BUHMUN Background Guide

Bond University High School Model United Nations Conference

Thursday l 12 October 2017

Faculty of Society & Design2017

‘TOWARDS A NUCLEAR FREE WORLD’

CONTENTS

1. Background to Nuclear Weapons

2. Background to Nuclear Control Measures

3. The BUHMUN Question

4. Position Paper Guidelines

5. Preparation and Research

Background Guide

Welcome Future Delegate!

This background guide has been crafted by the staff of the Faculty of Society & Design at Bond University to help you prepare for the Bond University High School Model United Nations. With the conference to take place in October now is the perfect time to start thinking about the topic, and how you may approach the day. Over the coming weeks you’ll be supplied with further information about the conference, as well as the country that you’ve been allocated.

Over the following pages you will find an introduction to the theme and a few starting points for your research. If you stumble across anything you find confusing, don’t hesitate to contact the conference organisers via BUHMUN@ bond.edu.au. When it comes to using the guide, the good news is that if you’ve gotten this far, you’ve already worked it out! Good Job! Just keep going the way you are. When you stumble across a question, try to answer it, we also encourage you to access information online to find the answer. Most importantly, don’t forget to bring the background guide with you to the conference!

This October a number of you will gather at Bond University to represent a country and deliberate on an issue that has plagued the world for over seventy years. At first, this task may seem daunting, but by working together to forge a consensus you and your colleagues will achieve what the international community has struggled to. I wish you nothing but the best for your preparation and look forward to welcoming you here at Bond University for BUHMUN 2017.

Dr Mark DinnenAssistant Professor (International Relations) Faculty of Society & Design Bond University

Welcome

Background to Nuclear Weapons

Nuclear weapons and the United Nations have aged almost simultaneously; arguably, this qualifies the world organisation as the appropriate forum to confront the growing threat of nuclear proliferation. Indeed, the very first resolution endorsed by the UN General Assembly called for the establishment of ‘a commission to deal with the problems raised by the discovery of atomic energy’.

The Commission was, amongst other things, to develop a proposal for ‘the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.’ Despite this clear level of concern regarding atomic energy use, nuclear weapons have continued to proliferate. The sheer level of destruction that a nuclear weapon is capable of has seen it become a weapon that effects both domestic and international politics.

The devastation of nuclear weapons has been a focal point for deliberations, since 1948 nuclear weapons have been consistently labelled Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). WMD, which now incorporates both chemical and biological weapons, are distinguished from conventional weapons in three main ways:

1. They are weapons that have potential to inflict massive collateral damage, havingdevastating implications for civilian populations;

2. Their mass impact has raised important moral questions, notably through thesuggestion that these weapons are ‘non-legitimate, and inhuman’ forms of warfare;and

3. They have a particularly powerful deterrent effect. Consequently, this makes anattack on a state which possess WMD almost unthinkable. (Heywood, 2011).

Undeniably, the most significant contributor to the continued proliferation of nuclear weapons has been their deterrence effect.

16July1945 •

US conducts first nuclear test •

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• 24 January 1946

UN calls for elimination of atomic •

• weapons •

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24 August 1949 •

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Soviet Union tests its first •

nuclear weapon •

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• 3 October 1952

•UK tests nuclear weapon (in

• Australia)•

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13 February 1960 •

France tests its first nuclear •

weapon •

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• 16 Octa ber 1964

• China tests its first nuclear • weapon•

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18May1974 •

India conducts its first nuclear •

weapon •

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• May1998

• Pakistan conducts nuclear test

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9 October 2006 •

North Korea conducts nuclear tests

Following the use of nuclear weapons by the United States during World War I the possession of nuclear weapons quickly acquired a symbolic significance, ‘particularly in terms of the political prestige associated with their possession’ (Heywood, 2011). Throughout the Cold War the two superpowers (The Soviet Union and the United States) accumulated vast nuclear stockpiles peaking at just over 30,000 nuclear warheads for the United States, and over 50,000 for the Soviet Union.

