PROJECT DOCUMENT. Model United Nations: South African Universities July Introduction

Transcription

1 PROJECT DOCUMENT Model United Nations: South African Universities July 2012 Introduction The first annual Model United Nations Debate for South African Universities (MUNSAU) in 2012 will be held on 12 and 13 July The debate will be presented by the United Nations Association of South Africa Pretoria Chapter, with the support of the University of Pretoria, Department of Political Sciences and the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). It is the intention that the Conference be organized by annually and with the involvement of all Universities in South Africa. We hope that the Conference will be the centre piece of a growing and healthy Model UN debating network in South African Universities. The language medium of this event will be English but as enthusiasm grows in the future, there is hope that translation for other official languages and foreign languages will be possible. All Universities in South Africa will be invited to enter. The organizers will ensure an even distribution of teams to each university that enters and as far as is possible. At least three teams from each university will be reserved (provided that the relevant university registers at least three teams). Should demand require it, the organizers will eliminate some teams prior to the event, based on the marks they obtain in their policy documents (see below). Format Universities will be asked to register in teams of three to four students, preferably with balanced gender representation. Individuals may also register, but will then be assigned to teams from the same university by the organisers UN member states will be represented at the conference, including all 15 current members of the Security Council. The teams will sit together in the General Assembly sessions and will designate one speaker to deliver an opening speech and a different delegate to deliver a closing speech. Three of the delegates will represent their countries in the three committees of the conference, while countries holding a seat on the Security Council will send a fourth delegate to the Council.

2 The topics of each committee and the council will be related to the overall theme. The Security Council topic will remain a secret to delegates until the opening of the conference. This is to simulate an emergency situation being dealt with by delegates as it develops. The emergency will be related to the overall theme and hints will be given so that delegates will be able to do general background research. A position paper/policy document must first be submitted. The length and the format of the position paper will be set out in the topic pack. Students will be expected to write from a specific state s perspective using a persuasive manner, accurately representing the state s attitude and position in the issue. There will be no position paper for the Security Council. The format for South African Model United Nations Debate is modeled on the UN Department of Public Information s Global MUN conference, though it has been adapted for our purposes. The conference will open in the simulated General Assembly, where delegates will discuss a certain topic (the topic pack will be released on 12 April 2012). Thereafter, delegates will split up into three selected committees of the General Assembly to discuss the topic in detail and draft a working document on questions relevant to their committee. At the end of the conference the delegates will convene in the General Assembly again to adopt the working document. The various working documents of the committees will have been edited and combined into a single working document. Simultaneously, a simulated emergency (which will be related to the topic) will be introduced to the delegates. Team members assigned to the Security Council will convene as the Council while the committees discuss the main topic. The emergency will remain a mystery to the delegates until the day of the conference. The Security Council will vote separately and a summary of their actions will be presented to the plenary session. Committee chairpersons and other officials will be sourced from the various universities as needed, though the UNA-SA (Pretoria Chapter) will be responsible for the running of the conference generally, at least for the pilot project.

3 Adjudication The adjudication panel will have five members. It will consist of a head adjudicator and four other adjudicators. Each of the four other adjudicators will be assigned to a committee (see Format above) and will judge that committee. He/she will award certificates for best speaker in each committee as well as award marks (as per a rubric) to each delegation. The head adjudicators, who will preferably be the adjudicator with the most professional experience, will guide the adjudicators discussions as well as circulate between the committees and take notes for the final adjudication. All five adjudicators will sit at the opening and closing ceremony, where opening and closing speeches by delegations are made. Taking into consideration the opening and closing speeches, the composite performance of the teams in their different committees and especially team work (made evident from consistency and synergy of the team mates across their committees), the adjudicators will award best teams and runners up. Individual best speaker awards will be awarded within each committee and for the best opening and closing speeches. Aims The debate is aimed at creating greater awareness in universities and communities in South Africa about the United Nations and the values that it embodies through active participation. The aim is also to encourage talented young people to consider pursuing a career in international relations or a career related thereto. This Debate provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their research, writing and diplomacy skills as they endeavor to come to grips with some of the international issues that are presently facing our globe. Logistics The students and anyone who accompanies them must attend the conference at their own costs in terms of transport and accommodation. Refreshments will be provided throughout the conference, but extra money for food is recommended. They will be expected to arrive in Pretoria on the evening of Wednesday, 11th July On 12 th July all the participants will attend registration and begin with the opening ceremony. On the 13 th of July, resolution voting

