1. society
2. unrest and war

TABLE OF CONTENTS
The BUSUN XIX Secretariat
p. 1
A Message from the Secretaries-General
p. 2
About BUSUN
p. 4
About Brown University
p. 5
Conference Theme: Transformative Technology
p. 6
Registration Information
p. 7
The 2015 Committees
p. 8
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
THE BUSUN XIX SECRETARIAT
SECRETARIES-GENERAL
Steven Brownstone & Iris Shao
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL
Shawn Tsutsui
DIRECTOR OF GENERAL COMMITTEES
Zoe Greenburg
DIRECTOR OF SPECIALIZED & HISTORICAL COMMITTEES
Alexander Samaha
DIRECTOR OF CRISIS COMMITTEES
Belinda Zhou
DIRECTOR GENERAL
Luke Camery
DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Suzanne Warshell
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA
Shirin Chen
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & OUTREACH
Jacklyne Vargas
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & IMPLEMENTATION
Lily Zhao
DIRECTOR OF DECORUM
Ian Reardon
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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A MESSAGE FROM
THE SECRETARIES-GENERAL
Dear Advisors & Delegates,
It is our distinct honor and privilege to formally invite you to the Nineteenth Annual Session of the
Brown University Simulation of the United Nations (BUSUN), which will take place during the weekend
of November 6th – 8th, 2015 on campus at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.
A central feature of BUSUN’s ideology has always been to introduce delegates to less-well-known,
but important, issues and subject matter. By focusing on unusual topics, we hope to challenge the way
delegates think and approach problems outside the classroom so that they can build the foundations for
becoming critical thinkers and articulate and diplomatic speakers. This year, BUSUN XIX will offer a
diverse selection of 41 committees ranging from the Alliance of Small Island States, to the Uber Board of
Directors, to the six-committee joint-crisis featuring the Thirty Years’ War. As in years past, we will still
be hosting traditional General Assembly committees, however this year we will be striving for these
committees’ topics to be devoted to highly specific and stimulating global problems. We are excited to
present these topics to students and to engage them in debating issues – both contemporary and historical
– that are featured on the international stage.
In addition to offering a wide variety of dynamic committees and topics, we at BUSUN pride
ourselves on our unremitting commitment to a personal and approachable Model United Nations
experience. Since its establishment, BUSUN has been dedicated to preserving an atmosphere of intimate
discussion in all its committees to promote collaboration and learning through constant individual
engagement with the issues at hand. Though we have been growing in conference size, we are proud to
continue our legacy of having a single delegation policy throughout the conference, and keeping every
committee, including General Assembly committees, below a cap of fifty delegates. With the addition of
new committees this year, we hope to reduce average committee size despite our growth in numbers.
[Continued on the next page…]
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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As you peruse the array of topics and issues presented in this year’s conference, you will find that
many of our committees are centered on the importance of science and technology as a source or
consequence of development and change – which serves as the basis of our conference-wide theme this
year: Transformative Technology. You can find out more about our conference theme for this year on
page 6 of this pamphlet.
BUSUN is proud to be staffed in its entirety by Brown University undergraduates. While chairs,
directors, and staff study a range of interests and disciplines varying from Chemistry to Art History, each
of them hopes to pass on a unified desire for intellectual curiosity and collaboration and guide delegates in
honing their critical thinking skills.
On behalf of the BUSUN Secretariat and staff, we hope that you can join us in November for a
weekend at Brown. We will continue to post relevant updates on our conference website
[http://busun.org] in the coming months, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact
our Director of External Affairs, Suzanne Warshell, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Iris Shao & Steven Brownstone
Secretaries-General BUSUN XIX
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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ABOUT BUSUN
The Brown University Simulation of the United Nations (BUSUN) is a high school Model United Nations
conference held on Brown University's campus, which hosts approximately 900 students annually. At
BUSUN, we believe in challenging students to reach their utmost potential. Students will practice debate,
public speaking, and negotiation skills as well as develop an understanding of world affairs. Since its
founding 19 years ago, BUSUN has prized itself on the professionalism and creativity that have come to
define the conference.
