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Opening issue of the newsletter for MACMUN 2013TRANSCRIPT
Al Jazeera
English
ContentsPage 2 - Message from the
Secretary GeneralPage 3 - Message from the Head of International Press
Page 4 - About the CommitteesPage 5 - General AssemblyPage 6 - Security Council
Page 7 - Economic and SocialCouncil
Maharaja Agrasen College
Model United Nations 2013
Head of International Press
Twesh Mishra
Reporters
Amlan Das
Priyanshi Chauhan
Palak Nayyar
Creative Editor
Paritosh Anand
Photographers
Shailaja Das
Aman Agarwal
Ankit Kumar
Message from the Secretary GeneralThe Concept: A Polarizer?
It’s one of those polarizing concepts, whose detrac-
tors and supporters will leave no stone unturned in
order to prove their point. Over the last few months,
I have heard different people ascribing different con-
notations to the entire premise of Model United Na-
tions (MUN) and every single such conversation has
allowed me to venture into newer nuances. Some of
the well-established downsides apart, MUNs, by
virtue of their sheer de-
sign, are a connecting link
between a commoner and
the global polity. They mir-
ror what transpires within
the confines of high-rise
buildings where modern
day nation states, instead
of artillery, use diplomatic
maneuvers and play eco-
nomic hardball in order to
assert themselves beyond
their own borders. By sim-
ulating real-time situa-
tions, they provide a
glimpse into the character
of nations as mega-organic
entities, constituted at the
micro-level by people with
similar characteristics.
MAC MUN 2013: “Not
unique, but different
nonetheless”
It is with the endeavor of
providing yet another con-
genial platform for the unfolding of the aforemen-
tioned that we present to you MAC MUN 2013, an
event, which despite not being unique, is different.
Yes, we are not unique for we do realize that there
are several such awe-inspiring conferences happening
around us, and in all honesty, we have tried to take a
leaf out of each one of them in order to streamline
our way of functioning. Having said that, what makes
MAC MUN 2013 different nonetheless is the vision of
the team that has toiled endlessly in order to put it
up. Issues of utmost relevance have been chosen for
discussion, and we have tried to amalgamate the old
and the vintage with the new and the forward-look-
ing. Add to that a stellar line up of Executive Board
members and some of the most renowned names
from the city’s MUNing fraternity donning the mantle
of delegates, and MAC MUN, in its second session,
seems all set for the fate of a blockbuster.
And the journey comes to a fitting end……
A little over a month back, we had set our eyes on
something big, something with a novel vision, and
while writing this piece, I have no qualms in admitting
that we have achieved more
than what we had thought
we could. As somebody who
does not hail from the organ-
izing institution, I have been
amazed to observe how pas-
sion has subsumed differ-
ences and the way in which
the organizing committee has
posed its full faith in my expe-
rience and capabilities. I take
this opportunity to thank all
the members of the organiz-
ing committee, the teachers-
in-charge and the Principal of
Maharaja Agrasen College for
their relentless support. I es-
pecially wish to convey my
gratitude towards the Deputy
Secretaries General Sohil
Badhwar and Bhavay Wad-
hwa, for without their per-
sistence and perseverance,
the vision behind this event
would never have material-
ized.
Last but not the least, I express my gratitude towards
every single delegate and members of all the Execu-
tive Boards and the International Press, all of whom
have taken out time from their daily professional and
academic engagements in order to attend this event
on weekdays. In the absence of even one of the above
stated stakeholders, the conference wouldn’t have
enjoyed the same level of piquancy.
Here’s hoping that all of you witness two days of in-
tense debating and shrewd diplomacy, and walk out
enriched and enlightened at the end of it. Best!
Kartikeya Batra
Al Jazeera
Page 2
Message from the Head of International PressThe crux of an egalitarian society is comfortably cen-
tred on robust news establishments; with the afore-
mentioned thought in mind, it is understandable that
democracy as is a mere notion if not backed by free
expression. If analysing the responsibility of a news
media house, one would realise the multiple pressure
groups that act as valves for the dispensation of news.
