The InkBlot
Edition 1, 2019
All hail diplomacy!
The world that was built on the pillars of justice, peace and equality is now crumbling down and
the need of the hour is for the posterity to form assertive opinions and take bold actions. Royal
Global School Model United Nations provided the youth with a holistic platform to nurture their
diplomacy skills and evaluate the prevailing political scenario.
As the delegates cascaded down the stairs, the anticipation increased . The event that they were
gearing for since weeks was finally about to begin. Prior to the lighting of the lamp, a montage of
catastrophes shattering the world was exhibited on screen, forcing us to question the very realm
of the reality that we live in.
The formal opening of this three day extravaganza began with lighting of the lamp, symbolized
darkness being chased away with knowledge whilst the Guruvandana echoed in the background.
It was followed by a classical dance performance that transported us back to where we belong-
our Indian roots.
The power that an individual encompasses towards bringing progressive change was resonating
in the speech of the principal of Royal Global School, Mrs Anubha Goyal who after addressing
the gathering went ahead and felicitated the dignitaries.
The Chief guest was the renowned KG Suresh, Director General of India's premier media
training Institute, IIMC .The chattering dwindled upon him entering the hall and the delegates
were fortunate to take something away from his wise words.
Finally the face behind this success, the Secretary General Aaswash Mahanta, in his opening
speech extended his warm greetings to the delegates whilst also highlighting the ongoing
catastrophes that plague the world this very moment. The crisis that the world drowns in today
calls for immediate measures.
Against this backdrop of nations engaging in feudal fury, peace and diplomacy form the two
sides on the same coin. Multipolarity with its array of ramifications has its share of unwelcomed
consequences which requires diplomacy in refined form to be instilled in young minds. The
theme of the conference was hence aptly chosen.
After the introduction of the esteemed Executive Board, with the thud of the gavel the Secretary
General declared the 3rd edition of Royal Global School Model United Nations open!
This year the conference simulated 7 committees with very contemporary agendas ranging from
statelessness to addressing the colonisation of celestial bodies. No end of the horizon was left
uncovered.
The knowledge bestowed upon the delegates did not come to an end. Adopting a rather unique
and eye opening way, the conference commenced with an interactive panel discussion with the
chief guest on the significance of righteous opinion and the path to formulate it. The event
concluded with everybody rising to the tunes of glorious Indian national anthem.
Coup D’Etat
(United Nations Security Council)
To understand the current situation in Sudan, one must look back to what has caused a country to
be thrust into such a state of chaos, anarchy, and constant insurgency. On 19 December 2018, a
series of demonstrations broke out in several Sudanese cities which quickly turned from
demands for urgent economic reforms into demands for President Omar al-Bashir to step down.
An unstable transitional government has been set up ever since to oversee Sudan in this time of
bedlam.
For over 35 years, Sudan has been characterised by internal conflict, civil wars between
anti-governmental and military groups, hunger, political turmoil and constant genocides time and
again. It all got further ignited by the horrific Khartoum massacre that took place on the 3rd of
June, 2019, when the parliamentary military opened fire on around 128 protestors, while many
more were raped. The consequences of such a brutal killing of innocents are bound to be equally
ugly. Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of towns and cities across Sudan
calling for justice for pro-democracy protesters killed by security forces, which has led to weeks
of unrest. Crowds filled major squares and thoroughfares waving the national flag, lighting
candles and chanting: “The mother of a martyr is my mother, the blood of a martyr is my blood.”
