Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Saturday, November 5, 2011
HSMUN 2012 Teaser
This is a big welcome to all attendees of the 2012 High School Model United Nations. My name is Rooshil and I am a member of the Media division of the News. I am in my second year of Biological Sciences and have been with HSMUN for three years now, one as a delegate and two as a staff member. I'm looking forward to meeting you all in February. Unfortunately, since there are still quite a few months until we are even close to the conference, the best I can do is leave you all with teaser of what is yet to come. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Three
Delegates!
Wait no longer, for the third and final instalment has arrived! Click on the link below to read! Please not also that changes have been made to Part Two, just 'cause I loves ya' and I wants to help ya' learns.
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Three
See you tomorrow!
Wait no longer, for the third and final instalment has arrived! Click on the link below to read! Please not also that changes have been made to Part Two, just 'cause I loves ya' and I wants to help ya' learns.
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Three
See you tomorrow!
Conference Update and Welcome from the S-G
Hey HSMUNers!!!!
Tomorrow is an exciting day...HSMUN 2011 finally arrives! We are so excited to welcome you all to the University of Alberta's beautiful campus for an epic three days of diplomacy, debating, and discussion. Your HSMUN team here at the U of A has been hard at work all year making sure this conference will be a great experience for all of you, and the campus has been buzzing all week with HSMUN preparations.
With the conference being only 26 hours away, I can imagine you must all be waiting in eager anticipation, but perhaps you are a bit nervous as well. If you are feeling unprepared, or if this is your first time at HSMUN and you don't know what to expect, don't worry, I have a few last minute tips for you! Try to relax tonight, since the next three days will be jam-packed with HSMUN excitement. Look over your foreign policy, review the background papers, and do a bit of last minute research. Check out the latest editions of the "Daily Delegate" newspaper and give the blog a read. Leave yourself lots of time to get to campus tomorrow, so you are not stressed, and come with a good attitude! If you are worried about the conference, take a deep breath and relax - it will be a lot of fun!
Just a reminder that the dress code for the conference is business attire, and you are required to follow the dress code for the duration of the conference (including tomorrow night!)
Also, below is a schedule of the conference, which I would recommend looking over.
I am so excited to meet you all tomorrow, and see you all in HSMUN action! I hope that you are all just as excited as I am!
See you tomorrow!!!!
Maggie Danko
Secretary General
HSMUN 2011
Registration
Registration is in the CCIS/BioSci atrium from 6:00pm to 6:25pm. We ask that everyone is seated by 6:30pm for Opening Ceremonies to commence. If anyone misses registration, they can pick up their registration package from their dias staff in the committee rooms at 8:00pm. We look forward to seeing everyone at HSMUN 2011!
Schedule
Thursday, February 24th
6:00-6:25pm - Registration - CCIS Atrium
6:30-8:00pm - Opening Ceremonies, Secretary-General's Address, Mock Debate - CCIS 1-430
8:00-9:00pm - Committee Sessions - NREF/ETLC
Friday, February 25th
9:00am-12:00pm - Committee Sessions - CEB
12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch (not provided) - SUB is recommended
1:00pm-4:00pm - Committee Sessions - CEB
6:30pm-12:00am - Banquet, Keynote Address and Dance - Fantasyland Hotel
Saturday, February 26th
9:30am-12:00pm - Committee Sessions - NREF/ETLC
12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch (provided) - NREF/ETLC
1:00pm-2:00pm - Plenary - CCIS
2:00pm-3:00pm - Closing Ceremonies - CCIS
Locations on Campus
If you do not know where the various buildings are on campus, please use this map. The Fantasyland Hotel Banquet facilities are located at West Edmonton Mall, through Entrance #52.
Tomorrow is an exciting day...HSMUN 2011 finally arrives! We are so excited to welcome you all to the University of Alberta's beautiful campus for an epic three days of diplomacy, debating, and discussion. Your HSMUN team here at the U of A has been hard at work all year making sure this conference will be a great experience for all of you, and the campus has been buzzing all week with HSMUN preparations.
