Report
The Role of the Youth in Ensuring Peaceful Democratic Transition in Africa
Prepared by the AIMUN GA 4th Committee
The Fourth Committee of the UN GA offers the following observations and recommendations:
Education
1. Peaceful and democratic transition of power in Africa is possible through civic education.
2. Education should ensure the ability of African youth to make reasonable and rational choices.
3. Patriotic feelings and love for one's country should be brought up in the young generation.
4. Youth is more prone to political propaganda and should be shielded against it.
5. African Youth is predominantly the main tool used for waging violence within the continent.
6. Mechanisms to avoid dirty politics should be widely implemented.
7. Youth should be independent and free in making their choices, and should not rely on amount of money it receives for voting for a particular candidate.
8. Proper implementation of education should be a gradual process, which should not compromise its quality. Relevant changes in infrastructure should be done to ensure this.
9. There is need for supervisory mechanisms to ensure that the funds allocated to education find their way to the relevant institutions and do not end up in pockets of corrupt officials.
10. Student travel should be promoted; wide student exchange programs and schemes should be established within the African Union similar to European Erasmus or Socrates programs, to ensure tolerance in Africa and promote inter-cultural dialogue among the young generations.
11. Youth forums should be promoted.
12. Youth should be sensitized not only about its own countries' political situation, but also about other countries.
13. Efforts should be taken to ensure that family members do not apply pressure to influence each others' political choices.
14. Education should break the vivid circle of young people striving for power, just to become dictators for life.
Politics
1. Voting rights and other political rights should be promoted more effectively.
2. Youth should group themselves according to political interests within a democratic and peaceful framework.
3. Leaders should be held accountable for their actions and should not be subject to absolute diplomatic immunity.
4. Special attention should be paid to holding politicians liable for violating promises delivered during the electoral process.
5. Country leaders should be subject to a clearly established upper age limit, after which he or she will have to leave his post. Lower age limit for a country leader should be reduced to 30 years.
6. The so called culture-of-corruption should be eradicated using all means available, including movie industry and media.
7. Media should be balanced and promote good image of the African countries.
8. Harsher policies for corrupt officials should be implemented, including complete banishment from public service.
9. Employment opportunities should be improved by promoting opportunities of self-employment.
Friday, April 30, 2010
THE FIRST COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY (RESOLUTION))
AFRICA INTERNATIONAL MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2010
Directors
Dennis Pennu
Nicole A.W Gichuhi
Tor Jorgensen
THE FIRST COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
The General Assembly's work on disarmament is conducted through one of its main committees, the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. The First Committee is one of six main committees at the General Assembly of the United Nations which deals with matters concerning world peace and more specifically all matters on Disarmament and International Security (DISEC). The First Committee provides space for each state to discuss their positions on disarmament-related matters, and to work together to come up with compromises or to propose language or tools to better understand and approach the issues. It offers the opportunity for states to build consensus on the issues, to reach common understandings and principles and to agree on norms of behavior. Among many other things, the General Assembly discusses and makes recommendations on principles of cooperation for maintaining peace and security.
In an attempt to improve negotiations and debate, the idea of a "thematic debate" will be put into practice during the deliberations of the first committee. The thematic topics shall, but will not be limited to the two topics outlined below:
1) Ensuring the safety and upholding the Human Rights of non-combatants especially women and children during conflicts.
2) The dangers of climate change on international and national security and stability.
Delegates will be required to focus their attention on these topics as opposed to dealing with general issues that are normally addressed within the First Committee. The justification for this approach is that thematic debate facilitates interactions, whereas the general debate is encompassed by representatives reading long statements that can take hours, with relatively little added input.
BACKGROUND OF THE TOPICS
A. Ensuring the safety and upholding the Human Rights of non-combatants especially women and children during conflicts.
This theme is covered in International Humanitarian Law whose cornerstones are the Geneva conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols. Protecting civilians is one of the major objectives of IHL which hinges on the principle of distinction between combatants and civilians. The Geneva law was aimed at reducing the barbarity of war i.e. making it as humane as possible; minimize the impact of war on civilians especially women and children who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of war.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) lays down the minimum protection and standards applicable to situations where people are most vulnerable in armed conflict. It aims to prevent situations that might exacerbate vulnerabilities, such as displacement and destruction of civilian property. International humanitarian law demands of belligerents that they respect the principles of distinction (between combatants and non-combatants), proportionality (of violence used) and precaution (against disproportionate effects of military attacks on non-combatants) in using violent means in situations of conflict (article 48 and 51).
Perhaps the most important of these, certainly in relation to civilian protection is that of distinction, which underpins the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols. This requires combatants to distinguish between those actively engaged in hostilities, on the one hand, and civilians and others (including the sick, wounded and prisoners of war) on the other hand. In that regard, international humanitarian law plays the role in time of war or violent conflict that human rights law plays in peacetime, guaranteeing fundamental rights for each individual.
Worldwide, an estimated 300,000 children are engaged in armed conflicts—with tragic consequences. They are often forcibly recruited or abducted to join armies, some under the age of 10. Many of them have witnessed or taken part in acts of unbelievable violence, often against their own families or communities.
In Article 38, the Convention on the Rights of the Child urges governments to take all feasible measures to ensure that children under 15 have no direct part in hostilities. The Convention also set 15 years as the minimum age at which an individual can be voluntarily recruited into or enlist in the armed forces. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict is an effort to strengthen implementation of the Convention and increase the protection of children during armed conflicts. After receiving the first 10 ratifications needed for its entry into force, the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict became legally binding on 12 February 2002. Today, more than 100 countries have signed and ratified this Protocol.