With a high-level of political instability, teamed up with a poverty rate of 46.5%, the economy
propelled in a total freefall, Sudan is currently helpless. The United Nations Security Council
seeks to find immediate and effective solutions to help Sudan and its people escape from
complete ruination. Countries such as Kuwait, China and the United States have suggested ways
to bring the Sudanese economy back on track through developments in the basic fields of
agriculture, infrastructure and welfare of children. However, the honest truth is that Sudan has no
captial or resources to invest in any of these fields. Thus, the first step up the stairs would be to
free Sudan from being such a war-torn country as it currently is. Only then could further affairs
be taken into account. Saudi Arabia’s bold claim about its absolute belief in dictatorship and
South Sudan, being one of the poorest and economically weakest nations in the world itself,
agreeing to let its revenue be put to use for helping the overall economic development of Sudan
is exceedingly questionable. All in all, it is up to the UNSC and its member nations to take up
stronger measures to aid the inordinately vulnerable Sudan.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(An Opinion Piece)
Words fall short to describe the pain that the ten million stateless endure each day, hoping that
eventually they'll belong somewhere. While the majority of the ten million are refugees, the rest
struggle between international boundaries hoping for rescue. The agony of the stateless is
intangible, yet it is accountable for most of the political disruption the world is drowning in
today. The delegates of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees set forth to dismantle
and explore the state of the stateless. Barring a few anxious faces, the delegates bore an
expression of pure zeal with brimming eagerness in
their eyes. Deliberation began with the opening
speech by the delegate of USA who inspired by
Martin Luther King Jr, declared that the day we
choose to speak explicitly is the day we strive
towards progression. The delegates did not refrain
from cross examining each other which highlighted
that fact that no stone was left unturned while
researching. Saudi Arabia laid emphasis on the
ambiguous definition of being stateless and was
vocal towards demanding a well-structured
definition. The delegates were embedded deep
within the crisis and brought out the array of burning
questions quintessential to the dilemma. The
committee gained momentum with each passing
speech. "Some of them are born stateless while others are simply thrown out " following this
statement the delegate of Latvia threw light on the how the human rights of the refugees are
violated and the atrocities that never cease to happen against them Ukraine and Pakistan were in
limelight as their tireless endeavour to question and dig up the controversies of the past, did not
go unnoticed . As the GSL progressed, Congo was urged by all member states to elaborate on its
present policies which left the delegate drowning in utter astonishment. Altogether the dynamism
which brewed amidst the delegates assured the press the committee will fructify.
United Nations Women
The United Nations Women, an indispensable and crucial committee of the United Nations
focused on topics related to gender equality and empowerment of women , headed by Victoria
Nosaindzi Daulaguphu. It kicked off with an enthusiastic
lot in the General Speakers list. In the GSL, Sweden
noted that emphasis should not be on the right to
abortion but on the right to privacy and reproductive
control. Sweden noted “According to the global cases
there has been 2 lakh 15 thousand rape cases reported by
police and women.’ In response, Ireland questions
Sweden about the country’s policies on abortion and why
it is not supported . To which Sweden with a pause
answered in a chit. A moderated caucus was passed on
the topic “Menstrual Hygiene” in which Germany
pointed out the bipolar perspectives on menstruation
noting that “It is an essential biological process and a
sign of reproductive health but in some cultures it is still
seen as something dirty and shameful.”
Germany also pointed out an issue known as “Period poverty”. Issues in which girls and women
lack the ability to access clean menstrual products and menstrual education. “In many parts of
the world, women and girls in their periods are forced to live on the streets” noted Germany.
In the session that followed, the delegate of Germany mentioned that women in every country
needs to have proper sex education knowledge and also to empower them to protect themselves
against HIV, followed by the delegate of Australia mentioning that women in Australia are safe
and are educated enough. Besides that the delegate asked help from United Nations to work
together as a team to help women in all areas. The delegates of other different countries also
stood up highlighting their own countries stance in women empowerment and how women are
living their lives. Moreover the delegate of China discussed about the psychological and physical
health of women after being sexually abused. The delegate of Iraq then asked help to change and
betterment of medical facilities of women to other countries.
