Contemplative Issues

Greetings SOCHUM delegates

In less than two months, you shall be embarking on a three day journey to deal with two pertinent world issues.

Here are tips to keep you on the straight path:

A) Decide which topic your nation-state feels more strongly about and therefore, which issue you would like to discuss first, before coming to the first day of committee because it is then that we will do the vote.

B) Remember to not just know about this issue, but you country's stand on the issue. If you speak much, but are saying points which disagree with the nations foreign policy, it will count against you and you shall be intervened.

C) On the first day of committee you shall be given a delegate handbook. This book has useful advice on committee proceedings as well as how to write a working paper.

D) Really think about this issues which are presented with these topics. Contemplate how you feel about these issues, but remember that at the end of the day, you are not discussing what you feel but what your country feels.
How far can one go to stop terrorism? For example, is what Batman does to save Gotham in the film The Dark Knight justified? Why or why not? Which country would agree or disagree? Is Utilitarianism a viable ideology?
And for women's rights, what exactly defines oppression? If a government forces women to wear a certain garment or not wear certain garment does this constitute oppression? What about the idea that anorexia and bulimia are virtually non-existent in non-western states? Can this be factored into the discussion of women's rights?
These are all questions which must be discussed not only with yourself, but with other nations as well.

E) Lastly, remember that even though countries are bound to disagree, remember to still work together. Do not disagree with another nation-state simply for personal reasons or because you believe you will win a prize.
There is an old African proverb: He who travels alone travels the fastest but he who travels with others gets where he wants to go.

Good luck with your committee sessions delegates. You will need it.

Here are some links to help you:

1) http://www.cda-cdai.ca/cdai/uploads/cdai/2009/04/carvin02.pdf
2) http://www.un.org/womenwatch/
3) http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/
4) http://www.globalissues.org/article/166/womens-rights
5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism

Zohaib Siddiqi, SOCHUM Chair