JULY 11th 2018

THE BRIEFING PAPER

ALL THE MUN FUN YOU COULD EVER DESIRE

CONTENTS

Page 1 - NZMUN 2018

What is it all about?

Page 2 - DELEGATE ARTICLES

Discussing the Inevtiability of
Automation

Is the UN Doing Enough to

Preserve Diversity of Culture?

UNEP Article FOX NEWS

Page 3 - DAY ONE PHOTOS

NZMUN TWENTY EIGHTEEN Photos from day 1!

Written by: Jason Guan

Page 4 - FUN STUFF
“This year, we will be exploring past and present issues that should not be forgotten MUN Horoscopes
because of the impact they may have on the future. You will learn that from the
aging crisis to the conflict in Afghanistan, there are plenty of events that may well Which CA are you?
significantly alter our lives but are quickly obscure from the 24 hour news cycle. We
will also be looking into how media portrayal of these events shape our perceptions.
Page 5 - CA ARTICLES
This event is as much about developing soft skills as it is about world issues. I The Role of the Press Delegates
encourage everyone to make more speeches, more friends, and the most out of in New Zealand Model United
your time at this event. Participate in discussions, make amendments and engage in Nations
workshop activities. Practice your interpersonal skills. Find out which shirt you look
better in with a blazer. These are skills that you will keep for life, even if you don’t The Importance of a Free Press
pursue a career in diplomacy or civil service.” - Jason Guan

MISCELLANEOUS MEME

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THE BRIEFING PAPER
DISCUSSING THE
INEVITABLITY
OF AUTOMATION
Written by: Niva ChiHock
During the Economic and Social
Council’s Committee Session debating
the Question of the Inevitability of
Automation, it became noticeable
that the global political scape is taking
advantage of Britain’s failure to grasp
the challenge that automation poses.
As already stated in the YouGov poll
The Age of Automation “...no [political]
IS THE UN
DOING ENOUGH TO
PRESERVE DIVERSITY
OF CULTURE?
Written by: Francesca Zhang
The Human Rights Council is currently
debating a resolution based on the
preservation of culture in the face of
issues such as immigration, the refugee
crisis, and lasting colonial impact.
Nationalistic and xenophobic attitudes
are seeing a rise in support at the
governmental level. Countries such as
UNEP ARTICLE
FOX NEWS
Written by: Iona Anderson/ Fox News
The UNEP committee discussed The
Adoption Of The Nairobi Agreement in
Committee Session.
It is evident that the Delegates in this
committee have been over exaggerating
the effects of climate change with
the delegate of Peru stating that “this
resolution does not do enough to stop
the apocalypse that will likely take place.”
If the entirety of the scientific community
doesn’t believe that climate change
truly exists, how could there be a
party has anything like an adequate
policy response to maximising the
opportunities and minimising the risks
that lie ahead [in Britain’s automation].”
Vietnam kicked off the debate, stating
that by allowing the resolution to pass it
as it stands it would “...thus perpetuate
the wage gap. Developed countries will
lose what they need to function by not
supporting developing nations, whose
resources they continue to use.” The
delegate of Oman supported this claim.
“First world countries - not naming
names - will be the ones who would
primarily benefit from this resolution.”
However, when pressed for these
Tunisia and Venezuela are view that
cultural diversity will only further the
severe instability of their states.
The delegate of Venezuela, in a
statement to Huffington Posts stated
“any adherence to cultural practices
outside of the accepted norm allows for
further divisions in communities that will
aid further turmoil.”
Although the US representative was not
present at the human rights debate, the
current administration has shown a clear
lean towards a similar attitude, in actions
such as the so-called “Muslim ban”, which
restricts entry of citizens of Muslim-
majority nations, and the tightened
climate change apocalypse? Surely
climate change does not exist, and
surely there are more significant issues
on the immediate horizon such as the
decisions currently being made by the
Trump Administration on SCOTUS, which
undoubtedly will have a much larger,
much more influential on the American
political climate.
The United States of America is also
being blamed by multiple member states
for being one of the leading countries in
producing greenhouse gases, which in
comparison to countries such as China
which has almost double the greenhouse
gas emissions of the United States of
America. Other significant producers are
the European Union and India.
JULY 11th 2018
names, none were able to be given. The
amendment stating that “...encourages
developed member states contribute
financial support to developing nations,”
was passed.
This is a direct result of Britain’s lack of
knowledge surrounding automation.
Policies around this issue have been
forgotten about amidst Russophobe’s
vulture-like picking at the nerve agent
attacks about the country and Trump’s
“Baby Balloon”. We need to be more
evident on the crucial issues to our
country to preserve our identity as a
respected nation.
stance on illegal migrants--which betray
an underlying fear of differences in
cultural identity. These developments
risk the diversity of cultures within
nations themselves.
The introduction to the UN resolution
affirms the “fundamental importance
of diversity and the right of all peoples
everywhere to express their culture
as they see fit, free from disrespect or
discrimination”, yet it uses relatively
weak language to discourage states from
enacting culturally eroding practices. It
remains to be seen whether the final
resolution will follow through strongly
enough in accordance with its goals.
Even eating red meat is also coming
under attack by the UNEP resolution, as
cows are seemingly being blamed for
causing climate change in its entirety,
as well as plastic bags and petrol.
Considering the industries which rely
on red meat and gasoline, perhaps the
UN would consider the consequences of
heavy taxation of these critical industries
for many countries economies.
The American Red Meat Industry is
coming under attack by the extremist
vegetarians.
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THE BRIEFING PAPER JULY 11th 2018

