.

“The ubiquitous use of GMOs

will drive out the original agricultural system and replace it with a technological one,” said Anenya Birla, delegate of Spain.

Outweighed in quality, quantity and productivity, critics believe the former markets will be dominated by the new GMO products. Soon, every individual farmer will accustom themselves to producing GMO products. Also, due to the nature of GMOs and their infertile aspect, the reproduction process has to be done through technology. Hence, the corporations that produce the seeds of GMO products will benefit tremendously. As farmers need to buy seeds each and every growing cycle, the corporations will be given too much power over the agricultural sector.

“There is an urgent need for a regulation regarding the current GMO issue; the inequality in corporations that it will bring is definitely one of the most important issues,” added June.

Sunny noted that there are still many other problems regarding this issue.

“For example, while there has been no study on the long-term effects of GMO consumption on humans, there always is a possible risk to the human body in the long term. Some scientists claim that GMO consumption could make the body more susceptible to new viruses and diseases.”

“There are infinite numbers of problems that GMOs will bring, and regulation regarding the GMOs should definitely be set,” June concluded.

By Dong Hyeok Han


March 12, 2011CANDID



Without the Right Dressing, BEIMUN is Dry Lettuce

MUN is like a tasty salad. The delegates, eager to debate and synthesize solutions to serious global is-sues, comprise the staple of this delicious meal: the let-tuce. However, it is the executive team, chairs, advisors, and press team that add flavor to any MUN conference. Whether this salad is a tasty Caesar or an innocuous mix of flavorless vegetables depends entirely on the salad dressing—members of the MUN administrative staff, who help facilitate the orchestration of the conference. Without the dressing, no MUN conference is complete. The BEIMUN administrative staff is involved with all the behind-the-scenes tasks that delegates are not aware of. Elyssa McClain and Alice Duffy, head secre-tariats from the International School of Beijing, spoke to Beiwatch about their role as liaisons between delegates and chairs. “During the conference, we basically make sure everything is running smoothly,” said Elyssa. “We set up the forums, answer any questions, make badges and placards, and organize the logistical elements of the conference. Our administrative staff help form a bridge between the different bodies of BEIMUN by pass-ing notes during debate, photocopying resolutions and documents, securing doors during the voting procedure, and passing amendments,” Alice stated.

Many delegates are oblivious to the role played by the administrative staff, and how demanding and wea-rying their jobs sometimes are. “It can be very exhausting and stressful for us be-cause we have to walk around the conference area to help mediate any issues that arise, as well as solve all logistical problems,” said Elyssa. “We are basically the go-to team for help on everything.” However, according to Alice, there are the perks to being leaders of the BEIMUN behind-the-scenes team. “We get to coordinate the admin staff by delegat-ing various tasks—in a nice way, of course. The power that comes with our job makes up for the stressful mo-ments, as we both enjoy organizing the logistics of the conference,” she added. In addition to their authority, they have the special privilege of reading notes, often inappropriate ones, be-fore passing them on. Confiscating the delegates’ notes seems to be the highlight of any admin staff’s day. Though stressful at times, the job of the head secretariats and administrative staff certainly seems to have its perks. As dressing to the salad, they give a final unifying finish to an otherwise discordant assortment of lettuce.

By Winnie Lau

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