Wednesday, 26 January 2011 Volume XIX, Issue II

roles. “Halfway through a speech, I see people nodding their heads in agreement to something I said, and I myself am thinking ‘No! Don’t nod!’” recalled Jadd Serhan from Munich International School.

Despite the challenges faced through these conflicts of interest, some delegates

look on the bright side. Leandro Leviste, President of Human Rights Commission, has experience representing controversial countries. He

once had to represent a notoriously corrupt country in the Special Conference on Good Governance, but was able to overcome the conflicts of interest and even took it as a lesson in engagement. “Antagonizing nations [only] pushes them further away.” explained Leviste.

By THIMUN standards, chairs must be objective. Leviste, now a chair, does not find this to be a problem, but takes pleasure in encouraging delegates with viewpoints unlike his own to speak up in a debate. “After all, that’s sort of the point of THIMUN,” he says. Taking a stance so radically different from one’s own shows that there are always two sides to

every issue; compromise is key. “If you ignore an argument, it stands,” stated Leviste. When both sides of an issue don’t take the time to hear each other out, a solution will never be reached.

Director Derek Smith put it this way: “I tell my delegates that the most important thing they learn by representing a country whose views they disagree with is that they will gain empathy. This is a crucial trait to develop in international relations; in fact it makes successful diplomacy possible.” THIMUN brings to the forefront many issues the world faces today. It forces delegates to acknowledge their existence and provide the means to resolve them.

THIMUN Participants Tackle Conflicts of InterestBy Munir Atalla & Caroline Ludeman

Don’t Sit on the Chairs!

- Page 12

Opening Speeches Foreshadow Great Debate

- Page 4Azra Sudetic Lara Batato

Mohammed Bdeir

“... the most important thing they learn by representing a country whose views they disagree with is

that they will gain empathy.”- Derek Smith, MUN Director

Some delegates representing countries with policies that differ from their own views have problems with being overly convincing in their adopted

Imagine you are chosen to represent a country whose policies are vehemently against your own. Can you accurately represent your assigned country even if it meant going against your personal beliefs? And if so, is it ethical to do so?

Many delegates choose to ignore their own voice and assimilate the values of their assigned country. Laura Turunen from Rekonen Kulosaari Upper Secondary School admitted, “When I speak about women’s rights from my country’s perspective I am directly contradicting my personal beliefs.” Various delegates face the challenge of representing people of a different religion than their own. “We can’t say what we think; it’s uncomfortable at times, but also fun to play the part of someone whose views differ so greatly from our own.”

EDITORS-IN-CHIEFJaimi Kim

michaella KossaKowsKi

TEXT EDITORSNeslihaN cabuK

aNthoNy GoKiaNluy

mari-aNa NarboN

bavo steveNs

REPORTERSmuNir atalla

KristiN bucKmaster

Parisa Frost

adriaaN hilbers

sasha KruGmaN

caroliNe ludemaN sieNa morrell

Nicole Novey

so yeoN ParK

isabelle stillmaN

maheK tulsiaNi

mara weNdebourG

LAYOUT EDITORS

seohyuN bae

ramesh balachaNdraN

Joshua david

rebecca Jetter

Julia laNcaster

Juliet moore

James roh

PHOTOGRAPHERS al-Khori abdulrahmaN

lara batato

mohammed bdeir

marGaret bliss

KariNa duKalsKa

GweNdoliNe scholteN

azra sudetic

Opinions expressed by MUNITY are not necessarily those of the newspaper, The Hague International Model United Nations, its affilliates, sponsors, or participants, but rather those of the individual writers formed from their observation of the conference with research. Commentary and response referring to the articles are welcomed. MUNITY reserves the right to withhold or edit submissions.

muNity Xliii staFF

Jaunary 26, 2011 FEATURES

Furry Friends Fight for FreedomTHIMUN introduces Muney, Pandy, and

Snowy as this year’s charity mascots! Last year, the raffle of stuffed bear, Muney, raised over €4,000 for Haiti’s relief funds after an earthquake devastated the country. THIMUN raised an additional €2,000 for Haiti through donations and collections. Muney generated such a response from last year’s THIMUN participants that this year Linda Dubock, Chair of the Board and orchestrator of the fundraising at THIMUN, added two more animals. The first prize, a new Muney, was given to Ms. Dubock as a gift with the hope that it would generate as much enthusiasm as last year.

