The Real Times People of the Year: MUNUM Staff!

By: Bella Kephart

It is an understatement that MUNUM XXXIII is a smashing success. Putting on an amazing conference like this one is no easy feat, however. It takes a lot of vision, hard work, and focus from the whole team: the Secretariat, the Under-Secretary General, Secretariat Assistants, Directors, Assistant Directors, and Rapporteurs. Here’s a little peek behind-the-scenes at the people that made it all happen. 

Interrogation Questions: 

1. Why did you choose to become a part of MUNUM Staff?

2. Do you have any previous Model UN experience?

3. What is the most stressful part of your job?

4. What is the most fun part of your job?

5. What types of people would you recommend for this job?

6. What is your major?

7. Does your phone have a gender? If so, what is it?

Victim #1: Ryan Jansen, Secretary of Programming

Meet Ryan Jansen, a sophomore double-majoring in Political Science and Philosophy with slick Warby Parker glasses. Model UN is something that has been really important to him all throughout high school, and he was excited to help provide this amazing experience to others. He would say the most stressful part of his job is making sure the conference meets their pledge goal for United World Schools, and when things unexpectedly go wrong (a general trend throughout the staff). The best part is getting to hang out with the rest of the staff. In order to do his job, Ryan doesn’t recommend any specific type of person for his job, but he does recommend that you have an honest passion and dedication for whatever you want to do. Ryan’s phone does not have a gender. 

Victim #2: Sofia Urban, Secretariat Assistant

Next up we have Sofia Urban, a freshman studying Biopsychology, Neuroscience, and Cognition. Sofia has been participating in Model UN since her freshman year in high school, and she loved having the opportunity to empower students and talk about real issues. The most stressful part of her job is its ambiguous nature, and having to fill in wherever she’s needed and think on her toes. With that being said, her favorite part of her job is filling in for rapporteurs in various committees. In order to be a good Secretariat Assistant, Sofia recommends being flexible, focused, and task-oriented, as well as conscious of the big picture. Sofia’s phone is a female, and is her soul sister.

Victim #3: Charles Rinderle, Under-Secretary General of Crisis

Although I’m convinced that Charles is secretly CIA, he claims to be an ordinary junior studying Russian and Romance Language & Literature, with a minor in Ukrainian. He joined Model UN as a freshman in high school, and has also participated on the Model UN travel team. He sometimes gets stressed out by all the random crises he has to deal with, but loves having a hand in every pot and getting to be a crisis actor for all of the crisis committees. His phone does not have a gender.

Victim #4: Kelly Higgins, Director of International Press Corps

Everyone, meet my boss lady, Kelly. Kelly is a junior studying Political Science and Environment. Kelly also participated in Model UN all throughout high school, and when she got to college it was the first club she wanted to join. The most stressful part of her job was the first day of the committee. “I felt like I had no idea what I was doing, and I wanted to be respected but also approachable,” she explained. Her favorite part was getting to know all of the delegates and the staff. This staff LOVES people. In order to be a director, Kelly recommends having charisma, crisis management abilities, and leadership and (some) organizational skills. Kelly’s phone does not have a gender, but her car is a female named Rachel Green.

Victim #5: Hannah Kuriakose, Assistant Director of International Press Corps

Introducing Hannah, a junior studying International Studies, Environment, and Writing. Hannah joined Model UN when her and her friend were looking for a club that pertained to international affairs. She was most stressed during the first day of conference when delegates were churning out articles and she had to edit quickly. However, she absolutely loved getting to meet everyone and watching each edition of The Working Paper come together. Her phone also does not have a gender, but her car does.

Victim #6: Delaney Dahlstrom, Rapporteur for International Press Corps

             Lastly, we have Delaney, a junior studying English. Delaney was first pulled into the Model UN vortex when her friend Grace recommended it, saying how her writing background would be a perfect fit in IPC. Her biggest worry was making sure the MUNUM conference was a good balance between a learning experience and a good time for delegates. She loved getting to know everyone. In order to be a good rapporteur, Delaney recommends having fast and efficient editing skills, good communication skills (especially with young adults) and the ability to work well as a group. Delaney’s phone is a boy.

Thank you to ALL of the MUNUM XXXIII staff for making this conference possible. All of you are amazing, intelligent human beings and all of the delegates are so grateful for all the work you have put in. We appreciate you!

¡Viva La Revolución!

By: Bella Kephart

After hundreds of years under Spanish control, the Mexican Revolution committee has finally passed a Constitution for its free nation. Focusing on basic human rights, this new constitution is paving the way for a strong, independent government with ample checks and balances. While the process of true independence is only beginning, the former tyrannical Spanish system has crumbled.

This crucial and foundational document includes clauses regarding due process, freedom of expression, and restored property rights for the Mexican people. Above all, this Constitution abolishes the caste system that dictated Mexican society. This caste system was comprised of four classes: the Peninsulares, or those directly descended of the Iberian Peninsula; the Criollos, or those of nearly pure Iberian descent; the Mestizos, or those of mixed descent; and the Indigenous peoples at the very bottom. In abolishing this caste system, Mexico is heading into the future as a united body, with a clear vision for creating a nation free of imperialistic influence. 

