Issue 1/2012 • Friday, June 1st, 2012 • www.facebook.com/TheBaticHerald • www.twitter.com/BALMUN

Calm before the Storm:BALMUN V

‘Welcome to the Baltic Model United Nations Conference 2012’ – with these words Claus-Lucas Letsch, Conference Management, greeted everybody. Yesterday, the future delegates, chairs, staffies and the teachers assembled in the so called ‘Pool’ of the Innerstädtisches Gymnasium Rostock for the BALMUN Get Together. PAGE 2

That Rostock, the secret capital of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, is not only the home of Baltic Model United Nations, but also an amazing town, is what the Baltic Herald writes about every year. Today, we want you to really get in touch with the kingdom of port parties, seagulls and – most of all – lifestyle. Join us on our city tour – and feel Rostock’s heartbeat! PAGE 3

It is already 8:44pm and after numer-ous hours of writing and designing the first issue of our Baltic Herald just needs to be printed. I cannot believe it. The first day of Balmun V was a pret-ty stressful one, but it was great to recognize: Here we go again! To see so many different and new faces was a very great feel-ing I do not want to miss at all. The Press Team is looking forward to seeing you all again during the next days and we hope you will enjoy all issues.

Heads of the Press TeamJohanna-Katharina MöllerAlexey Matushkin

Editor-in-chiefJohanna-Katharina Möller

LayoutAlexey Matushkin

TeamFriederike Kleist Alina Drexler Julia Fritzsche Lisa RitterCharlotte Sophie Antonia SchliebsJenia BarnertFrancine SelmsMax CorneliusNiclas Lorin HollmichelFranziska van Heiden

........................................................................................................TEXT BY JOHANNA-KATHARINA MÖLLER........................................................................................................

It is already the 5th annual Bal-tic Model United Nations Confer-ence – therefore, the first jubilee has to be celebrated. Let us think about the first BALMUN five years ago. For many years, Mrs Koch had attend-ed several MUNs with her pupils. They were really fascinated by those produc-tive conferences with its participants from all over the world. “And then there was the big desire to organize an own conference at our school.” says the vice-principal and English teacher. Twenty pupils, conducted by Tanja Schmidt and Annemarie Nack, started prepar-ing the whole project and chose ‘Fac-ing regional Challenges in a Globalized World’ as the main topic. After months of hard work, BAMUN I was held at In-nerstädtisches Gymnasium Rostock in 2008. One hundred delegates from 23 different countries all over the world took part and praised especially the familiar atmosphere at BALMUN. Ev-eryone was sure: That was definitely not the last conference in Rostock! Therefore, the second Balmun Confer-ence took place in 2009 and the delegates started ‘Building Bridges’. One year later,

in 2010, they were ‘Caring for Climate’ before the delegates were ‘Designing Future Development Goals’ in 2011. Because those conferences were really successful we did not stop our efforts to develop BALMUN further and further. Now, we are able to welcome you to the fifth annual Baltic Model United Nations Conference in Rostock. The Or-ganisation Team has done its best to maintain our high standards in order to make BALMUN V a great success as well. This year’s topic is ‘Sustainability and Equity: A Better Future for All.’ which is derived from the United Nations Hu-man Development Report 2011. With 150 delegates from 27 different coun-tries Balmun V is now bigger and more international than before. So let us make this year’s BALMUN as fruit-ful, interesting and fun as it can be!

HIGH FIVEBalmun V rocks!

........................................................................................................TEXT BY FRIEDERIKE KLEISTAND JOHANNA-KATHARINA MÖLLER........................................................................................................

Yesterday, the future delegates, chairs, staffies and the teachers as-sembled in the so called ‘Pool’ of the Innerstädtisches Gymnasium Ros-tock. Enjoying bread rolls and Red Bull the first contacts were made while the music of Philipp Libuda (piano) and Robert Cernusko (clari-net) provided all those present with a real treat for the ears. The Housing Families welcomed their guests after Malte Höppner, Housing Coordinator, called out all names in his very international way. Surprising was the diversity of home towns being represented by the par-ticipants of BALMUN: The delegates are not only from Europe or the USA, but also from New Zealand, Canada,

BALMUN Get TogetherCome in and find out –

Cuba, Pakistan and many other countries of the world.Everyone was excited about the upcoming conference and hoped for fruitful debates and intersesting collaborations. The bad weather outside could not possibly ruin the great atmosphere around the ‘Pool’, guaranteed by the friendly and open people attending the event. Let us hope that the events will con-tinue to bring us inspirations Such an international event is inexpress-ible in words – so we rather want to make pictures speak.