As Ms. Dubock searched for an endangered species to be auctioned in the charity raffle, she came across two acts of pure altruism. While checking out at the Schiphol Airport, she encountered a giftshop employee who offered to pay for Pandy after hearing it was to be auctioned off for charity. Already truly amazed by this random act of kindness from a complete stranger, Ms. Dubock never expected to be the recipient of another. A toyshop owner sold Snowy, the Siberian tiger, to Ms. Dubock for only one euro. These stories are a testament to the wonders that can happen when people gather together for a common cause, and it is a testament to the aim and purpose of THIMUN. With three animals ready to be auctioned off, Ms. Dubock was left to choose a charity for the proceeds. After much deliberation, she chose Amnesty International, a global organization that works to end abuses of

human rights. Amnesty International fits in perfectly with the theme of this year’s conference, Crime and Punishment as they, according to Ms. Dubock, “work to raise awareness of the political prisoners kept for exercising their right to freedom of speech.” Amnesty International is represented by the Beacon Academy from the Philippines, led by director and advisory board member Mr. Jeff Buscher. He states, “with the theme of Crime and Punishment, Amnesty International cannot afford to be a minor player in this Conference.” A stand for Amnesty International will be located on the second floor of the WFCC on Thursday to offer information on how one can help unfairly incarcerated prisoners.

Other efforts to raise money for Amnesty International include a sale of last year’s t-shirts. The charity’s mascots will be located near the information desk, the computer room, or different committee rooms. It is remarkable that just after one day, the animals have raised over €90 for Amnesty International! This alone demonstrates the generosity and willingness of THIMUN participants to fight for human rights.

By Caroline Ludeman

Munity Sudoku

Page 2

Margaret Bliss

http://www.websudoku.com/?level=3

Jaunary 26, 2011

Page 3

FEATURES

A Day in the Life: Computer TechnicianIt was a hard-fought battle yesterday

morning to beat the line outside of the Approval and Editorial Panel, and we all know that seats in the Computer Room are in high demand. The technological basis of the THIMUN Conference is something we often take for granted, and it is important to recognize the mastermind behind the servers, printers, and Resolution Management System: Jochen Vermeulen.

You have probably seen him dashing hither and yon, constantly sporting lightening-fast feet and a broad smile. Always eager to help, Jochen’s presence alone can calm a stressed reporter or a perplexed delegate, and his mile-a-minute simultaneous talking and typing has THIMUN participants back on their keyboards in seconds.

A Ph.D. student studying Mathematics at Michigan University, Jochen is a master

of all things with a “power” button and a mouse. He holds a Masters in Computer Science from Delft University of Technology. This year’s THIMUN Conference is his “fifth or sixth…I don’t really remember,” and he also works at the Singapore THIMUN Conference.

“No,” Jochen answered honestly when asked if he could relay his daily schedule. Technology runs on its own time, and sporadic crashes, questions, and crises have Jochen running to and fro throughout the day. Although his mornings usually begin in the Approval and Editorial Panel, Jochen spends the remainder of his time hurrying from the Internet café to the MUNITY Press Room to the computer room, and back to the Approval and Editorial Panel.

Having grown up in the small Dutch town of Bergen op Zoom, Jochen is and always will be Dutch at heart, though his travels have taken him far and wide, so much so that he claims he “[doesn’t] quite know what home

is.” Indonesia, Malaysia, and Laos are some of the few more mainstream countries he has toured, though he has also traveled to “more dangerous places as well,” for instance, Afghanistan. Participating in an exchange program to Brazil when he was seventeen (he’s “nearly fluent” in Portuguese), living in Japan while working on his Master’s Thesis (something “computer science-y”), and currently studying in Michigan, he has come to understand many different parts of the world. Jochens is a big fan of classical music, reading, and the history of the world, with nine years of piano lessons under his belt, proving to be a man of incredible worldliness.

