(Friendly transcript from: http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=96023&ctNode=467&htx_TRCategory=&mp=4)
Lundi 15 mars 2010

« Chercher à établir la paix et éviter les conflits sont des objectifs particulièrement nobles qui sont au cœur de ma politique », a déclaré hier le président de la République, Ma Ying-jeou, aux 2 000 étudiants rassemblés à Taipei pour la 19e Conférence mondiale annuelle de simulation des Nations unies (WorldMUN). Cette manifestation qui durera jusqu’à jeudi vise à former les représentants de plus de 200 universités dans le monde aux négociations internationales et à la diplomatie, dans un esprit de promotion des droits de l’homme.

C’est la première fois depuis sa création en 1992 par l’Université d’Harvard, aux Etats-Unis, que la conférence est organisée à Taiwan. Cinq fois candidate au cours des 10 dernières années, l’Université nationale de Taiwan a en effet été choisie pour accueillir l’événement cette année. Assumant le rôle de diplomates, les étudiants sélectionnés débattront cette semaine des relations internationales et tenteront de trouver des solutions aux problèmes mondiaux.

Le fait que la République de Chine ne soit pas membre de l’Onu a été évoqué avec un brin d’humour par le chef de l’Etat. « Mes amis m’ont taquiné en disant que c’était là la raison pour laquelle [nous souhaitions] faire venir la WorldMUN à Taiwan », a-t-il confié.

Plus sérieusement, Ma Ying-jeou, qui s’exprimait en anglais, a pris l’exemple des relations entre les deux rives du Détroit pour illustrer son propos sur la résolution pacifique des conflits. « Auparavant, le détroit de Taiwan était un point chaud en Asie de l’Est et aurait pu entraîner un conflit majeur non seulement entre Taiwan et le continent chinois, mais également entre la Chine et d’autres grandes puissances. » Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir, a-t-il souligné, 12 accords ont été signés entre les deux rives.

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(Friendly transcript from: http://www.derwesten.de/staedte/moers/Zur-Debatte-nach-Fernost-id2705148.html)

Zur Debatte nach Fernost
Moers, 09.03.2010, Harry Seelhoff

Moers/Taipeh. Er kommt aus Scherpenberg und weiß, dass er gegen die Besten der Welt antreten muss – in einem fremdem Land, in einer fremden Sprache. Gemeinsam mit fünf Kommilitonen reist der Jurastudent Alexander Röhl zur „Model United Nations Konferenz“ in Taipeh.

Im Gepäck haben sie ihre Waffen: das gesprochene Wort und schlagkräftige Argumente. Die Harvard University lädt in jedem Frühjahr zum „WorldMUN“, zur Simulation einer UN-Konferenz unter Teilnahme von Studenten aus aller Welt. 2010 ist es bereits die 19. „WorldMUN“, die vom 14. bis 18. März in Taipeh, der Hauptstadt Taiwans, abgehalten wird. Der 21-jährige Alexander Röhl ist Student an der juristischen Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine-Universität in Düsseldorf und reist mit fünf Kommilitonen in den fernen Osten, um sich in der freien Debatte mit Studenten aus aller Herren Länder zu messen.

Die Sprache der Konferenz ist Englisch, die Aufgabe schwierig. Alexander Röhl wird mit der Düsseldorfer Delegation über zwei Themen zu debattieren haben, die Zukunft der Fernabwehrraketen und den Cyberwar. Nicht gerade einfacher macht es die Aufgabenstellung der Düsseldorfer: Sie müssen bei der Debatte den Standpunkt des Staates Myanmar (ehemals Burma) vortragen und verteidigen. „Eine interessante Aufgabe“, meint Alexander Röhl, „die Argumente einer Militärdiktatur zu vertreten.“ Und als ob dies nicht schon schwierig genug wäre: „Wir werden gegen Harvard-Studenten antreten – da ist das sprachliche Niveau gehoben.“

Flug, Hotel, Konferenzgebühren, Verpflegung – all das müssen die Konferenzteilnehmer erst mal aus eigener Tasche bezahlen: „Erst hinterher wird ein Teil zurück erstattet.“ Wie viel, das weiß er noch nicht. Es kommt darauf an, wie viele Sponsoren der Verein „Model United Nations Society Düsseldorf“ in diesem Jahr an Land ziehen kann. Bei der Organisation der Reise sind die Konferenzteilnehmer ebenfalls auf sich selbst angewiesen, der Verein regelt nur die Konferenzteilnahme.

