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A Bloc is a group of countries that form together to work toward a common goal, whether economic, political, or otherwise. Most countries are in more than one bloc. Depending on current politics, some countries may drop out or abstain from participating in some blocs, while other countries simply remain as observers.

Blocs are unstructured and are allowed to form and grow on their own. This may be a frustrating process. A country must always keep its political stands and goals in its negotiations with other countries as it participates in bloc decisions. The view of a particular nation must always take precedence over a bloc’s views, unless the country feels it will receive some benefit from its continued adherence to a bloc’s views.

BLOC’s develop resolutions based on their respective committees purpose and shall remain together for the duration of the conference. The resolutions developed in these committees may be specific or broad in nature. BLOC’s operate under the Parliamentary Procedure Guidelines provided in the manual.

The conference has the following BLOC’s:
European Union (EU)
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Organization of American States (OAS)
African Union (AU)
Arab League (AL)

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Topic 1: European Constitution

After the failed ratification of the European Constitution by France and the Netherlands in 2005, the issue of creating a codified European Constitution had largely been discarded. However under the campaigns of several member states to amend and reconsider the document, the topic has again become a capital subject in Europe ^{[1] [3]}. The concept of a European Constitution marks a crucial point in the development of the Union; as well as an official charter of the EU, it represents two possible paths of Europe: to further unify and centrally strengthen the Union or to remain in the current confederation of nations. This debate has deepened the rift between opposing member states, and a final decision is still unfound.

They key issue in the debate is national sovereignty. The centralization of the EU under the constitution has prompted fears that it would essentially be creating a European super-state supreme over individual nations ^{[5] [7]}. Most controversially, the draft document establishes permanent European Presidencies (as opposed to the current rotational scheme) and foreign ministry. Critics have denounced the provisions of the treaty, which they say contain the trappings of statehood ^[5]. Proponents argue, though, that with the globalization trends, a strong and decisive Europe is more necessary than ever and that with the increasing number of members, the current treaties and agreements are ill-suited to handle future problems ^{[2] [4] [6]}.

Also an issue of contention is the expansion of the qualified majority voting system into legislative areas that currently require unanimity by member states. Though it would detract from the individual voting power of members, supporters envisage it as a procedure which would make legislative processes much more flexible and efficient with the growing number of member nations ^[6]. However most importantly it also raises the conflict between European Union laws and national laws. Under the new qualified majority voting system advanced by the Constitution ^[9], it would be possible for a nation to unsuccessfully vote against a passed law and then be bound by it in its national assembly. In these instances, the supremacy of EU resolutions over national laws is hotly contested.

Linked to the debate is the question of the current state of democracy in the EU. Some are skeptical of the manner in which the European government functions. Currently the European Parliament has no power over the European Council’s legislative decisions, which are reached in separate committees. The lack of electoral basis and national oversight over respective EU officials has led to a perceived gap between the European and national governments. Such issues and others relating to democracy have been included into Constitutional provisions, yet it remains to be seen whether they shall be adopted.

Questions:

• Should the European Union have a Constitution at all? What are some of the benefits and downsides to such a document?
• How will the members retain their national sovereignty and identity? What will be some of their rights as members?
• How will a balance of power be achieved under the Constitution, amongst individual members and between them and the EU institutions?
• How may the Constitution solve some of the democratic issues facing the EU today?

Works Cited:
Mulvey, Stephen. “The European Constitution Returns.” BBC News. Feb 2007. Apr 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6400525.stm>.

Weber, Tim. “Germany Wants Globalisation Push.” BBC News. Jan 2007. Apr 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6296475.stm>.

“New Call to Save EU Constitution.” BBC News. Jan 2007. Apr 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6300231.stm>.

Mahony, Honor. “Europe is Increasingly Fading Away.” EU Observer. Mar 2007. Apr 2007. <http://euobserver.com/18/23803>.

“Quick Guide: European Constitution.” BBC News. Apr 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/quick_guides/04/
europe_european_union_constitution/html/1.stm>.

“Why Say Yes?” Yes Campaign. Mar 2006. Apr 2007.
<http://www.yes-campaign.net/index.php?id=1065>.

“Why Vote No?” No: The Campaign Against the Euorpean Constitution. Apr 2007.
<http://www.nocampaign.com/why-vote-no/More-power-to-the-EU.aspx>.

European Navigator. Apr 2007. <http://www.ena.lu/mce.cfm>.

“Extension of Qualified Majority Voting.” Europa. Apr 2007.
<http://europa.eu/scadplus/constitution/majority_en.htm>

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Topic 2: Union Expansion

Since its founding in 1952, the European Union has since grown to include twenty-seven member states. Out of the Cold War, these expansions have created a more unified Europe than ever before. However as many other nations vie for accession into the Union, many members are now questioning the viability of further expanding the EU. Some favor the extension of EU status to as many members as possible; others concentrate internally and hope to strengthen the EU based on existing members ^[1]. The outcome of the decision will crucially impact the future development of Europe as a region.

