As Libya`s delegation to New York
In March/April 2014 students of TU Chemnitz will participate in the world`s largest simulation of the United Nations in New York - ChemMUN in January is for the preparation
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In 2014 the Chemnitz delegation will represent Libya at the UN simulation in New York. Picture: Philip Knauth
15 students of TU Chemnitz will participate from 30th March to 3rd April 2014 in the world`s largest simulation of the United Nations in New York. During the National Model United Nations Conference (NMUN) a total of more than 5,000 student delegates from all over the world slip into the roles of diplomats to represent the interests of the countries that they will represent at the simulation and learn more about the work of the United Nations (UN). In 2014 the members of the Chemnitz` delegation will have to meet a responsible task, as they are representing the country Libya, which needs to reconstitute itself after the violent upheavals and the dismissal of the long-time ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi. Simultaneously this offers to the delegation the opportunity to exhaust their negotiating ranges to interpret the Libyan interests. They will represent the country`s positions among others in the committees of the General Assembly, the Human Rights Council, the UN Environment Programme and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The main topics to be discussed are actions against the climate change, the strengthening of women`s rights and the fight against chemical weapons. For the preparation the Chemnitz students can orientate themselves on the ten previous delegations of TU. "Our delegation is currently preparing intensively for the worthy representation of the Libyan position in the relevant committees. In this context it is benefiting of its composition of different scientific areas," says Dr. Antje Nötzold from the Professorship of International Relations, who is supervising the students as Faculty Advisor. This year`s group includes students of Political Science, European Studies, Business Management and Sociology as well as of the Master Politics in Europe.
First steps in the diplomatic arena in Hamburg
From the 5th to the 8th of December 2013 the Chemnitz delegation already participated in the Model United Nations of Universität Hamburg, the so-called HamMUN. For the first time the participants had to represent a country, had to sit together with students from all around the world, to deliver speeches in English and negotiate resolutions. In addition the students were able to make use of their knowledge about the United Nations, to become familiar with the processes, debates and diplomatic practices, as well as to co-determine the procedure of the conference and its results. "In addition to the important experiences that we could gain for New York, the delegation has grown together in Hamburg as a group," says participant Robert Baumgart.
ChemMUN in January at TU Chemnitz
Before the participants will leave in March 2014 for New York, they will improve their diplomatic skills at the Chemnitz Model United Nations Conference (ChemMUN). From the 17th to the 18th of January for the fifth time the General Assembly will be simulated at TU Chemnitz. The topics are global highly critical political issues such as the future of Palestine, access to drinking water and the influence of chemicals on food security. For the delegation and interested students this is a good opportunity to experience as well as to shape the work of the largest UN body.
A Libyan country party as a cultural highlight
The ChemMUN simulation will end on 18th January with a party taking place at the `Club der Kulturen´ starting at 9 p.m. The Chemnitz delegation will present this evening `its´ country for the NMUN simulation 2014. A regional buffet, Libyan music, a raffle and a quiz about the history and culture of the North African country will guarantee a diversified evening. All interested parties are invited to attend the party.
The National Model United Nations Conference in New York
The National Model United Nations conference in New York is the oldest and largest simulation of the work of the United Nations and takes place partially in the main building of the UN. The participants have to deal open-minded and unprejudiced with the positions of other countries by finding compromises in the international politics as well as to engage themselves in different cultures. In addition there is the possibility to improve rhetoric, negotiation skills and diplomatic tactfulness. The first Chemnitz delegation participated in 2004 at the NMUN. Since then TU Chemnitz has represented the interests of Macedonia, Georgia, Estonia, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Namibia, Ukraine, Turkey and Kazakhstan and has been awarded several times.
Homepage of the Chemnitz NMUN delegation: http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/nmun
For more information, please contact Dr. Antje Nötzold, phone 0371 531-35570, e-mail: antje.noetzold@phil.tu-chemnitz.de.
(Translation: Jakob Landwehr)
Katharina Thehos
06.01.2014
