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ViaMUN 2019 - The Future of Central Africa: between local conflicts and global interests

3/6 ECTS

Blockveranstaltung: Vergleichende Sozialwissenschaften: Vertiefung // Praxisrelevante Fertigkeiten Block Ort: GD 312, Veranstaltungsbeginn: 29.05.2019

Temperatures globally are expected to increase unacceptably with severe consequences for Africa’s development prospects; global warming has serious implications in the region, ranging from population health, to drought occurrence and agricultural losses. Central Africa is particularly vulnerable in this respect, not only because of its exposure to climatic changes, but also due to its lacking capacities to adapt and cope with such threats. Moreover, alongside Central Africa’s environmental problems and chronic underdevelopment, the region also suffers under high levels of inequality, terrorism, intra-state conflict or organised crime. In the Viadrina Model United Nations 2019 the students will tackle these subjects, deliberating and deciding upon the most adequate responses to such threats to peace and security in the region. Acting as UN delegates, they will turn versatile and multilateral input from fruitful discussions into resolutions. This UN-simulation gives students the opportunity to experience how diplomacy works, how it may help to solve international conflicts, but also what its limitations are. They will have the chance to act as delegates to either the UN Security Council, the Human Rights Council or the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme. Three seminar sessions will precede the simulation. These seminar sessions give students a context within which to embed the simulation: they provide basic knowledge of international relations, international law, inter-governmental decision-making, as well as the structure and role of the UN. A debriefing session held after the simulation will help summarize and clarify key points while allowing students to evaluate their experience.

Literatur: R. Jackson; G. Sørensen; J. Møller (2019): Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches, 7th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press J. Baylis; S. Smith; P. Owens (2017): The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations, 7th edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press K. Hüfner (1995): UNO Planspiele: Model United Nations (MUN),Bonn:UNO-Verlag FurthertextswillbeprovidedviaMoodle.

Teilnahmevoraussetzungen: In order to participate in the Viadrina Model United Nations 2019 it is mandatory for the students to submit an application through myMUN (on https://mymun.com/muns/viamun-2019) by May 15th 2019.
Leistungsnachweise: Participants must attend all meetings, including the introductory and the concluding seminar sessions; they must prepare for the ViaMUN simulation by writing a position paper, holding an opening speech, by doing policy research, and training in conference rules. Further requirements (such as writing a seminar paper) may vary depending on the credit points to be acquired and on your study programme. For details visit our website (https://viamun.jimdo.com/) or contact us via viamun@europa-uni.de or Martin@europa-uni.de.

Termine: Mi 29.05.19 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr (GD 312) | Mi 05.06.19 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr (GD 312) | Mi 12.06.19 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr (GD 312) | Mi 26.06.19 10:15 - 11:45 Uhr (GD 312)