4 and the closing ceremony will follow at the prestigious venue of DIRCO s OR Tambo building. A closing ceremony and dinner will also take place there. In order to assist all teams to have a fair chance in the Competition, material on the United Nations Charter, Model United Nations rules and protocol and direct contact details of the organising committee of the University of Pretoria will be made available on the internet and by . Participants are encouraged to approach their closest political faculties (especially their own political departments and Model United Nations schools competitors who have a vibrant Model United Nations society) for assistance with their preparations and fundraising, and the Political Society will be asked to encourage their members to make time available to provide such assistance. Students are also welcome to contact the organisers for any queries or assistance, whether they be logisitical or about the rules of the competition. The registration forms must be received by the organizers by 15 May 2012 and the position papers must be received by the organizers by 20 June Internships DIRCO is offering four internships to outstanding participants in the competition. These participants will be chosen during the competition at the discretion of DIRCO officials. This may be done by a system of interviews but this is yet to be confirmed. Internships will unfortunately only be available to delegates with South African citizenship. Participants will be asked whether or not they wish to apply for the internship at the start of the conference. The winners of the competition itself will not necessarily receive internships, though they will not be disqualified for the internships (provided they applied for the internships and are South African citizens). The logistics of the internship (when, where and for how long it will be served) will be dealt with on an individual basis between the successful applicant and DIRCO. Fundraising As stated above, fundraising for travel and accommodation is the prerogative of the delegation. However we are happy to give guidance to students who don t know where to start. Please do

5 contact us if you are having trouble finding funds and we will try to point you in the right direction. The organisers will also continue to fundraise with the hope of subsidizing the costs of participants, especially those who are financially needy. However, the organisers cannot guarantee any subsidy at this stage and participants must not rely on such subsidies. For more information on the Debate view the website: see or contact Tamara Naidoo on or mobile

6 Draft time frame The relevant dates in respect of the Competition are as follows: Inviting Universities to participate, advertise: 02 March 2012 Topic packs to be released (provisional) 12 April Registration forms received: 15 May 2012 Position Papers to be received 20 June Delegates arrival in in Pretoria: 11 July 2012 (evening) Registration and opening address followed by caucusing and Internship Interviews: 12 July 2012 Finalisation of committee drafts following Closing speeches, adjudication and closing function: 13 July 2012 Departure of delegates: 14 July 2012 (morning)

7 Skeleton memorandums for assessment in oral debate COMMITTEE MARKS (50) Argument (20) Delegate has researched well (4) Delegate s arguments have an accurate factual basis (4) Delegate shows understanding of the topic (4) Delegate is logical in the delivery and development of his/her argument (4) Delegate develops innovative and original ideas (4) Policies (20) Delegate represents the policies of the his/her country accurately (4) Delegate shows a thorough understanding of his/her country s link to the issue (4) Delegate consistently promotes the interest of the country he/she represents (4) Delegate shows understanding of bloc alignment and works with strategic partners (4) Delegate demonstrates broad knowledge of his/her country s interest beyond the topic (4) Oral presentation (10) Delegate is well spoken and articulate (5) Delegate is true to the character of his/her country s representative(5) Delegate is diplomatic(subtract marks if undiplomatic, but consider whether the country in question is traditionally undiplomatic towards its enemies) TEAM MARKS (100) Average committee mark (50) Opening speech (15) Closing speech (15) Team work and consistency (20) Lack of position paper (-15)

8 Notes: The delegate with the highest mark in each of the committees will be awarded a best delegate in the committee certificate The delegates with the highest mark in Opening speech and the delegate with the highest mark in Closing speech will each be awarded Best opening speech and Best closing speech certificates respectively Best position paper will be awarded on a separate memorandum and does not affect the above marks The team with the highest overall mark will be awarded Best delegation. Runners-up will also be recognized.