At BUSUN, students participate in one of about 40 committees. Each committee and its topics
are carefully chosen to provide an engaging and informative learning environment. BUSUN prides itself
on its informed and passionate chairs, who are the backbone of each committee. BUSUN is proud to offer
a variety of committees and students can choose from – including General, Specialized & Historical, and
Crisis committees. The bulk of BUSUN committees are smaller than at many other MUN conferences,
which allows students a greater opportunity to participate and learn. In fact, even GA Plenary
(traditionally a very large committee) is capped at 45 delegates at our conference. Finally, our large
interconnected Joint Crisis (6 committees) allows students to simulate real-time diplomacy and is an
engaging experience in fast and effective adaptability.
!
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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ABOUT BROWN UNIVERSITY
Brown University is an independent, coeducational Ivy League school located in Providence, Rhode
Island. It was founded in 1764 and is the third oldest institute of higher education in New England and
the seventh oldest in the United States. Brown was the first college in the United States to accept students
regardless of religious affiliation, and maintains that commitment to diversity today. Brown’s 6,000
undergraduate, 2,000 graduate and 400 medical students hail from all 50 American states and over 100
different countries.
Brown is a leading research university that is known for its unique commitment to
undergraduates. Undergraduate students study in more than 70 programs, the largest of which are
economics, international relation, and biological sciences. In the addition to these programs, students
have the opportunity to propose an independent concentration if they are interested in designing their
own degree. Brown is committed to undergraduate freedom in general, and implemented the Open
Curriculum in 1969. Under the Open Curriculum, students are not required to fulfill basic distribution
requirements, but are instead challenged to explore subjects that truly interest them.
Brown students are also actively involved in sports, co-curricular activities, and community
service. Brown has over 300 student groups, which range from a cappella and dance groups, to intramural
sports, to the second-oldest student newspaper in America.
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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CONFERENCE THEME:
TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGY
When we think about technology and its impact on society and on international issues, we typically think
of modern scientific advancements in medicine, information, and engineering and their direct
contributions to the betterment of human life across the globe. While recent developments and
breakthroughs in these areas are significant in shaping our modern worldview, technology has had a
powerful influence on international affairs before the advent of the Information Age.
This year, we at BUSUN encourage delegates to explore just this: the myriad ways in which
technology - from the printing press to the advent of antibiotics - has changed the course of
history. Whether it is the question of Internet governance and the rise of hacktivism, or the discovery of
methods to commercially cultivate tobacco in Virginia, there is well-documented evidence that
technological advancements have the potential to catalyze great change in the world.
Technology is disruptive, not only to business and industries, but also to political power
structures. From social media’s role in the Arab Spring to the technical issues of nuclear proliferation,
changes in the global power dynamics frequently have a technological component.
Despite the crucial role technology plays in many issues of global importance, the impact of
technology is often misunderstood in global policy debates – its power is either overemphasized and
characterized as a panacea, or is entirely forgotten. These mischaracterizations frequently stem from
policy makers treating technology as a ‘black box’ that functions beyond their understanding. We
challenge delegates to look beyond the surface level and critically examine how technological development
can drive the issues addressed by their committees. For example, the Municipal Chamber of Rio de
Janeiro may want to consider the ways in which specific technological initiatives could improve security,
sanitation, and logistics in preparation for the Olympics. Instead of just budgeting for ‘technological
initiatives,’ we hope that delegates will take the time to research innovative technologies, or propose novel
ways in which existing technologies, like cameras or metro rail, can be implemented more effectively.
We, the Secretariat of BUSUN XIX, are excited to see what delegates will bring to debate in the
larger context of our conference theme this year. Although some committees, at first glance, may not be
directly addressing topics in technology, we implore delegates to examine the issues at hand through the
lens of ‘Transformative Technology’ as they prepare for the conference this November.
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration for BUSUN 2015 will open on April 1st, and will be completed using an online form through
our conference website. Registration will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend
registering as early as possible to ensure a spot for your delegation at BUSUN.
Although registration runs through September, BUSUN reached capacity last year by early May. Schools
registering after the conference reaches capacity will be put on a waitlist – however it is notable to
mention that we were able to take a number of schools off the waitlist last year, as schools revised their
final delegate counts.
BUSUN is proud to offer financial aid in order to ensure delegates from all backgrounds can participate.
The online registration form will have more details on how to apply to this program.
The registration schedule for BUSUN can be found at http://busun.org/registration/fees with the most upto-date information regarding deadlines & fees, however a brief timeline is included below.
