YMCA Model UN - Burlington County, New Jersey

Committee Description

The Nation Building Committee (NBC) attempts to resolve current regional disputes between nations or ethnic parties by rebuilding or creating a new nation at different points in history.

Five students will be assigned to the role of UN Mediator. These students will mediate the five major discussion tables for the committee, which are:

• National Boundaries
• Constitution/ Governance
• Economic Packages
• Social Systems
• Security

The remaining seventy to seventy-five students will be assigned to represent the interests of all other parties including all ethnic groups impacted by the creation of the new nation/nations, assisting nations, and neighboring nations. These delegates will develop and negotiate proposals for action on each major discussion point.

Delegates are expected to prepare a position paper on the history of the nation or area in question, addressing any issues that may fall into one of the five major discussion points identified above. These position papers are due on November 1st. Delegates will also be expected to perform additional research following November 1st, as well as submit at least two detailed draft proposals identifying the needs and goals of their respective position.

During the weekend, all of the committee members will initially meet in one of the five assigned topic areas. In that committee, members of the committee will share proposals in an effort to develop consensus. Periodically the entire committee will be called to order in an effort to ratify portions or entire sections of the “proposals for action” developed within the five major discussion points. The UN Mediators will present the “proposals for action”. The committee will follow the same rules of procedure as identified in this manual. Additional time will be allotted for members of the same nation to meet to discuss negotiating strategies.

Topic

NBC Topic 2010: Georgia

It is August 7, 2008 and Georgian military forces have moved in to capture the separatist capital of Tskhinvali. In response, elements of the Russian 58th army have begun to move into the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. In an attempt to avoid further bloodshed and address allegations of human rights abuses the United Nations has decided to take action.

Georgia is a former Soviet Republic that gained its freedom in 1991. Since then it has westernized and modernized with great success. Two regions of the nation though have been attempting to separate themselves and possibly reunite with Russia. These areas are South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

A sense of hostility has developed between Russia and Georgia. Each alleges the other has been meddling in its own affairs with Russia claiming Georgia has aided Chechnyan rebels while Georgia protests Russian military presence in the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Many European nations have had a long track record of disagreements with Russia dating back to the Cold War. Additionally, many have economic interest in Georgia. The United States has also supported the young democracy in Georgia, even offering military advisers. Lastly, the former Soviet Republics are tired of Russia intruding into their own affairs and support most efforts to limit its influence.

It is the responsibility of the Nation Building Committee of the United Nations to peacefully resolve this conflict and promote long-term stability in the region.

Questions:

• How can this conflict be ended quickly and peacefully?
• What is to become of the unrecognized separatist states of South Ossetia and Abkhazia?
• How can the political and military struggles between Russia and former Soviet Republics be avoided?
• Will any person or group be held responsible for Human Rights abuses?
• Considering the state of turmoil in South Ossetia and a complete Abkhazian reliance on Russian resources, how can economic independence be attained for the two separatist states?

Resources & Sample Documents

NBC Manual.doc

NBC Position Papers & Samples.doc

NBC Draft Resolution & Sample.doc

Position Papers

NBC_position_papers.doc

Nation Building Committee Assignments

POSITION PAPER - due November 13th.

The Position Paper should be written like a research paper with all sources documented. The position paper should discuss the official government position for the country on all the topics presented in the delegates’ assigned committee.  

DRAFT RESOLUTION - due December 18th.

Draft Resolutions outline the specific actions a delegate recommends to be addressed in a resolution. This document is written before the conference to initiate debate and actual resolution writing at conference. Delegates take what they’ve learned about their country’s positions from the Position Paper to determine the specific actions for resolutions created during the conference. Each delegate is to prepare 2 one-page Draft Resolutions.