Predominant ones are the thirst for revenue and
rather novel quest for upholding moral values. En-
deavours to gain high moral ground are an interesting
phenomenon of the media industry. At one hand they
compete alongside other capitalist establishments for
revenue, on the other they comply with amorphous
parameters of truthful and ethical social norms. A suc-
cessful news media house is identified with only after
the fulfilment of both these entities.
At Maharaja Agrasen College Model United Nations
conference 2013, a niche International Press would
be simulated. Emulating the working style of Al
Jazeera English, members of the International Press
would strive to exhibit an interpretative, informative
and insightful approach to the committee proceed-
ings. Utmost deliberation, through research and par-
liamentary conduct would be expected from all
members.
There are multiple reasons for emulating Al Jazeera
as the sole news media conglomerate which would
analyse the proceedings at MACMUN 2013. Primary
of them being that agendas of the General Assembly
and Security Council are centred conflict emanating
in the Middle East. The Qatar based media house has
been consistently appreciated for accurate, unbiased
and astute coverage of affairs pertaining to the region.
With the launch of global Al Jazeera English news
channel in 2006, focus on economic affairs and their
implications on the common masses was also given
much consideration. A rounded approach to coverage
of sensitive issues, protests and societal issues has
further enabled the selection of Al Jazeera.
What allows this relatively nascent media conglom-
erate to afford such an approach to news is its sur-
prisingly democratic framework. Al Jazeera is partly
funded by the Emir of Qatar and partly by private in-
vestors, resulting in a stout editorial policy which al-
lows for a novel approach to interpreting news.
Al Jazeera represents the voices of the repressed, the
anti-establishment and non-state actors, the common
masses and consequently, the largest stakeholders in
a democracy.
Twesh Mishra
Page 3
Al Jazeera
About the Committees
Page 4
Al Jazeera
According to Article 26 of United Nations Charter, Dis-
armament and International Security Committee’s
mandate is “to promote the establishment and main-
tenance of international peace and security with the
least diversion for armaments of the world’s human
and economic resources.” Under the UN Charter, all
member states and observers of the United Nations
are automatically part of the first committee of the
General Assembly, and have an equal vote. Docu-
ments also require a simple majority to be passed.
With topics similar to those discussed in the Security
Council, DISEC meets once a year for a 5-week session
in October.
General Assembly
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), one of
the six main organs established, was conferred upon
the responsibility of maintaining international peace
and security. This in fact was the very motive of the
establishment of the whole institution, which clearly
suggests the importance and significance of the
UNSC.
The UN Charter lists down four main purposes for
the UNSC. Listing down exactly, the UNSC has to:
• to maintain international peace and security;
• to develop friendly relations among nations;
• to cooperate in solving international problems and
in promoting respect for human rights;
• And to be a centre for harmonizing the actions of
nations.
Security Council
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) serves as the
central forum for discussing international economic
and social issues, and for formulating policy recom-
mendations addressed to Member States and the
United Nations system. It is responsible for promoting
higher standards of living, full employment, and eco-
nomic and social progress; identifying solutions to in-
ternational economic, social and health problems;
facilitating international cultural and educational co-
operation; and encouraging universal respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Economic and Social Council
South Sudan’s Controversial Divorce from theNorth: Grave Challenges Ahead
Although it has been over a year since South Sudan
successfully seceded from the North, it is not new
that the challenges that stand before it never really
came to close to getting a solution. The countries con-
tinue to have conflict over border demarcation, oil
revenue sharing and citizenship. Given Sudan’s
volatile history, to be able to come down to a peaceful
resolution, it is ab-
solutely vital to under-
stand the complex
web of antagonism
that refuses to cease.
However, it is also nec-
essary to understand
that independence at
infancy level has never
been a golden time for
most countries. Newly
born countries face
these obvious dilem-
mas because it takes
time for civilians to
settle in a country where infrastructure is weak and
thus resources cannot be put to optimum use. It is not
a surprise that South Sudan is still stumbling to the
plethora of issues ahead of it. With
the advent of independence, it re-
mains a challenge to provide sufficient security. The
possibility of communities taking up arms for their
own security cannot be ruled out
in that scenario. Many ex-combat-
ants were asked to fill the ranks of
related rule of law and local gov-
ernment agencies, mostly because
there was no time to train them
properly or allow them to gain ex-
perience in a peaceful context.