In the 21st century, the concern of nuclear proliferation has spread to incorporate the potential for non-state actors (terrorist organisations) to acquire nuclear capabilities. The need to address nuclear proliferation for the 21st century international community has never been more important.

Questions to consider1. How do nuclear weapons differ from other weapons?

2. Do nuclear weapons promote or threaten international peace and stability?

3. With respect to BUHMUN, what effects has the nuclear age had on your respective country?

COUNTRY ESTIMATED INVENTORY

United States 6,800

Russia 7,000

France 300

China 270

United Kingdom 215

Pakistan 140

India 130

Israel 80

North Korea 10

According to the Arms Control Association, in 2017 the world’s nuclear armed states possessed a total of roughly 15,000 nuclear warheads. More than 90% of this total belongs to the United States and Russia. The table opposite provides an estimate of the 2017 “Nuclear Club”.

Background to Nuclear Control Measures

For almost as long as nuclear weapons have been in existence, the international community has attempted to control them. In almost every decade since the use of the nuclear bomb a major international effort to ban them has occurred. Arguably, a significant achievement of these efforts was accomplished in 1968 with the signing of the ‘Non-Proliferation Treaty’ (NPT). That being said, despite the signing of the NPT proliferation has continued. Since September 11 there has been a concern that nuclear weapons could land in the hands of terrorists. This specific aspect of proliferation was firmly placed on the global agenda in 2009 by former US President Barrack Obama. He argued that:

“Today, the Cold War has disappeared but thousands of those weapons have not. In a strange turn of history, the threat of global nuclear war has gone down, but the risk of a nuclear attack has gone up. More nations have acquired these weapons. Testing has continued. Black market trade in nuclear secrets and nuclear materials abound. The technology to build a bomb has spread. Terrorists are determined to buy, build or steal one. Our efforts to contain these dangers are centered on a global non-proliferation regime, but as more people and nations break the rules, we could reach the point where the center cannot hold.”

‘Nuclear Tipping Point’ documents a conversation between four men who were intimately involved in American diplomacy and national security. Former US Secretary of State, George P. Shultz, former US Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry, Former US Secretary of State, Henry A. Kissinger, and former US Senator, Sam Nunn, share the personal experiences that lead them to craft four Wall Street Journal op-eds. These op-eds support a world without nuclear weapons, and highlight the steps required to achieve this.

There are two versions of ‘Nuclear Tipping Point’, a 35 minute version and a 55 minute version. Whilst delegates are encouraged to view the 55 minute version, links to both are provided below:

1. Nuclear Tipping Point (55 Minutes) - https://vimeo.com/15327510

2. Nuclear Tipping Point (35 Minutes) - https://vimeo.com/24315964

For your reference, the four Wall Street Journal op-eds are available here - http://www.nti.org/media/pdfs/NSP_op-eds_final_.pdf?_=1360883065

In order to assist in your preparation for BUHMUN, delegates are requested to view the documentary and contemplate the following questions:1. What are the potential consequences if terrorists are in possession of a nucleardevice?

2. How accessible are materials and the knowledge to build nuclear weapons?

3. What would be the impact of a nuclear attack on a major city in the United States,or other parts of the world?

4. What can be implemented to raise awareness about nuclear threats and buildsupport for the urgent actions required to reduce nuclear dangers?

5. What position would the country you are representing at BUHMUN adopt inrelation to the perspectives outlined in the documentary?

The most recent effort to control nuclear proliferation was the draft ‘Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons’ endorsed on the 6th of July 2017 by 122 Member States of the United Nations. The endorsement of the treaty, which will be open to signature from the 20th of September, marks a significant step towards eradicating the world of these weapons. However, in the days following the announcement of the treaty the United States, Britain, and France issued a joint statement arguing that the treaty will not address threats posed by rogue states such as North Korea. Given the position of those within the ‘Nuclear Club’ it appears as though the international community has decided ‘to remain seized of the matter’.

