Model United Nations
Model United Nations was a project that simulated the United Nations. Every person in the class was assigned a country and was expected to portray that country's view on the matter that we were debating. The two issues that we chose to study were the Palestinian, Israeli Refugee problem, and the Iran Nuclear Issue. Doing this project really opened up my eyes to so much going on in the world and it was a great experience.
UNHCR
Russia (By Ranier Ford)
What can the U.N. do about the Palestinian Refugee Situation?
PALESTINIAN REFUGEE SITUATION
The General Assembly,
Understanding that the current Palestinian refugee situation needs to be taken care of immediately,
Acknowledging that the horrible situations that the Palestinian refugees have been living in has been going on since May 15th, 1948 (stated BBC News),
Realizing that already, many Arab states such as Jordan and Lebanon have refugee camps, and all have a minimum of at least 110,000 refugees (Wikipedia page on “Palestinian Refugee Camps”, last updated on January 22, 2012),
Alarmed by how many Human Rights are being violated, specifically Article 13, Article 17, Article 22, and Article 25, as stated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created by the UN (universal declaration of human rights),
Convinced that the sooner these refugees find homes, the sooner that the Middle East will once again become peaceful,
1. Proclaims that Israel, every state, and every other state hosting refugees, should absorb an even percent of Palestinians refugees:
a)Each state would end up with around 148,958 refugees;
2. Regrets to acknowledge that even if a country had less than 1%, it would mean that the percentage of refugees would go up in that area or, vice versa;
3. Supports the countries that take in an even percentage of refugees with around $2,000,000 in funding;
4. Declares that the U.N. starts peace negotiations between Israel, and Palestine;
5. Urges both parties to be cooperative in the resolution finding;
6. Further invites the other Arab States to peacefully and suitably reach the agreement of this resolution without further negotiations.
7. Proclaims that if Israel and other Arab States were to disagree, a municipal of comprehensive sanctions would be placed on the states,
8. Authorizes that all refugees successfully assimilate to whichever country (or state) that they end up residing in, they will have to go through vigorous courses to be allowed into the country that they will end up in,
9. Strongly hopes that the Israel and the Arab States will agree to these terms to solve this crisis and advance the goal of reaching peace.
Russia (By Ranier Ford)
What can the U.N. do about the Palestinian Refugee Situation?
PALESTINIAN REFUGEE SITUATION
The General Assembly,
Understanding that the current Palestinian refugee situation needs to be taken care of immediately,
Acknowledging that the horrible situations that the Palestinian refugees have been living in has been going on since May 15th, 1948 (stated BBC News),
Realizing that already, many Arab states such as Jordan and Lebanon have refugee camps, and all have a minimum of at least 110,000 refugees (Wikipedia page on “Palestinian Refugee Camps”, last updated on January 22, 2012),
Alarmed by how many Human Rights are being violated, specifically Article 13, Article 17, Article 22, and Article 25, as stated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights created by the UN (universal declaration of human rights),
Convinced that the sooner these refugees find homes, the sooner that the Middle East will once again become peaceful,
1. Proclaims that Israel, every state, and every other state hosting refugees, should absorb an even percent of Palestinians refugees:
a)Each state would end up with around 148,958 refugees;
2. Regrets to acknowledge that even if a country had less than 1%, it would mean that the percentage of refugees would go up in that area or, vice versa;
3. Supports the countries that take in an even percentage of refugees with around $2,000,000 in funding;
4. Declares that the U.N. starts peace negotiations between Israel, and Palestine;
5. Urges both parties to be cooperative in the resolution finding;
6. Further invites the other Arab States to peacefully and suitably reach the agreement of this resolution without further negotiations.
7. Proclaims that if Israel and other Arab States were to disagree, a municipal of comprehensive sanctions would be placed on the states,
8. Authorizes that all refugees successfully assimilate to whichever country (or state) that they end up residing in, they will have to go through vigorous courses to be allowed into the country that they will end up in,
9. Strongly hopes that the Israel and the Arab States will agree to these terms to solve this crisis and advance the goal of reaching peace.
Country Research
Country research: Russia
-Israel has fourth largest number of ethnic Russians, and 3rd most Russian speakers in Middle East
Russian, Hamas Talks (March 3rd, 2006)
-Hamas future aid to Palestinians is tied to “Three Principles”
1)Hamas must recognize violence
2)Hamas must recognize Israel’s right to exist
3)Hamas must express clear support for the Middle East peace process, as outlined on the Olso Accord
Summary: Russia is the Country that made the Hamas agree to these three principles.