Viva la Rostock – Places to see........................................................................................................TEXT BY FRIEDERIKE KLEISTAND ALINA DREXLER........................................................................................................

Exotic restaurants, nostalgic cranes and the beautiful sunrise sparkling on the water. We’re not chilling at any beach in California, but starting the day at Rostock’s intraurban port.

A lot of Rostock’s history can also be seen in the town centre. Did you know that Rostock’s university is the oldest north of Leipzig? It was opened in 1417, and its beautiful mainbuilding is the absolute eyecatcher of the boulevard. In front of it, you cannot only enjoy the sun on a green meadow, but also gain some luck: You just have to rub the golden foot of the Prussian field marshall Blücher honored by a statue at that place. In Rostock history and daily life are extremly close to each other. Modern shops like McPaper, Tally Weijl or New Yorker are located in edifice built after the old hanseatic tradition.

That brings us to another topic: shopping! Besides well-known shops like H&M and Zara, Rostock also offers some specials: Hidden in a little lane called ‘Eselföterstraße’, you can find the popular brand boutique ‘Sieben’, as well as the surf shop ‘Supreme Surf’. No matter if you search for a new baggy or the best board for this year’s summer: Here you always find what you need... and are prepared for a Scandlines surf ses-sion at Warnemünde Beach. Walking along the ‘Kröpeliner Straße’ towards the town hall, you pass by our absolutely favorite shop, a north Euro-pean original: TIGER. You could never have imagined the stuff that you find here: colourful umbrellas, singing flamin-gos, salt shakers looking like cows or just Swedish candy. And the best thing is that this fun is kind of favourable: Their spar-kling note pads are only 3 €, small football tables can be purchased for 19 €. Exactly that’s why a visit is definitely worth your time!

After all this sightseeing and shopping we’re very hungry. Helga’s Kitchen at the ‘Vögenteichplatz’ is a good place to have a meal – for a good price and in a relaxed atmosphere. Helga’s crew offers delicious burgers and baguettes which can be enjoyed in a hearty German sitting room. The special thing about this place is that it turns into one of Rostock’s cool-est clubs at night! Be excited about Saturday, when you can experience the ambiente at Balmun Dance!

Who walks along the rows of old sail-ing ships might think that he already breathes in the Baltic sea wind. But in deed we’re at the Warnow river, which is also the name giver of the Hanseatic City: The polabic word roz means apart, the conception tok is river. Over the centuries – and with

the development of of the German language in the northern regions – it turned into Rostock, which re-ceived its town privilege in 1218.

Source: Google Maps

After staying your appetite, you sure want to see another borough of Rostock. We want to leed you to KTV (Kröpeliner Tor Vorstadt). As the majority of the university buildings is located there, masses of students have settled in the pre-residential edifices characterising the borough. Besides many alternative shops like ‘Sammai’ or ‘Moonlight’, it is the dis-trict of cafés and restaurants. One of the bars can really be recommended after such a stressfull and long trip: Barfuss. It’s the perfect location to relax because you cannot only sit on normal chairs, but also enjoy your cocktails on hammocks and gi-ant beds. One can order milkshakes,

alcoholic drinks, smaller snacks – and for the hardboiled there are even beetles on their menu. “Guten Appe-tit!” Is what German’s would wish you.

We hope you enjoyed our special Rostock tour – and will repete it on your own. Because Rostock is the Bal-tic’s pearl...you just have to dive in!

Rostock City Center

INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY GENERAL

“I am the General Dogsbody”OLIVER HARTWICH

The Baltic Herald: “Secretary General” - This title sounds very important. But which tasks do you have to cope with in your position? What did you do dur-ing the last months of preparation?

Oliver Hartwich: Well, I did very different things. For example, I wrote a lot of letters and e-mails and invited several people. Besides, I assigned countries. Everything for a smooth process.

