campus events
blitherings, outlines, summaries.
In which former and current members of the Security Council (Tanzania, UK, Liechtenstein, Egypt) came to SIPA and had a panel of the democratization of the Security Council.
So, I was kind of starstruck. When the ambassadors walked in I kind of wanted to squeal and flail a little. OMG UN. My friend Lauren said to me once, "Hey, remember how disappointing it was when you realized the UN actually doesn't matter?" Uh huh, I do, but I was still really excited. OH SIPA. OH COLUMBIA. OH NEW YORK. All these connections to things! All these means to do things! I have to remind myself to not let feeling blessed get in the way of keeping a level head and a critical eye.
"We have a saying in the UN: if you don't ask for the floor, but are given it, never say no." --Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Egypt, on being asked to speak first
The UN Security Council is the only UN body with executive power. The SC's legitimacy is at stake and has been for a while. The P5 are the permanent members (russia, china, usa, uk, france), there are 30?(?) rotating members. The S5 ('small 5'), which are Costa Rica, Singapore, Jordan, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, have been working to increase the Security Council's legitimacy. There also tends to be polarized conflict between democratic countries and non-democratic countries. South Africa is an interesting case: it is a democratic country, but often sides with the non-democratic countries and anti-interventionism (in conflict, not in economy). The overarching question seems to be, "Are the fairness of the SC and the effectiveness of the SC mutually exclusive?"
Major contentions with SC: the veto, not geographically representative, not transparent (accusations of being a "secret society"), not accountable (the SC is also a judicial body, but who will be a judicial body for the SC?), its operational procedures have an element of informality and are not finalized
the veto: Many a gut reaction would be to get rid of the P5's veto power. But the SC is inherently undemocratic and to actually get rid of the veto, you would have to rewrite the UN Charter. "It would be also be possible," said Liechtenstein (MORE ON HIM LATER), "for the veto to be done away with if the P5 voluntary give it up, which gives you an idea of how likely it is to happen." There was also a Georgian refugee who, during Q&A, didn't ask a question, but broke down in tears and thanked the SC and blubbered about the veto. It was amazing and unexpected. Here is a good article about it, and about the legitimacy of the SC and the UN in general: Georgia exposes UN's weakness. The veto can mire an organization already prone to waffling deeper into further waffling. Vetoing a country and its unpopular views could be good and bad, depending on how and why the country is as wacked out as it is. Abdelaziz asserts that Africa's official position is that the veto should be eliminated, but I think Amb. Augustine Mahiga (Tanzania) asserts that it ought to be eliminated or it ought to be extended to all UN members.
Proposed solutions: enlargement of SC membership, reform of operational methods
The general sentiment is that a reform of operational procedures would be more helpful than an enlargement of membership. An enlargement of membership would just increase waffling. The Security Council was put in place so, unlike the League of Nations, it could actually do things and respond in a timely manner. It would take more than enlarging membership (though it may help, to an extent) to make sure this happens. Amb. Christian Wenaweser (of Liechtenstein OH MY GOSH I WANT TO MARRY HIIIIIIIIM) was like, "So, the UK apparently wants to democratize the SC by adding more democracies... Um. That is one way to do it..."
Pretty much, the ambassador of Liechtenstein is a STAR. He was just so unimpressed and articulate and pragmatic. The UK (Amb. John Sawers) would be throwing his weight around, Egypt would be passionate, Tanzania would be off-hand and jolly, and Liechtenstein would be the one rolling his eyes and going, "Okay, guys, let's get real..."
On being asked about the growing role of NGOs and civil society in the UN--
UK: "Yes, actually George Clooney is going to be talking in an upcoming panel."
Liechtenstein: "George Clooney is not an NGO."
OH MY GOD, MARRY ME, CHRISTIAN WENAWESER. "George Clooney is for George Clooney," he adds. SEDUCED SIGH.
The audience laughed at the weirdest/awesomest things. Sure, the Liechtenstein's George Clooney crack got a laugh, but so did this:
On the formation of the United Nations and the League--
The UK: "Much like you guys, the UK was but a happy beneficiary of the post-WW2 geopolitical situation."
