A day in the Media Room

A coverage by the media team of the media team

By Naomi Richardson

It’s the first full day of the 2018 NAMUN conference – committee session runs 10AM to 12:30AM and the halls are quiet, except for the occasional click-clack of shoes as a page or staff member delivers news or updates.

Here we sit at the Emissary HQ – an outline of the NAMUN magazine format takes over the chalkboard, alongside an idea of word counts for article assignments. Media staff are busy updating the NAMUN 2018 Twitter and Facebook pages, creating graphics for the online magazine and putting the finishing touches on committee articles. However, this room at least is filled with a peaceful working atmosphere, thankfully devoid of a stressful anxiety that seems to be present in most television press rooms. Quiet conversations fill the room, sometimes on work, sometimes casual.

Natasha Malik, Editor in Chief of the Emissary, and Rhea Hsu, Director of Branding and Design, are also present with their staff. Thinking of what to write on today’s conference, I started by asking these two what they were doing.

Natasha is busy working on watermarking photos, she says, and coordinating with journalists on which committees to attend. Rhea sits close by, flipping between snapchat filter designs for the events of the next few days. When asked on her role during the conference versus earlier preparation throughout the year, Rhea agrees that she was much much busier in preparation for the conference; its unsurprising, since she is the one who has designed all the nametags and logos for the committees. Proud of her accomplishment and somewhat jokingly, she says “I did everything with my own two hands”.

A favourite place both this year and last, we often get visits from other Secretariat members who need a minute to sit, or need to enlist a second pair of hands to carry boxes, or water – since many of the rooms are steadily gaining in temperature.

One of those who stops by is Brittany Hadley and Bamdad Attaran, second time Secretariat members and this year’s Senior Advisors.

Rhea asks for opinions on her snapchat filter graphics – choosing a good judge, Hadley, one of the most stylish Secretariat members. I asked her too what she often finds herself doing throughout the conference, which I discovered was mostly checking on things, and supporting the conference in whatever capacity NAMUN needs. Bamdad agrees, who I spoke to in the Staff Room, EM119. The Secretariat can often be found there, or often running around and paging paging for committees.

Back at the Emissary, Nickolas Shyshkin stops by. Nick’s role is similar to Bamdad and Brittany’s, as he is often checking in on committees, solving issues as the come up, and responding to staff or delegate needs. Later in the day he will be working on the head delegate meeting and participating in the committee feedback sessions. While I talk to him, Rhea on a whim takes our picture – and Natasha asks us what she should make her quote for our ‘Humans of NAMUN’ page. Am I the only one amused that as the head of the Emissary, she doesn’t know what to say?

First Day at the Colombian Cabinet

Committee believes that a drastic re-organization of the Columbian military and police forces is essential

By Molly Henderson, Journalist

The majority of the first committee session’s caucuses were centred around one specific question: how does a country regain sovereign control that has been appropriated by extra-governmental organizations? Among the numerous solutions offered, one stood out prominently: a drastic re-organization of the Columbian military and police forces was absolutely essential. Re-organizational strategies included increasing police benefits and salary (to reduce incentive to accept bribes from cartels), creating specialized anti-corruption task forces within police units, and bolstering military and police recruitment. 

Opposition to these proposals was founded primarily in an aversion to national debt, which would inevitably be accrued following an increase in subsidies for police and military. To this, the delegate representing General Marquez responded: “I would rather leave the next generation indebted than in a country torn to pieces by civil war.” This sentiment was echoed by several fellow committee members. 

Another major point of discussion was the state of the country’s infrastructure. Columbia’s Social Services Representative advanced the need to create physical unity in the country through the construction of roads and bridges; this would allow the military to gain access to swathes of paramilitary-controlled regions. It would also create a sense of national cohesion. 
Public directives “The Carrot and the Stick” — a two-pronged anti-corruption incentive, “Mining” — land mine removal, and the American-sponsored “Save Bogotá” — a dispatch of three CIA agents and two army battalions to defend the capital, were passed. 

First day at the Food and Agricultural Organization

Committee discussions include two key issues: food insecurity and desertification

By Rachel Sutton, Journalist

The delegates of the Food and Agriculture Committee began discussion and deliberation immediately, honing in on two key issues: food insecurity and desertification. Many of the delegates present in this committee represent countries whose physical geographies put them at heightened risk for desertification, and tensions began to rise on whether or not this ought to be a central topic of discussion for the committee. As the delegate of India stressed, the temporal component of desertification makes it an urgent topic to address before the situation reaches an irresolvable point. 