Three United Nations entities- UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR- have primary roles in providing protection and assistance in humanitarian crises. Children and women constitute the majority of victims of war. UNICEF urges governments and warring parties to act more effectively to protect all victims especially the above mentioned two most vulnerable groups. The Geneva law continues to provide the best legal framework for dealing with non-combatants as civilians are entitled to full protection from military attacks unless they are shown to be directly taking part in hostilities in which case they lose that immunity.
The major challenges faced by victims of war include displacement, hostage-taking, abduction, sexual violence (rape), dangers posed by cluster munitions (white phosphorous munitions) and other war crimes. Issues such as displacement and resettlement for victims of war remain a pressing humanitarian concern. The challenges faced by the victims of war should be addressed and given high priority in order to come up with conclusive and practical solutions that can be implemented over a short time so as to bring comfort and enable the victims to move on and restructure their lives.
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilians are to be protected from murder and permitted to lead normal lives, if security allows. Additional Protocol I of 1977 provides further details extending civilian protections in international armed conflicts. IHL forbids attacks against civilians, and identifies special protections for children. All civilians are to be protected against murder, torture, pillage, reprisals, indiscriminate destruction of property, and being taken hostage. Although women have the same general legal protections as men, the Geneva Conventions recognize the principle that "women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex." This means that additional protections are provided to address women's specific needs arising from gender differences, honor and modesty, pregnancy and childbirth. For example, women POWs or internees are to be held in quarters separate from men's under the immediate supervision of other women. Women are to be protected "against rape, enforced prostitution or any form of indecent assault." As to relief shipments, "expectant mothers, maternity cases and nursing mothers" are to be given priority.
According to the ICRC, the law of armed conflict:
Protects, in armed conflict, all who do not, or who no longer, take part in hostilities: civilians, wounded and sick soldiers, prisoners of war
Strives to prevent parties to an armed conflict from resorting to criminal methods and indiscriminate or disproportionate use of force
Forms part of the international legal framework that aims to uphold human dignity and protect people from arbitrary treatment
Protection of children in times of war is a pertinent issue under this theme. Today in more than 30 conflict situations worldwide, more than 250,000 young persons under the age of 18 are ruthlessly exploited as soldiers –some as young as seven or eight , girls as well as boys. More than 2 million children have been killed in wars and civil strife and 6 million have been maimed or permanently disabled. Thousands of girls are subject to rape and other forms of sexual violence and exploitation while boys are abducted from their homes and fields at a very large scale. Many more have been orphaned or separated from their parents. To tackle this tragedy the Security Council has called for stronger efforts to end the use of children as soldiers and protect children in armed conflict.
Women experience armed conflict in diverse ways as victims, survivors, leaders and
peacemakers. Violence against women in conflict zones is often an extension of the gender
discrimination that already exists in peacetime. They are often stereotyped as victims and their experiences and contributions are virtually ignored in conflict zones and in nations emerging from war. Despite this women can also play a significant part in peacemaking if they are properly supported and genuinely included.
Far more men than women directly engage in armed conflict, which increases the
responsibilities on women to maintain standards of care, health services, industry and
agriculture. Women and their dependents in conflict zones are likely to lose access to adequate
healthcare, including safe contraceptive methods as a greater proportion of money is
being directed into war. Armed conflict often leads to a reduction in formal medical or
psychological support for home-based carers, most of whom are women.
Sexual violence against women during conflict is a tactic of war that has reached epidemic
proportions. For example, up to 500,000 women were raped, many at gunpoint, in Rwanda
in 1994.
In addition:
• Women are often raped to humiliate the men to whom they are related (the men are
• often forced to witness the assault).
• •In societies where• ethnicity is inherited through the male line, “enemy” women are
• raped and forced to bear children.
• •Women are kidnapped and used as sexual slaves to service troops, as well as to cook for
• them and carry their loads from camp to camp. They are purposely infected with HIV.
• Violent conflicts force women from their homes, and expose them to indiscriminate
• violence while they search, unprotected, for safe havens
There is little recognition in international agreements of the impacts of small arms on women’s lives, or their contributions to peace building and their specific needs as combatants when demobilised. However, in October 2000, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325 on women, Peace and Security, which urges for women’s genuine and equitable participation in peace negotiations in war zones and the aftermath.
All these information should be considered when coming up with new resolutions or when seeking to make additional amendments to the existing international legal framework.
B. The dangers of climate change on international and national security and stability.
Climate change is a well know topic due to the increased sensitization and numerous debates that have been held about it in the recent past the most notable being the talks at Copenhagen. The focus has been mainly on its environmental impact and its direct impact; that is those that can be seen straight on at a glance. However, there are consequential impacts of climate change that is to say those that will arise from the realization of the direct threats of climate change. These potential destabilizing impacts of climate change include: reduced access to fresh water; impaired food production, health catastrophes- especially from vector- and food-borne diseases; and land loss, flooding and the displacement of major populations. Climate change can act as a threat multiplier for the various volatile regions in the world.
The potential security consequences of these destabilizing effects include; they increase the potential for failed states and the growth of terrorism; large-scale migrations will lead to greater regional and global tensions; conflicts over scarce resources are almost certain to escalate; and the geopolitical reordering of states as they struggle to cope with coastal flooding, food shortages, and disease. In the most catastrophic scenario, political order in large parts of the developing world will collapse and hundreds of millions of people will perish or emigrate.
Mass human migrations are destructive destabilizing events to countries losing their citizens and to those region and states taking in refugees. Abject poverty, social turmoil, cultural conflicts, social-infrastructural collapse, murder, mayhem and war will sadly be the resultant consequence of migration due to the environmental catastrophes. Measured in today’s international security terms think of the situation in Darfur, Somalia, Chile and Haiti put together and multiply them to a large scale with increased conflict intensity happening at the same time all over the world.
