Situation in the Central African Republic

Gahr High School Model United Nations

April 2014 - Novice Conference Topic Synopsis

I. Background
The violence in the Central African Republic is at an all time high. According to reports, more than 1,000 people were
killed in last December alone. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees had said nearly one
million people have been displaced due to the violence. Displaced people are finding any place they can for safety, some
have even found themselves hiding in bushes to stay away from the violence. In March 2013, violence started when
President Francois Bozize was overthrown by predominantly Muslim-backed Selka fighters, bringing Michel Djotodia to
power in the Central African Republic. To help with the issues in the Central African Republic, France sent an estimated
1,600 military troops to the country as well as having 4,000 African Peacekeepers in the area to give some sense of
security. According to the latest report from UNHCR , More than half the population of the capital city of Bangui has
been displaced, and nearly 60% of them are displaced children. The two primary groups at odds are the predominantly
Muslim group ex-Seleka and the predominantly Christian group Anti- Balaka. Ex-Seleka turned into the national army
and continues to abuse powers in the country. Anti- Balaka, which was created by ex President Francois Bozize to fight
crime, has turned their attention towards innocent Muslim civilians. The conflict between these two groups has destroyed
many cities and continues to threaten the livelihood of many in the Central African Republic.

II. UN Involvement
The United Nations has started to face the issues at hand in Central African Republic. The United Nations wants to raise
up to $247 million to help the organizations in the country by providing greater security and accessibility to address
civilian needs. To date, only 6% of the $247 million requested as been raised. The United States of America had donated
millions of dollars to the effort, which is sorely underfunded. The money needed would fund efforts to provide better
access to food, water, shelter, and access to much needed medical aid. BINUCA is one organization that is attempting to
provide relief and security in the Central African Republic with their efforts to create peace, strengthen internal
institutions, and promoting and protecting humanitarian assistance and rights. The United Nations believes that security is
an obvious and important objective at this point with a broad effort to promote political stability, humanitarian security,
and economic opportunities. With security in mind, the UN has been pleased with Frances commitment of troops to help
create a safer environment for displaced people and has MISCA African peacekeepers also helping to create a more stable
environment. The United Nations is looking beyond the short term need for stability in search of a broader plan to
ameliorate the friction that has created this crisis in the first place.

III. Possible Solutions
There is a significant fear that the crisis in Central African Republic could actually turn into an issue of genocide. With
scores of displaced people moving far from the security of their homes, there is significant potential for these people to
become targets of aggression. Any solution must address the needs to stop the aggression in specific regions, but also
consider the potential for new conflicts as a result of displaced persons. Solutions must also take into account the religious
beliefs and motives that are pushing the two groups apart and creating destruction throughout the country. With the
importance of finding a solution for this chaotic issue, delegates must consider different solutions and approaches in
helping to solve this issue and also consider the impacts of the decisions already made.

V. Questions to consider
1. What are some incentives that can be created for the two groups?
2. How do you ensure political, humanitarian, and economic security for civilians and refugees in the country?
3. What can your country to do to help out the issues happening in the country?
4. What kind of formal treaty could be made to ensure that the groups will not cause or harm any civilians?
5. How can you limit childrens exposure to the crisis and the impact on them?

VI. Helpful Links
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/06/world/africa/central-african-republic-violence/
http://www.infowars.com/at-least-50-dead-in-weekend-violence-in-central-african-republic-icrc/
http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e45c156.html
http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/main/activities_by_region/africa/central_african_republic




Committee Name
Committee Topic
Country Name

POSITION PAPER

A. Brief Background of the Topic
Historical background and causes of the problem.
What nations directly involved with or affected by the issue?
What effect does this problem have on the international community?

B. United Nations Involvement
How is the UN involved? How did it originally become involved and what actions has the UN taken on
this issue (i.e. resolutions, conferences, aid contributed etc.)?
Site organs, NGOs and other UN affiliated groups which are involved in the situation.