As an option for a method of addressing food insecurity the topic of Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs) was brought to the floor. Delegates quickly found themselves divided on their stance towards this topic. While some felt as though GMOs could be a promising option for helping to combat food insecurity, other delegates found themselves in strong opposition of exploring the topic, due to safety concerns. Similar hesitant attitudes were exhibited by some delegates regarding turning to advancements in technology as a method of coping with food crises.

After a thorough discussion, delegates transitioned into a moderated caucus to discuss in detail research methods that could be useful to combating desertification, and the lengths to which mitigating climate change would prove useful in this regard. Discussions touched upon the need for gender equality in the agricultural sector and the need to educate populations on what sustainable farming practices would entail, and how to carry them out in their communities. The delegate of Nigeria brought up the importance of ensuring that all countries are given the adequate resources to implement and achieve the goals set forward by the committee. 

As the debate began to wrap up for the day delegates focused in on the idea of funding initiatives such as education with the key focusing being on educating women and minorities who are often most involved in agricultural practices. The session ended in a final moderated caucus to allow all delegates to state their position in regards to the situation at hand. We look forward to seeing where the delegates take the discussion tomorrow!

Delegates welcomed to NAMUN2018 at Opening Ceremony

Today marks the start of the North American Model United Nations 2018 Conference.

By Naomi Richardson, Journalist

The opening, given by Deputy Secretary General of Operations, Ailin Li, began with a thanks to the Indigenous land on which the University of Toronto sits, a new statement of recognition becoming more common to open many lectures at events, but moreover an efficient way to state the atmosphere of this year’s NAMUN conference. As was the selection of long-standing Secretary General of Amnesty International’s English Branch, Alex Neve as keynote speaker.

“Where’s my music?” Neve started jokingly, in reference to the jingle that had played as the NAMUN Secretariat Members had been introduced. While good-natured and charismatic, his address to this year’s delegates was serious. It provided a criticism on the promises of the United Nations and international governments in contrast to their actions – or rather, their lack of action – on the same subjects.

Canada as well, Neve argues, has trouble following through with its actions; while often praised for its ‘welcome of refuges and reconciliation of indigenous peoples’ but similar to the other world governments, has issues with following through with its actions and has a clear “wobbly conviction when economic interests are at stake”.  

Neve welcomed the delegates to enjoy a “fascinating and demanding and stimulating few days of grappling with international affairs”. He argued that the rise of the global human rights movement and outspoken voices of the public are and will be fundamental in changing the ‘narrow-minded views of world governments’. In answer to a student delegate, he states that “the public is both part of the problem and is the foundation of the solution”.

Following Neve, Jessica Han Lu Yu, Secretary General of this year’s conference. Like the addressers before her, she delves into the meaning of an international organization as she states that “As a simulation of the real thing, I am not sure about how much international order we are really maintaining when we move imagined troops or pass self-written resolutions, but I do believe we are fulfilling the fundamental obligation of a global institution, which is informing the public discourse,”. NAMUN 2018’s opening ceremony has clearly shown what an international government should hold as its values and therefore what NAMUN should reflect.

Delegates, welcome to Toronto and enjoy this year’s NAMUN conference!

NAMUN Socials

Learn more about the socials NAMUN has in store for you this year

By Petros Kwan

NAMUN is not all work and no play. Especially not when you're in the middle of one of North America's most vibrant cities! Take time out to soak in the 6ix vibes in the city of Drake and The Weeknd with our NAMUN socials.

Black and Gold Cocktail Party at the Hart House Great Hall. Friday 23 February, 8:30pm to 11:30pm

Head over to Hart House's Great Hall on Friday evening for a great time of dancing, a free drink (alcoholic for 19+) and free food (don't worry vegans, we have you covered). Sit back and relax with your fellow delegates. What is Model United Nations without any networking or socializing? Form new friendships in the spectacular setting of the Great Hall, UofT's premier venue for events. The grandeur of the Great Hall will give you many pictures to show off on Instagram and provide content for your Snapchat feed!

NAMUN Pub Night at The Firkin on Bloor. Saturday 24 February, 9:15pm-2am

Great revolutions are plotted over drinks in taverns. Turn the (NAMUN) world upside down over free food and drinks. Enjoy the setting of The Firkin, one of Toronto's most established British pubs, with decor that will make you feel like you're in good old Britain. Similar to the cocktail party, alcoholic drinks will be served to those 19 and above.

Board Game Night at the Marriott Commuter Lounge. Saturday 24 February, 8-11pm

If the nightlife is not your cup of tea, fret not! We have you covered with Board Game Night. Stay at the Marriott Concierge Lounge, enjoy some snacks and kick back with board games after a long day with your new friends! Question your sanity with Cards against Humanity or engage in intense negotiations over a game of Settlers of Catan.