Audience: "BAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
The ambassadors (including my ONE TRUE LOVE MR. WENAWESER) mentioned that much of the real power of the P5 comes not from the veto, but from institutional memory. That is to say, the P5 have always been there and are familiar with the ins and outs of SC procedure; their power is their savoir-faire. Tanzania talks about his own experience with this. "The last time Tanzania was on the SC was 30 years ago. I was seated between the UK and the US -- United Republic of Tanzania, don't you know -- and I said to them, 'This is probably the first time Tanzania has come between you.' When I wanted to contribute to or formulate a resolution, I would turn to my neighbors and ask them, 'How do you this? How do you do that?' Because they know how to go about it. But the last time Tanzania was on the SC was 30 years ago. At the end of the term, I shook the hands of my neighbors, I told them it has been a pleasure, and see you in another 30 years..."
Tanzania was quite personable and entertaining. He came in half an hour late because he was held back at an African Union meeting, then he was like, "Yes, thank you, it's very nice to be here at this panel about... [turns to moderator] democratization?" Busy guy.
Also, Egypt and the UK are apparently bosom buddies and they kept giving each other shit. How adorable. Giving each other shit constitutes of saying things like, "BULLSHIT, the protection your position affords you has let you fuck up Iraq and Afghanistan, and don't even try blaming Sudan on China!" Okay, so Egypt didn't say exactly that, but that was the sentiment.
Actually the interaction between all the ambassadors are pretty adorable. On the subject of adding more seats to the SC--
UK: 3 seats, possibly 2.
Liechtenstein: 2? What about Cyprus?
And the UK gives him this look like, "What crack have you been smoking?"
circumventing the UN and SC: Besides imposing sanctions, the SC also has been freezing the assets of individuals who contribute their resources (financial or otherwise) to terrorist organizations. Or, telling governments to freeze the individual's assets. Recently, someone whose assets has been frozen was able to go to the European Criminal Justice and have the SC decision overturned.
On being asked how the UK would approach the SC, if he were a non-permanent member: "Find a niche role. You won't influence a series of major issues."
Organizational reform is usually achieved if the organization is in crisis. The UN and the SC may be on the rocks, but it is not in crisis. Reform is far away.
In which Obama and McCain had a forum on national service at the student center. They erected a large screen outside so those of us who didn't win auditorium seating in the lottery can watch it from the Low Library steps.
UH YEAH, McCain said that. OH MCCAIN, what the fuck. I like that he jokes about how old he is. His attitude during this interview seems to be appeasing and nice to the interviewers, which wasn't impressive. McCain is apparently all about mayors also. Uh, for his own sake, I wish he had more finesse.
Okay, so people are like criticizing Obama for not being specific. Edumacate me: how is he any vaguer than McCain? They both seem to be vague.
TOBEY MAGUIRE GAVE AN OPENING SPEECH. What the fuck?! And they talk about his new movie! And his old movies! And how is Spiderman! You're ridiculous, Tobey Maguire, get the fuck out of this forum! Apparently Usher and Leo DiCaprio was also there, but that during commercial breaks, people mostly flocked to get Obama's autograph. Columbia was his alma mater, so whenever he gave Columbia a little shout-out, the student body collectively creamed their shorts.
When Obama started talking about how the US needs to stop depending on foreign oil, some girl in the auditorium SHRIEKED like she was at an N'Sync concert.
It got chilly on the steps too. I became grateful for the collective body heat, whereas before the press of humanity was only annoying. It was the first time outside that I wished I were wearing a hoodie. Bring on the autumn; I've got these cute sweaters I want to look cute in. I kind of can't believe I stayed on the steps for as long as I did: uncomfortable seating, cold, massive crowd, and I can't even vote anyway. Towards the end, cops and guards began constructing a fence from the student center presumably as a "exit is this way, mr. candidates", and I kind of wanted to stay and maybe see the man himself, but FUCK IT, I was cold, and I had had a long and busy day.