Erfahrungen fürs
Leben sammeln

Warum nach Taipeh fliegt? „Es geht um das Prinzip der Völkerverständigung, es werden Studenten aus aller Welt teilnehmen.“ Außerdem, so Alexander Röhl, könne er rhetorische Erfahrungen sammeln, die ihm sowohl im Studium als auch bei der Parteiarbeit zu Gute kommen. Röhl ist Mitglied bei den Jungen Liberalen, der Nachwuchsorganisation der FDP.

Der Jurastudent hat sich seit Januar auf die Konferenz vorbereitet. Am 10. März fliegt er nach Taiwan, am 24. März kommt er zurück. Dann wird er berichten können, wie es war, als er gegen Harvard-Studenten antreten musste.

(google english translation below)

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At issue in the Far East
Moers, 09.03.2010, Harry Seelhoff

Moers / Taipei. He comes from Scherpenberg and knows that he must compete against the best in the world - in a strange land in a foreign language. Together with five fellow students from the law student Alexander Roehl travels to the "Model United Nations conference in Taipei.

In their luggage they have their weapons: the spoken word and powerful arguments. Harvard University invites every spring to "WorldMUN" to simulate a UN conference with the participation of students from around the world. 2010, it is already the 19th "WorldMUN", from 14 to 18 March in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan held is. The 21-year-old Alexander Roehl is a student at the Law Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine University in Dusseldorf, and travels with five fellow students in the Far East to compete in the open debate with students from all countries.

The language of the conference is English, the task difficult. Alexander Roehl will have to debate with the Düsseldorf delegation on two issues, the future of Fernabwehrraketen and cyberwar. Not exactly easy, it makes the task of Düsseldorf: You must debate the position of the State of Myanmar (formerly Burma) put forward and defend. "An interesting challenge," said Alexander Roehl, "the arguments of a military dictatorship responsible." And as if this were not difficult enough: "We will compete against Harvard students - since the linguistic level is raised."

Flight, hotel, conference fees, meals - all the conference participants must pay out of pocket first time: "It was only after a portion is paid back." How much, he does not know yet. It is important to consider how many sponsors of the club "Model United Nations Society Dusseldorf" this year on land. In organizing the trip, the conference participants are also dependent on themselves, the association only regulates the participation in the conference.

Experience for
life gain

Why fly to Taipei? "It's about the principle of international understanding, students will be able to participate from around the world." Furthermore, says Alexander Roehl, he could earn a rhetorical experiences that come to him both in studies and in the Party's work to the best. Roehl is a member of the Young Liberals, the youth organization of the FDP.

The law student has been preparing since January for the conference. On 10 March he flew to Taiwan on 24 March, he comes back. Then he will be able to report how it was when he had to compete against Harvard students.

(Friendly transcript from: http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201003150030)
2010/03/15 22:19:51

Taipei, March 15 (CNA) Taiwan's exclusion from the United Nations has not diminished Taiwanese students' interest in world affairs as they eagerly joined future leaders of over 40 countries in discussing urgent issues faced by the world at a mock U.N. conference Monday.

Annie Lan, a fourth-year finance student at National Taiwan University, who serves as an assistant chairperson of one of the event's 22 committees, said that although Taiwan is not a member of the world body, it can still play an active role on the international stage.

"Taiwan organized the Deaflympics (in 2009) and will hold the Taipei International Flora Exposition (late this year), " Lan said.

"These activities has raised Taiwan's international profile and let the world know that Taiwan is able to organize these (international) activities, " she added.

Taiwan lost its representation in the U.N. under the name of the Republic of China in 1971 after the world body admitted People's Republic of China as a member.

Taiwan has since tried to join the U.N. and take part in U.N.-associated activities but has been repeatedly thwarted by China's obstruction.

Vivian Chang, a five-year NTU student who acts as a senior assistant chairperson at the event, said the World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) helps her better understand the importance of Taiwan's participation in international organizations.

She said Taiwan is an island country that can make a contribution to the world by sharing its experience in fisheries and other fields.

Some 300 students from NTU and other local schools are currently co-hosting the five-day event in Taipei with their peers from Harvard University. It is also the first time that the event is taking place in Taiwan.

Over 1,800 students are discussing or debating on climate change, terrorism, nuclear and other issues by playing as delegates from countries other than their own.

Matthew Gibson, an American who teaches English at Mingdao High School in central Taiwan's Taichung County, closely observed the students on the committee on trade and global climate change.

He spoke highly of the performance of delegates representing China, India, Haiti and the United Kingdom.

"These students have demonstrated good leadership skills. They were in charge in group discussions, they have concrete plans and they did well in getting people on their side, " he told the Central News Agency.

He attended the event because he and other teachers at his school also created a club to help students get familiar with world issues.

Arne Schroer, a teacher from Universitat Passau who led a group of 10 students from Germany, said that his students are representing Pakistan and they have to defend the current government's policy position.