The Baltic Herald: And what do you do during the conference itself? Oliver Hartwich: I care for everything that comes up. Even small matters: For example I ensured that we work more sustainably. I am the general dogsbody.

The Baltic Herald: What do you mean with “more sustainably”?

Oliver Hartwich: We use more eco-friendly paper – es-pecially when we print resolutions or something like that. Besides, we try to use less plastic cups. These are only a few things you can do for the environment, but every little change counts!

The Baltic Herald: Which was your worst moment at a BALMUN Conference?

Oliver Hartwich: The moment when chairs bail out sud-denly. This gets our whole plan in a muddle and you have to react very fast - but I guess we managed it very well.

The Baltic Herald: And which one was the best?

Oliver Hartwich: The Sunday afternoon, when everything is done and the whole conference was a big success. No stress anymore, just pleasure.

The Baltic Herald: You graduate this year. That is why Balmun V is your last one, right? Oliver Hartwich: Yes. And that makes me sad. It is a great project that has accompanied me for years. It was and is a really nice time that I will never forget!

150 DELEGATES

260 ROLLS

282 TEA BAGS

2 WATERMELONS

20kg COOKIES

Delegates’ ProfilesName: Anna HameisterAge: 17Position at BALMUN: Delegate, Environmental Committee Your assigned country: CubaWhat do you expect from BAL-MUN?: I expect to learn some-thing about the different political structures of the different coun-tries and to have a great time at Balmun 2012!

Name: Marike ElwersAge: 17Position at BALMUN: Delegate, Disarmament Your assigned country: Iceland What do you expect from BALMUN: I expect that I am going to have the chance to gain insights in the whole procedure of BALMUN for the first time and that I will meet many people from different countries.

Name: Paul WolterAge:17 Position at BALMUN: Delegate, Special CommitteeYour assigned country: Estland

Name: Stefan Kro-molicki Age: 17Position at BALMUN: Delegate of Syria in Hu-man Rights committee. What do you expect from BALMUN: Well, having fun and good debates at the same time ;)

47 TABLES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

2,5kg SUGAR FOR TEA AND COFFEE

3,5kg COFFEE

4,8l CONDENSED MILK

6 COUCHES IN THE LOUNGE

10kg STEAK FOR THE TEACHERS

70 ROSES FOR THE GUEST FAMILIES

137 BALLONS FOR THE GET-TOGETHER

167 CHAIRS IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

36 STAFFIES FOR THE CONFERENCE

Mr and Ms BALMUN 2012.......................................................................................................TEXT BY CHARLOTTE SCHLIEBS

.......................................................................................................

Last year, the delegates elected Mr. and Ms. Balmun 2011 during the Clos-ing Ceremony. Now it is time for a new couple that represents Balmun in all its beauty and charisma. This is your chance to shine! As Mr. or Ms. Balmun, you deserve the honor of all delegates who admire you and look up to you. Now you might ask yourselves: How can I become Mister or Miss Balmun? At first you have to “Like” our page on Facebook: “The Baltic Herald”. There you can upload your application video and watch those from other candidates. In this video you can talk about yourself and why exactly you have to be Mr. or Ms. Balmun 2012. Let your imagination

run wild! The Press Team is looking for a potential Mister and a potential Miss Balmun. During the cookie breaks and lunchtime we will run around with our cameras. Feel free to ask us and we will film you. So keep your eyes open – the Baltic Herald Team is watching you. Above you can see the two winners of last year’s BALMUN, xxx and yyy, elected for their charming attitudes and their zzz.

German – English: Any questions?

- “How many times have you attended BALMUN?”→ “Bist du öfter hier?”

- “Which languages do you speak?” → “Was laberst du überhaupt alles?”

- “Which is your commit-tee?”→ “Wo geierst du?”

- “Are you well prepared for this year’s conference?” → “Hast du dir was zum spielen mitgebracht?”

- “Do you like the Chairs?” → “Sitzt du bequem?”

- “Where are the toilets?”→ “Musst du auch mal?”

- “When is the next cookie-break?” → “Bist du auch nur wegen des Essens hier?”

- “With whom are you stay-ing?” → “Mit wem hast du die Nacht verbracht?”

International RelationsContact between Cultures