BERMUN TIMES Pre-Edition November 19, 2014

t h e o f f i c i a l n e w s p a p e r o f t h e b e r l i n m o d e l u n i t e d n a t i o n s

BERMUN TIMESPre-Edition November 19, 2014

Prepare for heated debate concerning global warming by reading page 3

Meet BERMUN’s Big Four on page 4

Find out how digital connectivity is changing the world on page 2

Discover how BERMUN’s new committee wants to break down barriers on page 3

Armed ISIS forces.

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The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) executed two journalists this year, a polarizing event that will be addressed by the Political Committee (PC) during the upcoming BERMUN conference. Delegates identify journalism as a means of communication, symbol-izing freedom of expression and inform-ing the public. Free media is therefore a tool for achieving empowerment and equity of the state. Journalism is also an important means of controlling the gov-ernment by showing transparency. The two American journalists who were executed within two weeks of each other were identified as James Foley and Steven Sotloff. Foley disap-

peared almost two years prior to his exe-cution. Last seen in November 2012, he was in Syria covering the Syrian Civil War as a conflict journalist. Sotloff was a reporter for Time Magazine and other publications and covered ISIS as a spe-cialized freelance journalist. He went missing in August 2014 and was execut-ed a month later on September 2. The beheading of these U.S. journalists was made public by ISIS through the release of videos to force U.S. President Barack Obama to stop airstrikes. This is yet another reminder of how easily journalists are silenced and put in danger. The delegates of the PC will determine how journalists receive better protection. They will consider introduc-ing laws ensuring the safety of the jour-

nalists. Additionally, they want to raise awareness to the issue of abolishing the right to free expression. Furthermore, the delegates will reflect on enhancing the safety procedures journalists follow before going into conflict zones. Finally, they will deliberate ways in which jour-nalists can be distinguished from the military units in which they are embed-ded. The delegates hope that by separat-ing journalists from the military, they are less likely to fall prey to violence. Johanna Diedrichs, Chair of the Political Committee, says, “I honestly really look forward to the debate con-cerning the security of journalists be-cause I personally find it a very interest-ing topic, especially as one can currently really see the magnitude it has on our society today in countries like Iraq.”

Clara FrickReporter

Journalists Become Victims

Communication Terrorized

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BERMUN PRESS STAFF

Disclaimer:The opinions and views expressed in the BERMUN TIMES Newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of BERMUN or its advertisers.

John F. Kennedy SchoolTeltower Damm 87-9314167 Berlin (Zehlendorf) Germany(+49) 030 90299 5785e-mail: [email protected]: www.facebook.com/BermunPress

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Heads of Photography:Fritz PukallAntony Roczek

Text Editors:Maja MelchingerDavid StrasiewskyIsaac Dye

Reporters: Clara FrickNaledi TilmannAvélina de MentLuisa HemmerlingAlexandra BesteEmilia McGrealAbigail DyeEleanor KellySimona KochJaco MaulRebekka SchoellMadeleine Kelly

Layout Artists:Freddie ReidVivo von StreitElisabeth WidmaierDaria Sweet

Photographers:Celine ThümlerVictoria Stütz

Special Conference:Transparency through Technology

This year at BERMUN, the Spe-cial Conference will be debating how to achieve political transparency through dig-ital connectivity. As more and more people gain access to technology such as smart-phones and the internet, communication is becoming much easier and more accessible. Secretary General Markus Jungnickel asks, “How can we use the internet and digital devices to achieve greater political transpar-ency or more political participation?” Several political parties have al-

ready attempted to integrate digital connec-tivity into their work. The “Piratenpartei Deutschland” has begun to incorporate crowdsourcing, using their Facebook page to ask supporters for their opinions on cer-tain topics. In similar fashion, the Nigerian government has created an online platform which allows citizens to easily access ba-sic information. Their Mission Statement declares that they would like “to build na-tional info-communications infrastructure to facilitate eGovernment and other relevant activities for the benefit of the citizens.” The Special Conference hopes to find possible solutions to this relevant and current topic.

Using Technology to Change the World.

Only One Planet toSustain Us

Overcrowding in megacities and superfluous consumption of resources are, amongst others, reasons for the rising global conflict of sustainability. To find a formidable solution to this predicament, the Youth Assembly of BERMUN 2014 will discuss this problem and, specifically, the way the next genera-tion can help reconcile this dilemma. This committee not only debates

Avélina de MentLuisa HemmerlingReporters

resolutions, but actually seeks to bring pos-itive change beyond the conference. What makes the YA so special is that each student represents his or her own country, therefore being able to spread awareness of this cru-cial topic in their hometown and hopefully influence their own different cultures and lifestyles. YA director Jonas Hämmerle states: “The topic of sustainability affects everybody, which is partially why this top-ic is so interesting to the YA. We have the responsibility that future generations still have a green planet to live on.”