Over the last two decades, many experts have made urgent calls to take the global environment seriously as a national security problem. But the diffuse and remote nature of the threat has made it difficult to integrate planetary peril into traditional security thinking. These challenges are daunting but they must be faced as this is not the time for inaction but the time to plan for a future crisis which as evidence suggests will occur at one point or the other. To minimize climate risks, national leaders must find an effective balance between sovereignty and international collaboration. Existing international institutions probably will prove inadequate to deal with the unprecedented demands of climate change; new international institutions and mechanisms will be needed.
The question then put out to the representatives sitting in the committee is whether it is possible to come up with workable solutions for these potential dangers and more importantly coming up with directives and action plans on how these recommendations can be executed. This stems from the realization that in most instances finding the solution to a problem is not impossible the challenge is posed in implementing the decision and monitoring that implementation and ensuring that is being done in accordance with the directives issued.
In summary the committee will try to come up with ways of preventing the threats posed by climate change from materializing and also come up with measures to mitigate them in the event that these threats are realized. The committee will also deal with the subject of the defense strategies to be taken up by individual countries and the international community as a whole.
The committee is expected to:
1) Come up with resolutions that seek to find practical and workable solutions to problems that have not been addressed by the relevant existing treaties and international laws.
2) Seek ways to strengthen already existing covenants that have in one way or another been weakened or unable to meet the objectives for which they were entered into.
3) Research on the agenda topics and outline the ways in with war, lack of peace and security affects the livelihoods of civilian and make recommendations on how to deal with the negative effects.
4) Recommend measures that can be taken up in order to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change especially within the developing countries which do not have the financial capacities to meet these contingencies on their own.
5) Violation of International Humanitarian law should also be looked into with recommendations for what action should be taken against the offenders as well as recommendation as to how to strengthen or reinforce the existing punitive and pre-emptive mechanisms.
6) Look into the issues of disarmament and arms control as a measure of reducing the quantity of illegal weapons among the civilian population and the question of what qualifies as direct engagement in war and war-like activities should also be addressed so as to provide an interpretive guidance on the notion of direct participation in hostilities.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In relation to children and women in armed conflict.
25th March 2010
Sudan: ceasefire agreement with justice and equality movement (jem) is a historic opportunity to release children
24-feb 2010
Afghanistan: children to be at center of any peace framework for Afghanistan
19-feb 2010
Afghanistan: visit of the special representative for children and armed conflict to Afghanistan
09-feb 2010
Nepal: conclusion of discharge of child soldiers in Nepal.
08-Jan 2010
Nepal: children discharged from the Maoist cantonments
07-Jan 2010
International criminal court: UN official testifies in the Lubanga case
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, Peace and Security, which urges for women’s genuine and equitable participation in peace negotiations in war zones and the aftermath.
LATEST REPORTS ON CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS.
• Sri Lanka Visit Report
• Burundi Conclusions
• Sudan Conclusions
• Myanmar Conclusions
• Uganda Report
• Burundi Report
• Report to the Human Rights Council
• Colombia Report
• General Assembly Report
Annual Report of the SCWG
KEY DOCUMENTS
1) Geneva Convention 1949
2) Additional protocol I of the Geneva Conventions 1977
3) Additional Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions 1977
4) UNICEF Convention on the rights of the child 1989 and the optional protocol 2002.
5) Climate Conflict Jeffrey Mazo
6) Wolfgang Seiler
7) Humanitarian news and analysis – A project of the UN office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian affairs.
8) UN Secretary-General reports to the Security Council on
a) Children and armed conflict
b) Women Protection of civilians in armed conflict
c) Women, peace and security
d) Small arms
e) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
9) Legal Protection of Children in armed conflict- ICRC Advisory Service on international humanitarian law.
10) Statute of the International Criminal Court.
11) Special representative for children and armed conflict issues annual report to general assembly 19991026
12) World Health Organization – Violence against women in situations of armed conflict and displacement (july 1997).
13) Declaration on the protection of women and children in Emergency and armed conflict.
14) United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (1992).
15) The Copenhagen Climate Change Treaty Draft
16) Kyoto Protocol.
Directors
Dennis Pennu
Nicole A.W Gichuhi
Tor Jorgensen
THE FIRST COMMITTEE ON DISARMAMENT AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
The General Assembly's work on disarmament is conducted through one of its main committees, the First Committee on Disarmament and International Security. The First Committee is one of six main committees at the General Assembly of the United Nations which deals with matters concerning world peace and more specifically all matters on Disarmament and International Security (DISEC). The First Committee provides space for each state to discuss their positions on disarmament-related matters, and to work together to come up with compromises or to propose language or tools to better understand and approach the issues. It offers the opportunity for states to build consensus on the issues, to reach common understandings and principles and to agree on norms of behavior. Among many other things, the General Assembly discusses and makes recommendations on principles of cooperation for maintaining peace and security.
In an attempt to improve negotiations and debate, the idea of a "thematic debate" will be put into practice during the deliberations of the first committee. The thematic topics shall, but will not be limited to the two topics outlined below:
1) Ensuring the safety and upholding the Human Rights of non-combatants especially women and children during conflicts.
2) The dangers of climate change on international and national security and stability.
Delegates will be required to focus their attention on these topics as opposed to dealing with general issues that are normally addressed within the First Committee. The justification for this approach is that thematic debate facilitates interactions, whereas the general debate is encompassed by representatives reading long statements that can take hours, with relatively little added input.