Now, they face increased pressure to perform as a re-
sponsible and accountable government, which comes
with the already existing pressure of being in a con-
flict zone.
To complicate situations further, the persistent tradi-
tion of cattle rearing as livelihood continues to be
strong. Cattle are used for many purposes such as
payment of dowry, income source, food, wealth etc.
Performing a single traditional marriage would cost a
family up to an average of hundred heads of cattle,
which is very costly to an average family household,
thus resulting into cattle raids and counter raids, flar-
ing security issues. Also, this shows a clear lack of eco-
nomic opportunities in the region. Not only that, but
there are also other key issues waiting to be ironed.
The Governments
haven’t clearly spelled
out citizenship criteria
for civilians in both
States after secession.
There are Northerners
living in south and
Southerners living in
North. Although it is a
predictable argument
that the Southerners
will forfeit their Su-
danese citizenship and
apply for new South Su-
danese one, since they
very boldly voted for independence, but the greater
challenge stands for the Southerners that are em-
ployed in various state institutions, especially Military
and Police Forces.
The dispute regarding border de-
marcation is perhaps the most persistent and signifi-
cant one. How much territory one State gets
determines the area of oil re-
serves they have political rights
over, which is vital to the fate of
both the Economies. There is no
defined criterion for the demarca-
tion and deliberations are on.
In a nut shell, both the North and
South are heading towards a com-
plex and vigorous procedure to resolve the pile-up of
internal problems. Presently, the rate of policy and
decision making is both slow and weak, majorly be-
cause Governments of both states are unstable,
which is expected after a major fallout, and an even-
tual secession. The question continues to stand, how
long is it before peace prevails?
Palak Nayyar
After being wrought with
internal wars and decades of
struggle, South Sudan is finally
an independent country, but with
a myriad of infancy challenges
craving for keen attention
Page 5
General Assembly
Al Jazeera
Middle East in distress, as Interests, Egos and Countries Clash
Conflict and the Middle East; for a
layman, this term has almost be-
come equivalent to ‘Bread and
Butter’. ‘Trouble’, considering it as
a phenomenon, has been the most
consistent happening in the Mid-
dle East, right from 1948 till date.
However, the most problematical
issue about all of the
Arab Crisis has been the
ambiguity of the source
elements. Who is re-
sponsible for whom?
This perception changes
with the changing geo-
graphical, political and
even religious bound-
aries.
One of the main reasons
for unrest in the region
has been a lack of unity
amongst the Arab broth-
ers. And this has been ex-
ploited by some external
interests who further complicate
the situation by creating or by in-
stigating confusions amongst the
‘al-ʿālam al-ʿarabī’ countries.
Pages would fall short if one were
to explain the exact root cause of
all of the Arab troubles till date.
However, one word that could pre-
cisely be used for all of these bat-
tles, tensions, and confusions in
the Middle East is ‘Self Interest’.
None of the member Arab states
agree to compromise with their
own interests. They fail to negoti-
ate with their neighbors, and even
battle it out on the basis of religion
and ethnicity.
Two countries, some might not
even consider one of them as a
country, Israel and Palestine, have
been fighting it out since the 20th
century to solve a crisis relating to
the formation of a new state. The
West Bank and the Gaza Strip want
themselves to be liberated as
Palestine, but Israel brings across
the complexity of Jerusalem, a city
tangled with religion, of which no
one wants to keep their hands off.
Further fragmenting the problem,
the Palestinian counterpart is fur-
ther punctured by the internal di-
versions of opinions on the PLO,
the All Palestine Government and
the HAMAS (in the Gaza Strip). And
this has been rightly exploited by
the Israelis.
The situation now has been as
such that it is news if there has
been no violence reported in Gaza.
Disintegrating the issue further, we
find the intervention of foreign
hands into the issue. The UNSC did
recognize Palestine as a state in
1989 and till this very 2012, statis-
tically 67.9% of 193 member states
of the UN consider it a state. But
the ego of Israel still pokes the just
healed injury, keeping the situation
unstable.
