Kaunas International model of United Nations

Come join as at Vytautas Magnus University on May 25th and 26th to participate in the first ever Kaunas International Model UN! The event will take place throughout the entire day of the 25th and 26th – involving numerous activities. If you are interested in participating and representing a country, you MUST REGISTER for the event. The topic of this year’s Model UN is: The Syrian Refugee Crisis.

The countries to be represented include (but are not limited to): Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Hungary, France, Germany, UK, Libya, Iraq, Canada, Sweden, USA, Saudi Arabia, Russia, China. If the above countries are filled, participants will be more than welcome to represent additional countries. Don’t forget that you can pair up and have more than one person in a delegation!
This event is organized and hosted by Vytautas Magnus University’s United Nations Student Club with the help of ESN Lithuania.

What is Model United Nations?

Model United Nations is a simulation of the different organs of the United Nations in which the delegates represent a country in order to debate about issues of international relevance. During the sessions, the delegates have to debate about the topics that have been proposed by their committees and prepare a working paper with the aim at creating draft resolutions, which will include measures agreed concerning the problem that has been debated. The sessions are ruled by a Chair and a Co-chair, who are in charge of moderating the debates.

Why participate in a model of United Nations?

It is the best way to see how the real United Nations Assembly or its different bodies work and how the process of trying to find applicable solutions to international problems works. In a MUN you acquire a lot of knowledge, but also develop different skill sets such as leadership, public speaking, and negotiation.

As meeting new people and creating friendships is also important in the international community, delegates will have the opportunity to join different social activities, which will make the MUN more fun.

Human rights Council

TOPIC: Syrian refugees. Human rights of people displaced due to conflict zones.

The Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and offering resolutions to them. It has the ability to discuss all thematic human rights issues and situations that require its attention throughout the year. It meets at the UN Office in Geneva.

Secretary General’s message

Dear Delegates, Chairs, Staff Members, and friends of KIMUN,

On behalf of our dedicated Secretariat General, it is my utmost pleasure and honor to invite you to the first edition of KIMUN. This event is organized by students, for students. These students spend time and effort on a daily basis to develop projects that enrich their university experience and the experience of others.

With support from members of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) in Lithuania and Vytautas Magnus University faculty, the first edition of KIMUN will be held from the 25^th-26^th of May in VDU Mažoji sale.

We are very excited to be kicking off with the first edition of Kaunas International Model UN and hope that by hosting this event we will be enabling the creation of lifelong friendships between students interested in diplomacy. Our aim in holding this event is to make students open their minds and experience something different – giving them a taste of how international relations works outside the classroom.

MUN’s are one of the most enriching experiences for international relations and political science students to participate in. A lot of the current world leaders were once “Model UNers.” In fact, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has participated in them. MUNS are a fun way to learn about current world affairs. Being globally aware is of utmost important in this fast-paced era. MUNs are also great for developing leadership skills, improving public speaking, and teamwork. And for some, this may provide an opportunity for perfecting a second language. Not to mention all the people with shared interests you will meet!

The Secretariat is already working hard to create Kaunas’ first official Model UN and hopes that it will attract students from many different countries and backgrounds. As a part of KIMUN, you will not only tackle one of the most challenging problems of our time, but you will also discover your ability to become a powerful negotiator – a power that rests on your understanding of opposing views. This skill will not only help you make the world a better place, it will help you in your daily life. I encourage you to think outside the box and, by doing so, to challenge yourself to offer new solutions to resolving an issue.

Outside the committee, delegates can look forward to two wonderful events. For more information on the committee, special events, and other conference details, look through www.unstudentclub.org or visit our Facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/1725060061074262/.

We look forward to welcoming you in May 2016!

MEET THE TEAM!

SECRETARIAT GENERAL

SECRETARY GENERAL – Olivia Wells

Olivia majors in international relations and development studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania. Born and raised in New York, Olivia has lived and studied all over the world including Denmark, Venezuela, Greece, and Israel. During her time in Greece, she worked with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy, where she spearheaded several projects concerning development in the Balkan states. She currently works with the international human rights organization PACT in Lithuania, where she is involved in projects concerning democracy implementation and civil society engagement in Belarus. Last summer Olivia worked with WITNESS in New York – a human rights NGO that trains people in how to use film to document human rights violations and protect their civil liberties. And this summer Olivia will have the opportunity to work with the Human Rights Foundation, particularly on organizing the Oslo Freedom Forum. Olivia is also the president of the United Nations Student Club at VMU and is excited to be implementing VMU’s second Model UN in the past two years. As VDU’s first official Model UN, she thinks this year’s sessions will be the best to date!