In which former and current members of the Security Council (Tanzania, UK, Liechtenstein, Egypt) came to SIPA and had a panel of the democratization of the Security Council.
So, I was kind of starstruck. When the ambassadors walked in I kind of wanted to squeal and flail a little. OMG UN. My friend Lauren said to me once, "Hey, remember how disappointing it was when you realized the UN actually doesn't matter?" Uh huh, I do, but I was still really excited. OH SIPA. OH COLUMBIA. OH NEW YORK. All these connections to things! All these means to do things! I have to remind myself to not let feeling blessed get in the way of keeping a level head and a critical eye.
"We have a saying in the UN: if you don't ask for the floor, but are given it, never say no." --Amb. Maged Abdelaziz, Egypt, on being asked to speak first
The UN Security Council is the only UN body with executive power. The SC's legitimacy is at stake and has been for a while. The P5 are the permanent members (russia, china, usa, uk, france), there are 30?(?) rotating members. The S5 ('small 5'), which are Costa Rica, Singapore, Jordan, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, have been working to increase the Security Council's legitimacy. There also tends to be polarized conflict between democratic countries and non-democratic countries. South Africa is an interesting case: it is a democratic country, but often sides with the non-democratic countries and anti-interventionism (in conflict, not in economy). The overarching question seems to be, "Are the fairness of the SC and the effectiveness of the SC mutually exclusive?"
Major contentions with SC: the veto, not geographically representative, not transparent (accusations of being a "secret society"), not accountable (the SC is also a judicial body, but who will be a judicial body for the SC?), its operational procedures have an element of informality and are not finalized
the veto: Many a gut reaction would be to get rid of the P5's veto power. But the SC is inherently undemocratic and to actually get rid of the veto, you would have to rewrite the UN Charter. "It would be also be possible," said Liechtenstein (MORE ON HIM LATER), "for the veto to be done away with if the P5 voluntary give it up, which gives you an idea of how likely it is to happen." There was also a Georgian refugee who, during Q&A, didn't ask a question, but broke down in tears and thanked the SC and blubbered about the veto. It was amazing and unexpected. Here is a good article about it, and about the legitimacy of the SC and the UN in general: Georgia exposes UN's weakness. The veto can mire an organization already prone to waffling deeper into further waffling. Vetoing a country and its unpopular views could be good and bad, depending on how and why the country is as wacked out as it is. Abdelaziz asserts that Africa's official position is that the veto should be eliminated, but I think Amb. Augustine Mahiga (Tanzania) asserts that it ought to be eliminated or it ought to be extended to all UN members.
Proposed solutions: enlargement of SC membership, reform of operational methods
The general sentiment is that a reform of operational procedures would be more helpful than an enlargement of membership. An enlargement of membership would just increase waffling. The Security Council was put in place so, unlike the League of Nations, it could actually do things and respond in a timely manner. It would take more than enlarging membership (though it may help, to an extent) to make sure this happens. Amb. Christian Wenaweser (of Liechtenstein OH MY GOSH I WANT TO MARRY HIIIIIIIIM) was like, "So, the UK apparently wants to democratize the SC by adding more democracies... Um. That is one way to do it..."
Pretty much, the ambassador of Liechtenstein is a STAR. He was just so unimpressed and articulate and pragmatic. The UK (Amb. John Sawers) would be throwing his weight around, Egypt would be passionate, Tanzania would be off-hand and jolly, and Liechtenstein would be the one rolling his eyes and going, "Okay, guys, let's get real..."
On being asked about the growing role of NGOs and civil society in the UN--
UK: "Yes, actually George Clooney is going to be talking in an upcoming panel."
Liechtenstein: "George Clooney is not an NGO."
OH MY GOD, MARRY ME, CHRISTIAN WENAWESER. "George Clooney is for George Clooney," he adds. SEDUCED SIGH.
The audience laughed at the weirdest/awesomest things. Sure, the Liechtenstein's George Clooney crack got a laugh, but so did this:
On the formation of the United Nations and the League--
The UK: "Much like you guys, the UK was but a happy beneficiary of the post-WW2 geopolitical situation."