With the conference being only 26 hours away, I can imagine you must all be waiting in eager anticipation, but perhaps you are a bit nervous as well. If you are feeling unprepared, or if this is your first time at HSMUN and you don't know what to expect, don't worry, I have a few last minute tips for you! Try to relax tonight, since the next three days will be jam-packed with HSMUN excitement. Look over your foreign policy, review the background papers, and do a bit of last minute research. Check out the latest editions of the "Daily Delegate" newspaper and give the blog a read. Leave yourself lots of time to get to campus tomorrow, so you are not stressed, and come with a good attitude! If you are worried about the conference, take a deep breath and relax - it will be a lot of fun!
Just a reminder that the dress code for the conference is business attire, and you are required to follow the dress code for the duration of the conference (including tomorrow night!)
Also, below is a schedule of the conference, which I would recommend looking over.
I am so excited to meet you all tomorrow, and see you all in HSMUN action! I hope that you are all just as excited as I am!
See you tomorrow!!!!
Maggie Danko
Secretary General
HSMUN 2011
Registration
Registration is in the CCIS/BioSci atrium from 6:00pm to 6:25pm. We ask that everyone is seated by 6:30pm for Opening Ceremonies to commence. If anyone misses registration, they can pick up their registration package from their dias staff in the committee rooms at 8:00pm. We look forward to seeing everyone at HSMUN 2011!
Schedule
Thursday, February 24th
6:00-6:25pm - Registration - CCIS Atrium
6:30-8:00pm - Opening Ceremonies, Secretary-General's Address, Mock Debate - CCIS 1-430
8:00-9:00pm - Committee Sessions - NREF/ETLC
Friday, February 25th
9:00am-12:00pm - Committee Sessions - CEB
12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch (not provided) - SUB is recommended
1:00pm-4:00pm - Committee Sessions - CEB
6:30pm-12:00am - Banquet, Keynote Address and Dance - Fantasyland Hotel
Saturday, February 26th
9:30am-12:00pm - Committee Sessions - NREF/ETLC
12:00pm-1:00pm - Lunch (provided) - NREF/ETLC
1:00pm-2:00pm - Plenary - CCIS
2:00pm-3:00pm - Closing Ceremonies - CCIS
Locations on Campus
If you do not know where the various buildings are on campus, please use this map. The Fantasyland Hotel Banquet facilities are located at West Edmonton Mall, through Entrance #52.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Two
Delegates!
There are mere days left before the conference! It goes without saying that you're all insanely excited. If any of you grow anxious, wondering "Oh, how oh how can I ever hope to make a good showing at the conference", well, help has arrived. Follow the link below.
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Two
Part Three to come shortly. See you soon!
There are mere days left before the conference! It goes without saying that you're all insanely excited. If any of you grow anxious, wondering "Oh, how oh how can I ever hope to make a good showing at the conference", well, help has arrived. Follow the link below.
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part Two
Part Three to come shortly. See you soon!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
HSMUN 2011 Keynote Speaker
The Secretariat for HSMUN 2011 is pleased to introduce this year's keynote speaker, Mr. Gordon Houlden, Director of the University of Alberta China Institute. A biography for Mr. Gordon Houlden is on the HSMUN website.
We hope you enjoy listening to Mr. Gordon Houlden's experiences!
We hope you enjoy listening to Mr. Gordon Houlden's experiences!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
2010 Overview of the United Nations
In this video, you will find information about many important events in the last year, many of which are still pertinent to many of the current committee topics. For those delegates who do not read the daily news, I highly recommend watching this video before attending HSMUN 2011. There are other excellent videos on the site as well, focusing on specific topics, such as malnutrition and disarmament.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Suspected Terrorist Explosion in Russian Airport Kills at Least 35
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| Russia's Domodedovo Airport, prior to attacks Source: www.artdiamondblog.com |
Russia has struggled in the past few years to deal with several attacks, mostly linked to the unrest in the Chechen region. Recently, these attacks have taken the form of bombs detonated in major transportation centers in Moscow, such as in the airport or in the underground. The Chechen rebels have also been implicated in several hostage takings.