C. Country Policy and Involvement
Your nations involvement (if any) with the topic.
Your nations position and policy on the topic and opinion on the UNs actions regarding the topic.
Your nations past actions regarding the topic (i.e. voting records, resolutions sponsored, conferences
attended, and conventions signed.)
Your nations proposals or plans in dealing with the issue.


Instructions:
Paragraph form
One page per topic (it is okay for a work cited to carry over to a second page)
Font size: 11 minimum (no smaller)
Font style: Times New Roman (no other)
Single spacing, paragraph form
1-inch margins on all sides
DO NOT include maps, graphs, drawings, etc. List only statistics if applicable to the format and topic.
Committee name must be on the position paper (Novice 1Novice 3, etc.)
WORK CITED!!!


Advanced Delegates:

Advanced delegates face an Open Agenda. As such, we will NOT require a position paper submission from our
Advanced Delegates.

Novice Delegates:

Novice delegates will turn in a position paper for the selected topic. One position paper per country, per committee.
Novice delegates will email their position paper to gahrnovice@gmail.com as an attachment, preferably saved in
rich text format (RTF). Also, cut and paste the document into the body of the email in case there are difficulties
with attachments.
The committee name must be in the subject box of the email and on the top of the position paper.
The deadline for submission of position papers will be 11:59:59 pm on Wednesday 3/26/2013.







Third Committee
Family Planning
Colombia
Position Paper

All humans have the ability to reproduce and create life, regardless of the political stature of their home
country. However, not all people have equal access to family planning, contraceptive methods, and reproductive
health care programs due to the country in which they live. Since the topic had been considered taboo in the past, the
importance of family planning had not been internationally discussed until the most recent decades. Family planning
should be available to all citizens of the world because it directly affects everyone. Most developed countries have
more information and assistance available to those interested, but ironically, the under developed nations that need
the most help are the countries that receive the least aid. In all countries, family planning is vital; it makes
contraceptives methods available to families to stop unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted
diseases, such as the highly infectious HIV/AIDS virus. It enables planned pregnancies to proceed with more safety,
making sure pregnant women are in the right condition to deliver with regular obstetric check ups. Because all
countries in the world are somehow affected by these issues it should be a priority to ensure all countries get the
family planning and care they deserve. It is the responsibility of the international community to work together to
improve and maintain reproductive health issues, because this, quite literally, affects the future of the human race.
Until the early 1990s, the topics of pregnancy and contraception had not been discussed on an international
level. Most of the foremost family planning centers were based in developed countries, and available to people at
certain social and economic levels. The Cairo Conference on Population and Development in 1994 was the first
conference where family planning had been a priority. Since then, procreation and reproductive health have become
more openly important. The leaders of the international community have been striving to pass resolutions that stop
unsafe practices, encourage medical care, and make contraception more available, as well as organize divisions and
programs devoted to family care. Such groups include the UN Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) and the
Maternal and Newborn Health/Safe Motherhood Unit of WHO, as well as various local groups such as the US based
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). In difficult political situations, groups such as the Agency
Working Group for Reproductive Health I Refugee Situations and NGOs have worked together to distribute
contraceptive and medical aid.
Colombia, like all countries, is affected by this problem. Although it is amongst the most populous nations in
South America, it is not considered fully developed, because a majority of its population lives in rural environments,
with little to with the modern world. Colombia is a country with deep cultural roots, and influenced by its ties to
Spanish America and the Roman Catholic Church. Colombians generally believe in using contraception, in fact,
Colombia is known for its use of female sterilization as a contraceptive form. Although open to new ideas, Colombia
is yet to see real progress in the increasing availability of contraceptive care, and even then, follow up counseling
and care is needed to make these programs successful. The most effective solution to the growing problem of
necessary reproductive care is the education of the public of the risks of unplanned pregnancies, the spread of STDs
and STIs and the benefits of a quality family planning program could offer. The possibilities are endless for
developing countries that are ready for positive action, and although not fully prepared, Colombia is among the
countries that acknowledge a growing problem and are ready to commit to family planning programs.