REGISTRATION TIMELINE
September 18: Regular Payment Deadline for
School Fee
April 1: Registration Opens through the BUSUN
Website [http://busun.org]
NOTE: This date is the last day to secure a
delegation slot at BUSUN.
August 15: Early Payment Deadline for School
Fee
September 21: Countries Assignments Released
NOTE: This date is the last day to secure the
early registration fee discount. All schools
paying after this deadline must pay regular
school fee and delegate fees by the Regular
Payment Deadline.
October 1: Final Payment Deadline for all fees.
NOTE: This is the last day that we will be able to
provide full refunds.
September 14: Background Guides & PreConference Guides Released on Website
October 15: 50-Percent Refund Deadline
NOTE: All changes to delegate numbers should
be completed by this date in order for refunds to
be processed on time.
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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2015 COMMITTEES
GENERAL COMMITTEES
GA Plenary
Topics:
1.! Growing opposition to vaccinations
2.! Promotion of sustainable tourism
3.! Addressing the sovereignty of
Somaliland
ECOFIN
Topics:
1.! Mitigating early and forced marriages
through economic programs
2.! Effects of international migration on
development
3.! Redevelopment of the Semipalatinsk
region of Kazakhstan
DISEC
Topics:
1.! Monitoring the use of banned weapons
in the Syrian war
2.! Rules of engagement for cyber warfare 3.! Use of mercenaries in modern conflicts
WHO
Topics:
1.! Access to medical technology in the
developing world
2.! Plan to eradicate global malnutrition
3.! Rise of drug-resistant bacteria
SOCHUM
Topics:
1.! Status of the Rohingya People in
Myanmar
2.! Refugee situation in Syria and
surrounding countries
3.! Treatment of indigenous people in
Brazil
UNDP
Topics:
1.! Response to the socioeconomic impact
of Ebola
2.! Rehabilitating infrastructure in Somalia
3.! Typhoon relief and readiness in the
Philippines
SPECPOL
Topics:
1.! Resolving the Western Sahara
2.! Future status of the remaining 17 nonself governing territories
3.! The future of Palestinian refugee camps
in Gaza and the West Bank
African Union
Topics:
1.! Influence of foreign parties in the Kivu
region of the DRC
2.! Insecurity in the Sahel region
3.! Raising enrollment of girls in school
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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2015 COMMITTEES
European Union
Topics:
1.! The aftermath of the Financial Crisis:
the future of the Eurozone and the
European Union
2.! Xenophobia and multiculturalism:
framing solutions for internal peace
3.! The rise of terrorism: safeguarding
European internal security
Security Council
Topics:
1.! Territorial disputes in the South China
Sea
2.! Ongoing conflict in Libya
3.! Growing lawlessness in Mexico
United Nations Commission on Science and
Technology for Development (CTSD)
Topics:
1.! Measures to promote urban planning
2.! Addressing the growing gender gap in
the sciences
3.! Increasing connectivity and promoting
IT in the developing world
Alliance of Small Island States
Topics:
1.! Climate change strategies
2.! Preserving cultural heritage
3.! Stemming the immigration of young
people
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Topics:
1.! Sustainable forest management and
agroforestry
2.! Use of hazardous pesticides
3.! Child labor in agriculture
4.! Preserving biodiversity to eliminate
world hunger
SPECIALIZED & HISTORICAL
COMMITTEES
NOTE: Descriptions of each committee are
available at our website’s committees page
[http://busun.org/conference/committees].