CHAIR – Alba Maria

Alba María is from Spain and is currently studying international relations at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas via an Erasmus exchange program. She is particularly interested in human rights and member of several different associations dealing with human rights work. She has participated in five Model UNs and is very excited about organizing this one. She believes Model United Nations helps participants to develop many different skills for both personal and professional development and is an excellent opportunity to meet so many people interested in international affairs. She will be one of the chairs of this year’s Human Rights Committee. She is looking forward to this Model UN happening!

CO-CHAIR –Konrad Eduardo

Konrad Eduardo is a bachelor’s student of International Politics and Development at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU). He studied at the Interdisciplinary Center of Herzliya in Israel and will complete his master’s at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in terrorism and political violence. He has won best delegate in the Caracas Model UN and the Simon Bolivar University Model UN in 2009. He has represented Venezuela in the Ivy League Model UN in Philadelphia in 2010, and has presided over committees in The Instituto Cumbres de Caracas Model UN in 2010 and 2011. Last year he co-chaired VMU’s first model UN and he is excited to do so again this year in the Kaunas International Model UN.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER – Gertruda Cepulyte

Gertrūda Čepulytė is the communications manager at the United Nations Student Club (UNSC) at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania where she studied international relations and development studies. She has been a member of the club since November 2014 and is also a co-founder of the organization. Back in May 2015, Gertrūda participated in the UNSC’s first Model UN representing the Ukrainian delegation. She is excited about organizing the upcoming Kaunas International Model UN on the 25th of May, as she anticipates that it will once again be an enriching experience.

PROJECTS MANAGER – Ieva Steponaviciute

Ieva is the newest member of the United Nations Student Club and this is her first time participating in and organizing a Model UN. She is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in Lithuania at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in the faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy. She is also completing a duel bachelor’s degree in performing arts (operatic singing) at the Music Academy at VMU. Ieva was born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania and graduated from one of the top secondary schools there. During her high school years she was a member of the Students Parliament and is experienced in organizing events. She looks forward to participating in KIMUN!

PROJECTS MANAGER – Gintaras Aniulis

Gintaras Aniulis is a second-year international politics and development studies student at Vytautas Magnus University who was born and raised in Kaunas, Lithuania. His interest in the political world began when his parents took him with them to medical and technological conventions based in most of the world’s greatest cities and landmarks. Having experienced firsthand different cultures in different parts of the world, he was inspired to seek a political career to further develop his knowledge. Helping host a Model UN in his first year of university, as well as a TEDx half a year later, he hopes that other students will be able to obtain the same opportunities to develop their academic abilities for their future careers as well as their personal lives. He is very excited to build off the knowledge he acquired from last year’s Model UN where he represented the delegation from Germany.

MARKETING MANAGER – Sandra Matoskaite

Sandra Matoskaite is currently studying international politics and development studies at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) in Kaunas, Lithuania. She is a member of the council and projects manager at the United Nations Student Club (UNSC) at VMU. She is also a volunteer at the European Youth Forum and one of the staff members of the European Youth Event of 2016. In the first Model UN of UNSC she represented the Libyan delegation. Sandra is super excited to be one of the team members that are organizing the KIMUN!

Lecture about multiculturalism in Azerbaijan

May 5, 14:15, a public lecture by assoc. prof. Afsana Mammadova (Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences) will be held at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy (Gedimino g. 44-301) entitled “Multiculturalism of Azerbaijan”.

Assoc. prof. Afsana Mammadova aworks in Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. Baku International Multiculturalism Center initiated series of lectures about multiculturalism in Azerbaijan. Lecturer will present how despite different historical circumstances and political traditions, various cultures and religions coexist in the state.

Lecture will be held in English.

Lecture about historical memory

5 May 2016, a public lecture by the lecturer of Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń habil. dr. Dorota Michaluk will be held at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy (S. Daukanto g. 28-105) entitled „Historical memory of the Belarusian minority in Poland“.

