Content:
> Introductory Letter
> Delegation Structure and Country Selection
> Guidelines and Procedures

Introductory Letter

The Millennium Development Goals:
A Global Commitment and a Global Challenge

Dear MUN Directors, In his report on the Implementation of the United Nations Millennium Declaration, the Secretary-General reminded the international community of the initial enthusiasm that greeted the Declaration’s adoption by the world’s leaders in 2000. The document “spoke of a world united by common values and striving with renewed determination to achieve peace and decent standards of living for every man, woman and child.” This sense of common purpose for a humanitarian global endeavor was diverted following the events of September 11, 2001. Governments focused their attention and resources on the struggle against terrorism and the controversy surrounding the war in Iraq. Civilians became more embroiled in the real or possible implications of the new world situation on their own existence. Security and prosperity, peace and development are interdependent. Realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) could provide the basis for regional and global economic growth and social development and thus for establishing a more stable and peaceful world. While the Secretary-General can only remind government leaders about the importance of fulfilling their commitment, civil society can pressure political leaders. At BERMUN 2003, Ms. Eveline Herfkens, Executive Coordinator of the Millennium Development Goals Campaign, asserted that young people should demand accountability from their political representatives.

BERMUN 2005

This year’s BERMUN follows up on Ms. Herfkens’ appeal to young people to become engaged in working for the one world. The Special Conference on the Millennium Development Goals will address four issues directly related to promoting achievement of the goals by the year 2015. By incorporating issues addressing the MDGs in the other BERMUN forums, we aim to promote a broad understanding of the importance these goals hold for both the developed and less developed areas of the world.

BERMUN YOUTH ASSEMBLY

In the BERMUN Youth Assembly, motivated young people will discuss target six of the MDGs by examining the economic and humanitarian implications associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe. It is necessary to promote understanding and tolerance and to counter the social stigma frequently associated with the disease. By establishing contacts with local, state and national authorities, and political - social organizations, young people will endeavor to raise public awareness about the causes and dangers posed by the spread of HIV/AIDS and, where possible, to initiate local projects. Our contacts with Eastern European schools offer BERMUN participants a unique opportunity to engage in this youth empowerment project. Young people take part in a highly sensitive, crucial health and social question and thereby experience the meaning of democratization for themselves and others. Democratization should be understood as a process allowing individuals to understand, discuss and influence politics.

We hope to enlist a core group of participants from Eastern European schools who will provide us with first hand information on the conditions and the work currently underway. Prior to the conference, participants in the Assembly will be in contact and report regularly on their findings. The results will be synthesized into a presentation covering their findings and recommendations. Only a core group of six to ten members will meet in Berlin; all others will participate from their home base via internet. For YA members participating virtually, it is essential that they be available to contribute their ideas during the conference. Therefore, YA members working at home need to be excused from regular instruction.

We encourage students with an interest in the working of local, national, and world politics to inquire into the theme in their local area and to think about possible approaches to the issues. Their ideas and suggestions as well as reports on personal experiences are more than welcome. Students with an interest in learning more about the YA should complete the attached form and email it YA@bermun.org.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung will again host the Wednesday afternoon program.

The conference is conducted in English. As a bicultural, bilingual school that challenges students to learn and master a partner language, the John F. Kennedy School offers non-English speaking students an opportunity to practice and refine their language skills. It is important to remember that for the overwhelming majority of delegates at this conference, English is a second language. Nevertheless, all delegates must learn the rules of debate and carry out the necessary preparation and research before the conference so that their work in Berlin is productive and meaningful. Please keep in mind that Security Council delegates must be fluent in English, very well informed about the topics and the current situation in world politics, and ready to present their country’s opinion at all times.

Information and guidelines concerning delegate preparation and/or the rules of debate can be obtained by consulting the following publications:

A Guide to Delegate Preparation, Veronica Wayner, editor (United Nations Association of the United States of America, 801 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017-4706)

The Hague International Model United Nations Instructional Guide, Irwin Stein and David L. Williams (The Hague International Model United Nations, 2e van Blankenburgstraat 119, 2517 HC Den Haag, The Netherlands).

If you wish to obtain these publications, please write directly to the addresses provided.

The BERMUN INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE is available as a download.

BERMUN is affiliated with The Hague International Model United Nations (THIMUN).

We look forward to making new friends and welcoming all those who have worked closely with us over the last years.