By Isabelle Stillman

THIMUN attracts delegates from many different corners of the world. Some are not so far like Germany and France and others are thousands of miles away like Chile and Brazil. Either way, most of us have to do some traveling to get to Den Haag. Whether it be by plane, train, bus or tram, many people had unforgettable traveling experiences.

Most people who have traveled are familiar with the frustration of having to wait for hours at the airport or on the plane, and therefore find interesting ways to overcome their boredom. One delegate and her friends began to sing “Kumbaya” to the melody of a ukulele. Another put up a fierce fight against her friends in a pretend “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” Others suffered delays with bag checks, missing papers and one delegate even got stopped and questioned about going to THIMUN. One group of delegates experienced terrible turbulence and were intensely gripping

their seats. The worst feeling when traveling would probably be the sensation of missing a flight, bus or any ride for that matter. There is no worse sight than when those tram doors close right in front of your face and then quickly leave you in the dust. Many

delegates missed or got on the wrong bus on their way to The Hague and trying to catch the proper ride back isn’t always easy. However, being with your friends, listening to music, taking naps, and munching on junk food helps overcome these hassles.

It is a relief to arrive in the breathtaking Netherlands after a long journey. But just

when everything seems like it’s going well some delegates get surprised by a bizarre sensation- exhaustion. And who is the culprit to this epidemic? Jet lag, that horrible feeling of lethargy and drowsiness you get with the change in time zones. The people who traveled from far away countries are no strangers to this feeling and find that it takes a couple of days to get over it. By the time they can finally adjust to the time, they have to go back to their respective countries and endure the same feeling all over again.

Yet there is one thing that makes it all worth it, the reason we are here and the convocation that we have passion for and are proud of being a part of, THIMUN. This amazing conference is what brings us all together. From regions right here in the Netherlands, to the farthest extremes of the world, and against all odds delegates come to debate with each other to help resolve today’s world issues.

By Nicole NoveyTraveling to the Conference

Margaret Bliss

Margaret Bliss

Margaret Bliss

This year, the Special Conference on Crime and Punishment (SCCP) will prove to be very interesting and competitive. Even as the conference opened, late delegates wishing to enter the SCCP room were stopped by the Administrative Staff guarding the door. After checking their badges, the staff politely requested that the delegates use the back door to avoid disturbance. While the strict security at the door provided the impression of formality, upon entering the conference room, one was greeted by a delegate’s adament shout of “Point of Personal Privilege!”

The delegates at the SCCP delivered their carefully prepared opening speeches during the morning session. Because Tuesday marked the start of a formal debate after the hectic lobbying session which lasted all of Monday, not all of the delegates seemed to be completely familiar with the conference procedures. As a result, the opening speech session was not run as smoothly as it otherwise would have, with some delegates not knowing who was supposed to speak next.

Yet, despite the difficulties the SCCP

group experienced in the beginning, the delegates seemed to be more focused and engaged as time passed. Mainly because the opening speech is the first formal speech the delegates give at the podium during the conference, they seemed to be excited about making their first impressions as positive as possible. The opening speeches revealed each delegate’s public speaking

competency, the issues of interest, and the primary objective the delegate hoped to achieve through collaborative discussions. Many of the delegates made insightful points and clearly accentuated their opinions in their opening speeches.

One of the topics mentioned multiple

times was the increasing rate of youth crimes. As the Delegate of Madagascar pointed out in his opening speech, “youth crime rates are rising” and the youth living in regions like the Middle East require special attention in order to successfully combat the increasing youth crime rates problem.

Another popular topic that appeared in the opening speeches was related to

the question of cultural differences influencing the concept of crime and punishment. The Delegate of The Netherlands passionately urged other delegates to “respect, celebrate and appreciate the cultural differences” for they cannot and should not be “neglected or overlooked.”

While various aspects of the debate issues were addressed in the opening speeches, many delegates seemed to agree that the problems regarding

crime and punishment should be dealt with by realistic and pragmatic measures in conjunction with active international cooperation. Keeping this in mind, the delegates of the Special Conference were eager to begin debate on the resolutions they produced in hopes of a better future.

