Research, research, research!

For all your last minute researching needs: http://www.un.org/en/members/ - It has links to country's permanent missions and info about their roles at the UN, news updates of things they've been involved with, etc. Go! Go!

The UN also has a site that includes how to prepare for MUNs and helpful links to research info!

The United Nations Association of the USA provides helpful advice as well. Try clicking on the country and issues links.

UNEP has updated their crazy foreign policy page so go check that out too.

Did you read the latest UNN edition yet? Find it here!

Iran & Its Nuclear Ambitions

Iran's recent decision to enrich its uranium to 20% has left the international community stunned. The announcement had some definite reprecussions on Iran's already strained relationship with the West, but it also resulted in some very interesting reactions among the Western powers themselves.
Here are some BBC articles which outline the issue and various countries' stance:

• Initial announcement by Iran,
• The West's reactions,
• BBC opinion piece on the issue,
• Most recent developments (from Monday).

This issue constitutes probably one of the most important developments in international news before the conference, and should affect relations between major and minor world powers, especially since a UN Security Council vote on sanctions against Iran is likely to take place soon (in real life).

I urge you all to take notice of what happens with the Iran issue until Thursday afternoon, as Turkey attempts to mediate and Hilary Clinton continues on her tour of the Gulf.

Does Kim Jong Il have feelings?

A few years back some of the political science students in HSMUN thought it would be hilarious if the official quote for the conference was by Machiavelli, a man renowned for his strategic brilliance and political cunningness but also for his belief that the ends justified the means and focus on preserving power for the state, or more accurately, the prince. Their point, I think, was that the UN isn't all warm and fuzzy. Politics is messy and understanding what motivates states' actions can be difficult to understand even after being force fed political theory on the subject because let's face it, leaders are human, and sometimes totally crazy. However, as delegates you are at once a part of the action, and removed enough to examine it rationally. Reading accounts of situations like that in Rwanda, it is easy to see that the UN can easily fall into the role of being an ivory tower, where time is given to actually make rational decisions based on carefully compiled reports, blah blah blah but at other times, there is a very real sense of urgency and action is taken that has real consequences. Those in the Security Council best experience this type of extreme, but really it is experienced by any delegate who feels particularly passionate about certain topics.
I'm not sure where I was going with this other than I was reading an Economist article about Kim Jong Il and they mentioned that some considered him a brilliant Machiavellian but they were shocked to see him actually apologizing to his people and it reminded me that strong emotion is often what gets things done in the UN. Not in the Security Council maybe, but in its agencies and on the ground, it is a series of incredible people who are passionate about their missions that drive agendas forward. As a delegate you should try to find some passion about the topics you are debating and it will make this experience so much more enjoyable. Not too much emotion mind you, but just a little to give you some conviction.

Also, read this thought-provoking and short post on the resurgence of the AIDS epidemic in parts of Africa. The Wall Street Journal piece is interesting as well.

It's coming... Are you ready?

We're in the final stretch!! To help in your preparation for the conference I thought I'd make a list of things to remember:

Things to bring:
- Paper, pens - you'll need something to send notes to other delegates on and to write draft resolutions on
- Research! Statistics, foreign policy notes, position papers, background papers, etc. These are all super helpful to have as reference when you speak in committee. And you will speak in committee.
- The nametag you receive on Thursday night you'll need to wear on Friday and Saturday and bring with you to the banquet if you want to gain entrance.
- Water bottle (hydration is important!)

Things to leave at home:
- Valuables. There is no safe place to lock them up and you won't be able to leave them in committee rooms during lunch. Bring enough money for lunch/snacks on Friday but not much else.
- Laptops. You can't use them in the committee room so there's really not much point in bringing them. You will have access during the day to a computer lab but restricted access to the internet. Do your research at home, ahead of time.

Other Things:
- Dress code is business for the conference and business/formal for the banquet (which is at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe).
- Do not do all your research on Thursday night. You've known the topics and your delegation assignments for weeks, if not months. No excuses! We're all busy university students and we've been working on them since September!
- Thursday night, registration opens at 6 PM in the ETLC atrium on the second floor and you should be in ETL E1-001 by 6:30 for the start of the opening ceremonies. Thursday evening, committee sessions will wrap up by 9 PM. Then you're back bright and early on Friday at 9 AM. Time is limited so sessions will start promptly. Don't be late.
- Cell phone use is prohibited within committee sessions and delegates caught will be at the mercy of their dais staff.
- If you have questions, ask any of the staff! We'll do our best to help you out.
- If you don't get the rules yet, don't panic! The opening ceremonies includes a mock debate that highlights the important rules and your dais staff will also give you a chance to ask questions in committee.


Hopefully, I covered most of it. Comment if you have any questions or further suggestions.

Finally, check out the latest edition of the newspaper!