UMUN 2013 is officially closed

All in all four resolutions were successfully adopted at UMUN 2013, one in DISEC and three (!) in ECOSOC.

I would like to thank the delegates for good negotiations and I wish to see you all again next year.

I send my warmest thanks to the UMUN host team. You have put a lot of work, energy and enthusiasm in to preparing this conference, asking nothing in return.

Last but not least I send my warmest thanks to our sponsors.

It has been a privilege to work with you.

Maria Karlsson
Secretary General UMUN 2013

Adopted resolution - DISEC (Word-dokument, 143 kB)

Adopted resolution - ECOSOC Education (PDF-dokument, 83 kB)

Adopted resolution - ECOSOC Maternal Mortality and Women Empowerment (PDF-dokument, 122 kB)

Adopted resolution - ECOSOC Sustainable Development

2013-03-02

Friday's rain changed by snow from the early morning of Saturday and Uppsala University building greeted each of us with a grey, sleeted view. Seemed that we could still smell last day's tensions in the air while climbing up to the Committee rooms, filled in with thoughtful spirit and remaining antique luxury.

After DISEC greeted the new presidency it was once again the start of early discussions. Here human rights seemed to be the main focus. Brazil, India, Costa Rica and Venezuela formed a block and were proposing a responsible arm trade which would include human rights, while other countries did not seem so keen on the idea. The ironical position of The United States supported by Israel was pointed out by Iran's claim that America's lack of support for humanitarian arm exchange is rather a contradiction if not an immense joke.

ECOSOC, nonetheless, showed more solidarity in between them with more and more working papers submitted and draft resolutions suggested, which reminded everyone that we are the new world of collaboration and commitment. As DR Congo got carried away with the aid measurement and seek for more transparent developed countries' accountability, others discussed the matters of education, with specific concern on exchange teachers and facilities at schools.

What Presidencies' called a day of success, was rewarded with an unquestionably fun Diplomat Dinner. High heeled ladies and lads, looking as they have just left one of Gentlemen's Clubs in London. All were skal'ing our Secretary General and the Guests, which hereby cheekily reminded that 'From Russia with love' is not so true here in United Nations as well 'Shame on China' was a phrase to be heard. As the night fell down, and main floor was warmed up by Dinosaur's and Beer's duet all we did was dance dance dance. Sanps? Dance!

2013-03-01

Friday 9 o'clock full of stress and clumsiness, but Economicum was filled with our Honourable Deelegates, ready for some words of advice from our speaker, Mona, who was preparing each of us for all-winning speeches. No matter of what is the argument, not lips, but your body might make the case.

Filled with these thoughts we hereby declared the committees open, delegates present and voting and rules of procedure being the provisional agenda. Time slowly passed while questioning the Order of the Order, but at the moment Opening Speeches have started we all could feel the heat in the room (and it is not because windows were left as President's personal privilege): The United States together with Israel were claiming that none of 'terrorist- supporting' countries should have the privilege of decision and abandoning any possible cooperation with non-democracies, while Iran neglected Westernization and influence of so- called developed states. ECOSOC, however, focused on alliance formation while dealing with poverty, equality and children issues, though no one could escape the obvious need to finish the pre-set tasks of MDGs.

Continuing after the rainy lunch it seemed that there were more and more groups gathering around the 'fika table'. Thermoses were running empty while the limitless un-moderated caucuses were explored, but DISEC was still struggling to reach a consensus on arm trade issues. ECOSOC countries, on the other hand, were following a bit less bumpy path, with France proposing the idea of finding a proper financing body in their working paper and Russia seeking for support from already developed countries.

The obvious differences between country goals started to show and define the ongoing debates…the only question is: how different are our delegate thoughts and how willing are they to cooperate on Saturday in order to reach the Sustainable agreement?

2013-02-28

The first day is over and the United Nations atmosphere has started to kick off. After a smooth and funny registration- successfully confused a random guy with our last delegate (matching names) UMUN 2013 has been launched with 45 Delegates, 9 Team Members, 1 Photographer and Two Amazing Committees: DISEC and ECOSOC.

Continuingly Pre-Conference lecture with Ann Måwe and Hanna Hansson gave both the overview on SDGs and the insights on UN everyday life. As the years pass we still have to fight with the tragedies recognized in the late 90's: poverty, lack of food, poor health, equality issues and global worldview- today all of those connect in the one word- Sustainability. Hence, with an immense weight the creation of Sustainable Development Goals has landed on our delegate's shoulders for a long and eventful weekend! Seems, like Ann's mentioned skills of knowing how to talk through your affairs next to a cup of coffee will be a definite way to win over some votes while pushing through new agendas in such a diverse crowd.

Ladies and Gentleman, we cannot wait till tomorrow 9'oclock when we start the Sessions. What is it going to be? Secure work places? Anti-violence policies? Use of chemicals? You can never be sure what will be brought by tomorrow!..

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