Habil. dr. Dorota Michaluk – historian, graduate of the University of Warsaw, assistant professor at the Department of Eastern Europe of Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń. Researcher is interested in the field of East European history. She specializes in the history of Belarus and Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the national movements in Eastern Europe. Habil. dr. D. Michaluk wrote several books on the history of Podlasie region and in 2011 published a monograph „Belarusian People’s Republic 1918-1920. The genesis of Belarusian Statehood“.

Lecture will be held in English.

Lectures about political situation in Ukraine

5 May 2016, public lectures by the lecturer of Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń habil. dr. Antonina Kozyrska will be held at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy about Ukraine’s political situation.

Habil. dr. Antonina Kozyrska – graduate of The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, assistant professor at the Department of Eastern Europe of Nicolas Copernicus University in Toruń. Researcher is interested in social issues of Eastern Europe. She specializes in cultural, religious and national processes and the changes of identities in the region, primarily in Ukraine. In 2014 published a monograph „Religious Pluralism and the Integration of the Ukrainian Nation After 1991″ (Toruń 2014).

Date	Place	Title
May 5, 11:15	Gedimino g. 44 – 202	“The religious situation in Ukraine after 1991″
May 5, 14:45	S. Daukanto g. 28-105	“The decommunization process in Ukraine after Euromaidan”

Lectures will be held in English.

Public lecture about French diplomacy

On 3rd May public lectures by Matthieu Grandpierron will be held at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy. Lecturer will present French diplomacy and the ways how France solve crisis in international arena.

Date	Place	Lectures
3 May, 13:15	Gedimino g. 44 – 203	“Is there a French way to solve crisis in developing countries?”
3 May, 16:15	Gedimino g. 44 – 202	“Protecting and developing interests. French diplomacy between change and continuity”

Lectures will be held in English.

R. van Voren – Dutch referendum a painful mistake

Whatever the outcome of the Dutch referendum on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement will be, the whole process has been very much enlightening and disheartening at the same time. The Dutch state spent forty million euro on a referendum that asked citizens to vote for or against an agreement virtually nobody read, very few really understood, concerning a country most people didn’t know anything about and where virtually none of the voters have ever been. In other words: whatever the people decided, it was a decision based on a total lack of what was at stake and with an avalanche of information that was often incomplete, tendentious or consisting of outright lies. In that respect, the referendum that was meant to be a highly democratic tool turned into a farce and an insult to democracy.

Of course, it all started on a wrong footing. The campaign to hold the referendum was organized by people who later acknowledged they didn’t care less about Ukraine but were only interested in destabilizing the European Union. Their ultimate goal was the departure of The Netherlands from the EU and for that Ukraine had to be sacrificed. The fact that the campaign was organized with a EU subsidy that should have not been used for this purpose was illustrative of the organizers’ nihilism, and later they managed through other tricks to accumulate four times the maximum campaign subsidy they were allowed to receive from the Dutch government.

This governmental subsidy was a farce it itself, because the committee that dispersed the funds had no interest in content but only looked at technicalities. The result was that a businessman managed to get 50,000 euro to print toilet paper with “information” against the agreement, which was again a concoction of half-truths, outright lies and a lot of information “from hearsay”, all focused on making people vote against. The organizers of the referendum again played a clever trick by claiming they campaigned “against’, “in favor” and “neutral”, thus amassing more funds by applying for subsidies for all three campaigns separately. That the “neutral” and ‘in favor” campaign materials were so cleverly written that they too evoked an “against” feeling was apparently not of importance.

Socialist Party MP and campaigner Harry van Bommel, who in spring 2014 stood on Maidan after the carnage and voiced his support for those who fought for freedom, now took a totally different party line. He campaigned “No, no, no” (as if one “no” is not fully understood) and to support his view he paraded a number of “patriotic Ukrainians” who helped explain to the Dutch voters that Ukraine was a divided country in civil war and that many Ukrainians were against this agreement. First there was a self-professed former neighbor of Yanukovich now living in The Netherlands. Then at party gatherings he decided to use the highly-criticized French propaganda film “Masks of the Revolution”, to show that Ukraine is run by a gang of corrupt, right-wing semi-fascist crooks. Subsequently he aired a clip by the separatist Aleksei Zhuravko, a former MP of the Party of Regions who is now hiding from the SBU because of collecting financial support for the separatists and who continues to this very day to post photos of Ukrainian troop movements in social media in order to inform the enemy of their whereabouts and strength. Anything to feed his “no” campaign, irrespective of the content.

