SUSMUN, or the Sydney University Schools Model United Nations Conference, is a vibrant high-school level Model United Nations conference held annually at the University of Sydney during the semester break. This year, SUSMUN is being held on Friday 27th July.

We are looking for society members who are interested in working as a team of around 3-4 people in the areas of Logistics, Committees, Delegate Relations and Marketing.

• Logistics: Ensuring the smooth running of the conference to enhance and contribute to the MUN experience for every delegate;
• Committees: Deciding committee topics, researching and writing briefing papers and draft resolutions;
• Delegate Relations: Coordinating registration and contributing to the great atmosphere of the conference;
• Marketing: Reaching as many schools as possible to advertise and encourage involvement in SUSMUN.

Please email education@usydunsociety.org to apply for any of the vacant positions. Be aware that places on the SUSMUN secretariat will require dedication to the conference on top of normal academic commitments.

Please copy and paste this form into an email by Sunday, 15th April:

• Name:
• Degree/Year:
• Have you attended previous MUN conferences, or been involved in debating or public speaking?
• First preference position:
• Why would you like to work on this team?
• Second preference position:
• Will you be able to attend/help out at the conference on the 27th July 2011?
• Do you have any questions or concerns for me?

We hope that everyone considers becoming involved in SUSMUN! It is a great way to meet members of the society, old and new, and experience a taste of what it takes to run a MUN conference!

Thanks, and hope to meet you soon!

China’s Tibetan Question in the Human Rights Council

In January 2012, the UNHRC urged China to suspend the non-voluntary relocation of nomadic Tibetans away from their traditional lands.The Washington Post reported that Tibet has been under marshall law for months as China rolls in her tanks and stations paramilitary throughout the region.

On March 14th 2012, the European Community and the United States raised Tibet as a key Human Rights situation requiring the Council’s attention.

On March 26th 2012, right before the Chinese President’s scheduled visit in the Indian Capital, Jampa Yeshi, a Tibetan Exile lit himself on fire and ran through a crowded demonstration in New Delhi.

Jampa Yeshi’s act of self-immolation follows 30 similar protests by Tibetan activists in the past year. It is speculated that Beijing’s oppressive regime in certain areas of Tibet have been particularly acute, creating a dramatic shift in the way in which protests are voiced. For now, self-immolators are seen as tragic but honorable martyrs, worthy of their country’s admiration.

Beijing has attributed to the growing protests as the work of the Dalai Lama, illustrated by the PRC as the instigator of these acts.

There is no doubt that the question of Tibet involves difficult decisions relating to principles of self-determination, human rights, sovereignty. But in the Council of Human Rights, these terms become disguises to an altogether different question.

We can assure you that it will become a game pandering to the delights of the Realists whilst the Idealists are stuck between a rock and a hard place. (If you do not believe us, watch this excerpt of the delegate of China’s response in the UNHRC – the real one: http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2012/03/china-right-of-reply-34th-meeting-19th-session-human-rights-council-2012.html)

Well rested from the mid-sem break we are sure, this will be an amazing tester for the debates that will ensue at AMUNC and beyond.

More details will come later on but be sure to keep this date in the diary!

Looking forward to seeing you there

AMUNC is coming people. Get. Excited.

This round of registration is only for those who have NOT received a position as a director or a delegate in a special committee.

For those who understand the registration process please fill out this google by MONDAY 9th OF APRIL. https://docs.google.com/a/usydunsociety.org/spreadsheet/viewform?pli=1&formkey=dC0wbVZ1Snd4QzBhNzN6WE1WNnpfUVE6MQ#gid=0

For those who are unsure of the registration process, have a look at the diagram below. All the important dates are on it and it tells you exactly what you should do to ensure a smooth road to AMUNC

As some of you may have heard, we have been allocated less positions than anticipated this year, therefore, we ask all of you to put time and effort into your applications this year, as it is relatively more competitive.

This will be one of the ways in which we will communicate information with you, so please stay tuned! Make sure you’re friends with Doc on Facebook and join the USYD AMUNC 2012 Registration Group on Facebook

For any specific AMUNC questions, feel free to look on the website http://amunc.net/ or email our Head Delegate – Vidushee at conferences@usydunsociety.org

Possibly one of the most exciting things… EVER.

Doc (and UNSOC) has joined the marvelous conversation of Twitter. (Follow Doc here: https://twitter.com/#!/DocInVancouver)

Like all Captains of Industry (Stephen Fry, Neil Patrick Harris, the Biebs …… KRudd – JKS) Doc has finally discovered the less-than-140-character ode to the modern poet i.e. TWITTER.
Now you can follow (cyberspatially) the movements of UNSOC and the infamous movements of the beloved Doc.
Comment, tag, follow, be followed. Do it. Join Twitter. Embrace Doc’s Awesomeness.

It is also a fantastic way to keep up to date on all the Events of the Society as well as the secret gossips inherent to diplomacy.

“Enhancing Women’s Political Participation in Post-Election Egypt”

Image Courtesy of the Huffington Post, 30 January 2011

In 2011, the events in Egypt captured the imagination of its geographical region and extended its effects to the heart of the first world. And yet, as the dust begins to calm, its status as a post-revolutionary state continue to defy our binary perceptions and ideals. Whilst epitomising ‘political freedom’, Egypt has also played host to compelling and shocking photos and videos of the physical abuse of women. Littered throughout Youtube, confronting images show clothes ripped off veiled women by helmeted troops as they are unrelentingly beaten.

The first MiniMUN of the year will explore the themes integral to the current international community. We interrogate the role and the position of vulnerable groups in conditions of extreme political upheaval. Given the catchcry surrounding the 21^st century continues to centre around human rights and individual freedoms, MUN-ners, new and old, will no doubt be challenged in this debate as we come to appreciate the price of freedom and the entrenched problems facing post-revolutionary states.

Location: Law Annexe Room 440

Time:
5pm – Customary Drinks and Pizza
5:30pm – Issue and Procedural Briefing
6pm – MiniMUN kicks off!

Hope to see you all there

Welcome friends new and old to Sydney University’s 2012 website, home of Doc and home to all the information the Society has to offer. To all those budding diplomats, politicians (hmmm), University students and High School students thinking about joining in a fun and enriching exercise of coercion (I mean, international relations) we are excited that you are interested in participating in our Society’s activities for the upcoming year. This website is here to help it easier for you to take advantage of all the Society has to offer. Don’t hesitate in contacting our Exec as we would love to answer any questions you may have.

As this is a new website launched for the 2012 year, it takes time to make it better. While we are working hard on that, if you find something that we have overlooked, let us know on the Contact Us page, or send an email to our Marketing Director – Catrina Yu here.

For now, feel free to browse and ponder and don’t forget to visit Doc and his loyal followers on our facebook page.

Executive for 2012