What’s Not in Your Wallet?

Jaunary 26, 2011 ISSUES & FORUMS

Identity Theft: By Mari-Ana Narbon

Page 4

Special Conference, Special OpeningBy So Yeon Park

In this year’s ECOSOC Committee, some of the main issues of great importance to be discussed are cyber crimes and identity theft. Identity theft is described as stealing and misusing personal identifying information, such as a name, Social Security number or credit card number, of another individual. Some of the new methods of identity theft involve the cyber world, either by persuading a person to give their personal information on the Internet or by hacking. This is a serious on-going problem that the delegates of THIMUN’s ECOSOC will have to face and solve.

The gravity of this issue has been increasing exponentially throughout the years. In 2006, the Federal Trade Commission registered more than 650,000 consumer fraud and identity theft cases in the United States alone. According to Identity Theft Labs, incidences of the crime have increased 11% from 2008 to 2009. The main predicament surrounding identity theft is that it is very difficult to prevent, thus giving the thieves the advantage. Some of the ways that these thieves use to steal identities are skimming (copying personal information of debit or credit cards to use it), phishing (pretending to be financial

institutions or companies and sending spam or pop-up messages that persuade individuals to reveal information), or the old-fashioned method of stealing wallets and purses with credit or debit cards and the other important information within them.

This issue and others, such as addressing corruption and its effect on trade and the eliminating of human trafficking, will be discussed in the ECOSOC Committee this upcoming week. Like in all the other committees, delegates face the challenge of agreeing on the most productive solutions to these worldwide problems in order to finally put a stop to them.

Azra Sudetic

Gwendoline Scholten

Opening Speeches Foreshadow Great Debate

As some delegates might vouch, listening to the opening speeches is not always the most interesting part of an MUN conference. But as tedious as they may be, opening speeches are more important than one might think, as was shown on Tuesday morning in the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

Once session began, an air of excitement fell over the house. The Delegate of Guatemala, first to take the floor, began her speech, and a flurry of notes started to circulate the room; soon a constant stream of delegates began to approach the podium. Representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as the Institute for Research and Training for the Advance-ment of Women (UN-INSTRAW), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spoke of the importance of inter-racial equality and alleviating human suffering. While all of the delegates addressed similar issues, such as contemporary slavery, child soldiers, and the defamation of religions, each speech took on a slightly different tone. For example, the Delegate of Croatia made sure to acknowledge the privileges enjoyed by every delegate in the house, as opposed to the poverty and hardship endured by others their age. One could tell that some delegates were shy, ehibiting more timid speeches, whereas others proved to the house just how bold and dramatic they were. “The words ‘child’ and ‘war’ should not be in the same sentence…,” declared the Delegate of Zambia. Another delegate started her speech with the question, “Do you want your chil-dren to grow up in a world where religions are defamed?” Others voiced their opinions through quotes; the likes of Galileo Gali-lei, Voltaire, and even Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” were mentioned. The house was called to order a few times as several delegates strayed from formal language, with some even incit-ing a flutter of laughter from delegates. However, most followed the same format, showing that they wanted the swift resolu-tion of problems and the interesting debate in the days to come.

The HRC President and the Assistant Presidents saw the opening speeches as an indication of the tone of the rest of the conference. The HRC President Leandro Leviste remarked that most delegates seemed to be consistent with their country’s actual foreign policy: “…even countries such as ... Iran seem to want to collaborate with other nations… I think the speeches today are showing that the debate to come will be very interest-ing, especially on issues such as the Gaza blockade.” One of the Assistant Presidents, Yael Horowitz, had similar opinions, “the opening speeches show how great the conference is going to be. They open the door for great debate and encourage peo-ple to stand up and speak… this year is going to be amazing!”

By Kirsten Buckmaster

Jaunary 26, 2011

Saving the Environment One Committee at a Time

The Environment Commission (EC) of THIMUN is commonly overlooked by a majority of delegates, but the work that goes on in this committee is often the most important, having longer-lasting implications on a global scale. As the EC adjourned on the second day of debate, chatter arose in the committee room. The delegates slowly warmed up to each other and shared their opening speeches, ready to debate on issues of global importance. The resolutions they would be discussing later that afternoon dealt with “Clearing the Waters – Focus on Water Quality Solutions” and “Measures to Prevent the Export of Hazardous Material.”

