As the grand finale, the outstanding and best delegations were announced. With a large number of fine delegations all eager to win an award, the temperature in the Aula quickly rose to tropical levels. These tensions were relieved by making public the outstanding delegation: the Catholic University of Louvain. With great consternation, a Belgian flag and the same vigor as shown during their rendition of the Belgian national anthem at the Global Village, the Belgians celebrated their achievement. Nonetheless, there was still one award to be given away: that of best delegation. After the obligatory drum rolls, lots of firework and many grand words, Tilburg University’s delegation was bestowed with this honor. Characterizing true winners, their reaction was as joyful as it was restrained. Subsequently, the ceremony was closed by Secretary-General Tom van Assendelft de Coningh. Exhausted but satisfied, the delegates and staff left for their airplane, some well-deserved rest, or perhaps even more beer and debate.

Closing Ceremony I: Funny anecdotes

Any international conference would doubtless be incomplete without a grand closing ceremony. RiMUN 2010’s closing ceremony took place in the Aula, the Radboud University’s official graduation hall. The ceremony would give the chairs a chance to discuss the ups, downs, bilaterals and undoubtedly spectacular resolutions of their committee.

Fate intervened, however. Even before the ceremony could be opened orderly, Benito Mussolini, Italy’s infamous wartime leader, staged a coup d’état and proclaimed himself the First Emperor of the Italian Empire. Although Mussolini and his fascisti quickly established order and hierarchy in the ceremony, however, history once again took another turn. Under the passionate shouting of ‘vive la revolution!’ an as of yet unknown French rebel took matters into her own hands and stabbed il duce in the heart. With this fatal blow, the Italian empire also crumbled to dust. As one would expect from an international conference such as RiMUN, however, order was quickly restored and back in the hands of the United Netherlands troika.

Once matters could proceed again, the chairs of the several committees were called onto the stage to speak their version of history. The English and German crisis cabinets’ chairs, though amicably standing side to side, quickly found themselves back in their old hostility, accusing the other of conspiracy, false ideology and weakness. The UN Security Council negotiated the addition of several new members to the body – though stripped of any veto powers. Remarkably, however, an attentive delegate pointed China to the fact that they had written their country’s name as the ‘Republic of China’ as opposed to the ‘People’s Republic of China’. Thus, from now on we can expect Taiwan to make a surprise appearance in the Council. As China conceded, nonetheless, ‘we don’t care about a seat, as long as India and Japan don’t have veto powers’. The DISEC chairs apparently felt themselves too limited by the existing system of awards. Therefore, they introduced several new informal awards. ‘Best-dressed delegate’, ‘delegate who would look best in a bikini’, and the double award ‘couple who most likely have continued their heated debate in the bedroom’ stood out as novelties in MUN. From next year on, this writer therefore expects that bikinis also be recognized as ‘formal attire’.

Committee of free-trade liberals turns into Soviet Cabinet!

After having discussed the Implications of sustainable development and the financial crisis on the Doha Development Agenda, delegates of the World Trade Organization (WTO) were transformed into Soviet Ministers and Army Generals. Whether the transformation into USSR officials is a success is not yet known. The Ministers and Generals are currently busy to negotiate with the British cabinet on a joint strike on Germany. Furthermore, some delegates are having difficulties to control their fellow Cabinet members as ambitious military aspirations are emerging.

Identify a Crisis Committee delegate!

How do you recognize a delegate of a Crisis Committee? Here are some of the characteristics: They are creative, they have an eternal fantasy and they can associate themselves well with the character that is assigned to them. Since today, we also know that they are very dynamic as they are capable to make spectacular returns to earth as a fresh new Cabinet member. Acting as Heinrich Himmler, being assassinated together with the leader of the Third Reich, and returning as Reinhard Heinrich… No problem for a Crisis Committee delegate. Asking which goals Mr. Heinrich, current head of the SS, wants to achieve, answers as taking revenge for the assassination of Hitler, invading the UK in order to create even more lebensraum and taking the lead over Nazi Germany are given within a split second. Never a dull moment in a crisis committee! Furthermore, pretending that all delegates are reliable and trust each other means you have never experienced the dirty tricks of Cabinet members. In this regard, Reinhard Heidrich confirmed this reputation as he could reveal that within hours, the minister of Foreign Affairs will be eliminated.

