The Westphalian DiplomatWednesday, March 30, 2011

Let’s get global, village people! After the first sessions were held, the first exchanges of arguments were made and the first working papers were written, it was time for the first “big easy” of the conference: the Global Village.MUIMUN aims to bring together people from op-posite ends of the worlds – and nowhere this goal could be achieved in a bet-ter way than at this event. Of course you get to now each other during session,

but honestly – with a beer in your hand the impressi-ons may differ a little bit. This year again, the special thing about the Global Vil-lage was shown in a formi-

dable way: numerous dele-gates brought little pieces of their home culture into the fancy atmosphere of the Clubschiene. Whether it was Thai Thongmuan,

Greek Dolma Jialanzti, Le-banese Molanolana, Ger-man Brezeln or dozens of candles on the Pakistani desk, the spirit of MUI-MUN was noticeable in every corner. The later the evening, the wilder the dances - no Global Village without the Pakistani and the impressive prove that “working hard – partying harder” is so much more than just a saying. Once again it was a great night – cheers to all of you!

News, P.2 The Column, P.6 Scholars, P.5 Panorama, P.8

News2Disputed points of

view in GA2

In the second general assembly: Economic & Financial, the majority voted for the first topic: „Permanent sovereignty over natural resources in politically unstable are-as“. The key question of this committee was: Shall the international countries intervene in these delicates areas? If yes, how?Most of the present coun-tries declared that they preferred to advise some help. Mexico proposed a transfer in technological domains. This idea was also shared by Israel, the UK and Germany which included a transfer of so-cial programmes. Haiti and Gabon claimed for transparency, while Brazil insisted on the fact

that the main goal should be political stability. However, the represen-tatives did not all agree. In fact, there were some countries which made nu-anced remarks. Nigeria for instance agreed with the idea of self-sustainable development but asserted the necessity of the coun-try sovereignty. Further-more, Afghanistan desired a limited engagement of foreign countries. Besides, Ethiopia sustained a non-monetary aid and Bolivia concluded that natural resources should only be controlled by govern-ment.

By Annika Behnen

Migration and Sharks

Chaired by Sher Afghan Malik and Pia Salz the General Assembly 3 con-vened in the Fürsten-berghaus and decided to begin the debate with is-sues of global migration and demographic imba-lance. A moderated caucus cen-tered on the fine distinc-tions between several types of migration. Thus diffe-rent views of migratory po-licies were presented while seeking consensus on the appreciation of economic benefits of cooperation and the granting of asylum for politically persecuted immigrants. In this debate Germany proposed a circular im-migration policy instead of linear approaches ai-

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

By Max Rößler

ming at the amelioration of the economic exchange of the respective countries. The UK was not amused about the legal loopholes of student visas and Kenya agreed proposing a stricter and coherent legal frame-work. As a response the Czech Republic presented its emotional attachment to the neglect of humanitarian issues during the preceding discussion.The debate took another sudden turn as the diplomats turned into baby sharks and Cuba found a suspicious marriage propo-sal at the restroom. Addi-tionally the reporter heard through the grapevine that more special debates lie ahead.

News 3FAO and the idea of help

In a very concentrated and serious atmosphere the Director Martin Schiller declared the first committee session for open. The FAO had to choose between two topics. The Russian Fe-deration and the United States spoke in favour of the first topic „Establi-shing a food security po-licy for post war areas“ while Brazil and Pakistan argued against. It was time to vote. The decision was final: 15 countries were for and only three (Brazil, Pakistan and Venezuela) were against. During debate all dele-gates agreed on the fact that the population of post war areas needs food; some of them pointed

out that the government also needs the UN help to get stabilised. The ac-cent in the debate was also stressed on the struc-ture of the help: shall the countries have a short or a long term help? The Uni-ted States and Sudan pro-posed a mix of both: First help must be given imme-diately after war (short-term solution) and then a long-term solution can be adopted. Long-term solu-tion means e.g. stabilising the government. Russia preferred providing first help (food) and policy ad-vises simultaneously. The representatives were very precise which made the debates really profound.

By Annouk Weiss

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

When the sessions started in the General Assembly 6, the representatives voted on topic A, “Extending criminal accountability of heads of states” to be dis-cussed in the first place. Setting the topic was a tough call, with some re-presentatives strongly op-posing themselves to the decision. The represen-tative of Japan urged his fellow delegates to rather concentrate on the second topic since according to Ja-pan more people were af-fected by the human rights dimensions of accounta-bility, than threatened by a criminal head of state. But in the end, the topic was chosen with a majority of one vote. The representa-tive of Germany during

her speech referred to the Nürnberg Trial and urged all states to find a new hi-erarchy of norms based on reciprocal respect.

Immunity for the heads of state?