While the EC does its best to stand to their eco-friendly ideals, according to some delegates the EC is not always true to its name. The delegate of Algeria, Chris Ong, found it ironic that resolutions are printed single-sided instead of saving paper by printing on both sides of the paper. The delegate of the United States of America, on the other hand, expressed her support of less economically developed countries and their eco-problems. To some this statement came with a slight tinge of controversy, considering that the USA refused to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Still, the delegates of the USA agreed with the statement of the delegate of Iceland when she stated that the path to a green life is a “step by step process.”

In terms of THIMUN’s own eco-friendliness, Assistant President of the EC, Samvitha Ram, believes that THIMUN is gradually moving towards greater environment

sustainability. In particular, she proudly states that the delegates of the EC are much more aware and alert to environment issues. In general, most chairs are making an effort to review draft resolutions digitally so that “not so much paper is wasted.” She strongly promotes technology’s key role in eco-friendliness, suggesting possible

electronic database of resolutions for delegates.

“Environment is life, without it we

cannot live,” stated the Delegate of Italy in her opening speech. The organizers of THIMUN 2011 also seem to be aware of this fact, as they have taken effective measures in creating a more environmentally friendly Conference. By implementing electronic resolutions, the amount of paper waste has been greatly reduced, while the blue paper boxes in every committee ensure that paper is recycled. Also, the multicolored trash bins located in the lunch area invite delegates to separate their waste to simplify the process of recycling.

In a strong statement, the Delegate of Liberia said that “mankind is the cause of all destruction on Earth.” The power to rid the world of this destruction also lies in the hands of mankind and in microcosm, the THIMUN delegates. The EC is already taking a positive step towards a greener future but it takes everyone to ensure maximum sustainability. Therefore, all participants of THIMUN are encouraged to live by the consciousness of saving the environment and following the words of the delegate of Morocco: “Single use, earth abuse!”

By Neslihan Cabuk and Anthony Gokianluy

Page 5

“Environment is life. Without it we cannot

live.”

ISSUES & FORUMS

Karina Dukalska

The International Court of Justice

As the interrogation of witnesses commenced yesterday, the atmosphere in the THIMUN International Court of Justice (ICJ) was intense. However, on Monday, Presidents, Advocates and Judges enjoyed a less formal session, with a visit to the Vredespaleis: the Peace Palace. An architectural marvel, the Peace Palace is host to The Hague Academy of International Law, the Peace Palace Library and, of course, the United Nations subsidiary legal body, the ICJ.

To catch a glimpse of the rooms in which official judges determine the results of such significant cases is inspiring. THIMUN ICJ President Ayesha

Dayaram claimed that the visit fuelled her passion for her participation at THIMUN this year and her future in international law, saying “the visit to the Peace Palace made us able to understand what we are doing in a broader context by giving us a better understanding of the history of the ICJ.”

The first ideas for establishing the Palace were formulated during discussions at the First Hague Peace Conference in 1899. The American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie sponsored an international competition to find a suitable architectural design. French architect Louis Cordonnier submitted the winning proposal, with decorative gardens designed by English landscape architect T.H. Mawson. The first stone was symbolically laid during the Second Hague Conference in 1907, and the building was inaugurated in 1913.

Not only is the Vredespaleis home to an extensive international law library, it also contains gifts from all countries present at the Second Hague Conference. These include a thirytwo-hundred gram marble vase from Russia, a fountain from Denmark and a clock for its clock tower from Switzerland. An anonymous judge was awestruck; “I’ve taken photos so I can plan my future house!” she said.

The grandeur of the Palace is only the start: THIMUN Judge Tatiana Souza commended the lecture about past cases they attended, noting “it was great to hear

about how effective the ICJ really is.” Some of the THIMUN judges have already declared their passion for participating in the ICJ and many have discussed their various plans for careers in international law and diplomacy. Who knows? Maybe there will be some familiar faces at the Peace Palace in the future.

