Important Dates
October 20, 2011
Priority Registration Deadline
November 1, 2011
Delegate Confirmation Deadline
December 1, 2011
Position Papers Due
December 8, 2011
CIMUN VIII Begins
News and Announcements
Submit Your Position Paper on CIMUN Live
Position papers can now be submitted through CIMUN Live. More information on position papers can be found here. Papers are due on December 1, 2011.
Joe Sestak to Present Keynote
Former U.S. Representative Joe Sestak, the highest ranking military official ever elected to the U.S. Congress, will deliver the Keynote Address at the CIMUN VIII Opening Banquet.
Background Guides Now Available
Background Guides are now avaliable for most committees. Additional updates will be posted as the conference approaches. Position papers are due December 1st.
Country Introductions
Introduce yourself and your country and state your basic positions on the various topics. Feel free to debate with other countries to prepare for the conference.
I'll start:
Hello, my name is Charlie Helding. My partner, Colin and I are representing the newly independent Republic of Zimbabwe.
Topic 2: Self-Determination in the Middle East and Central Asia
The people of Zimbabwe have long been oppressed by the British impearilists ever since the Age of Expansion. And although we have now formed our own Republic, we still feel great sympathy for indigenous peoples around the globe, who have no say in their government. Thus, the Republic of Zimbabwe believes that actions must be taken to guarantee the right of self-determination in order to avoid conflicts such as the one in our past and the ongoing Soviet-Afghan War.
Testimonials
Videos
CIMUN VII Opening Video (2010)
CIMUN VIII Historical Simulation Trailer
CIMUN News Network Opening Episode (2010)
Travel
We are pleased to announce that American Airlines is the official air carrier of CIMUN VIII. Groups and individuals traveling to the conference are eligible for discounted airfare using promo code 53D1BA . If you have any questions regarding travel, please feel free to contact us.
Welcome Delegation from
Welcome Delegation from Egypt. I hope to see you all at the Conference.
The Arab Republic of Egypt
The Arab Republic of Egypt extends its greetings to its fellow General Assembly delegations.
Before responding to the items raised in this forum, a brief explanation of Egypt's current identity:
As the most prosperous and powerful nation in Africa and the second in the Middle East, Egypt is a leader in the region. Although it acknowledges that many states are bending to the interests of the Soviets and America, therefore caught up in the conflicts of the Cold War, Egypt urges such states to remain true to the best interests of their own people and regions. To this end, Egypt looks with disfavor upon the Soviets' meddling in the affairs of Afghanistan. ZImbabwe, it seems that we have a similar perspective on Afghanistan; let's discuss at the conference.
To the discussion of self-determination: Egypt is the first and, as of yet, only nation to formally recognize Israel's right to exist as an independent state. The differences raised by ZImbabwe and Morocco will be valid points in debate. However, for the purpose of peace, representation of the majority, and respect of the predominant ethnicity, Israel should exist. Egypt calls all nations to rise above Soviet machinations and respond accordingly.
In response to Zimbabwe,
In response to Zimbabwe, Morocco would like to point out that the international community cannot assume that the armed militants in Afghanistan, or any country, speak for the people of that nation. The fact that they have guns does not mean that they have popular support, or the ability to bring stability to their nation.
MEMBERS OF THE GA- As the
MEMBERS OF THE GA-
As the representation of the State of Israel, we encourage all members of the body to cooperate fully with previous UN precedents. All those who make up the legitimate population of a territory have a right to self-determination. However, those who threaten national peace and security by attacking an established, legit state do not have any rights towards self-government. Feh on them! Disregard for the established State of Israel is complete mishegas!
Mazle tov!