The Sudanese delegate on the other hand gathered the representatives of all countries not being signa-tories to the Rome Sta-tue. Iraq as one of them reminded the committee members of the fact that a newly elected president could feel threatened by international jurisdiction.There is lots of room for discussion in GA 6.

By Sophia Besch

“We are trying to form our state; we have to

make sure that our presi-dent feels safe!”

4The first round has started:

The fight against corruption

Corruption, the recur-ring rival. This challen-ger seems to be uncon-querable. He proved to be very strong and robust so far. Yesterday, the Eco-nomic and Social Council started its first session un-der the leadership of the chairs Tobit Bartel and Bernard Dröge. Before starting the con-crete work the order of the two topics of this year “Developing strategies to settle and avoid currency disputes” and “Promoting social entrepreneurship” had to be set. The majority decided to give priority to concepts against currency disputes. Pakistan insisted: “We have to fight against corruption and against the inflating money printing!”

After the hammer had fal-len the deputies did not hesitate to declaim their positions. Italy urged to keep in mind the conse-quences of the financial crisis in the debates of the conference. Pakistan insisted to avoid a next financial disaster. While dealing with a topic that poses a high risk for every state, the positions were clear and persisting. The first statements of the countries showed the en-ormous challenge to take into consideration the partly very different posi-tions of the countries.

Close-UpAfter 60 years, finally

a resolution?

The stage is set for the first sessions of the Se-curity Council. After a vivid debate, the repre-sentatives decided with ten votes in favor to deal with the Resolution of the Kashmir Issue first. The situation in the disputed area has been on the agen-da of the international community for more than five decades – high time to reduce the constant potential of escalation in the region and allow peace and progress to prevail.

“If we want to safe our face in front of the world, we should find a solution. Now.” – Isabel Lischew-ski, Representative of South Africa

The first exchange of words was as expected between India, Pakistan and China as these coun-tries claim the territory in equal parts. The fronts were settled, when India stated that Kashmir should be part of their national territory. Pakistan brought in the religious aspect by stressing that 70% of the people living in the Kash-mir region are Muslims – a highly controversial argument as the following discussion implied. It will be interesting to see if the member states will finally succeed in agreeing on a joint resolution.

By Katja Philipps By Annika Behnen

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Close-Up 5The Art of Dancefloor

Diplomacy

Have you ever expe-rienced dancefloor-di-plomacy? Where could this happen other than in the latin-american committee of CEPAL?

Right in the beginning of the debate the southern countries, like Chile, Brasil and Argentina, broughta vivid tango on stage, whereas the states of Central America even despite being less rep-resented answered with a Cumbia of their own style defending their in-tegration to an economic union in the region. Cuba on its side presented a vivid salsa but had some trouble to convince the other delegations with its hip swings.

However, those who real-ly wanted to learn some-thing about Latinamerica on this very first meeting, could just to listen to the never ending intentions of the Ecuadorian pre-sident of the committee to get the Señorita de la delegación de Paraguay to dance with him. As you can see CEPAL is the most vibrant committee of MUIMUN.

No siesta, but instead fi-esta.

By Antonia Peters & Max Rößler

Germany: „A Wonder-ful Experience!“

Fatima Batres from El Salvador finds the MUI-MUN experience very exciting. She is here in MUIMUN for the second consecutive year, she found the first exposure really enriching to discuss about real world issues with like minds. She is from Latin America and enjoys her stay in Germany. She describes it as a “Wonderful Lear-ning Experience”. She is leaving here soon and feels this country has a lot of po-tential to offer in an inter-cultural environment. She is looking forward to learn not only from the com-mittee and country she is representing but also from other committee’s. She is here to voice the opinion as a group and not as an indi-

vidual.If given the opportunity she would like to meet with former Vice- President of USA and environmental activist, Albert “Al” Gore. The reason being he is very concerned about what is happening in the world in large but especially in an en-vironment-related perspec-tive. Globalization being a major concern at present, she feels it her duty to re-present the least developed countries and put them in front in par with the deve-loped world. Her excellent experience in Europe will be a boost to her profile and she hopes to join the UN in future.

By Divya Rajeswari Swaminathan

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

6 Close-Up„So I‘ve been thinking...“

The WeDi Column

So the conference started. The spee-ches, the champagne, the gavel and all…

And something else- do you feel it alrea-dy?! -I’m not talking about the committee sessions or your representation of ano-ther country. I’m talking about MUIMUN apparently being the platform for another process, apart from international under-standing (though, in a way…).

Let me cut to the point: I know no other place where so many relationships have formed and so many delegates left all for-malities behind.

But why is that so? I mean apart from the fact that men in suits are hot.