Due to the crucial nature of the caste system clause, a significant amount of time was devoted to its specific wording, much to the dismay of Hermenegildo Galeana, the Constitution’s main sponsor. However, after a heated debate over the nature of the ambiguity of the clause, it was finally cemented, and the rest of the document with it. It was then passed with a unanimous vote, much to the elation of the committee. “[The Constitution] is pretty clear-cut in terms of letting everyone have an equal opportunity,” commented Ben Venus, representing Alejandro del Toro. “Although there is no official government yet, [we are] very hopeful for the plans we have in place.”

GAs, Specialized, and Crisis, Oh My!

By: Bella Kephart

For new delegates, choosing a committee can be daunting. General Assemblies, Specialized, Crisis — what does it mean? Listening to delegates explain the nuances of various committees can often sound like Inner Party Members talking in Newspeak, but once explained, you will find that there is a committee for everyone, whether you enjoy a fast-paced or easy-going environment. Let’s break it down in plain English. 

The most quintessential representation of Model United Nations can be found in a General Assembly. These are marked by their large numbers of delegates, each of whom represents a country. Delegates in a General Assembly are usually fighting for attention with minimal success. Daises tend to strictly adhere to parliamentary procedure, and the committees as a whole tend to tackle general issues rather than specific scenarios. For anyone who wants to try Model UN but is hesitant about networking and vocalizing strong opinions (or talking at all), a GA is a perfect fit. 

For delegates who are reading this and falling asleep (at the thought of being in a General Assembly, NOT the perpetual sleep deprivation that comes with conferences), Crisis committees might be a better niche. These are self-explanatory. It’s a crisis. All. The. Time. Just when you think you’ve found a way to mollify the citizens during a hunger strike, someone will assassinate the president…and incinerate their house. Each delegate is assigned to a real historical figure and is expected to make decisions based on what that person would have done. Crisis committees are fast-paced and may cause a delegate’s hair to gray prematurely. Enrique from Castro’s Cabinet said it best: “Sometimes you wanna cry, sometimes you wanna bash your head against the wall, and sometimes you’ll feel good about yourself.” For those who are new to Model UN, beware of joining a crisis committee right off the bat —  much like sparkling water, Crisis committees can be controversial, they either taste like a party in your mouth or TV static in liquid form.

Finally, Specialized committees are for anyone who wants a happy medium. Specialized committees are not nearly as large in size as General Assemblies, and tend to be more nuanced. Like Crisis, each delegate is assigned a character, but specialized committees do not have a fast-paced, panic-inducing, I’m-sweating-through-my-blazer atmosphere. However, with large groups of strong, opinionated individuals, conflict can arise.  According to Jordan Woart, who is representing Ray Blunt in the Senate (R-MO), “Specialized committees…get more ambitious delegates…which makes cooperation and bi-partisanism more difficult to accomplish.” 

In time, every delegate finds their calling. No matter what committee seems the most appealing, every type is necessary to create a functioning, productive government. Happy problem-solving!

The Five Archetypes of Model UN

By: Bella Kephart

Each year, Model UN conference brings a plethora of new experiences, interesting committees, and unique groups of delegates. Even so, there are unmistakable archetypes that can be found at every conference. Here are a few examples. 

#1: The Gavel-Chasers

Welcome to the world of the binder-people. The scary people. The stay-up-until-three-in-the-morning-writing-speeches people. Gavel-chasers are in it to win it. They dominate every caucus, develop the most complex character arcs, and usually talk the most out of anyone. You can be sure that you’ll leave committee every day wondering what you’ve been doing with your life. Gavel-chasers are to be admired; they are the civil officers of the future, the lawyers, the activists. They’re going places. Plus, they are the life-blood of Model UN; gavel-chasers keep each committee session going. But for now, they’re just the ones throwing directives in your face and winning everything. Watch out for these delegates. Or else.

#2: The Slackers

When does committee start? How long until we can go get food? Wait, what country am I? If you’ve heard any of these questions on a frequent basis, they are most likely coming from the mouth of a Slacker. These delegates can be super fun to be around, but you can be sure that they haven’t written a position paper in advance or even read their background guide. Slackers are mostly just here to have fun-- to get dressed up, to walk around the city with Starbucks, and meet new people. If you ask, they’ll probably sign your directive or working paper-- just know they aren’t going to read it. 

#3: The Nappers

You guessed it. These are the delegates that sleep through EVERYTHING. Committee, meals, you name it. You can spot Nappers in their natural habitat, which seems to be everywhere. In the back row of a General Assembly, at a random table in the corner, or even on the floor. Don’t bother waking them up-- chances are they have been out for a while and have no idea what’s going on. But while coming to a conference just to sleep through it may seem lame, you have to recognize the talent it takes to doze off in the middle of a heated unmod. Serious props.

#4: The Newbies

Hello, dear little Model UN babies. Welcome to the terrifying world of overachieving high schoolers. It’s all going to be okay. When you see a Newbie, consider giving them a hug. Coming to a conference for the first time is the equivalent of jumping into a pit of fruit bats... that’s on fire. Although Newbie delegates may seem like the most terrified delegates of all, they are really the bravest. You got this, Newbies. 