Jaunary 26, 2011 FOCUS

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A Break From the Law

“...the visit to the Peace Palace made us able to understand what we are doing in a broader

context...”

By Siena Morrell

Ramesh Balachandran

Mohammed Bdeir

The International Court of Justice Italian individuals sought compensation

for the suffering they endured during World War II, Italian courts have been ordering Germany to pay for the damage done; Germany, however, has already paid billions of Marks to victims of WWII since the 1950s. As such, Germany has filed a case with the ICJ, claiming that it should have jurisdictional immunity in foreign national courts due to its

indisputable status as a sovereign nation. On the other hand, Italy feels that its citizens are due compensation for the atrocities performed by the Nazi party.

“Human rights are more than just a piece of paper,” argued the ambassador of Italy, who served as a witness to the Court for this case. He argued that

action should be taken to enforce human rights, believing that Germany should be punished for their crimes, even today. For him, money wasn’t so much the issue as the desire for punishment for the crimes committed by Germany against Italian citizens. This sparked an onslaught of questions from the Judges, Advocates, Deputies, and President. They asked whether the Ambassador of Italy believed that money held a merely symbolic value; whether he was aware of the damages Germany has suffered as a result of the war and whether he believed that money was the only way to facilitate healing and treatment needed by victims of the war. These questions required insight, vigilance, and grace under pressure from everyone involved, Advocates and witness, alike.

Though most delegates are unable to see what goes on behind the doors of the ICJ, most are aware that the ICJ is a

formidable force within THIMUN. Advised by Bob Stern, who himself is one to be reckoned with, the ICJ truly upholds the ideals of peace and justice that the United Nations was founded upon. After all, as stated so eloquently by this year’s keynote speaker, Serge Brammertz, “Sustainable peace cannot be built upon impunity.”

How Will the Judges Rule?

By Mahek Tulsiani

Jaunary 26, 2011

Page 7

FOCUS

Gwen Scholten

Gwen Scholten

Gwen Scholten Azra Sudetic

Azra Sudetic

Imagine a courtroom, completely silent except for the sound of fingers typing on keyboards. Imagine the witness sitting at the center of the room, his hands folded in his lap. Imagine questions coming from the surrounding Judges and Advocates breaking the silence.

This is the International Court of Justice, a body that encapsulates the theme of THIMUN XLIII: Crime and Punishment. Here, nations are tried for cases pertaining to international law and punished accordingly in the name of peace and justice.

“The ICJ is one of the most unique bodies of the United Nations,” said ICJ President Ayesha Dayaram. “It follows a completely different procedure from most of the other committees and it’s difficult to pick up the rules, but my experiences with the ICJ have been completely rewarding. They’ve transformed an interest in law into a passion for justice and have compelled me to believe that the first duty of any society should be justice.”

The case is Germany vs. Italy. Because

THIMUN Archive

Jaunary 26, 2011 TRAVEL

A lot of the THIMUN participants come to The Hague for one short week. Between attending THIMUN and working, time is lim-ited to know learn about the city. Here is some information about the city’s history.

The Hague was founded in 1248 by the Count of Holland, William II. He be-gan the construction of a castle, the Bin-nenhof, that today houses the Eerste and Tweede Kamer (Dutch Parlement) and is considered the historical centre of the city.

Before the Dutch War for independ-ence, the Dutch provinces were part of the Hapsburg Kingdom. Their independence in 1581 led to the proclamation of the Re-public of the Seven United Netherlands, in-cluding the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, Utrecht, Overrijssel and Gelre. The Hague is the political capital.

The Netherlands went through a Golden Age during the 17th century. In-deed, their economic growth gave the provinces strength and power through-out the whole world, conquering seas and colonies such as South Africa or Suri-nam. The Hague played an important role in art and in the market of tulip bulbs.

In 1899, the Peace Conference in The

Page 8

Mara Wendebourg

By Mara Wendebourg

Hague decided to host the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague. Andrew Carnegie, an American millionaire philanthropist, had the Peace Palace built for the PCA. The International Court of Jus-tice (ICJ) has also its place there since 1946.

