Rscmun Calgary

10/15/2018

Taken by Kloie Picot.

10/09/2018

The stage is set! Are you as excited for RSCMUN as we are? Gavel Hunters and award winners beware, crisis trees are prepped and ready 😉

10/02/2018

(The two Koreas marched under the unified flag for the first time at the Sydney Olympics, circa 2000).

Our third topic is "The Situation Surrounding the Unification of Korea" and is a fictionalized interpretation of the unification of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Korea into the United Confederate Republic of Korea.

Details of all the events, from President Trump's twitter rampage, to the United Nations "Operation KimChi" and the Daeseong-dong Reunification Treaty, can be found in our background guide. To read more, and to download the background guide, visit our website:
https://ucmuntcomm.wixsite.com/rscmun/documents

Any additional questions may be emailed to us at [email protected] and will be answered prior to the start of the committee!

09/30/2018

Introducing our Director General, Christopher (Chris) Hoang:

I am a second year Finance student with the Haskayne School of Business. As is the theme here, I first joined Model United Nations during my high school career, and it quickly became a central part of my life. MUN has helped me grow personally and academically, as I formed lifelong bonds and friendships, and I was able to challenge myself in new and unique ways. Because of my positive experiences, I have continually had a passion for providing MUN opportunities to others and passing on my knowledge and experience.

As a result of this passion, I helped found the Jr. MUN program at my high school, and was the Head MUN Trainer for H.D. Cartwright Jr. High School. I then acted as Chief of Staff for SWCHSMUN 2016, training Sir Winston Churchill’s 180+ delegates and 50+ staff. In more recent memory, I have co-founded CICMUN – the Calgary in Crisis MUN conference at the University of Calgary, where I am able to deliver Calgary’s first and only high school crisis centric conference – engaging delegates in new and unique ways. RSCMUN is just another extension of this passion for education and hosting conferences.

My experience as a delegate includes a mix of General Assemblies, Economic-Social Councils, and many others. Yet my bread and butter has always been nested in crisis committees - and most of my chairing experience is nested in the Security Council and Joint Crisis Committee Simulations. I joined UCMUNT in 2017 and am currently a Director of Special Projects. In addition to chairing, I will be your primary crisis director.

09/25/2018

(Nelson Mandela, first black President of South Africa, casts a ballot during the first ever post-apartheid election. Marking the first time a black man in South Africa is able to vote. Circa 1994).

Our second topic, "Establishing, Developing and Maintaining Fair Elections in Africa" examines the United Nation's involvement in defining and regulating fair elections, while dissecting the complex politics unique to the African continent.

The question is can African States hold free and fair elections? To put it another way, is it possible to conduct presidential elections in Africa that meet internationally recognized standards? These questions can be answered in the affirmative. However, in order to safeguard voting rights, specific reforms must be adopted and implemented on the ground. In keeping with international legal standards on democracy, the constitutions of many African states recognize the right to vote. This right is reflected in the fact that these states hold regular elections. The right to vote is fundamental in any democratic state, but an entitlement does not guarantee that right simply by providing for elections. The crucial issue is the extent to which these elections meet national and international legal standards.

Although most African states recognize voting rights in theory, an examination of what states do in practice paints a different picture. It shows that the process faces several challenges as a result of human interference. Accordingly, this paper evaluates some of the institutional and legal reforms that African states could adopt to prevent voter fraud in presidential elections, and thereby promote democracy and the rule of law across the continent. This paper focuses on the recent presidential elections in Kenya in 2007 and Zimbabwe in 2008 as case studies. In many ways, these events support the argument that reforms must be made for elections in Africa to comply with international standards. Not only did these elections have an impact on voting rights, but also they had a substantial effect on democracy and international and national peace and security. The outcome of the presidential election in each state was highly contested. Several irregularities were reported in both countries, casting serious doubts on their electoral systems. This state of affairs affirms the argument that elections in Africa are hardly democratic.

To continue reading more, see our background guide: https://ucmuntcomm.wixsite.com/rscmun/documents

09/23/2018

Introducing our Chargé D'Affaires, John Gabriel (JG) Cabayao:

I am a fifth year dual degree Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in Plant Biology and Political Science respectively. Like Pranav, I first joined Model United Nations during my high school career. After being exposed to the intrigue of MUN through UofCHSMUN, I took the initiative to establish the James Fowler High School Model UN Team, and served as its team captain until my graduation. I joined UCMUNT in 2014 and am currently the Communications Officer. My experience as a delegate over the years includes various high school engagements, as well as UBCMUN, CalWHO, NMUN and MCMUN.

My participation in RSCMUN is driven by my passion for international relations and environmental politics – a passion that drove me to MUN in the first place (back in high school). Since then, I have been committed to providing delegates the opportunities to grow and develop their skills, and strive to make the delegate experience as positive and educational as possible. This has been my goal in every council I have had the privilege of chairing, and my goal is for beginners to walk away inspired, educated, and familiar with the procedures of MUN.

