Updates and a video

As we approach the conference (only 13 days!), it is important to keep an eye on the news and see what is developing. Delegates may use latest crises to attack your positions or creatively work them into working papers and coalition building. When I was a delegate a few years ago, it was shortly after the Denmark cartoon crisis and throughout the entire simulation we were denounced whenever we tried to speak. The lesson here is that while HSMUN is a simulation, the real world intrudes very clearly and by being well-informed, you can prevent being lost in debate and be defensive (or offensive...) in your positioning.
Below are a few random updates that caught my eye recently:
1) The slow release of prisoners by the FARC as well as a recent bombing in Colombia. These follow another deadly bombing which is also attributed to the FARC and killed 2 in Bogota in late January. The situation in Colombia between government, guerilla, and paramilitary groups is complex and has been going on for several decades now although the FARC itself was created in the 1960s. To find out more information about groups operating in Colombia check out these quick links:

• Center for International Policy - Contains details on all three groups operating within Colombia.
• CIA World Factbook - Colombia

2) Ongoing problems within Gaza and as a result of the invasion. The UN has halted food aid after a number of recent thefts allegedly by Hamas. The election in Israel has become increasingly split with the new popularity of the nationalist Yisrael Beitenu party.

3) Recent Iraqi elections hailed by the UN - BBC

In closing, I encourage you all to watch the following video from TED (found by our Director-General). They have lots of amazing content on a variety of topics. I strongly urge you all to check the site out if you have time.