One should think that in the stiff at-mosphere of the sessions there isn’t much room for romantic thoughts. But I do actually believe that it is the other way around. Fighting for your countries positi-

on, facing each other from opposite camps – there’s a spark there people, a sense of adventure! Just recall your feeling, when an opponent signs your amendment, or, sometimes even more fun, you cultivate an ongoing dissent. You can sense the borderlines blurring, the walls melting, the cold war heating up! Also the fact that at the end of the day, all seriousness falls off. You are no longer Russia or Haiti but just yourselves again, with the chance to meet people who have similar interests and ex-citing backgrounds and who overcame lots of obstacles to come here and spend time with you.

During the last year’s conferences, this spi-rit led to many new contacts between de-legates, chairs, delegates and chairs, chairs and secretary generals…but let’s gets back to the point.

Which was what again – ah, yes, spring fe-ver at MUIMUN. So, honorable delegates – have fun tonight.

News of the World

Lybia:

Gadaffi Forces As-saults Rebels. Oppo-

sition Flees.

The Allies Argue Over Weapon Sup-

ports.

US To Hand Com-mand Over to NATO

Today.

Syria:

President Assad Dismisses Govern-ment. Appearently Reforms Planned.

Japan:

Plutonium Discovered In Fu-

kushima Powerplant.

Our Sources:

www.tagesschau.de

www.nytimes.com

www.washington-post.com

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

7Grab Your Napkins!

The Food Team is dishing up!

Imagine you’re a bird mother of more than 250 hungry fledglings. How could you possibly supply every little bird with a nutritious meal to refill their empty stomachs? Easy. Just ask for the food team around Justus from Logistics and they will be your generous wing-flapping bird mothers, unfortunately without chirping. Howe-ver, it is not quite simple as that. What seems to be an effortless flow of work is the result of months of planning, reconsidering, organizing, ordering menus and finally arranging food and cutlery. With neatly de-corated tables and accurately managed timetables the team is doing its best to let you focus on the important things, your comfort zone and socializing. Not to forget the coffee-breaks to relax and re-energize your hard-working minds with the crucial double C’s: caffeine and cookies. Even in times of crisis, when just after having prepared masses of coffee they realized that there are twice the plates and none of the cups left, Justus exp-lained, they somehow made it work. And that’s the key element for conference catering crowned with success day after day. So you better grab some napkins, because you’re gonna get served! By Max Rößler

Close-Up

You – the delegates – will have been asking yoursel-ves: Where can I get all of those pictures they are ta-king? We are now able to give you a satisfying answer to your question: You can get them! They will be sent to YOUR home - soon after the conference. Isn´t it great? To take advantage of this opportunity, the only thing you have to do is visiting the INFO-POINTS at the BZR I or SWH. The concept is easy: The delegates put three Euros in the MUIMUN piggy bank, and in return they get an envelope. On that envelope you will have to write your addresses and give it back to the person at the INFO POINT. After the conference, the MUI-MUN team will create a special DVD for you and soon after the conference a DVD full of memories will be delivered to your homes!

Photo-DVD:Order now at the Info Points!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Editorial

Established 2007

Münster UniversityInternational Model

United Nations

Editorial StaffKatja PhilippsSophia Besch

Sophia MandowMax Rößler

Annika BehnenDominik Vorholt

LayoutDominik Vorholt

ContributorsAnna-Lena Krampe

Annouk WeissDivya Rajeswari

V.i.S.d.P.Dominik Vorholt

UniPrint: 270 copies

DISCLAIMERThe Westphalian

Diplomatis an independentnewspaper. Thecontent of the

articles does not ne-cessarily represent the opinion of the “Arbeitstelle For-schungstransfer”.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011Panorama8Today‘s Schedule

09.00-12./13.0012.00-13.00

13.00-14.00

13./14.00-17.00

20:00

Horoscope

LION Today could bring a rather brilliant idea out of the blue. Let go of conventional thinking in favor of imagination that leads to great discoveries. However, don’t be of-fended if others don’t share your enthusi-asm: Ideas need to be adapted to the current situation.

Session ILunch (GA2, GA3, ECOSOC)Lunch (GA6, CEPAL, FAO, SC)Session II

Night Watchmen Tour

Sudoku

This week shows Münster is an international and innovative town. Of course, it has not always been like this. Tonight follow a night watchman through the nightly old town of Münster and see the past centuries become alive. Behind the façades there are hidden all sorts of mysterious stories: Hear what every-day life in this town was like, what were the political issues and what the town looked like then. By tomorrow you might see this place in a different way. Meeting point is the Domp-latz, tonight at 8pm.

Tonight: Night Watchmen Tour

Lonely Hearts AdsSea power seeks pitying acceptor of spare fish. Delicacy recipes included.

Sensitive coastal region seeks admirer for beautiful beaches. Travel discounts possib-le.

ARCHER Are you ready to reinvent your role, rethink your strategy? Today you can assess sub-goals. Also, you’ve got a way of bringing the right people together. Don’t miss any opportunity for networking now.