The situation in Chechnya gained visibility in the international community in 2004, when a group of 35 Chechen rebels took the parents, staff and students at a school in Beslan hostage. After several explosions, a firefight with the Russian military and a fire in the school, 334 people were dead with over half that number being students. The Russian authorities only managed to capture two of the rebels, although the suspect that the rest were among the deceased.
A timeline of attacks in Russia.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tunisia: Sudden Revolt Exposes Problems in a Nation Perceived to be Stable
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| Source: www.organizedrage.com |
Tunisia was a French colony for the first half of the 20th century, until independence was achieved through both peaceful and violent actions in 1956. The result was a political system designed as a constitutional republic, with a president and a bicameral legislature. Since achieving independence, Tunisia has had two presidents: Habib Bourguiba (1957-1987) and Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali (1957-2011).
 |
| Source: www.mariamaalouf.com |
As a result of the revolts and the accusations against him, Ben Ali fled from Tunisia this month. Since then, many European nations have frozen assets within their nation belonging to Ben Ali or his family. In addition, some members of Ben Ali's family who had not left Tunisia have been arrested.
Currently, there is an interim government formed by the Prime Minister and members of the various parties. Even this government is viewed as unacceptable by many. The courts have said that the Prime Minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, overstepped the role of his office in acting as President. In addition, many object to the key ministries given to supporters of Ben Ali in the interim government.
Tunisia is not the only nation that is in trouble as a result of the revolt. Since December 17th, several other young Arab men have also committed self-immolation as a form of political protest against their governments. The leaders of nations that are either physically or politically close to Tunisia are concerned that their nations may soon see similar unrest to that in Tunisia.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part One
Delegates! Happy New Year!
Those of you who read the UNEP blog last year may remember the Big Bad MUN Guide, a 3-part 'handbook' to the U of A HSMUN conference. For your reading and conference-preparing pleasure, it is making a return this year. The Guide has had a few changes made to it, and I hope you'll find it useful in getting yourselves ready for February.
One year and one day ago, Part One of the Guide made its appearance. On this first day of 2011, the updated Part One is available- please access it by clicking the link below. Happy reading! Happy researching!
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part One
(First post! 1-1-11)
Those of you who read the UNEP blog last year may remember the Big Bad MUN Guide, a 3-part 'handbook' to the U of A HSMUN conference. For your reading and conference-preparing pleasure, it is making a return this year. The Guide has had a few changes made to it, and I hope you'll find it useful in getting yourselves ready for February.
One year and one day ago, Part One of the Guide made its appearance. On this first day of 2011, the updated Part One is available- please access it by clicking the link below. Happy reading! Happy researching!
The Big Bad MUN Guide, Part One
(First post! 1-1-11)
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
The Legal Committee Reports!
Delegates!
You may be wondering just what is going on in the halls of the United Nations these days. If you aren’t, you should be. Luckily for you, your EXTREME ACTION NEWS TEAM is always eager to update you on the relevant (and often not-so-relevant) goings-on at the UN and around the world!
As I reviewed the most recent happenings of the UN, wondering, “Gee, what would the delegates really like to hear about?”, one headline caught my eye. It caught my eye because a) It involved a report of the Sixth Committee (the ÜBER-EXCITING LEGAL COMMITTEE- why do all the best committees die in HSMUN?), and b) it just might relate to one of the topics being debated at HSMUN this year. So, here’s a quick look at some of what’s being talked about at the UN right now:
First, quickly peruse this resolution (you can just start at page 3 and skim until page 6):
http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N10/547/97/PDF/N1054797.pdf?OpenElement
Now, let me summarize what this resolution is all about (and I may or may not quote from UN news releases). Like all resolutions, it seems, it starts with a bajillion clauses in the preamble, basically all just saying:
• Terrorism is bad. (As your SC dais has already mentioned, the real question is not what terrorism is, or if it is based. The question is what to do about it.)
• Terrorism is really bad.
• We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: BOO TERRORISM!
• States must work together to combat terrorism.
That last point is what’s really the basis for the ‘meat’ of this resolution, if we can ever say that a UN resolution has meat to it. If there is anything to be done about the many heinous manifestations of terrorism, it will be done only if there is cooperation in the international community. What needs to be done? Well, points that are particularly relevant to the SC topic of debate this year include:
• International, regional and subregional organizations, and Nation States, need to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and be party to relevant treaties and protocols combating terrorism.