During the Cold War, ‘Wijnfort Lent’ served as a depository for fascine mats and different types of munitions. In the case of a Russian invasion, dikes had to be blown up and the river had to be directed into the polder. This had to obstruct the Soviet army and save the citizens of Nijmegen from a Communist regime. Nowadays, the region no longer needs any protection from Soviet expansion regimes and thus, Wijnfort Lent serves other and rather peaceful purposes. Whether the goal of keeping the communists out of Nijmegen is achieved can be questioned as Nijmegen nowadays is often referred to as Havana at the Waal. Saturday night, delegates enjoyed the new purpose of the building as they went to this very location for a party that would last until the early hours. On the dance floor, delegates proved that negotiations on peace agreements, new UN bodies, and UN Security Council reform can also take place outside the Radboud University Campus. For the delegates of the Crisis Committees, the party was considered either a victory party or a fundraising event. A photo impression will soon follow.

Greetings from DISEC

This morning, DISEC opened the discussion on its latest draft resolution. Delegates addressed the issue of Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and aimed at creating a framework through which the predictability and consistency of UN interventions could be increased. One of the operational paragraphs called upon the International Community to “act in a timely and decisive manner, while taking its international responsibilities under the UN Charter into account.” Creating a new body mandated with decision-making powers on humanitarian interventions could not count on the support of the whole committee. In this regard, the US introduced an alternative solution by proposing to define requirements and create guidelines which could help the Security Council in its decision-making on the R2P.

Global Village

Every country knows its pleasures, and last night´s Global Village was a soothing amalgam of these pastimes. A Greek circle dance, a Brazilian lambada, a beer quiz, and two passionate versions of the Belgian national anthem: The Global Village offered a bit of relaxation, sensation and excitement for RiMUN’s tired delegates. Situated in the Kolpinghuis, Nijmegen’s quintessential spot for elderly bridge and bingo players, a small but enthusiastic crowd tried its luck at dancing, overtime negotiation and perhaps a little flirting. A photo impression will follow soon.

RiMUN Symposium: An Analysis of US Power

After first day’s committee sessions were adjourned, delegates headed for one of Radboud University’s lecture halls to attend the RiMUN symposium. Here, delegates had the chance to engage in a debate on the power of the United States and its position on the global stage. Through 3 lectures, given by Dr. Van Der Lijn (Clingendael), Prof. Dr. Jager (University of Amsterdam) and Prof. Dr. Volten (Centre for European Security Studies), the past, present and future of US power was thoroughly analyzed from different perspectives. The three members of the panel concluded that US power in terms of military as well as economic power might be contested in the long run, but not as severely as some say nowadays. They underlined that various factors make it difficult to predict how the position of the US as superpower will look like in twenty years. Therefore, picking one of the two statements, ‘the US, still a real superpower,’ or ‘the US, a superpower in decline,’ proved to be a difficult task.

Greetings from the WTO

This morning, the delegates of the World Trade Organization (WTO) chose "Implications of sustainable development and the financial crisis on the Doha Development Agenda" as the topic that will be at the centre of debate this weekend.

After creating a General Speakers List, delegates started to discuss the definition of sustainable development. As a consensus on formulating a new definition could not be reached, the delegates turned back to the original definition as contained in the founding documents of the WTO. Another main issue of the day was a proposal by developing nations to cut their tariffs on imports with 7%, which was ultimately laid down in a working paper. The proposed policy also included an option for developing nations to exclude some of their most produced goods from this tariff cut. In the case of Turkey for instance, this would be cherries. What the block of developing nations expects from developed nations in return remains unclear, but will definitely be discussed in tomorrow’s sessions. Before going to the symposium, delegates deemed it necessary to discuss two other – rather unexpected - pressing issues, namely: First, gender inequality in China and how this has contributed to the Chinese economic miracle. Second, and the threat of Swiss farmers to vote no at a referendum on new WTO rules which could harm the agricultural sector. The question whether these discussions will create a breakthrough in the debate on creating a new framework of international trade rules will be answered in the days to come!