I am a hardworking beaver, and strive for perfection in everything I do. If there is even the slightest grievance with this conference, my colleagues and I will be eager to rectify the situation. Oh and I enjoy long walks on the beach and pecan pies!

09/22/2018

We are just above 60% registration. Countries are still available! Register today!

This registration form is for RSCMUN Calgary 2018. You will be contacted by our secretariat shortly after completing this form. RSCMUN Calgary 2018 [pronounced RISK-MUN] is a unique simulation of a reformed United Nations Security Council hosted by the University of Calgary Model United Nations Team...

09/18/2018

(Poster from the United Nations Security Council 7160th meeting on Women and Peace and Security, circa 2014).

Our first topic, "The Questions Surrounding Gender Equality and Female Rights" highlights the issue of women's security and rights in conflict zones, and their vital role in peacebuilding and peacekeeping.

The United Nations confronts the issues surrounding educating young women and girls in high-risk areas, citing that these young women should be protected from the fate of being a bride, traded like an object, and that preventing this not only benefits the young girl, but also can be beneficial to the security of the entire community.

In conflict zones, women may be exposed to a higher risk of any number of crimes. Through changes to the culture and by educating the people there may finally be some social change in traditionally, historically, and somewhat culturally conflict ridden regions. This topic will focus on human rights, migrants, state and non-state actors, positions of authority, general inequality over policy, resources, and legislation, and the role of peace building. These are issues that should be considered in conflict zones, as well as in developing parts of the world, and lastly areas where these issues may still be profoundly normalized in society.

To read more, see our background guide at: https://ucmuntcomm.wixsite.com/rscmun/documents

09/16/2018

Introducing our Secretary General, Pranav Khosla:

I am a second year Biomedical student with the Cu***ng School of Medicine. I first joined Model United Nations during my high school career and MUN had such a profound impact on me that it would later help me find my foundations in Calgary after moving from Toronto in 2015. MUN has challenged me to grow, provided my invaluable life experiences, and I have made lasting friendships. I have had experience with many Security Council simulations, although my experience also extends to a wide variety of councils – especially economic and social councils. However, my true passion lies in crisis committees, as to me, it forces on-the-spot-thinking and action. I have participated in a variety of crisis committees before and also have significant experience chairing a variety of committees. I joined UCMUNT in 2017 and am currently a Director of Special Projects.

In 2016 I was the Under-Secretary General of Administration for SWCHSMUN, helping manage the registration and logistics of over 500+ delegates. More recently I have helped co-found the Calgary in Crisis Model United Nations Simulation, which saw 120+ delegates in its inaugural year. With UCMUNT I have now help found the RSCMUN simulation to introduce a crisis conference into the local collegiate circuit, while continuing to educate delegates in the community. As a result of this, we have developed a two-tier system of a Beginner Category for first time delegates and an Open category for those who have MUN experience. I will be serving as one of your chairs for this conference and assisting Chris with the development of the crisis.

09/11/2018

(9/11 Memorial, NYC. Circa 2018).

We are posting at a different time today because it is today that we pay our respects to those lost 17 years ago, in such a senseless tragedy and horrific attack. These actions are a reminder that our world is far from perfect. While many oppose and attack our freedom, many who are oppressed by such tyranny, conflict and extremists on a daily basis, also dream of one day being free.

To the 2977 victims in the North and South Towers, in the Pentagon, on American Airlines Flight 11 and Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 93 and Flight 175, and the countless first responders from the NYPD, NYFD, and EMS, who acted as heroes and symbols of our very liberty - we honour, mourn, and remember you. Rest in Peace.

To the other 6000+ victims who sustained injuries, and the countless volunteers who jumped into ground zero, you are not forgotten. We only hope that your wounds and scars (some seen, some not) have healed.

We ask you to join us, as today we will take a moment of silence to honour those who have passed on, and to think of those who bear the scars of this vile act of terror. It is also today, that we stand together in an act of solidarity behind our very beliefs, our freedom, and our democracy. Together we can build a better world, of liberty and peace.

09/09/2018

Still haven't heard about RSCMUN? Find out more and sign up on our website!

https://ucmuntcomm.wixsite.com/rscmun/about

For more, contact us here on facebook or email us at [email protected]!

ABOUT

09/08/2018

New to Model UN? Never heard of a crisis committee?

Model United Nations crisis committees are fast paced and extremely fun committees that touch on the spirit of Model United Nations, but can feature committees outside of the United Nations system. These can include simulations of historical events, future events, scenarios from television, movies and books, or other real world scenarios that do not fall within the scope of the United Nations - or are otherwise actionable, immediate and consequential.

Unlike a resolution, which simply resolves to accomplish something, crisis committees throw timed situations into the mix, requiring delegates to solve these crises in an effective and timely manner. Simulation of the United Nations Security Council, as well as other military organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (and its many subsidiary organs) will also frequently feature crisis.

To read more download our background guide at: https://ucmuntcomm.wixsite.com/rscmun/documents

Outstanding questions or concerns? Contact our secretariat on here, or reach out to us at [email protected]!

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