• States must intensify, where appropriate, the exchange of information on facts related to terrorism in order to avoid the dissemination of inaccurate or unverified information.
• All are called upon to cooperate with and support other States in prosecuting perpetrators of terrorist acts, and are urged to cooperate with the Secretary-General, intergovernmental organizations and one another to ensure that technical and other expert advice be provided to those States requiring and requesting assistance to accomplish the above.
So there it is: the General Assembly’s (or, at least, Legal Committee’s) disposition when it comes to terrorism, and, especially, when it comes to terrorism that crosses borders. Now your work begins: how does your country (yes, this involved foreign policy research) relate to these calls from the GA? What might be sacrificed by cooperating so closely with other governments? What stands to be gained? What can your country feasibly accomplish in the fight against terrorism? What do you lack yet?
So, to work! Research! Write! Have fun! (or we’ll send you back to where you were- unemployed, in Greenland.)
You may be wondering just what is going on in the halls of the United Nations these days. If you aren’t, you should be. Luckily for you, your EXTREME ACTION NEWS TEAM is always eager to update you on the relevant (and often not-so-relevant) goings-on at the UN and around the world!
As I reviewed the most recent happenings of the UN, wondering, “Gee, what would the delegates really like to hear about?”, one headline caught my eye. It caught my eye because a) It involved a report of the Sixth Committee (the ÜBER-EXCITING LEGAL COMMITTEE- why do all the best committees die in HSMUN?), and b) it just might relate to one of the topics being debated at HSMUN this year. So, here’s a quick look at some of what’s being talked about at the UN right now:
First, quickly peruse this resolution (you can just start at page 3 and skim until page 6):
http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N10/547/97/PDF/N1054797.pdf?OpenElement
Now, let me summarize what this resolution is all about (and I may or may not quote from UN news releases). Like all resolutions, it seems, it starts with a bajillion clauses in the preamble, basically all just saying:
• Terrorism is bad. (As your SC dais has already mentioned, the real question is not what terrorism is, or if it is based. The question is what to do about it.)
• Terrorism is really bad.
• We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: BOO TERRORISM!
• States must work together to combat terrorism.
That last point is what’s really the basis for the ‘meat’ of this resolution, if we can ever say that a UN resolution has meat to it. If there is anything to be done about the many heinous manifestations of terrorism, it will be done only if there is cooperation in the international community. What needs to be done? Well, points that are particularly relevant to the SC topic of debate this year include:
• International, regional and subregional organizations, and Nation States, need to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and be party to relevant treaties and protocols combating terrorism.
• States must intensify, where appropriate, the exchange of information on facts related to terrorism in order to avoid the dissemination of inaccurate or unverified information.
• All are called upon to cooperate with and support other States in prosecuting perpetrators of terrorist acts, and are urged to cooperate with the Secretary-General, intergovernmental organizations and one another to ensure that technical and other expert advice be provided to those States requiring and requesting assistance to accomplish the above.
So there it is: the General Assembly’s (or, at least, Legal Committee’s) disposition when it comes to terrorism, and, especially, when it comes to terrorism that crosses borders. Now your work begins: how does your country (yes, this involved foreign policy research) relate to these calls from the GA? What might be sacrificed by cooperating so closely with other governments? What stands to be gained? What can your country feasibly accomplish in the fight against terrorism? What do you lack yet?
So, to work! Research! Write! Have fun! (or we’ll send you back to where you were- unemployed, in Greenland.)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Extreme Action News Team is a Go!
Greetings mighty denizens of the News Empire! We at the Extreme Action News Team bring you all the stories that are fit to be made up. Look out for us during the conference. We may be lurking in hallways or generally taking things that you say out of context to make them seem more ridiculous. Also please remember that poisoning journalists with radioactive isotopes is wrong (plus I built up an immunity during my time as the Dread Pirate Roberts). Now watch this promotional video I composed using computer animated (and slightly frightening) bears!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
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