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Naledi TilmannReporterIsaac DyeText Editor

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t h e o f f i c i a l n e w s p a p e r o f t h e b e r l i n m o d e l u n i t e d n a t i o n s

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Help for the MillionsEleanor KellyReporter

Abigail DyeReporter

Simona KochReporter

For the second time in BERMUN history, the Interna-tional Court of Justice (ICJ) will discuss a current case which is the continuous conflict be-tween Serbia and Croatia. The animosity between the parties, originating in World War II, was strongest during the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1999), when Croa-tia fought for its independence. To this day both are entangled in lawsuits, “accusing each other”, as Caroline Fogar-asi, Vice President of the ICJ, states, “of the same crime – gen-

ocide – while most likely [both are] mutually guilty.” Additionally, Presi-dent of the ICJ, Lisa Thiergart, expresses her enthusiasm for this year’s symposium by say-ing: “All of our participants will leave the conference hav-ing gained much skill in logical and analytical thought.” She explains that the smaller com-mittee, the different structure and specificity of the topic will allow for more in-depth discus-sions and prolific results. The ICJ proves itself ready for the upcoming confer-ence and excited to welcome judges and advocates to the courtroom.

Alexandra BesteEmilia McGrealReporters

The Unburied Hatchet

This year, the BER-MUN Environmental Commit-tee (EC) will discuss the univer-sal guidelines for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the threat that they pose to the environment. It has been argued that the sudden change in temper-atures, due to global warming, have had a devastating effect on countless ecosystems and economies all across the Globe. It will be the EC’s task to deter-

mine what precautions should be taken to avoid drastic climate change as a result of greenhouse gas emissions. The chair of the EC, Jasper Kamradt, states his opin-ion on this topic, “Humanity is getting closer to a point of no return: either we continue to destroy our planet or we try to save it. Finding universal guide-lines for greenhouse gasses is very crucial in order to sustain regulated CO2 emissions and, therefore, a cleaner environ-ment.”

The Greenhouse Threat

During this year’s BERMUN conference, the Hu-man Rights Committee (HRC) will strive towards the creation of improved and secure condi-tions for Syrian refugees. The Syrian conflict dates back to March 2011, when the population revolted in re-sponse to their country’s op-pressive regime led by Bashar Al-Assad. Since then, the civil war between the government and its people has claimed the lives of thousands, many of whom are civilians. The ongoing fear of attack from the government has caused approximately 60% of the population to flee to

neighboring countries. Due to the growing number of refugees, it is be-coming increasingly difficult for host countries to meet the refugees’ needs. Lack of good hygiene means camps are ex-tremely susceptible to infectious disease, whilst the large number of Syrian children attending for-eign schools exerts pressure on native educational systems. HRC delegates will aim to determine how the inter-national community can provide relief for refugees in this seem-ingly perpetual conflict. Daniel Stein, one of the HRC Chairs, elaborates, “The secure condi-tions will prove to help the tran-sition for refugees from country to country.”

Located in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its 160 member countries strive to man-age worldwide commerce reg-ulations and contribute to glob-al economic security. Despite having existed for more than a decade, its presence on the list of BERMUN conference com-mittees marks a special premier. “Diplomacy often re-acts to certain economic reali-ties”, says Elias Lugani, chair of the new committee, there-fore, “we thought another good

alteration to BERMUN would be the WTO, because we want-ed to discuss the very important economic aspects of internation-al cooperation”. Influencing the fall of trade barriers and increasing prosperity through international commerce, the principles of the UN organization coincide with this year’s conference’s theme. Focusing on the mat-ters of equality in access to global markets and the imple-mentation of universal work-ing standards, the delegates of the WTO will consequently be debating on current worldwide issues.

A New CommitteeEnters the Market

The International Court of Justice.

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Refugee Camp.

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Jaco MaulRebekka SchoellReporters This year’s Secretariat consists of Markus Jung- nickel, Secretary General, Kilian Justus, President of the General Assembly and Deputy Secretary Generals, Lisa Pen-taleri, and Sophie Lugani. In an interview, Justus and Jung- nickel reminisced on their BERMUN conferences, providing words of advice for the 2014 participants. Justus and Jungnickel, seniors attending the John F. Kennedy School, hope for a “nice conclusion to their MUN career” and remain determined to utilize their final involve-ment to make it “a success”. In regards to this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, Jungnickel highlights her role as an in-spirational example for MUN delegates, revealing that even “adolescents can make a difference […] on a global and local scale”. Thus they encourage the delegates to participate and make use of the conference, to “make a connection between what is written on paper” and issues really affecting people, taking after Malala’s example.

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The BERMUN 2014 Secretariat.

During the BERMUN Conference, the Historical Security Council will discuss the Rwandan Genocide. In 1994, Rwanda’s population of 7 million comprised two main ethnic groups, the Hutus and Tutsi. Between them existed an at-mosphere of huge tension. On April 6th of that year, the jet carrying Rwandan President Habyarimana, a Hutu, was shot down, plunging Rwanda into violence. Hutu extremists and militia began targeting prominent opposition figures, attempting systematically to wipe out the Tutsi minority. Killing and brutality swept through the country. In 100 days, one tenth of the Rwandan population was killed. HSC Assistant President Lena Rieke defines how challenging this debate will be: “Facing a country in chaos and an international community that is wallowing in uncertainty, the delegates must decide [...] if they will risk the lives of soldiers in a clouded conflict that they have been unable to understand.” With this, the HSC looks forward to a lively debate.

Rwanda under Scrutiny

BERMUN’s Secretariat:Following Malala’s Example

Madeleine KellyReporter

BERMUN TIMES

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