This is the overview of just one sit-
uation; the Middle East is full of
many such issues, all of which are
of equal magnitude. The uprising
in the Egypt after President Hosni
Mubarak declared
complete overthrow of
power was just an-
other addition to the
whole of crisis. The
grievance rigged
Egyptian population
strived for their rights,
creating an interna-
tional turmoil. At the
same time, Syria was,
in fact is, fighting its
own different war. On
paper it’s an armed
conflict between
forces loyal to the Syr-
ian Ba'ath Party government and
those seeking to oust it; however
on fragmentation again you find
numerous complexities. The
rebels, some claim them to be Pro
Government, while others believe
they are merely anti-establish-
ment. However confusion arises
the moment one realizes that
‘rebels’ can never be pro or Anti
Government.
To top it all, the arrogance of Iran
with regards to the nuclear issue
just garnishes the dish. As men-
tioned above, ‘self-interest’ and
egos of authorities within the Mid-
dle East, added by external intru-
sion has led to a situation where
revolt, violence and protests have
become a virtual tradition.
Amlan Das
Page 6
Al Jazeera
Security Council
Impact of National Fiscal Deficits on the GlobalSocio-Economic Situation
Impact of National Fiscal Deficits on the Global Socio-
Economic Situation
Fiscal deficit is the difference between government’s
total expenditure and its total receipts excluding bor-
rowing and other liabilities. Fiscal deficit is mainly
caused due to high expenditure or low revenues. High
level of government ex-
penditure may be in-
curred to cover for capital
or revenue expenses.
While these might be the
reasons, recent studies
have shown that unneces-
sary expenditure is the
main reason where gov-
ernments spend more
than required, for exam-
ple subsidies. The recent
Euro Zone crisis has been
caused because of this un-
necessary expenditure by
the government. Higher
expenditure can be fi-
nanced in two ways one
by increasing revenues
and the other by printing
money or monetizing the
debt. Raising revenue in-
creases burden on the consumers and producers in
the economy and ultimately leav-
ing the citizens unhappy. Printing
money might look like a good op-
tion but it is actually inflationary.
Government can finance the budget deficit by bor-
rowing money within their economy or from interna-
tional organizations. This borrowed money has an
interest rate attached to it, which if not returned
might add to the deficit.
The neo-classical economists principally argue that
high government expenditure has a negative impact
on savings, which affects growth. A high government
deficit leaves little for the private sector for invest-
ment and puts upward pressure on interest rates—
also referred as crowding out. But in an open
economy, the country can always import capital to
naturalize the impact of reduced saving because of
higher deficit. But, again, import of foreign capital
would result in appreciation of the currency, affecting
exports and growth.
The US and India are both running “unsustainable”
levels of deficit. However, the ill effects of running
high deficit are far more
visible in India and the
need for correction is a lot
more urgent here. Apart
from the threat of a rat-
ings downgrade, high fis-
cal deficit is the source of
most of the problems that
the Indian economy is fac-
ing today. Higher deficit
since FY09 and higher
borrowing has resulted in
lower savings and lower
growth in the economy. In
FY09, at the gross level,
fiscal deficit jumped to
about 6% of the GDP
compared with 2.5% in
the previous year. In ab-
solute terms, the deficit
went up by about 2.6
times and has grown sig-
nificantly since then and crossed Rs.5 trillion levels in
the last financial year.
Sustained fiscal deficits affect the
economy in more than one way. In-
vestors lose their faith, inflation
steps in which leads to high level of unemployment
which in turn leads to GDP slowdown. If taxes are
raised then it affects both the consumers and produc-
ers in the economy and the worst affected are the
poor sections of the society. Also in order to rectify
the problem, governments might consider selling off
their own assets. Such sales may not fetch the gov-
ernment the required amount of money and may also
lead to the dilution of Government’s claim on impor-
tant national assets thus weakening its global posi-
tion.
Priyanshi Chauhan
Page 7
Al Jazeera
Economic and Social Council