Palestine, Russian Relations
-Russia has been balanced and moderate in its dealing with both Israel and Palestine, and it favors peace between both sides
-Russia and Palestine both said that their relations are close and friendly and Russia will continue to assist Palestine in all fields
-President Medvedev hopes to use Russia’s influence to solve the Middle East conflicts
Summary: Russia seems to take more pity on the Palestinians than the Israeli’s, but still want to keep it fair between both peoples.
Moscow Warns Israel
-Moscow warns both Israel and Palestine to refrain from taking unilateral action.
Summary: Russia isn't taking sides or discriminating against either group with the warning to not do anything drastic.
Abbas and Medvedev talk peace in Moscow
-Russia wants to start peace negotiations with the UN
-Medvedev wants to focus on resolving Palestinians inner conflicts with the Hamas and Fatah movements
a) He’s offered assistance improving social and economic conditions among the Palestinians
Summary: Russia is starting to takes steps towards peace and improving the Palestinians living conditions.
Russia condemns both Palestinians and Israelis for recent incident
-Russia's Foreign Ministry concerned about rising tension in Gaza Strip
-A small firearms battle was started on December 8th
-Russia is worried that what happened is a disproportional response on both sides
-Russia is also worried that this incident will affect the peace negotiations
Summary: Because Russia is the mediator and peace negotiator between the two groups, the fact that a small “war” was started is very unnerving when it comes to Russia’s advancement in making a peace treaty.
IPCRI
-20% of Israeli citizens in the past two decades have come from Russia
-Russia wants to have Israel and Palestine exist side by side. They mediate between Muslims and Jews
Summary: Even though Russia has offered a ton of help to the Palestinians, Israel is still a major part of Russia’s history.
Russia offers help in Israeli-Palestine reconciliation
-Willing to help both sides in the Israeli-Palestine issue
-One of the leaders in attempting to solve this conflict
Summary: Russia has no discrimination when it comes to which side it will help.
Research Paper Summary
Due to the fact that Russia is one of the big five, it has huge power in the UN. Luckily, President Medvedev is using that power fairly and for good influences. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestine conflict, Russia is considered the mediator and the peace petitioner. Though it assists Palestine in every need possible, Russia still understands the reasoning of Israel and its actions. For example, if you look back to the Palestine, Russian relations article, it clearly states that Russia will do whatever it takes for Palestine, but, the IPCRI article has the statics about the Israeli citizens being Russian. Even though those two articles are completely different, they both prove Russia’s fairness among the subject. Because, how could Russia go against 20% of their people? And how could they go back on their word towards the Palestinians. Many different countries have their side, but I’d say that all in all, Russia is being extremely fair and thoughtful towards both sides.
-Israel has fourth largest number of ethnic Russians, and 3rd most Russian speakers in Middle East
Russian, Hamas Talks (March 3rd, 2006)
-Hamas future aid to Palestinians is tied to “Three Principles”
1)Hamas must recognize violence
2)Hamas must recognize Israel’s right to exist
3)Hamas must express clear support for the Middle East peace process, as outlined on the Olso Accord
Summary: Russia is the Country that made the Hamas agree to these three principles.
Palestine, Russian Relations
-Russia has been balanced and moderate in its dealing with both Israel and Palestine, and it favors peace between both sides
-Russia and Palestine both said that their relations are close and friendly and Russia will continue to assist Palestine in all fields
-President Medvedev hopes to use Russia’s influence to solve the Middle East conflicts
Summary: Russia seems to take more pity on the Palestinians than the Israeli’s, but still want to keep it fair between both peoples.
Moscow Warns Israel
-Moscow warns both Israel and Palestine to refrain from taking unilateral action.
Summary: Russia isn't taking sides or discriminating against either group with the warning to not do anything drastic.
Abbas and Medvedev talk peace in Moscow
-Russia wants to start peace negotiations with the UN
-Medvedev wants to focus on resolving Palestinians inner conflicts with the Hamas and Fatah movements
a) He’s offered assistance improving social and economic conditions among the Palestinians
Summary: Russia is starting to takes steps towards peace and improving the Palestinians living conditions.