And thus the level of the debate continued to sink. Dutch media tried to remain “neutral”, balancing views from both sides. But this not only concerned views in The Netherlands, also Ukrainian views “against” should be put on an equal level as views “in favor”. A Dutch journalist complained to me that she had been sent to Kyiv to interview a Ukrainian “in favor”, “neutral” and “against”. But where to find an “against” here, she sighed. So she went to the DNR, sure she would find one over there. That three-quarters of the Ukrainians are in favor of this Association Agreement was carried by only few media.

This latter problem – the overwhelming urge to be “neutral” – is hard to explain. The notion that “the truth is in the middle” has taken on such huge proportions that taking sides and supporting a cause have almost become “unhealthy”. One factor that plays a role, I think, is the fact that many experts of the region are either Russia based, or have families in Russia, or are Russia-oriented, and so often they look at the Russo-Ukrainian war with “Russian eyes” or at least under strong influence of Russian media and public opinion. What they don’t understand is that Putin’s Russia is not Russia, but a country gang-raped by 75 years of communism and subsequently hijacked by one of the worst rapists, the KGB. So while dissident Russian writer Vladimir Voinovich makes his choice and openly states he will not visit Crimea as long as it is occupied even though his parents are buried there, they continue to be “neutral” and support the Moscow-induced view that there is a civil war in Ukraine and that the country is run by a corrupt clique that romances with right-extremism. Their views have an impact, because they are “experts” and thus they should know. And in the sea of total ignorance their well- worded opinions are swallowed almost without criticism.

The campaign for the referendum has triggered the worst possible discussions and debates in social media. Naively, I always thought that the Dutch after 400 years of democracy had at least a certain minimal standard. That view has been totally crushed. What I saw passing by was worse than I could have imagined in my worst dreams. It was much worse than the shouts of the mob in Vilnius in 2011 during the gay parade in the city, which I then ascribed to being in a post-totalitarian country still learning the ropes of democracy. Well, in Lithuania the climate has changed, and much for the better. There they know what lack of freedom means, they understand the necessity of defending it, at all costs.

In Holland it seems the past is long forgotten and the cosy life in an affluent country has made people greedy, self-serving, egocentric and above all fundamentally dissatisfied. They are convinced they are entitled to have only the best and that the whole world is crouching upon them in order to take away that what is “rightfully theirs”: Muslims, Poles, corrupt politicians, and now another 45 million Ukrainians. They repeat slogans about “right wing extremists” and “fascists” in Ukraine, without realizing that their populist leaders are faithful pupils of Mussolini and the like, and that their “popular resistance” has the same elements as politics in Germany in the late 1930s.

To me the referendum has been a very painful confrontation with the country in which I grew up. It was a liberal country, a country with free people, open-hearted, welcoming and with a very vibrant community of people working in charities and aid organizations, either as volunteer or as a professional calling. The Netherlands I saw these past weeks are a total opposite. I am ashamed of the Dutch who voted against Ukraine, who do not understand the price of freedom, who do not understand the psychological importance of knowing there are others by your side. It goes too far to say the country needs a little war to wake up, but deep down I cannot resist that nasty feeling. 70 years of peace have turned a nation into a wobbling overfed Christmas turkey. Poor country, and poor Ukraine that sees its integration into the European family threatened by this self-indulging lot.

Dr. G. Šumskas: The World Politics and Economy program will let students keep pace with the world

Last year was very special for the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy, as the new World Politics and Economy program was introduced. This program is special in the sense that graduates receive a double bachelor‘s degree – in politics and economy. One of the program‘s organizers, Dr. Gintaras Šumskas, has shed some light on some of the details of this new subject.

What ongoing processes and factors inspired the creation of this new program?

This new program was prompted from both inside and outside influences. The best inside motivators were the students themselves. Quite a few politics students wanted to take economics classes as their side subject. We made the assumption that the combination of political science and economy made students feel like they can analyze the field of the world on a broader perspective.

The outside motives are a bit harder to determine: the wish to keep up with the world, globalization and the contraction of the world could be described as possible motivations. The fast pace of the world makes us want to adapt. The coordination of political science and economy is competitive and a brand new proposition in university studies. We pay special attention to international opportunities in the World Politics and Economy program. This is because we expect to engage and expand in international studies and occupational opportunities.