This has helped his students look at international issues from "an unusual perspective, " he said. "It is very interesting to look at these issues not from a foreign, western, or German perspective, but from a Pakistani one." Another university professor, Jose Pavia from Portugal, said that students who have attended the WorldMUN often look for jobs related to diplomacy and international relations after they graduate.

"They can understand much better what they have to do when they arrive there," he said. (By Alex Jiang) ENDITEM/ls

(Friendly transcript from: http://focustaiwan.tw/ShowNews/WebNews_Detail.aspx?Type=aALL&ID=201003140015)

2010/03/14 20:56:10

Taipei, March 14 (CNA) The annual mock United Nations conference organized by university students in Taiwan and the United States opened Sunday in Taipei, with 1,800 participants from over 40 nations, excluding China.

The Taiwan government granted visas to between 70 and 80 students of major universities in China, but they failed to obtain the permission of the Chinese government to attend the five-day event, according to event organizer, National Taiwan University (NTU) , in charge of public relations.

The World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) conference, created by Harvard University in 1992, is taking place in Taiwan for the first time after NTU won the bid to organize the event after four failed attempts.

In his opening remarks, Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou said he expected the students to learn how to solve differences peacefully.

"You should learn the skills and attitudes in dealing with other leaders representing other countries and learn to use all peaceful means to solve international disputes, " he told the students from over 200 colleges.

He also noted that since he came to office in May 2008, Taiwan has no longer been a flash point as his administration has improved ties with Taiwan's long-time political rival China.

Ma also said that Taiwan, which was a founding member of the U.N. under the name the Republic of China, but lost its representation in the world body in 1971, has been following the principles of the U.N. charters.

For example, he said, Taiwan ratified two U.N. human rights conventions last year and will adopt them as domestic law.

He also said that Taiwan has been excluded from taking part in U.N. activities in the past, without specifically attributing the reason to China's obstruction.

"Some of my friends joked that just because of that, you decided to bring the Model U.N. to Taiwan, " he said, drawing laughs from the students.

But he also spoke of Taiwan's breakthrough in participating in U.N. activities.

"After working for so many years, we were able to attend the World Health Assembly organized by the World Health Organization last year. We hope we can do it again this year, " Ma said.

About 30 minutes before the event opened, scores of activists supporting the independence of Tibet marched loudly outside the hall, and some of the participating students took their pictures.

The WorldMUN conference will feature 22 committees discussing a wide range of issues such as terrorism, medical tourism, human rights, biodiversity, and corruption.

Participating students will act as delegates from countries other than their own, already determined by drawing lots. Taiwanese students will speak for Namibia, Paraguay, Switzerland, Somalia, the Czech Republic and Maldives at the conference. (By Alex Jiang) ENDITEM

Dear Guest：

Organized by Harvard University and National Taiwan University Teams, the 19th Annual World Model United Nations (WorldMUN 2010) will take place in Taipei from March 14-18, 2010. 1800 students from over 200 universities, 40 countries will gather in Taipei to attend this week-long event. The National Taiwan University Host Team has recruited over 100 passionate students for the year-long preparation. This could not have been possible without your contribution and continuous support.

    This is to cordially invite you to attend the Opening Ceremonies of WorldMUN 2010 that begins from 3:30 pm on March 14, 2010.

                          Sincerely,
                                  WorldMUN 2010 National Taiwan University Host Team

WorldMUN 2010 Opening Ceremonies
Time: Sunday, March 14, 2010, 3:30 pm-5:30 pm
Venue: National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall (No.505, Sec.4, Ren-ai Rd., Taipei)

2:30 pm～3:30 pm | Guest Registration
3:30 pm～3:35 pm | Opening Video
3:35 pm～3:45 pm | Emcee Opening Statement
3:45 pm～3:55 pm | Opening Address by President of the Republic of China, Mr. Ma Ying-Jeou
3:55 pm～4:05 pm | Address by Mayor of Taipei, Mr. Hau Lung-Bin
4:05 pm～4:15 pm | Address by President of National Taiwan University, Dr. Si-Chen Lee
4:15 pm～4:25 pm | Address by President of the National Taiwan University Host Team
4:25 pm～4:35 pm | Address by President of the Harvard University Team
4:35 pm～4:55 pm | Performance Group: Taiwan Aboriginal Dance
4:55 pm～5:25 pm | Speech
5:25 pm～5:30 pm | Trailer of the WorldMUN 2010 Social Events

Contact: CHENG, Yu-Ju (Yolanda) +886-926-340-838
                  HUANG, Shiao Yuan (CHarlotte) +886-930-040-749
Email: info@worldmun2010.org