After various suggestions of the topics to be discussed, the committee started with a moderate
caucus on the topic 'Female Genital Mutilation'. The FGM is the ritual cutting or removal of
some or all of the external female genitalia. There are many effects of FGM which includes
severe infections, paralysis, HIV and sometimes leads to death. The delegate of Chad reminded
everyone that we all have the power to save millions of girls. After discussing the causes and
definitions about FGM from different countries, the delegate of China provide some solutions
including spreading awareness as well as come together and keep pushing towards the end of
FGM. The delegate of Sweden also mentioned that women should be given the rights concerning
her body and women should speak out when something or the other happens to them. The
delegate of Qatar then mentioned that 3 million girls are undergoing FGM and every country
should educate girls so that everyone will be aware of all sexual problems. The delegate of
Jordan then conveys a message to the committee that people who indulge in all acts of sexual
harassments are monsters and have no sense of humanity.
Education and Vaccination
(World Health Assembly)
The bone of contention in the WHA was that of vaccine hesitancy being a threat to global health.
The EB members started with asking delegates questions like “What makes MUNs different
from other public speaking events?’ Delegates answered that MUN conferences talk about global
issues but Chairperson Filzah Belal told the
committee that Global issues have local repercussions
and work is to be done on the global level first . The
GSL speeches comprised of how each country
promotes vaccination programs or how it does not
believe in vaccines and what are the causes of the
same. The EB wanted the moderated caucus to lead
the committee to a different direction, the topic being
that education is important for vaccine awareness.
Some deliberations truly painted a vivid picture of the
plight that children around the world are facing due to
lack of awareness of vaccinations. “What about infants , who allowed us to decide for their
future ?” asked the delegate of Central African Republic. The delegate of India wanted the
delegate of Pakistan to answer if they had failed to convince their country for vaccines due to the
recent developments in Pakistan. The committee took off at an extremely slow pace but
eventually the debate consisted of new facts and figures.
Overall, WHA seems to have a lot in store. Only time will tell how the delegates and their
research pans out into something more fruitful for the international community.
UN, COPE-WITH-US
'Plague'giarism in the house
The second day at AIPPM witnessed raised temperature owing to the superfluous accusations
and blame games raged even before the moderated caucus began. After a number of failed
motions the 'aye's' finally overpowered the 'nay's' and the motion to deliberate on transparency of
elections was taken up.
What gained attention was the fierce loyalty of the delegates to their respective parties,
encouraging fellow members with a cacophony of table tabs backing their voice. Both the
Congress and BJP were intent on making elections transparent, with holding the Election
Commission being dragged in the dirt innumerable times. Amit Shah gave an insight into the
paradox where the economy continues to deteriorate but the expenses on election elevate with
each year." We are bound to reveal our annual incomes whereas its sources remain concealed. "
And the ensuing table tabs seconded his statement. Rajnath Singh seemed intent on filtering
eligibility of both candidates and voters to ensure purposeful elections. The Pandora’s box that
questioning transparency opened was thoroughly excavated.
Sonia Gandhi's accusatory speech stating Narendra Modi used Doordarshan for his own arsenal
for popularizing his propaganda soon morphed to a one-on-one as Narendra Modi retaliated by
sarcastically reminding her the existence of the supreme court and Election Commission and
their ability to regulate the elections. However, she stood undeterred as she exclaimed "The EC
is lenient to the Prime Minister!"
Undoubtedly the committee was overflowing with a cascade of controversies, the most
prominent one being members plagiarising speeches. Ramesh Phokriyal 'Nishank's' seemingly
weighty words were frowned upon by the EB as he opted for plagiarism over his own voice.
About a few months ago Mahua Moitra's similar actions made the headlines, however for
Nishank that wasn't a warning.
What was astonishing was that Mahua Moitra being ignorant of her own deeds when questioned
by the EB about her infamous blunder, consequently falling prey to the Chairperson's fury. Even
after the whole plagiarism fiasco continued to plague the committee as Mahua Moitra, again, was
caught for plagiarizing in her next speech.
The Executive board happy with some delegates, while disappointed by the rest yearned for a
more intensive analysis of the agenda.