Internet Governance Forum 2015 in João
Pessoa, Brazil
Topics:
1.! Net Neutrality
2.! Internet monetization (Bitcoins)
3.! Security of personal information stored
on the web
The Virginia House of Burgesses (1650-1770)
Topics:
1.! Response to Bacon’s Rebellion
2.! Settling of backcountry and westward
expansion
3.! Plan to create university and new capital
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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2015 COMMITTEES
National Defense Commission of Democratic
People’s Republic of Korea (2014)
Topics:
1.! Nuclear program
2.! Relationship with China
3.! Addressing Korean reunification
Senate of Liberia (1847)
Topics:
1.! Establishing Africa’s first nation-state
2.! Segregation between Americo-Liberians
and African-born citizens
3.! Agriculture/Industrialization/Developm
ent of Liberian economy
Lebanese Parliament (2015)
Topics:
1.! Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon
2.! Electricity shortage and infrastructure
failures
3.! Response to ISIS and spillover of Syrian
Civil War in Lebanon
4.! Choosing a president
Uber Board of Directors (2014)
Topics:
1.! Settlements with local government
regulators (US and International)
2.! Customer privacy issues and
rehabilitation of its image
3.! New uses of the Uber platform
The Gbara of the Mali Empire (1235)
Topics:
1.! Creation of Kurukan Fuga
2.! Establishment of Timbuktu as
intellectual center
3.! Social and economic reforms
Navajo National Council (2015)
Topics:
1.! Casinos in Navajo territory
2.! Lifting Navajo citizens out of poverty
while retaining traditional culture
3.! Combating alcoholism 4.! Misuse of national funds by Council
members
Council of Nicea (325 AD)
Topics:
1.! Establishing Canon Law Across the
Empire
2.! The Role of Bishops in Local
Governance
3.! The Date of Easter
Cabinet of Uganda (2014)
Topics:
1.! Recent discovery of oil resources
2.! Presence of NGOs
3.! Peacekeeping mission in Somalia THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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2015 COMMITTEES
Consejos de Ministros de Cuba (1962)
Topics:
1.! Cuban Missile Crisis/Geopolitical
posturing in Cold War
2.! Implementation of Communist
economic policies
3.! Combatting mass emigration
4.! Dispatch of troops in Angola and
Ethiopia
Central Politburo of the Communist Party of
China (2015)
Topics:
1.! Addressing the debt of local provinces
2.! Strategies for addressing urban air
pollution
3.! Internet censorship and online privacy
4.! Integrating the Uyghur minority
Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro (2015)
Topics:
1.! Preparation for the 2016 Summer
Olympics
2.! Improving life and reducing crime in
favelas 3.! Response to World Cup/Olympic
protests over lack of public services
Ptolemaic Egypt (100 B.C.)
Topics:
1.! Popular Revolt
2.! Roman imperial presence
3.! Cultural Production in the kingdom
Aam Aadmi Party, The Rising Front in India
(2016)
Topics:
1.! Security and Equality of Women
2.! Reevaluating the Freedom of Expression
3.! Strategizing a win in the forthcoming
election
Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union
(1985-1989)
Topics:
1.! Implementing Glasnost 2.! Planning Perestroika
3.! Arms reduction and relations with the
West
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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2015 COMMITTEES
CRISIS COMMITTEES
Joint Crisis: Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)
movement La Trinitaria, meaning “The Trinity,”
was founded in 1838, in hopes of expelling the
Haitians. This tense period in Hispaniola
contributed to what has formed some of the
modern-day tensions between Haiti and the
Dominican Republic.
The Thirty Years’ War marks a period of
religious conflict in the Holy Roman Empire that
ultimately engulfed much of Europe. Tensions
rose in the religiously divided empire when
Archduke Ferdinand II, who inherited the lands
of the emperor that had just died, became the
Holy Roman Emperor and strongly advocated
for religious uniformity. Neighboring countries
were drawn into the conflict for various political,
economic, and religious reasons, leading to a
complex and fluid network of alliances.
Committees:
1.! Haitian Government
2.! La Trinitaria (The Trinity)
Committees:
1.! France
2.! Spain
3.! Holy Roman Empire - Catholic League
4.! Holy Roman Empire - Protestant Union
5.! Sweden
6.! Dutch Republic
Mini Crisis: The Troubles (1968-1998)
Starting in 1968, the Troubles was the longest
lasting ethnic conflict in modern Europe, fought
mainly because of the debate about the political
fate of Northern Ireland. Thousands of civilians
were killed in the brutal conflict, which saw
human rights violations from both sides. The
conflict did not end until the Good Friday
Agreement of 1998, but sporadic violence and
tensions remain to this day.
Mini Crisis: The Struggle in Hispaniola (1838)
The unification of Hispaniola took place in early
1822 under the relatively young Haitian
government, through a joint effort between
Dominican and Haitian politicians. While this
was seen as the island’s path towards a stable
nation-state, the Dominican population soon
became dissatisfied with the government,
especially after Haiti was required to pay a large
indemnity to France, causing economic
instability within the nation. A resistance
Committees:
1.! Unionists of Northern Ireland
2.! Republicans of Northern Ireland
3.! British Government
THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SIMULATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
THE NINETEENTH ANNUAL SESSION
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