#5: The Ones Who Bring the Flags

This fifth category encapsulates a wide variety of special snowflakes. Yes, delegates who fall in this category often do bring actual flags to committee, but also elaborate costumes, pins, and a generally disruptive aura. These people are here to wreak havoc, y’all. Often, delegates who Bring the Flags are actually some of the smartest delegates in the room. But you wouldn’t know it, because they’re the ones drafting directives about how they’re going to consolidate the middle third of the world into the Mega-East and breed silkworms to generate revenue, or how they’re going to eliminate a global superpower using nothing but an army of locusts, or anything along those lines. These people are straight-up weird, but they make things interesting. Flag-Bringers, you are strange. But we appreciate you.

No matter what category you fall into, or if you don’t fit into one of these categories at all, each delegate that comes to Model UN is valuable and necessary to make these conferences possible. Together, we can learn how to improve the world we live in for the benefit of everyone. Let’s do this.

Multi-Millionaire Murderers: Escalated Tension in the Weimar Republic

By: Bella Kephart

The political climate in the Weimar Republic only continues to escalate as tensions grow between the Social Democratic Party and its dissenting parties, including the Industrialist Party and the Centre. Earlier today, President Friedrich Ebert was brutally assassinated when his house was detonated. After an investigation, the assassin was revealed to be multi-millionaire Hugo Stinnes, a member of a dissenting party. “...[The President] was consolidating power in a manner that was not conducive to a democratic government,” Stinnes replied when asked about his motives behind the assassination. 

While Stinnes’ sentence was being decided by the committee, the assassination of Eduard Bernstein was reported, another member of the Social Democratic Party. The assassin of Bernstein was quickly revealed to be Gustav Stressman, a dissenter. His reasons were almost identical to Stinnes’: “I saw the SDP becoming more corrupt, so I decided to slowly chip away at it until everyone was dead.” The sentences of both Stinnes and Stressman are still being determined. Stressman denied having any involvement with Ebert’s murder, insisting that he had worked alone. 

The assassinations of Ebert and Bernstein followed an assassination attempt on another party member, Rosa Luxemburg, who survived. The reasons for Luxemburg’s assassination are unclear, rather than an apparent dislike for her party affiliation and values. The violent acts arose out of a directive that was passed earlier in the day granting more power to the chancellor, and the SDP by default. Peace does not seem to be on the horizon for the Weimar Republic, who remains in the midst of electing a new president and dealing with hunger strikes from the German citizens. 

The violence in the Weimar Republic is ironic considering the pacifistic nature of the Marxist Social Democratic Party, who split from a pro-war counterpart during World War I. The SPD generally prefers addressing issues using union empowerment and incremental change rather than resort to violent revolution. The dissenting parties, on the other hand, disagree with a peaceful approach to government; this stark contrast between the parties has given rise to endless strife which has impeded political productivity severely. The International Press Corps wishes them the best in their political endeavors.

Running out of Sick Days: The Problem of Mitigating and Eradicating Communicable Diseases

By: Bella Kephart

For centuries, disease has wreaked havoc worldwide. Despite the revolutionary technology that has insured the elimination of some deadly diseases such as smallpox and polio, countless lives are lost each day to disease. At the root of the issue of disease is widespread by poverty, a lack of proper hygiene, and a dearth of well-trained medical professionals, specifically in developing nations. HIV, AIDS, and malaria are just a few examples of deadly diseases that claim lives each day, while many victims and their families remain unaware of their symptoms and how to prevent them.

The World Health Organization Committee is currently convening to propose a solution. Over the last 24 hours, WHO has worked tirelessly to find a cost-effective, long-term plan to appropriate resources to target global health. Many nations argue that the United Nations should allocate funds to maximize the potential of practical, short-term solutions such as sending immunizations and water purification systems. Other nations such as Tanzania, Bosnia, and India disagree, saying the problem needs to be addressed at its source: the lack of education regarding disease awareness. They agree that implementing programs to educate about the causes and preventative measures of disease, especially for the younger generations, is a plausible solution. “If more people are educated about the causes of the problem, it would prevent them from the start and less people would be affected by the diseases,” explained Erum Al-Zawawi of Tanzania. 

As always, the problem of funding remains. Potential solutions have been introduced, such as the utilization of NGOs, the World Bank, or the United Nations Fifth Assembly. The most popular solution, however, lies in re-directing financial aid from the World Health Organization budget itself. “WHO has a lot of funding, but it needs to be directed… it’s too focused on specific diseases rather than [general health] infrastructure,” said Jacquie Molloseau of the Republic of Korea. The problem of streamlining communication between countries regarding funding also remains. Katie McCarthy of Bulgaria argues that “We need to take out the middle-man and establish closer relationships between countries in order to improve the efficiency of funding.” 

The WHO Committee still has much to discuss, and has yet to bring forward any drafted resolutions. Amidst the flurry of placards and the bustle of determined delegates, there is no clear answer as to what the most direct and effective solution is, or how to pay for it. However, there is no doubt that the committee is well on its way to expunging this global epidemic.