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

Introductory Letter

Dear MUN Directors,
Five years ago, the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and related Intolerance convened in Durban, South Africa. In her vision statement “Tolerance and Diversity: A Vision for the 21st Century,” The High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson asserted that “each society needs to ask itself certain questions. Is it sufficiently inclusive? Is it non-discriminatory? Are its norms of behavior based on the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?” She concluded by declaring: “What we envisage for every man, woman and child is a life where the exercise of individual gifts and personal rights is affirmed by the dynamic solidarity of our membership of the one human family.” Sadly, Ms. Robinson’s call has not yet led to this one human family. On the contrary, on 21 March 2006, 40 years after the UN designated this day the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, relevant European institutions stated that taking a strong stand against racism is today more crucial than ever.

For young people the immediacy of the problem is quite obvious: there are two categories – the “haves” and the “have nots.” To the first category belong those native born, every day normal and sexually “straight” persons who easily fit into the dominant culture and adhere to its societal norms. This group, however, also harbors those who jealously guard the status, privileges and economic benefits afforded them, and may use discrimination in whatever form to exclude those that may otherwise compete against them in an open society. And to the second category, belong the “have nots”: those who because of their color, ethnic and / or religious background, or sexual orientation do not fit the norm. In one way or another, either in real or imagined terms, they challenge the dominant culture and offer potential competition to the “haves.” Discrimination, xenophobia, and racism, consequences of human fear, all too frequently lie at the root of many societal conflicts, civil wars, and wars between nations, and these frighteningly carry trademarks ranging from job exclusion, the denial of medical care because of HIV /AIDS, or urban riots to ethnic cleansing, rape, the indiscriminate destruction of property and mass murders.

Recent events in Europe and abroad have convinced BERMUN 2006 student officers and directors to dedicate this year’s conference to the theme

Promoting Peace:
Combatting Racism, Xenophobia and Ethnic Rivalry

By addressing this theme, we hope that we will able to make a contribution to realizing the goals set out forty years ago by the United Nations and to achieving the “conversion of mind and heart” called for by Mary Robinson in order to achieve the ideal of one human family.

BERMUN YOUTH ASSEMBLY

Last year the BERMUN Youth Assembly, composed of a select number of highly motivated young people from Germany, Russia, the Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Poland, Saudi Arabia and the United States, discussed target six of the MDGs and examined the economic and humanitarian implications associated with the spread of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe. The fruits of their deliberations was a very original program designed to empower youth. This year the YA will continue its work and expand its focus to include Africa.

We hope to enlist a core group of participants from Eastern European and African 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 issue. 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 contained in this mailing and email it to: 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, a modified version of Robert's Rules of Order. Please refer to the Instructional Guide posted on our website.

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.

At the formal opening of the GA on Wednesday afternoon in the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Opening Speeches will be delivered. They are to be one minute in length. The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Thursday morning in the John F. Kennedy School.

During the plenary session of the General Assembly on Saturday, delegates will be asked to formulate a resolution on the topic of “The Implementation of the Declaration on Ethnic Rivalry.” The Declaration drafted by the SPEC will provide the basis for this debate. Delegates will apply the expertise gained from their committee research to writing this resolution.

Security Council

The Security Council will once again consist of 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, taking into account the veto right of the Permanent Five members. 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. In order to move closer to the proceedings of the UN Security Council, we are introducing a thematic debate, which will differ from the usual procedure and should result in a declaration providing guidelines to the given problem.

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 GA. As an independent forum, it addresses the annual BERMUN theme. This year, the SCER will write an official “Declaration on Ethnic Rivalry,” which will serve as the basis for a GA resolution drafted 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 2^nd.

Berlin Model International Court of Justice

The Berlin Model International Court of Justice (BMICJ) consists of 15 Judges and two Presidents who also act as Judges. The BMICJ will be judging, in accordance with International Law, a fictional case similar to those under hearing by 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.de. 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 2^nd.

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

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.

<-- top