BACKGROUND OF THE TOPICS
A. Ensuring the safety and upholding the Human Rights of non-combatants especially women and children during conflicts.
This theme is covered in International Humanitarian Law whose cornerstones are the Geneva conventions of 1949 and their additional protocols. Protecting civilians is one of the major objectives of IHL which hinges on the principle of distinction between combatants and civilians. The Geneva law was aimed at reducing the barbarity of war i.e. making it as humane as possible; minimize the impact of war on civilians especially women and children who are the most vulnerable to the impacts of war.
International Humanitarian Law (IHL) lays down the minimum protection and standards applicable to situations where people are most vulnerable in armed conflict. It aims to prevent situations that might exacerbate vulnerabilities, such as displacement and destruction of civilian property. International humanitarian law demands of belligerents that they respect the principles of distinction (between combatants and non-combatants), proportionality (of violence used) and precaution (against disproportionate effects of military attacks on non-combatants) in using violent means in situations of conflict (article 48 and 51).
Perhaps the most important of these, certainly in relation to civilian protection is that of distinction, which underpins the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols. This requires combatants to distinguish between those actively engaged in hostilities, on the one hand, and civilians and others (including the sick, wounded and prisoners of war) on the other hand. In that regard, international humanitarian law plays the role in time of war or violent conflict that human rights law plays in peacetime, guaranteeing fundamental rights for each individual.
Worldwide, an estimated 300,000 children are engaged in armed conflicts—with tragic consequences. They are often forcibly recruited or abducted to join armies, some under the age of 10. Many of them have witnessed or taken part in acts of unbelievable violence, often against their own families or communities.
In Article 38, the Convention on the Rights of the Child urges governments to take all feasible measures to ensure that children under 15 have no direct part in hostilities. The Convention also set 15 years as the minimum age at which an individual can be voluntarily recruited into or enlist in the armed forces. The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict is an effort to strengthen implementation of the Convention and increase the protection of children during armed conflicts. After receiving the first 10 ratifications needed for its entry into force, the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict became legally binding on 12 February 2002. Today, more than 100 countries have signed and ratified this Protocol.
Three United Nations entities- UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR- have primary roles in providing protection and assistance in humanitarian crises. Children and women constitute the majority of victims of war. UNICEF urges governments and warring parties to act more effectively to protect all victims especially the above mentioned two most vulnerable groups. The Geneva law continues to provide the best legal framework for dealing with non-combatants as civilians are entitled to full protection from military attacks unless they are shown to be directly taking part in hostilities in which case they lose that immunity.
The major challenges faced by victims of war include displacement, hostage-taking, abduction, sexual violence (rape), dangers posed by cluster munitions (white phosphorous munitions) and other war crimes. Issues such as displacement and resettlement for victims of war remain a pressing humanitarian concern. The challenges faced by the victims of war should be addressed and given high priority in order to come up with conclusive and practical solutions that can be implemented over a short time so as to bring comfort and enable the victims to move on and restructure their lives.
Under the Fourth Geneva Convention, civilians are to be protected from murder and permitted to lead normal lives, if security allows. Additional Protocol I of 1977 provides further details extending civilian protections in international armed conflicts. IHL forbids attacks against civilians, and identifies special protections for children. All civilians are to be protected against murder, torture, pillage, reprisals, indiscriminate destruction of property, and being taken hostage. Although women have the same general legal protections as men, the Geneva Conventions recognize the principle that "women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex." This means that additional protections are provided to address women's specific needs arising from gender differences, honor and modesty, pregnancy and childbirth. For example, women POWs or internees are to be held in quarters separate from men's under the immediate supervision of other women. Women are to be protected "against rape, enforced prostitution or any form of indecent assault." As to relief shipments, "expectant mothers, maternity cases and nursing mothers" are to be given priority.
According to the ICRC, the law of armed conflict:
Protects, in armed conflict, all who do not, or who no longer, take part in hostilities: civilians, wounded and sick soldiers, prisoners of war
Strives to prevent parties to an armed conflict from resorting to criminal methods and indiscriminate or disproportionate use of force
Forms part of the international legal framework that aims to uphold human dignity and protect people from arbitrary treatment
Protection of children in times of war is a pertinent issue under this theme. Today in more than 30 conflict situations worldwide, more than 250,000 young persons under the age of 18 are ruthlessly exploited as soldiers –some as young as seven or eight , girls as well as boys. More than 2 million children have been killed in wars and civil strife and 6 million have been maimed or permanently disabled. Thousands of girls are subject to rape and other forms of sexual violence and exploitation while boys are abducted from their homes and fields at a very large scale. Many more have been orphaned or separated from their parents. To tackle this tragedy the Security Council has called for stronger efforts to end the use of children as soldiers and protect children in armed conflict.
Women experience armed conflict in diverse ways as victims, survivors, leaders and
peacemakers. Violence against women in conflict zones is often an extension of the gender
discrimination that already exists in peacetime. They are often stereotyped as victims and their experiences and contributions are virtually ignored in conflict zones and in nations emerging from war. Despite this women can also play a significant part in peacemaking if they are properly supported and genuinely included.
Far more men than women directly engage in armed conflict, which increases the
responsibilities on women to maintain standards of care, health services, industry and
agriculture. Women and their dependents in conflict zones are likely to lose access to adequate
healthcare, including safe contraceptive methods as a greater proportion of money is
being directed into war. Armed conflict often leads to a reduction in formal medical or
psychological support for home-based carers, most of whom are women.
Sexual violence against women during conflict is a tactic of war that has reached epidemic
proportions. For example, up to 500,000 women were raped, many at gunpoint, in Rwanda
in 1994.
In addition:
• Women are often raped to humiliate the men to whom they are related (the men are
• often forced to witness the assault).
• •In societies where• ethnicity is inherited through the male line, “enemy” women are
• raped and forced to bear children.
