Freie Universität Berlin and the Federal Foreign Office

 

SPECIAL SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL

ON THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT

Berlin, 20 June 2011

 

The situation in Libya and Syria recently stirred up the ongoing debate on the so called concept of Responsibility to Protect. The concept was introduced in 2001 by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty and since then has found its way into major documents like the Report by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan "In Larger Freedom" and the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. According to the latter, each State has the "responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity". Where States are unable or unwilling to assume this responsibility, it shifts to the international community to take collective actions through the UN Security Council to ensure the protection of the population. In the case of Libya, on 17 March 2011 the Security Council established a no-fly zone with Resolution 1973. Five Security Council Members abstained, among them China, the Russian Federation and Germany. The debate showed that around the concept of the Responsibility to Protect many questions arise: In which cases does it apply? Which are the appropriate measures to be taken? Under which circumstances is a military intervention authorized by the Security Council legitimate?

In order to deal with the new developments, the Security Council has convened a Special Session on 20 June 2011 in Berlin. Together with Diplomats from Iraq, students from all departments are invited to represent the current Members of the Council.

For your preparation, we will provide a comprehensive Background Guide. Additionally, there will be two mandatory preparation meetings (26 Mai 2011, 14.00 - 16.00 h; 16 June 2011, 16.00 - 18.00 h) where all Delegations will meet and participants are introduced to the topic and the Rules of Procedure. Please note that Delegations are asked to prepare a one-page Position Paper. The Conference language will be English.

It is possible to receive 10 ECTS-credits (Schlüsselqualifikationsschein, FB Rechtswissenschaft) if you additionally write an essay.

Members of the UN Security Council in 2011: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, China, Colombia, France, Gabon, Germany, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States.

 

Conference Fee: € 18,- (for preparation and conference material, as well as catering during the conference)

 

Applications are to be sent via email until 23 May 2011 to Despoina Glarou.

Your application should include:

• Personal Details (Name, Address, Phone, Email)
• Short CV, including field of studies and number of semesters
• 3 country preferences
• Short letter of motivation

 

For further information please contact:

 

Despoina Glarou

Model United Nations / Model European Union

Freie Universität Berlin

Boltzmannstr. 3, 14195 Berlin

Phone:  (030) 838 530 13

Email: glarou@zedat.fu-berlin.de