Today, the city is home to many legal or-ganizations such as the ICJ, the Internation-al Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslo-via (ICTY), the International Criminal Court (ICC), and Eurojust. The city has earned the title of judicial capital of the United Nations and of International City of Peace and Justice.

You can also find a number of important museums. The M.C. Escher Museum was constructed in the former Palace. The Ge-meentemuseum has a large collection and displays proposed exhibitions of famous artists such as Vladimir Kandinsky, Lou-ise Bourgeois, and Mondrian. The Hidden Church is an interesting place to visit as well. As Catholic Churches were banned in the Netherlands, Catholic families got together and built this church by regrouping houses.

Since most of the THIMUN partici-pants are here for only a week, there is a long list of cultural things to do, so take a look at the following page.

Karina Duksala

The Hague ?THIMUN Archive

This jusT in: We’ve been noTified ThaT Pandy has jusT been kidnaPPed! his ransom noTe demands a generous donaTion To amnesTy inTernaTional Through The Thimun foun-daTion in order To secure his release. The firsT donor To conTribuTe 20 euros or more Will have Their name or organizaTion menTioned in The nexT issue. Please helP noW!

What Do You Really Know About...

Jaunary 26, 2011

The Hague To-Do List

• Visit the Mauritshuis, where you can see the Girl with the Pearl Earring by Vermeer and the Anatomy Lesson of Dr.Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt. Both are masterpieces of the 17th century, the Golden Age of The Hague. (1) • Go to the M.C. Escher Museum and be surprised by the geometric structures and optical illusions of Escher’s drawings.There is also an interactive room where you can play with your reflection as Escher did in his drawings. (Open from11am to 5pm.) (2)• See the Panorama at the Panorama Mesdag. This masterpiece of the 18th century illustrates the Scheveningen beachand its old neighborhood in 360 degrees. (3)• Go to the Vapiano to eat some amazing pasta (between €6 and 8). This Italian restaurant works like a cafeteria. Whenyou enter, you receive a card to register everything you order at the counter. Enjoy the warm atmosphere with a nicemeal. (Open from 10am to 12pm.) (4)• Buy some stroopwafels (waffles with syrup) or poffertjes (mini-pancakes) to bring back to your family or friends.• Visit the Vredespaleis, home to the ICJ. Admire the amazing architecture and the astonishing interior. Note that youhave to join a tour and you cannot take pictures. While you are there, you can walk around the World Peace Flame andmake a wish. (5) • Take a walk through the Netherlands in an hour or two...in Madurodam! This outdoor museum guides you through theDutch landscape. (6)• Walk along the beach and buy some souvenirs at the Palace Promenade or sit down and drink a hot chocolate at one of the numerous cafés. (7)

By Mara Wendebourg

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TRAVEL

Karina DuKalsKaKarina DuKalsKa

THIMUN

The Faces ofJaunary 26, 2011 COLLAGE

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THIMUN

The Faces ofJaunary 26, 2011 COLLAGE

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Jaunary 26, 2011 FEATURESDon’t Sit on the Chairs!

Floods Unite THIMUN

By Munir Atalla

By Caroline Ludeman

THIMUN brings us together from around the globe to attempt to solve the most challenging problems of our generation. We are all different and all unique but we experience THIMUN together. Another consistency between our diverse worlds is that we know of or have personally been victims of the recent flooding going on around the globe. Each flood is different but they affect us all in the same way.

In Pakistan, the floods affected over 20 million people, causing destruction of property, jobs, and buildings leaving a death toll of 2,000 people. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has estimated the total cost of damages to the Pakistani economy to be 43 billion dollars. In Australia high intensity rainfall wreaked havoc on the entire country covering over half of the land mass including Queensland and Victoria. The flooding of September 2010 crumbled many relief efforts set in place for catastrophes such as this. Two parts of the state have been declared natural disaster areas and forest fires have claimed many dry areas left in Australia.