What are the main goals and results of the new program, and how are they different from other social study subjects?

We emphasize the examination of political and economic processes on a global scale. We do not settle for one of the regions. During the course we pay less attention to communal politics and instead analyze country politics in the world context. International politics and economy studies will allow us to spring from current frameworks and see the world on a different, global, dimension.

Students who graduate will receive a double bachelor’s degree; how will this affect the popularity of this subject?

A program of this nature will be different from the others offered in Lithuania, as it allows international students to also take classes. Graduates will indeed receive a double degree – in political science and economy. Students will have the opportunity to commit an eight week long internship in either a Lithuanian or any other international organization or institution.

What career opportunities can the graduates expect to have?

A double degree with concrete qualifications will potentially present more career options in the job market. Graduates will carry a much bigger analytic knowledge, which will let them adapt and quickly develop in any professional environment.

Europe on the Brink: Addressing the Refugee Crisis

On Tuesday 15 March, 6 p.m., at VMU Small Hall (28 S. Daukanto g.) United Nations Student Club and Kaunas International Medical Student’s Union are organizing a discussion entitled Europe on the Brink: Addressing the Refugee Crisis.

The discussion will focus on the future of both the EU as a supranational organization and the refugees who are fleeing wartorn countries. The number of refugees entering Europe is increasing daily, which is creating tension and conflict among EU members while decisions about policies of integration are coming up against policies of refoulement.

Before the discussion, the organizers will present brief, informative case studies of 6 countries who are very much entrenched in the refugee crisis. In these case studies the participants will analyze asylum policies in place, the number of refugees entering the country, the opinions of local residents towards the refugees, and any violence perpetrated against the refugees or by the refugees. They will also discuss how the refugee crisis is challenging/changing political borders (Schengen) and how immigration is causing difficulties within European society (cultural clashes, existing violence, the rise of far right movements, etc.). Furthermore, the way the media portrays the crisis will be examined, as well as how that perpetrates a certain image of the refugees.

The following countries will be presented and discussed: Greece, Germany, Hungary, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Lithuania.

The discussion will be held in English.

Event page on Facebook

Ambassador of Czech Republic to Hold Lecture at VMU

On 4.15 p.m., 15 March 2016, a public lecture by H. E. Ambassador of the Czech Republic Bohumil Mazánek will be held at the Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy (44 Gedimino g., Room 202, Kaunas) entitled “Contemporary Czech Foreign Policy and Presidency of the Visegrad Group”.

H. E. Ambasador Bohumil Mazánek graduated from the Institute of International Relations in Moscow. He has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Asia Department), also, as the Attaché and Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy in Vientiane, as the Attaché, Third Secretary and Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy in New Delhi, as the First Secretary andChargé d’Affaires in the Embassy in Bangkok, as Deputy Director in the Asia Department of MFA, Prague, as the Consul General in the Consulate General in Katowice, Poland, and in Shanghai, PR of China.

The lecture is organised by VMU Department of Political Science.

The lecture will be held in English.

More information is provided by Mindaugas Norkevičius (m.norkevicius@pmdf.vdu.lt).

Professor from the U.S. Will Discuss U.S. Presidential Elections of 2016

On March 8^th, 2016 Vytautas Magnus University students will have an extraordinary opportunity to hear dr. Paul Sracic’s lecture ‘‘The 2016 Presidential Election and U.S. Foreign Policy‘‘. Paul Sracic is Professor and Chair of the Department of Politics and International Relations at Youngstown State University in Ohio.

Dr. Sracic was selected as 2009 Fulbright Scholar in Japan, and spent a year teaching at the University of Tokyo. Dr. Sracic holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University, and an A.B. in Political Science and Economics from Albright College. Dr. Sracic has given lectures at the U.S. Embassies in Tokyo, Beijing, and Brussels. He has also been interviewed on CNN and NPR. In 2015, he recorded a TEDx talk entitled Ohio, the Swing State.

During the lecture professor will share his insights about U.S. president elections of 2016: voting system, candidates and their campaigns, implications of U.S. presidential elections to U.S. foreign policy.

The lecture will be held in VMU, Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy in Gedimino g. 44, room 302, 13 o‘clock. The lecture will be held in English.