• •Women are kidnapped and used as sexual slaves to service troops, as well as to cook for
• them and carry their loads from camp to camp. They are purposely infected with HIV.
• Violent conflicts force women from their homes, and expose them to indiscriminate
• violence while they search, unprotected, for safe havens
There is little recognition in international agreements of the impacts of small arms on women’s lives, or their contributions to peace building and their specific needs as combatants when demobilised. However, in October 2000, the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1325 on women, Peace and Security, which urges for women’s genuine and equitable participation in peace negotiations in war zones and the aftermath.
All these information should be considered when coming up with new resolutions or when seeking to make additional amendments to the existing international legal framework.
B. The dangers of climate change on international and national security and stability.
Climate change is a well know topic due to the increased sensitization and numerous debates that have been held about it in the recent past the most notable being the talks at Copenhagen. The focus has been mainly on its environmental impact and its direct impact; that is those that can be seen straight on at a glance. However, there are consequential impacts of climate change that is to say those that will arise from the realization of the direct threats of climate change. These potential destabilizing impacts of climate change include: reduced access to fresh water; impaired food production, health catastrophes- especially from vector- and food-borne diseases; and land loss, flooding and the displacement of major populations. Climate change can act as a threat multiplier for the various volatile regions in the world.
The potential security consequences of these destabilizing effects include; they increase the potential for failed states and the growth of terrorism; large-scale migrations will lead to greater regional and global tensions; conflicts over scarce resources are almost certain to escalate; and the geopolitical reordering of states as they struggle to cope with coastal flooding, food shortages, and disease. In the most catastrophic scenario, political order in large parts of the developing world will collapse and hundreds of millions of people will perish or emigrate.
Mass human migrations are destructive destabilizing events to countries losing their citizens and to those region and states taking in refugees. Abject poverty, social turmoil, cultural conflicts, social-infrastructural collapse, murder, mayhem and war will sadly be the resultant consequence of migration due to the environmental catastrophes. Measured in today’s international security terms think of the situation in Darfur, Somalia, Chile and Haiti put together and multiply them to a large scale with increased conflict intensity happening at the same time all over the world.
Over the last two decades, many experts have made urgent calls to take the global environment seriously as a national security problem. But the diffuse and remote nature of the threat has made it difficult to integrate planetary peril into traditional security thinking. These challenges are daunting but they must be faced as this is not the time for inaction but the time to plan for a future crisis which as evidence suggests will occur at one point or the other. To minimize climate risks, national leaders must find an effective balance between sovereignty and international collaboration. Existing international institutions probably will prove inadequate to deal with the unprecedented demands of climate change; new international institutions and mechanisms will be needed.
The question then put out to the representatives sitting in the committee is whether it is possible to come up with workable solutions for these potential dangers and more importantly coming up with directives and action plans on how these recommendations can be executed. This stems from the realization that in most instances finding the solution to a problem is not impossible the challenge is posed in implementing the decision and monitoring that implementation and ensuring that is being done in accordance with the directives issued.
In summary the committee will try to come up with ways of preventing the threats posed by climate change from materializing and also come up with measures to mitigate them in the event that these threats are realized. The committee will also deal with the subject of the defense strategies to be taken up by individual countries and the international community as a whole.
The committee is expected to:
1) Come up with resolutions that seek to find practical and workable solutions to problems that have not been addressed by the relevant existing treaties and international laws.
2) Seek ways to strengthen already existing covenants that have in one way or another been weakened or unable to meet the objectives for which they were entered into.
3) Research on the agenda topics and outline the ways in with war, lack of peace and security affects the livelihoods of civilian and make recommendations on how to deal with the negative effects.
4) Recommend measures that can be taken up in order to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change especially within the developing countries which do not have the financial capacities to meet these contingencies on their own.
5) Violation of International Humanitarian law should also be looked into with recommendations for what action should be taken against the offenders as well as recommendation as to how to strengthen or reinforce the existing punitive and pre-emptive mechanisms.
6) Look into the issues of disarmament and arms control as a measure of reducing the quantity of illegal weapons among the civilian population and the question of what qualifies as direct engagement in war and war-like activities should also be addressed so as to provide an interpretive guidance on the notion of direct participation in hostilities.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In relation to children and women in armed conflict.
25th March 2010
Sudan: ceasefire agreement with justice and equality movement (jem) is a historic opportunity to release children
24-feb 2010
Afghanistan: children to be at center of any peace framework for Afghanistan
19-feb 2010
Afghanistan: visit of the special representative for children and armed conflict to Afghanistan
09-feb 2010
Nepal: conclusion of discharge of child soldiers in Nepal.
08-Jan 2010
Nepal: children discharged from the Maoist cantonments
07-Jan 2010
International criminal court: UN official testifies in the Lubanga case
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, Peace and Security, which urges for women’s genuine and equitable participation in peace negotiations in war zones and the aftermath.
LATEST REPORTS ON CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICTS.
• Sri Lanka Visit Report
• Burundi Conclusions
• Sudan Conclusions
• Myanmar Conclusions
• Uganda Report
• Burundi Report
• Report to the Human Rights Council
• Colombia Report
• General Assembly Report
Annual Report of the SCWG
KEY DOCUMENTS
1) Geneva Convention 1949
2) Additional protocol I of the Geneva Conventions 1977
3) Additional Protocol II of the Geneva Conventions 1977
4) UNICEF Convention on the rights of the child 1989 and the optional protocol 2002.
5) Climate Conflict Jeffrey Mazo
6) Wolfgang Seiler
7) Humanitarian news and analysis – A project of the UN office for the co-ordination of Humanitarian affairs.