The Philippines has seen destruction since late December 2010 which has displaced over 450,000 people and led to the death of

68 people. The flooding was caused by Typhoon Megi as well as a cold front, La Niña, which produced twice the normal amount of rainfall in the area. The central Vietnam area has been continuously devastated since October of 2010. The death toll has reached 41 people and although many feared this number would climb after a bus containing 18 passengers was trapped in the flood waters, it has, thankfully, ceased to increase. The 18 bus passengers as

well as the driver were rescued by police forces and returned home safely. One such survivor, Luong Huu Thanh, age 32, swam for two hours clinging to his two year old daughter before reaching safety. Around 47 inches of rainfall devastated

the country, displacing over 140,000 people and plunging 200,000 houses below water. Other countries that have been devastated are Thailand, Malaysia, and Brazil.

Despite the temporary devastation to our homes, neighbors, or friends, we should remember that the peace and stability we are working to create here at THIMUN will be strong enough to survive any disaster that comes our way.

This year’s THIMUN chairs are a colorful and witty bunch; their eagerness to lead this year’s conference comes across with great clarity and a big smile.

Delegates in the Disarmament Committee of the General Assembly should be excited to get to know Melih Levi, a veteran chair from Turkey who hopes “to enjoy every moment of [THIMUN 2011] while giving all the delegates of GA1 a chance to speak!” Melih, like many others, has an appreciation of time-honored THIMUN rituals. His favorite part of THIMUN is the Closing Ceremony, during which “seeing the flags wave altogether makes [him] feel hopeful, emotional and strong.” Delegates wishing to impress should keep in mind that Melih has a passion for ‘80’s music.

On those nippy Hague mornings, delegates can socialize with novice chair Laura Peräkylä from Finland, who enjoys “taking the crammed trams to the conference center every morning.” Laura hopes to “enjoy the internationality that takes over The Hague for one week” as well as “make new friends and gain more self confidence by handling such a large-scale event as THIMUN.” Chairs were once delegates too, reminds Laura, as she recalls, “the first time I made a point of information in THIMUN was accompanied by shaky hands and shaky knees.”

Magnus Ericsson is a first-time chair from Oslo, Norway who hopes to inspire “great times and fruitful, prosperous debate” in the Disarmament Commission. Magnus assures his delegates that he has “never been attacked by a polar bear, despite living in Norway.”

Delegates in the Human Rights Commission (2) should look forward to having Mattew Finney as their chair. Although experienced as a chair, this is Mattew’s first time at THIMUN. He believes that “as a chair it’s always great to encourage debate in your committee throughout the week – but it is most rewarding when you can build a consensus on sometimes polarizing issues,” something he hopes

to accomplish this year. In a previous year, Mattew was voted “most likely to wake up in the morning feelin’ like P. Diddy” in the Security Council; he hopes to live up to this title.

Do not expect to find a chair at this year’s THIMUN who does not have strong opinions about global issues. Vamika Bajaj from the Disarmament Commission (1), for example, believes that “racism is narrow-minded, and military conflicts are avoidable.” Vamika states that after living in a desert like Dubai, “there is nothing I enjoy more in The Hague than the sight of snow.” She is also “a strong advocate of combating adult illiteracy.”

Mick van der Valk of the General Assembly Fourth Commission is the go-to chair for all things MUN; this year’s THIMUN will be Mick’s 28th Conference. The most rewarding moment of his experiences is the time “a delegate came up to [him] after having given a committee a workshop on MUN and said ‘you really taught me MUN, I feel like I really understand it now! Thank you.’”

Daphne Rena Idiz of the Special Conference (2) hopes for all delegates to “achieve the perfect balance of constructiveness and fun and enjoy the conference just as much as I always have.” This Conference is significant to Daphne since she received the same position as her first time at THIMUN and hopes for a “truly memorable week.” For delegates anxious about the conference, Daphne assures all delegates: “Don’t be scared; you’re all going to have an absolutely epic time.”

Azra Sudetic

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“The flood has taken up more area than France and Germany combined. It has destroyed the most fertile land devastating crops and as a result driving prices up. The land is covered by 23 feet of water.”

- Saxon Bartsch, Atlanta (from Australia)