Questions to consider:1. What position has your country taken on the recent UN Treaty outlinedabove?

2. How successful have weapon related treaties been in the past?

3. Historically, what role has your country played in the nuclear proliferationdebate?

The BUHMUN Question

The task of the BUHMUN committee will be to provide a multilateral response to the following two questions:

A. What are the threats of nuclear proliferation in the 21st Century?

As former President Obama articulated ‘the threat of global nuclear war has gone down, but the risk of nuclear attack has gone up’. In preparing for BUHMUN delegates should consider the implications of the nuclear attack in the modern era. Are their respective states adequately prepared to confront these risks? What role should the international community play in mitigating these risks?

B. What steps should the international community take towards creating a nuclearfree world?

The 2017 draft ‘Treaty on the Banning of Nuclear Weapons’ is a strong step towards confronting this issue, yet only 122 of 193 Member States endorsed the treaty. How can the international community work towards a consensus on this issue? Which particular sections of the 2017 treaty were considered controversial for the non-signing members?

Position Paper Guidelines

The BUHMUN conference requires you to prepare and submit a position paper. A position paper is an essay that details your country’s policies on the topic(s) being discussed. Writing a position paper assists you in organising your ideas so that you can share your country’s position with other delegates at BUHMUN. You will also utilise the position paper to develop your speeches and working papers. In order to be as prepared as possible, it is vital that you research both your respective country, and the topic being deliberated.

The following guidelines should be followed by all BUHMUN delegates.

LENGTH: maximum two pages

MARGINS: must be set at 2.54cm for the entire position paper

FONT: Times New Roman (12 point)

No national symbols may be used.Citations and references are not required. The position paper is to be written as a policy statement from a foreign ministry.

NOTE: failure to adhere to these guidelines may disqualify the position paper from being eligible for a BUHMUN Award.

A position paper comprises of three parts: a heading; an introduction; and a body.

PART 1. HEADING

The heading should include the country being represented, your name, your high school affiliation, and the conference topic being addressed.

PART 2. INTRODUCTION

The introduction should be limited to one (1) paragraph only. Within the introduction you should briefly outline your country’s experience with the nuclear proliferation and disarmament process. This does not need to be a comprehensive list, but enough to appreciate your country’s concerns and/or perspectives.

PART 3. BODY

The body of your position paper is a summary of your country’s position on a nuclear free world. This section should include subheadings to convey your country’s concerns and ideas. Remember, a memorable position paper will not only provide facts, it will also suggest resolutions to the ongoing problem.

When reflecting on the content of your position paper, it may be worthwhile to ensure that a number of these points are covered:

• A brief introduction to your country and its history concerning the topic;

• How the issue currently effects your country;

• Your country’s policies with respect to nuclear weapons and the justificationfor these policy positions;

• Quotes from your country’s leadership about the issue;

• Statistics that support your country’s position on the issue;

• Actions taken by your government with regard to the issue;

• Conventions and resolutions that your country has signed or ratified;

• UN actions that your country supported or opposed;

• What your country believes should be done to address nuclear proliferation;

• What your country would like to accomplish;

• How the positions of other countries effect your country’s position

Remember: you are representing a country’s perspective on a topic, please do not inject your own views of the topic into your position paper.

Office of Future Students (Australian Students) Bond University Gold Coast Queensland 4229 Australia

Toll free: 1800 074 074 Phone: 07 5595 2222 Fax: 07 5595 1015 Email: information@bond.edu.au

Bond International (International Students) Bond University Gold Coast Queensland 4229 Australia

Phone: +61 7 5595 1024 Fax: +61 7 5595 1015 Email: international@bond.edu.au

CRICOS Provider Code 00017BThe information published in this document is correct at the time of printing (July 2017). However, all programs are subject to review by the Academic Senate of the University and the University reserves the right to change its program offerings and subjects without notice. The information published in this document is intended as a guide and persons considering an offer of enrolment should contact the relevant Faculty or Institute to see if any changes have been made before deciding to accept their offer.

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