8) UN Secretary-General reports to the Security Council on
a) Children and armed conflict
b) Women Protection of civilians in armed conflict
c) Women, peace and security
d) Small arms
e) Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
9) Legal Protection of Children in armed conflict- ICRC Advisory Service on international humanitarian law.
10) Statute of the International Criminal Court.
11) Special representative for children and armed conflict issues annual report to general assembly 19991026
12) World Health Organization – Violence against women in situations of armed conflict and displacement (july 1997).
13) Declaration on the protection of women and children in Emergency and armed conflict.
14) United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention (1992).
15) The Copenhagen Climate Change Treaty Draft
16) Kyoto Protocol.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Speech by Aeneas Chuma
Aeneas Chuma is the resident coordinator of the United Nations office in Nairobi. This is the speech he delivered on the occasion of the inaugural Africa International Model United Nations conference in Nairobi on April 27th 2010.
Distinguished Presidents and Ambassadors in the making,
Invited guest, ladies and gentlemen,
All protocol observed:
The inaugural Africa International Model United Nations conference, whose theme is ‘Promoting Global, Economic, Social and Political Security’ could not have come at a more opportune moment.
Some people say that the world that we live in today is one in which violence, hatred, intolerance and lack of security. You have a great opportunity to prove these people wrong. Just like the world leaders envisioned in 1945 when the United Nations was created, this conference reflects the idolism of bringing together nations with different backgrounds, different problems, different aspirations and setting aside mutual strife to achieve greater goals.
The AIMUN 2010, first in its kind, brings together a new generation of youth, from 34 different countries across the globe. You are quite special. Not only is the first African Model United Nations in the world, but it is also a rotational one. There are only 3 MUNs in the world which begin in the real United Nations headquarters and this indicates the seriousness of the issues that are being discussed, as well as of those who are discussing them.
The deliberations from this conference will go a long way in informing the policy makers at the United Nations about the views of the youth on critical issues like cultural, religious, ethnic, gender and economic divides that define our existence. I challenge you to take up the challenges with the utmost seriousness that it deserves.
I wish you all greatest of success in your endeavours here in Kenya, as well as in your future careers, should you chose to link it to the international organization known as the United Nations. Thank you for your attention! Live long and prosper!
Distinguished Presidents and Ambassadors in the making,
Invited guest, ladies and gentlemen,
All protocol observed:
The inaugural Africa International Model United Nations conference, whose theme is ‘Promoting Global, Economic, Social and Political Security’ could not have come at a more opportune moment.
Some people say that the world that we live in today is one in which violence, hatred, intolerance and lack of security. You have a great opportunity to prove these people wrong. Just like the world leaders envisioned in 1945 when the United Nations was created, this conference reflects the idolism of bringing together nations with different backgrounds, different problems, different aspirations and setting aside mutual strife to achieve greater goals.
The AIMUN 2010, first in its kind, brings together a new generation of youth, from 34 different countries across the globe. You are quite special. Not only is the first African Model United Nations in the world, but it is also a rotational one. There are only 3 MUNs in the world which begin in the real United Nations headquarters and this indicates the seriousness of the issues that are being discussed, as well as of those who are discussing them.
The deliberations from this conference will go a long way in informing the policy makers at the United Nations about the views of the youth on critical issues like cultural, religious, ethnic, gender and economic divides that define our existence. I challenge you to take up the challenges with the utmost seriousness that it deserves.
I wish you all greatest of success in your endeavours here in Kenya, as well as in your future careers, should you chose to link it to the international organization known as the United Nations. Thank you for your attention! Live long and prosper!
Speech Excerpts from AIMUN Opening Session Edited by Abdi Latif Dahir
Nairobi, Kenya -- The African International Model of the United Nations kicked off with a session of speeches where delegates representing different countries gave out their concerns and deliberations from their own countries. Here are a few excerpts from some of those speeches.
Venezuela
Statement by H.E. Fatuma Adam Hussein – Minister of Defence for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
“The Secretary General, President of the Assembly, Vice President, Chairperson, my fellow delegates and all protocols observed.
Greetings from His Excellency, President Hugo Chavez, one of the greatest men in the world. We are honoured to be participating in this conference: Africa International Model of United Nations (AIMUN).
It is part of our policy to promote economic, social and political security not only in our country, but also for our neighbouring countries and throughout the globe.
Viva la Cuba, Viva la Castro, y mucho importante viva el Socialismo.
Thank You.”
Somalia
Ijeoma Aginga
“Honourable delegates, Members of the dais, all protocols observed. Salam Aleikum.
Greetings from President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the people of Somalia.
As much as our country has been racked by chaos and conflict, we come eager and willing to help make the world a better place and to see the successful fulfilment of all the adopted agendas.
We come humbled, albeit proud to be part of this conference and to deliberate with such esteemed delegates. We hope for a most fruitful conference. Thank You.”
Libya
“Greetings! Honourable delegates and members of the dais, all protocols observed.
Greetings from our Chief Brother Muamar Gaddafi. It is my humble pleasure to partake in this inaugural conference. We the delegates representing the great Socialist State of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya are honoured to be here. As the head of the African Union, we hope to bring important topics to the floor concerning this continent, such as the eradication of poverty, the Darfur issue, economic development and other issues. Libya is committed to any resolutions that we deem prudent. Thank You.”
Western Sahara
“President, Secretary General and Honourable delegates, all the protocols observed. Greetings from the President and the people of the Saharawe Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The sovereignty and freedom that most people enjoy, we as the people from Western Sahara lack. Most of you might not be aware, but we are still colonized.
The pleasure and opportunities that come with freedom of liberty, life and power are lacked in our country. We hope during this conference, we shall take steps to help in decolonization of our country from Morocco. Thank you and hope to have a fruitful deliberation.