Audience: "BAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
The ambassadors (including my ONE TRUE LOVE MR. WENAWESER) mentioned that much of the real power of the P5 comes not from the veto, but from institutional memory. That is to say, the P5 have always been there and are familiar with the ins and outs of SC procedure; their power is their savoir-faire. Tanzania talks about his own experience with this. "The last time Tanzania was on the SC was 30 years ago. I was seated between the UK and the US -- United Republic of Tanzania, don't you know -- and I said to them, 'This is probably the first time Tanzania has come between you.' When I wanted to contribute to or formulate a resolution, I would turn to my neighbors and ask them, 'How do you this? How do you do that?' Because they know how to go about it. But the last time Tanzania was on the SC was 30 years ago. At the end of the term, I shook the hands of my neighbors, I told them it has been a pleasure, and see you in another 30 years..."
Tanzania was quite personable and entertaining. He came in half an hour late because he was held back at an African Union meeting, then he was like, "Yes, thank you, it's very nice to be here at this panel about... [turns to moderator] democratization?" Busy guy.
Also, Egypt and the UK are apparently bosom buddies and they kept giving each other shit. How adorable. Giving each other shit constitutes of saying things like, "BULLSHIT, the protection your position affords you has let you fuck up Iraq and Afghanistan, and don't even try blaming Sudan on China!" Okay, so Egypt didn't say exactly that, but that was the sentiment.
Actually the interaction between all the ambassadors are pretty adorable. On the subject of adding more seats to the SC--
UK: 3 seats, possibly 2.
Liechtenstein: 2? What about Cyprus?
And the UK gives him this look like, "What crack have you been smoking?"
circumventing the UN and SC: Besides imposing sanctions, the SC also has been freezing the assets of individuals who contribute their resources (financial or otherwise) to terrorist organizations. Or, telling governments to freeze the individual's assets. Recently, someone whose assets has been frozen was able to go to the European Criminal Justice and have the SC decision overturned.
On being asked how the UK would approach the SC, if he were a non-permanent member: "Find a niche role. You won't influence a series of major issues."
Organizational reform is usually achieved if the organization is in crisis. The UN and the SC may be on the rocks, but it is not in crisis. Reform is far away.
In which Obama and McCain had a forum on national service at the student center. They erected a large screen outside so those of us who didn't win auditorium seating in the lottery can watch it from the Low Library steps.
UH YEAH, McCain said that. OH MCCAIN, what the fuck. I like that he jokes about how old he is. His attitude during this interview seems to be appeasing and nice to the interviewers, which wasn't impressive. McCain is apparently all about mayors also. Uh, for his own sake, I wish he had more finesse.
Okay, so people are like criticizing Obama for not being specific. Edumacate me: how is he any vaguer than McCain? They both seem to be vague.
TOBEY MAGUIRE GAVE AN OPENING SPEECH. What the fuck?! And they talk about his new movie! And his old movies! And how is Spiderman! You're ridiculous, Tobey Maguire, get the fuck out of this forum! Apparently Usher and Leo DiCaprio was also there, but that during commercial breaks, people mostly flocked to get Obama's autograph. Columbia was his alma mater, so whenever he gave Columbia a little shout-out, the student body collectively creamed their shorts.
When Obama started talking about how the US needs to stop depending on foreign oil, some girl in the auditorium SHRIEKED like she was at an N'Sync concert.
It got chilly on the steps too. I became grateful for the collective body heat, whereas before the press of humanity was only annoying. It was the first time outside that I wished I were wearing a hoodie. Bring on the autumn; I've got these cute sweaters I want to look cute in. I kind of can't believe I stayed on the steps for as long as I did: uncomfortable seating, cold, massive crowd, and I can't even vote anyway. Towards the end, cops and guards began constructing a fence from the student center presumably as a "exit is this way, mr. candidates", and I kind of wanted to stay and maybe see the man himself, but FUCK IT, I was cold, and I had had a long and busy day.