A Conference in Cooperation with Istanbul University

Istanbul, 11 - 13 November 2014

 

The situation in Libya 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 recent debate over the situation in Syria shows 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  new developments especially in Syria, the Security Council has convened a Special Session on 11 - 13 November in Istanbul. Together with students from Istanbul University and other universities students from all departments are invited to represent the current Members of the Council.

For your preparation, we will provide a comprehensive Background Guide. Participants are expected to research their respective countries position independently. Please note that Delegations are asked to prepare a one-page Position Paper. The Conference language will be English and will be held at Istanbul University, Turkey.

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

Members of the Security Council 2014: Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, China, France, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, United Kingdom, United States.

Invited States: Iraq, Syria, Turkey

FU Berlin will provide the costs for travel and stay for four students.

 

Applications are to be sent via email until 28 August 2014 to Peggy Wittke

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:

 

Peggy Wittke

Model United Nations / Model European Union

Freie Universität Berlin

Boltzmannstr. 3, 14195 Berlin

Phone:  (030) 838 547 05

Email: peg@zedat.fu-berlin.de