Venezuela
Statement by H.E. Fatuma Adam Hussein – Minister of Defence for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
“The Secretary General, President of the Assembly, Vice President, Chairperson, my fellow delegates and all protocols observed.
Greetings from His Excellency, President Hugo Chavez, one of the greatest men in the world. We are honoured to be participating in this conference: Africa International Model of United Nations (AIMUN).
It is part of our policy to promote economic, social and political security not only in our country, but also for our neighbouring countries and throughout the globe.
Viva la Cuba, Viva la Castro, y mucho importante viva el Socialismo.
Thank You.”
Somalia
Ijeoma Aginga
“Honourable delegates, Members of the dais, all protocols observed. Salam Aleikum.
Greetings from President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and the people of Somalia.
As much as our country has been racked by chaos and conflict, we come eager and willing to help make the world a better place and to see the successful fulfilment of all the adopted agendas.
We come humbled, albeit proud to be part of this conference and to deliberate with such esteemed delegates. We hope for a most fruitful conference. Thank You.”
Libya
“Greetings! Honourable delegates and members of the dais, all protocols observed.
Greetings from our Chief Brother Muamar Gaddafi. It is my humble pleasure to partake in this inaugural conference. We the delegates representing the great Socialist State of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya are honoured to be here. As the head of the African Union, we hope to bring important topics to the floor concerning this continent, such as the eradication of poverty, the Darfur issue, economic development and other issues. Libya is committed to any resolutions that we deem prudent. Thank You.”
Western Sahara
“President, Secretary General and Honourable delegates, all the protocols observed. Greetings from the President and the people of the Saharawe Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).
The sovereignty and freedom that most people enjoy, we as the people from Western Sahara lack. Most of you might not be aware, but we are still colonized.
The pleasure and opportunities that come with freedom of liberty, life and power are lacked in our country. We hope during this conference, we shall take steps to help in decolonization of our country from Morocco. Thank you and hope to have a fruitful deliberation.
Interviews By Melvin Simiyu & Irene Gakonyo
South Africa Delegate: Fiona
The conference was very informative & helped create awareness especially to the youths However, for development occur in Africa, we should not rely on other nations or we should not lean on the western countries rather we should take our own stand in trying to co-operate with one another.
Russian Delegate(Identity Withheld)
I am happy to be at this conference and that the session began well. I am looking forward to having fun and meeting new people and hope that resolutions from my country will get through. All the best in the deliberation.
The conference was very informative & helped create awareness especially to the youths However, for development occur in Africa, we should not rely on other nations or we should not lean on the western countries rather we should take our own stand in trying to co-operate with one another.
Russian Delegate(Identity Withheld)
I am happy to be at this conference and that the session began well. I am looking forward to having fun and meeting new people and hope that resolutions from my country will get through. All the best in the deliberation.
Monday, April 26, 2010
COUNTDOWN TO THE AIMUN CONFERENCE 22 April, 2010 By Abdi Latif Dahir
Nairobi, Kenya -- The preparation for the Africa International Model of the United Nations (AIMUN) is coming to a close as the D-day to the conference draws in.
The international gathering will take place here in Nairobi, Kenya between 27th and 3oth of April, 2010. The convention is expected to bring together delegates from Africa, Europe, and Asia.
“The preparations for the conference are almost done,” said Salim Kombo, one of the members of the Secretariat Team that is organizing the conference. “We could say that 70 percent of the preparations have already been done.”
Promotion of UN values:
The four day conference is a student-led and –run initiative that is expected to create awareness and education around the issues that affect the African person. The forum is also supposed to encourage communication and character-building among the continent’s youth.
The conference, whose theme for 2010 is “Promoting Global Economic, Social and Political Security,” aims to become “a platform for capacity building amongst the youth geared towards proactive solving of global problems within the UN context.” Up to 150 to 200 delegates are expected to attend this assembly from various universities across the African continent and beyond.
The debut of the African International Model of the United Nations (AIMUN) at the United States International University marks a significant turn for the varsity and the student representatives who will congregate at this important meeting. This is because previous efforts to come up with an African MUN had failed to bear fruit, hence falling short of creating a successful converging place for the African youth. From this experience, AIMUN organizers say their aim is to make this conference “a success” and make it “the biggest Model United Nations on the continent of Africa.”
Final preparations:
The last three weeks have seen the final grounding of the conference taking place. The Secretariat in line with the different departments that are managing the conference, have been busy putting up the final touches on the venues and the materials needed.
Some of the things that need final handlings include: the conference bags, transport allocations for delegates, flight details for those flying into the country, tags design, certificates, delegates’ liability forms, training of delegates on different protocols, security details and also the acquiring of the full list of volunteers.
Besides, the AIMUN press team headed by Mary Sanyu has been covering stories concerning the latest preparation going underway at the USIU campus. The press team consists of the Writers Department, plus the Videography and Photography Departments. The former department is currently writing and editing news articles, features, alongside writing critical blog entries plus putting up questions for forum discussions on the website.
The video unit is busy dealing with the shooting and editing of videos for the delegates, while the photography department is trying to put together pictures and images that express the mood of the conference, and how preparations are going underway.
“The Writers department is working on a number of articles that discuss the progress of the conference,” said Jared Nyakeri, head of the Writers Department. “We are optimistic that we will give a comprehensive coverage of the conference to the delegates, and we expect them to comment on the articles, and give their suggestions about topics they want us to cover and discuss,” he added.
The international gathering will take place here in Nairobi, Kenya between 27th and 3oth of April, 2010. The convention is expected to bring together delegates from Africa, Europe, and Asia.
