Viadrina Model United Nations 2016
Linda Walter
Viadrina Model United Nations 2016
Drug-war between North and South America (Security Council); SAR in the Mediterranean Sea (Human Rights Council)
5/6 ECTS
Seminar: BA/MA, Sozialwissenschaften-Einführung / Praxisrelevante Fertigkeiten //
alle MAs Optionsmodul: Transdisziplinäre Kulturwissenschaften // MES
Block, Veranstaltungsbeginn: 13.06.2016
Countless lives are lost every year not only because of drugs themselves but also due to the wars fought because of them. The anew escape of drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán once again illuminated the drug business and its power. It is an ongoing issue and transcends national borders and must therefore be solved conjointly. The Viadrina Model United Nations Security Council will tackle the problem and turn versatile and multilateral input from fruitful discussions into an efficient resolution.
On their way fleeing war and violence, far too many people fall victim to another powerful entity: the Mediterranean Sea. Countless refugees never reach dry land and are lost at sea. Their hopeful journey for peace in Europe ends deadly because travelling conditions are less than safe. The states are responsible for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in specific areas designated by the SAR Convention. The Human Rights Council will discuss how more deaths in the Mediterranean Sea can be prevented.
The aim of this seminar is to give students the opportunity to experience how diplomacy works and how it may help to solve international conflicts but also what its limitations are. They will have the opportunity to act as delegates (two students per state) to the UN in the 2016 simulation of the “Viadrina Model United Nations”. Delegates of the Security Council will discuss issues concerning the drug war between North and South America. The members of the Human Rights Council will review SAR in the Mediterranean Sea. The goal of the members of both councils will be to provide an internationally negotiated and unified resolution to the conflict discussed. Workshops on the first days will prepare the delegates for debate. Lectures held by invited experts will complement the simulation and provide the participants with additional information.
Reading: Gareis, Sven Bernhard; Varwick, Johannes (2006): Die Vereinten Nationen: Aufgaben, Instrumente und Reformen, Opladen: Leske + Budrich. Hufner, Klaus (1995): UNO Planspiele: Model United Nations (MUN), Bonn: UNO-Verlag.
Eligibility: The number of participants is limited. An application form (choosing the state preferences + a short letter of motivation) will be opened on 1st April at www.viamun.de. If two students want to be in a delegation together they can both type that in the application form; however, every student needs to apply separately. Application deadline is 29th April.
Dates of seminar sessions: 13.06.2016 - 17.06.2016
Assessments: Participants must attend all meetings and do specific preparation for the MUN session (position paper, opening speech, policy research, training in conference rules). Further requirements may vary depending on your study programme. For details visit our website (www.viamun.de) or contact us via viamun@europa-uni.de. Everything has to be written in English.
Language: English