RiMUN Daily

Check out the very first RiMUN Daily! Now available online (pdf) here.

Photo Impression Opening Ceremony

Keynote speech Dries van Agt

At the RiMUN 2010 Opening Ceremony, we were honored to welcome Dries van Agt, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and member of the United Netherlands Board of Recommendation as our keynote speaker. In a very interesting keynote speech, Mr. Van Agt addressed some of the great challenges that the world faces in these Times of Trial. The former Dutch Prime Minister spoke among other things about climate change, arms control, reform of the United Nations and relations between the West and other societies.

With regard to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Mr. Van Agt addressed the non-compliance of NPT member Iran as well as the (assumed) nuclear capabilities of non-member of the NPT Israel. He noted in that regard that the most imminent threat is perhaps not Iran and its nuclear activities but nuclear security issues in Pakistan. According to Van Agt, an even bigger threat to global security is a destabalized situation in nuclear-armed states, such as Pakistan, as that could give terrorists the opportunity to get hold on nuclear weapons. On the clash of civilizations between the West and Islam, a concept that is widely believed to exist, Mr. Van Agt noted that this concept is “nonsense.” Mentioning various examples of Muslim groupings fighting each other as well as Muslim countries that do not pose a threat to global security, Van Agt underlined the danger of the lack of differentiating by Western people between different states and groupings. The former Dutch Prime Minister, who is a jurist in heart and soul, concluded his keynote speech by referring to the international tribunals, established in the Hague as well as the International Criminal Court. According to Van Agt, the existence of these institutions are a leap forward as it shows that “a tormented world does not turn its back to horrible crimes.”

RiMun 2010 Kicks Off!

Thursday night, Director-General Jennifer Martin officially declared open the 6^th Radboud International Model United Nations (RiMUN). At De Vereeniging in Nijmegen, a wonderful Opening Ceremony took place in front of delegates, invitees, board members, chairs, volunteers and others.

The Opening Ceremony of RiMUN 2010 was attended by several dignitaries, including the Mayor of Nijmegen Thom de Graaf, Rector Magnificus of the Radboud University Bas Kortmann and former Dutch Prime Minister Dries van Agt. In their speeches, they all stimulated the participants of the conference in their own distinctive way. Mayor De Graaf argued that the past could inspire everybody to build a better future and create solutions for all the major challenges that the world currently faces. Furthermore, Mayor De Graaf encouraged the delegates to enjoy Nijmegen, the oldest city of the Netherlands, from an intellectual as well as from a cultural perspective. Rector Magnificus Kortmann spoke about getting to know other cultures and different world views. Mr. Kortmann encouraged all delegates, in his opinion the world leaders and diplomats of tomorrow, to take former President of the European Commission Jacques Delors, who was recently awarded the Treaties of Nijmegen Medal, as an example when problems are discussed.

At RiMUN 2010, delegates have to act in Times of Trial. They have to deal with pressing issues such as climate change, the financial crisis, disarmament matters and global security in general. Now it is up to the delegates to start their discussions and negotiations in order to solve the problems that the world currently faces. As Secretary-General Tom van Assendelft de Coningh said: “Making hard choices has been postponed for too long, now it is time for you as delegates to take action. Now it is time for you to deal with the trials of our time.”

Only 24 hours to go...

Delegate bags, check; placards, check; chairs and staff, check. With only 24 hours remaining until the Opening Ceremony, everything is set for the 6th edition of the Radboud international Model United Nations (RiMUN). As the RiMUN flags are up on the Radboud campus and Nijmegen’s central square, delegates from around the world are about to enter the Netherlands’ oldest city. They are ready to use some constructive negotiation tactics, lobby in and outside the committee rooms and use their most inspiring rhetoric. They are ready to defend their countries’ interests to the utmost. And we, the members of United Netherlands, are ready and very excited to welcome them to RiMUN 2010.