“The preparations for the conference are almost done,” said Salim Kombo, one of the members of the Secretariat Team that is organizing the conference. “We could say that 70 percent of the preparations have already been done.”
Promotion of UN values:
The four day conference is a student-led and –run initiative that is expected to create awareness and education around the issues that affect the African person. The forum is also supposed to encourage communication and character-building among the continent’s youth.
The conference, whose theme for 2010 is “Promoting Global Economic, Social and Political Security,” aims to become “a platform for capacity building amongst the youth geared towards proactive solving of global problems within the UN context.” Up to 150 to 200 delegates are expected to attend this assembly from various universities across the African continent and beyond.
The debut of the African International Model of the United Nations (AIMUN) at the United States International University marks a significant turn for the varsity and the student representatives who will congregate at this important meeting. This is because previous efforts to come up with an African MUN had failed to bear fruit, hence falling short of creating a successful converging place for the African youth. From this experience, AIMUN organizers say their aim is to make this conference “a success” and make it “the biggest Model United Nations on the continent of Africa.”
Final preparations:
The last three weeks have seen the final grounding of the conference taking place. The Secretariat in line with the different departments that are managing the conference, have been busy putting up the final touches on the venues and the materials needed.
Some of the things that need final handlings include: the conference bags, transport allocations for delegates, flight details for those flying into the country, tags design, certificates, delegates’ liability forms, training of delegates on different protocols, security details and also the acquiring of the full list of volunteers.
Besides, the AIMUN press team headed by Mary Sanyu has been covering stories concerning the latest preparation going underway at the USIU campus. The press team consists of the Writers Department, plus the Videography and Photography Departments. The former department is currently writing and editing news articles, features, alongside writing critical blog entries plus putting up questions for forum discussions on the website.
The video unit is busy dealing with the shooting and editing of videos for the delegates, while the photography department is trying to put together pictures and images that express the mood of the conference, and how preparations are going underway.
“The Writers department is working on a number of articles that discuss the progress of the conference,” said Jared Nyakeri, head of the Writers Department. “We are optimistic that we will give a comprehensive coverage of the conference to the delegates, and we expect them to comment on the articles, and give their suggestions about topics they want us to cover and discuss,” he added.
History of the Africa International Model United Nations (AIMUN) 22/04/2010 By: Jarred Nyakeri, Zawadi Birya
[Pic: From left: Salim Kombo*, Peter* (below) and Extreme right Jeeshan Aspi Variava- President of the General Assembly together with a delegate]
In April 2009, delegates from all over the world came together to take part in the 21st edition of the Cairo International Model UN at the American University in Cairo. Like all the previous forums discussed over the years, many issues were deliberated upon but the most outstanding idea that was borne out of the conference was the idea to form an African chapter of the MUN. It was by no means a new initiative, the first having been initiated in South Africa back in the 2004, but which failed due to various issues.
Dubbed the ‘Africa International Model United Nations (AIMUN)’, this version of the MUN sought to educate participants about civics, current events, effective communication, globalization and multilateral diplomacy from an African perspective. The AIMUN now joins a host of other MUN chapters like the Harvard Model United Nations, the Kenya Model United Nations, the World Model United Nations, and the Cairo International Model United Nations (CIMUN) among others.
What makes this version of the MUN particularly unique is the fact that for the first time in history, the young African upcoming diplomats have a rare opportunity to engage in an interactive, comprehensive, and multi-cultural learning experience with like-minded counterparts from across African with whom they share common challenges.
Background:
The ability to practice diplomacy has been a defining element of the state and its relations within the international system. Historically, the African diplomat has fallen short in articulating the continent’s position on socio-economic as well as political issues at the international level. Lack of experience in diplomatic conduct and negotiation skills are some of the main challenges facing the African diplomat. This has seen Africa’s continued marginalization with regard to international discourses and decision-making processes even when posing direct implications on her future. Evidently, African diplomats since the continent’s break from colonialism:
· Exhibit poor preparation for high level negotiations
· Lack in competence with regard to the negotiation process; rules of procedure, protocol, etc
· Table few or no proposals at international forums, and only react to issues brought forward by developed countries
· Play a subservient role in and offer little influence on the outcome of the negotiations
On a larger sphere therefore, the Africa International Model United Nations (AIMUN) conference was therefore regarded as a timely opportunity for these students to actively contribute to changing the face of diplomacy not only in their capacity as student representatives of their various countries but also as future diplomats.
In light of the failure of the first AIMUN, the secretariat made up of the Secretary General, President of the General Assembly, Conference Coordinator, Finance Coordinator, External Relations Officer, and Director for the AIMUN-Development Program, sought resolutions to ensure that this particular initiative stayed on course. They implemented various strategies like the rotational policy that ensure all countries have an equal opportunity to host and actively participate in the conference. This policy intends to foster cultural and ideological exchange, a factor that largely missed out on the first attempt to form the AIMUN. They also have a Development Program that intends to facilitate a deeper understanding of the UN, its organizations and functions amongst the youth through its ties with various UN bodies such as UNDP as well as with various NGO’s. Also in line with this, the development program also organizes community services in the various countries, as part of the conference activities. These are a few of the plans laid out by the secretariat to ensure continuity of this noble idea.
AIMUN Conference 2010
The inaugural Africa International Model United Nations takes place in Nairobi, Kenya from the 27th of April 2010 to the 30th of April 2010. This year’s theme is ‘Promoting Global, Economic, Social and Political Security’. This year’s conference brings African students from diverse nationalities, who are driven by the passion, resolve and need to represent an African voice on an international level such as the forum. It promises to be a very interesting, exciting and intellectually engaging student experience that will not only improve the delegates’ communication and critical thinking skills but will also bring out solutions that are effective and sustainable both to African and Global challenges.
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