PHOTOS FROM DAY ONE

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THE BRIEFING PAPER
THE MUN HOROSCOPES
ARIES
Climbing up Kelburn can be
tough, take a break today.
LEO
As Bey would say: “Be
fearless.”
SAGITTARIUS
Make sure you are well-
dressed for the ball - it might
just be your night.
WHICH CA ARE YOU?
LOGISTICS
• lives by “DIY is in
our DNA”
• most helpful person
in the room
• chose this role to be
near to the food
WELFARE
• naps most of the
day
• the one you’d most
want to be stuck with
on a remote island
• is nice to everyone
JULY 11th 2018
Written by: Evangeline Maffey and Olivia Nally Icons : Horoscope collection by Kar2 from the Noun Project
TAURUS GEMINI CANCER
Don’t let that red rag get you Looking for your twin? Look Grab that opportunity to
hot-headed, be cool as a for the delegate in the suit. speak, it could be your last
cucumber. chance...
VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO
Use your natural beauty Stay fresh. As a water sign, your future
to persuade your fellow is clear. You can, will, and
delegates to vote on your already have lost your drink
amendment. bottle. How unfortunate.
CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES
Take a step back. Then a step Hydration is key to your Don’t be a goldfish today,
forward. Then a step to the success this conference. remember to wear your
right. Put your hands on your lanyard at all times!
hips. And bring your knees in
tight. Let’s do the Time Warp
Again Capricorn. Do the Time.
Warp. Again.
Written by: Genius Evangeline Maffey
CHAIR SECRETARY PRESS
• thinks they are a • loves a good pun • will do anything for
leader • has matching a photo opportunity
• gets a thrill from the stationary • always has the best
power of discretion • can’t stand a fashion
• bluetacks their grammar mistake • up to date with all
plcards to the wall at the goss
home
REGIONAL
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR GROUPING COORDINATOR COMMITTEE MEMBER
• shares unnecessary • the mum of the • the most reliable of
facts group the group
• the smart one • Just wants to relate • Always busy
• very patient to the young ones • Are too good for
• Cares about people this world
too much
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THE BRIEFING PAPER
THE ROLE OF THE
PRESS DELEGATES IN
NEW ZEALAND MODEL
UNITED NATIONS
Article written by: Jess Chen
It’s been emphasised that press
delegates are going to play a significant
role in this year’s conference. But what
are they really doing? In this article, you
will be given an insight into their roles
and how they’re going to be integrated
into the conference to make NZMUN the
best yet!
This year there are 11 press delegates
each representing a different media
outlet. You can catch them sitting at the
back of committees taking down notes,
THE IMPORTANCE OF
A FREE PRESS
Article written by: Liam Hutching and Brian Ng
A free press is important to the success
of a functional democracy as the role
of the press is hold power to account,
with media outlets and journalists asking
tough questions to representatives,
but they’ll also be actively engaging
in debates, asking POIs and pressing
delegates for information during
unmoderated caucus! At the end of each
day, they will be submitting articles for
publishing in ‘The Briefing Paper’ that will
be released before the conference every
morning so make sure to have a read.
Along with the delegate articles, there
will be photos (of you?), articles from the
press delegate facilitators, other bits and
pieces and MEMES.
The press delegates will also be actively
involved in the crisis committee, a new
and exciting committee that incorporates
the press delegates into the discussion.
Member states will be given minimal
information, but the press delegates will
have access to a plethora of information.
They can then decide to release specific
information, which will guide the debate
ensuring their voters know what they do,
and whether or not they stick to what
they said on the campaign trail.
The New York times slogan is ‘Democracy
dies in Darkness’, bringing to light the
truth through journalism and keeping
our representatives to account, and
I think that’s fundamentally correct.
With the election of President Donald
Trump in the 2016 Election, his rise
to power has been attacking news
organisations, often citing the ‘fake
news’ that has become rampant on
social media platforms like Facebook
and Twitter. This leads to a distrust of
the media, with some not being able to
distinguish between what is real and
fake. This distrust manifests as a distrust
in media itself (as one of the pillars of
democracy), leading to a distrust in the
other pillars of democracy like elections
OUR FRIENDLY
WELFARE TEAM!
JULY 11th 2018
and determine the outcome of the
resolution.
Lastly, they will be given workshops
on journalism writing and the role of
the media by our lovely PDFs. These
educational workshops will aim to
improve their writing skills and provide
them with an insight into the world of
journalism. The workshops will also
emphasise the importance of the media
in society, as it is the primary mode of
communication in spreading awareness.
In NZMUN, the press delegates take
on the role of the press in reporting
information from committees, spreading
messages between different committees,
changing the outcome of the crisis
committee and acting as the source of
news for the conference.
which in turn affects the legitimacy of
elected representation like Congress
and the Presidency. The distrust of the
media spreads like a virus from one
pillar to the next, crumbling the very
foundation upon which our society
stands. No country epitomises this like
America, with the populace trusting their
representatives less than almost any
other developed nation.
We must rebuild this trust if we are
to ever recover from the disastrous
campaign of 2016. A free press and a
press that stalwartly adheres to the truth
is one that could save our democracy.
Now more than ever, we need a free
press.