A key topic to consider in the debate over further integration of nations is that of immigration ^{[3] [5] [6]}. Under the European Union, the citizens of member states are free to travel, live, and work throughout the Union. Since many of the prospective members are developing nations, it have become a concern of some of the more developed members that workers from the developing nations would be moving to work in more developed countries; the influx of immigrants would be a burden then to those host nations, and may raise unemployment rates should the immigrants be unable to find work. These members also critique the current standards of EU accession as too lax; they favor a slowdown of the induction process ^{[3] [4] [5]}. This would ensure that future members would adhere to EU principals and standards, as well as that their inclusion would be overall beneficial to the European Union as a whole. In contrast, other nations, especially those who have been recently inducted, are conducive to further expansions, and view prospective members as a welcome addition to European economy.

Future extension of the European Union has also political implications ^[7]. Critics of the movement are doubtful of the stability of candidate nations in the post-Cold War era. The recent Balkan conflicts have demonstrated the fragile political state in the area, and members have voiced concerns over the future stability of candidate nations, many former Soviet satellites, should they be accepted into the Union ^[7]. Supporters, though, are more optimistic about the political future; they state that national aspirations of EU accession have been enough to prompt major reforms in those prospective member states. Conversely, if membership was denied it may stall the progress in those areas and push the nations towards dangerous nationalistic ideas ^[7].

Questions:

• Does the European Union need to expand its ranks? Has it reached the limits of a “European” community?
• Are the current standards for EU accession acceptable in producing stable, prosperous candidates? If not, how may they be modified?
• If the European Union continues to expand, how will it adapt to the addition of new members?
  

Works Cited:
Sain ley Berry, Peter. “How Large Can the EU Be?” EU Observer. Nov 2006. Apr. 2006. <http://euobserver.com/15/22890>.

“Activities of the European Union.” Europa. Apr 2007. <http://europa.eu/pol/enlarg/index_en.htm>.

Lobjatkas, Ahto. “EU: As Summit Begins, Bloc is Divided Over Expansion.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Dec 2006. Apr 2007.
<http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2006/12/e7d5a27e-1121-4237-8d50-5d078c230c1a.html>.

“European Backs Strict Expansion Rules.” BBC News. Dec 2006. Apr 2007. <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6178337.stm>.

Straw, Jack. “Collective Security in an Enlarged Europe.” Europa. Jul 2002. Apr 2007.
<http://europa.eu.int/constitution/futurum/documents/speech/sp090702_en.htm>.

“‘Nearly 600,000’ New EU Migrants.” BBC News. Aug 2006. Apr 2007.
<http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/5273356.stm>.

Endersby, Alastair. “European Union Expansion.” International Debate Education Association. Jul 2006. Apr 2007. <http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=20>.

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Topic 3: Security Research

In recent years the instabilities in the Middle East and Africa as well as Iranian/North Korean nuclear ambitions have impressed upon all nations their individual vulnerability to attack. With the tragic London and Madrid terror attacks, the European Union has further impetus to invest in its own defense and security. In this modern age, nations are ever more turning to and utilizing scientific/technological innovation to create new methods of protection. Up to now, however, defense policy has been a jealously guarded national sector with little international sharing. This fragmentation has led to recent calls by members to unite national security research efforts into one European prerogative. Considering the increasing numbers of illegal border-crossings and other security threats, the need for a unified research effort is imperative, yet the precise manner of such an effort is still unclear.

In the Cold-War era, nations were hesitant to share defense innovations and research with each other ^{[2] [3]}. This trend has been reflected into the EU policy structure; individual nations today continue to pursue their own defense interests while the European Defense Agency (EDA) was created under the European Council. The proposal to consolidate security research efforts was prompted by this to eradicate “double efforts” by individual members and the EU in pursuing common interests. The rise of terrorist activities has largely extinguished this trend, yet the manner in which the consolidation will take place has sparked new doubts. Some member states, such as the U.K. have been hesitant to participate in open collaboration with others, and rather favor a unified effort to simply direct research efforts to key areas ^{[2] [3]}. The involvement of the European Council (EC) too is a topic of debate. As the policy-maker in European homeland defense, it will undoubtedly play a role in the security research effort. The degree of such a role is contested; national sovereignty will certainly become a part of the dissent when members object to outside control over their own defense projects.

Questions:

• How may European security efforts be consolidated and to what extent? Who will lead such an effort?
• How will the research be funded?
• What role will the European Council play? What powers will be given to it over the research efforts of individual nations?

Works Cited:
Tigner, Brooks. “EU Security: Tearing Down the Wall.” ISN Security Watch. Mar 2007. Apr 2007. <http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=17409>

Tigner, Brooks. “Shaping EU Homeland Security.” ISN Security Watch. Mar 2007. Apr 2007. <http://www.isn.ethz.ch/news/sw/details.cfm?ID=17425>.

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