Yours truly,

Delegation Structure and Country Selection

In order to enable as many schools as possible to participate, schools may represent one delegation (5-8 students). Only upon a special request stating the reasons why there is a need for a second delegation, will we be able to revise this policy. The number of delegates your school can send is based on the following guidelines:

All countries are represented in the Environment Committee (EC), Disarmament Committee (DC), Human Rights Committee (HRC), Political Committee (PC) and the Special Conference (SCUNR). ECOSOC and the Special Conference are not part of the General Assembly (GA), and they will be in session for three days. The results of their work will be reported to the GA.

Guidelines and Procedures

Resolutions

Delegates should be well-informed on all topics and prepare resolutions for all issues. Security Council delegates should focus on three of the issues.

The resolution as such passes by a majority vote. However, the committee at large votes a second time to determine which resolution to debate before the General Assembly.

Lobbying

Encourage students to exchange ideas and to lobby via the web before the conference. During the lobbying session on Wednesday, delegates will prepare and submit a joint resolution. Delegates are expected to bring ca. 15 copies of each resolution and should have access to a digitalized version.

General Assembly

The rules of debate and the voting procedure are those of The Hague International Model United Nations, that is a modified version of Robert's Rules of Order.

PC, DC, EC, and HRC are members of the General Assembly. Only full members of the UN have voting rights, but all delegations (including NGO’s and Official Observers) have full debating rights, such as submitting resolutions and amendments.

The Opening Ceremony of the General Assembly will take place on Wednesday. At this point, Opening Speeches commence. They are to be one minute in length.

All delegates are to participate in the GA whether or not their committee's resolution is being discussed. Delegates are to inform one another about the issues and resolutions in their respective committees.

Security Council

The Security Council has been expanded to two delegates per member state. The Council deals with the question of peace and security exclusively. The SC follows different parliamentary procedures than the GA, such as the veto right of the Permanent Five. The delegates should therefore familiarize themselves thoroughly with the UN Charter. As there are only 15 member states, all delegates not only have the opportunity but also the duty to speak on the issues.

The Security Council members should be especially familiar with all the issues and should enjoy working together with a small and highly motivated group of students.

Economic and Social Council

The Economic and Social Council is not part of the General Assembly. ECOSOC is the UN organ most concerned with stabilizing the economic and social conditions in a country. The Council's main functions include:

1. initiating studies, formulating reports, and making recommendations in all fields relating to international economic, social, cultural, educational and health issues and
2. promoting human rights and basic freedoms for all.

Special Conference

The Special Conference is not part of the General Assembly. As an independent forum, it addresses the annual BERMUN theme. The Special Conference is in session for three days and reports its findings to the General Assembly on Saturday.

BERMUN Youth Assembly

We encourage students with an interest in the working of local, national, and world politics to inquire into the theme in their local area and to think about possible approaches to the issues. More information on the issues can be found in the Introductory Letter. Students’ ideas and suggestions as well as reports on personal experiences are more than welcome. Students with an interest in learning more about the YA should complete the attached form and email it to ya@bermun.org before June 15th.

Berlin Model International Court of Justice

The Berlin Model International Court of Justice (BMICJ) consists of 13 judges, 2 presidents and 2 pairs of advocates. The BMICJ will be judging, in accordance with International Law, a case currently before the ICJ in The Hague. The case will closely follow standard ICJ procedure. For further information, please refer to the enclosed letter by the BMICJ presidents or contact Jonathan Zachhuber via email at icj@bermun.org. If you have any students who wish to apply for this unique opportunity, please complete the attached BMICJ application form, and return it no later than June 15th.

Ambassador

Every delegation must appoint an ambassador. He or she has to be a member of the General Assembly. Because the ambassador delivers the nation’s opening speech, that person cannot be a member of either the SC, ECOSOC, or the Special Conference. The ambassador should check the agenda of the SC to find out if a topic concerning his or her country will be discussed, as any ambassador might be called upon to elaborate on his or her country’s position before the SC. Specify the ambassador on FORM II.

Conduct and Dress Regulation

Appropriate behavior is expected of all students at all times. Delegates will be asked to leave if they cannot accept the responsibility for conducting themselves properly. Delegates should dress in a manner suitable for an academic conference. Jeans, T-shirts, torn clothes, sneakers, etc. are not considered appropriate. Please dress accordingly.

English as the lingua franca

Guests at previous conferences regretted that some delegates conversed in German without considering that those around them could not follow the discussion. Please remind students that it is a courtesy to speak English, the official conference language. This is a prerequisite for building international consensus and understanding.

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