The Republic of Zimbabwe
The Republic of Zimbabwe welcomes and acknowledges the State of Israel and its ideas. Zimbabwe agrees that any group of people that attack a legitimate government should be deprived of power in the interests of international peace and security. The difficulty comes, however, in defining the term "legitimate government." Our Republic believes that any government established without the consent of its people is fradulent and thus must be combatted. In response to Morocco, the "people with guns" are the ones running Afghanistan now. Also, the Mujahideen do, in fact represent the majority of the population: the tribesmen, the original people, those not yet corrupted or indoctrinated by the false regime. One must also remember that as widespread the revolts are, there are still countless more people who remain dormant, too afraid for their lives and those of their loved ones to speak out.
Ndatenda! (Thank You!)
In regards to the situation
In regards to the situation in Afganistan what does everyone think about the prospect of revoloutuionaries running the country?-china
The Republic of Zimbabwe
The Republic of Zimbabwe supports the Mujahideen freedom fighters in the struggle for their rightful voice in Afghanistan's government. Zimbabwe would like to refer back to its earlier comments: that no government can operate efficiently without the consent of its people. Our Republic would lastly like to point that while the term "revolutionaries" may bear negative connotations, it has, at times, been applied to Americans, the French, the English, and perhaps people in every country at some point in history.
But what if they dont feel
But what if they dont feel like it???
If this is true then every
If this is true then every non-democratic member of the United Nations is violating the Declaration.
First of all, although
First of all, although democracy is accepted by most of the modern world as one of the best available forms of government, that does not necessarily mean that all people would select it for their politics. But yes, some members of the United Nations are, in fact, violating Article 15. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is, however, only an aspiration, an idealistic goal, not a strict code with anything beyond the dreams of the international community.
Giving every person a right
Giving every person a right to a nationality is not a blanket statement allowing every group of people the right to self-government. While every person has the right to a nationality, this does not mean that they have the right to a nationality made up of their ethnic group alone. Countries, especially potentially unstable countries, cannot be artificially created on the basis of an ethnic group's desire to live in a homogenous country.
We do believe, however, that the rights of different ethnicities must be respected and that it is the job of the international community to ensure that all nations follow the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in that, and all, respects.
People do have the right,
People do have the right, stated by the second clause of Article 15, to select their own government to select their own leaders. And if people choose to adopt leaders of their own ethnic group, then that is their decision and theirs alone. Only when these leaders then proceed to violate other human rights does the United Nations have a right to intervene, but otherwise we must respect this decision.
Hey! My name is Rebecca Lewis
Hey! My name is Rebecca Lewis and I'm representing Morocco with Danielle Labotka.
On topic two, we agree with Zimbabwe in sympathizing with oppressed indigenous populations. However, we feel very strongly that a blanket statement cannot be made allowing all ethnic groups sovereignty over themselves. If allowing self-determination would lead to instability, we feel that countries surrounding the area in contention have a duty to protect regional stability by stepping in and helping to govern.
In response to Rebecca of
In response to Rebecca of Morocco:
First off, the United Nations has already issued a "blanket statement" allowing indigenous peoples self-government. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states in Article 15 that, "Everyone has the right to a nationality," and "No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality." Taking this right away leads only to conflict, we've seen it before in our country of Zimbabwe and we're seeing it around the world in the Soviet-Afghan War right now. I do, however, agree with the rest of your statement. The United Nations and other countries should only become involved in a government's development if self-determination, or any of the other unalienable rights of men, is threatened.
im colin & ill add 2
im colin & ill add 2 this
Topic 1: Diplomatic Rights & security
Zimbabwe believes that the UN should impose regulations on the security of embassies and considering the crisis in Iran, Zimbabwe believe that holding diplomats hostage is wrong. Zimbabwe suggest that ths US should find an ally like Turkey that isnt 2 culturally different from Iran, which should help negotiations.
Topic 3: States Maintainig a Policy of Apartheid
Thoughout our history Zimbabwe has been exploited and dominated by white people and express deep hatred for apartheid. Apartheid goes against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which should be followed by all members of the UN. Zimbabwe also wants 2 apply Resolution 216, which was passed against our former racist gov, to nations using apartheid.