Russia condemns both Palestinians and Israelis for recent incident
-Russia's Foreign Ministry concerned about rising tension in Gaza Strip
-A small firearms battle was started on December 8th
-Russia is worried that what happened is a disproportional response on both sides
-Russia is also worried that this incident will affect the peace negotiations
Summary: Because Russia is the mediator and peace negotiator between the two groups, the fact that a small “war” was started is very unnerving when it comes to Russia’s advancement in making a peace treaty.
IPCRI
-20% of Israeli citizens in the past two decades have come from Russia
-Russia wants to have Israel and Palestine exist side by side. They mediate between Muslims and Jews
Summary: Even though Russia has offered a ton of help to the Palestinians, Israel is still a major part of Russia’s history.
Russia offers help in Israeli-Palestine reconciliation
-Willing to help both sides in the Israeli-Palestine issue
-One of the leaders in attempting to solve this conflict
Summary: Russia has no discrimination when it comes to which side it will help.
Research Paper Summary
Due to the fact that Russia is one of the big five, it has huge power in the UN. Luckily, President Medvedev is using that power fairly and for good influences. When it comes to the Israeli-Palestine conflict, Russia is considered the mediator and the peace petitioner. Though it assists Palestine in every need possible, Russia still understands the reasoning of Israel and its actions. For example, if you look back to the Palestine, Russian relations article, it clearly states that Russia will do whatever it takes for Palestine, but, the IPCRI article has the statics about the Israeli citizens being Russian. Even though those two articles are completely different, they both prove Russia’s fairness among the subject. Because, how could Russia go against 20% of their people? And how could they go back on their word towards the Palestinians. Many different countries have their side, but I’d say that all in all, Russia is being extremely fair and thoughtful towards both sides.
Speech for first MUN Conference
Resolution 1F
I’d like the delegates to turn to resolution 1F.
Throughout the whole process of reading the resolutions, I was extremely impressed by how people were able to come up with new and fresh ideas for the Palestinian Refugee situation. Although every resolution had their streaks of brilliance, I thought that the resolution that I wrote was the most straight forward and possible.
Something that sets resolution 1F apart from the others is that harsh punishments are not being suggested and are the go to thing. For example, resolution 1E, this resolution suggested a two state solution, but if that was not accomplished in two years, it would automatically be turned into one state… which in my opinion would not work at all because of the conflicts in religion, and what has been going on since 1948. Using threats and being harsh will not settle anything; it will only create more problems.
Some other things from resolution 1F that stood out were the preciseness of the numbers in both the operative phrases, and the preambulatory phrases, and that this was one of the fairer of the possible situations. Resolution 1F actually has specific numbers, dates, and ideas; for example, operative phrase #1 has a clear number of the refugees that will be relocated in each state. Not only is it specific, but this resolution doesn't favor one side and make it completely bias. This resolution actually has a notion to spread out the refugees evenly and not just point fingers at Israel and say “this is your fault, now you have to pay” or, jump on the Palestinians
and say “the land was never yours to begin with, so deal with it. Because of these things, I think that choosing this resolution would benefit everyone involved and be the fastest track to starting the settling of peace throughout the Middle East.
I’d like the delegates to turn to resolution 1F.
Throughout the whole process of reading the resolutions, I was extremely impressed by how people were able to come up with new and fresh ideas for the Palestinian Refugee situation. Although every resolution had their streaks of brilliance, I thought that the resolution that I wrote was the most straight forward and possible.
Something that sets resolution 1F apart from the others is that harsh punishments are not being suggested and are the go to thing. For example, resolution 1E, this resolution suggested a two state solution, but if that was not accomplished in two years, it would automatically be turned into one state… which in my opinion would not work at all because of the conflicts in religion, and what has been going on since 1948. Using threats and being harsh will not settle anything; it will only create more problems.
Some other things from resolution 1F that stood out were the preciseness of the numbers in both the operative phrases, and the preambulatory phrases, and that this was one of the fairer of the possible situations. Resolution 1F actually has specific numbers, dates, and ideas; for example, operative phrase #1 has a clear number of the refugees that will be relocated in each state. Not only is it specific, but this resolution doesn't favor one side and make it completely bias. This resolution actually has a notion to spread out the refugees evenly and not just point fingers at Israel and say “this is your fault, now you have to pay” or, jump on the Palestinians
and say “the land was never yours to begin with, so deal with it. Because of these things, I think that choosing this resolution would benefit everyone involved and be the fastest track to starting the settling of peace throughout the Middle East.