Historical United Nations Security Council (H-UNSC)
Topic A: Northern Ireland Conflict (The Troubles)
By the 1920s Ireland was in a state of disarray from the Irish War of Independence, therefore to “provide for the better Government of Ireland”, the Government of Ireland Act was chartered in 1920. The act partitioned Ireland into two: Northern Ireland containing six countries and the larger institution of Southern Ireland (despite containing three countries). Additionally, the Catholics and Protestants moved into each region respectively (North/Catholics, South/Protestants). Subsequently, issues presenting apparent discrimination against the North arose: prestigious jobs were given to Protestants while most labor intensive jobs were given to Catholics, Protestants dominated politics and minimized Catholic representation, Catholics were disregarded when it came to the allocation of public housing, appointments to public service jobs, etc., and they were even more likely to be the subject of police harassment by the almost exclusively Protestant RUC and Ulster Special Constabulary (police forces). Additionally, the North felt excluded from Irish practices as neither Irish history nor language was taught in school, the flag of the Irish republic was illegal to fly, and the Irish republicanism party was banned from Northern Ireland. However, as the Catholics largely identified as Irish it was expected for them to start pressing for a unified state. Though, the South Protestants saw themselves as British, and would not cooperate (it also meant that they would lose their privileges). This led to a series of marked street fighting, sensational bombings, sniper attacks, roadblocks, internment without trial, and pure violence that lasted 30 years. The Troubles were brought to an uneasy end as the events were prolonged due to British involvement; the process included the declaration of ceasefires by most paramilitary organisations, the complete decommissioning of the IRA’s weapons, the reform of the police, and the corresponding withdrawal of the British Army from the streets and Irish border. Therefore, delegates will be tasked to revisit these times and propose solutions to ease this conflict and avoid its prolongation.
Topic B: Discussing the Improvement of the UN's Peace Agenda During the Post Cold War Era
With every passing decade, valuable developments and discoveries unveil, though with tremendous costs. Through every World War, revolution, economic and technology boom, the involvement of the five prevailing countries has always been clear. The League of Nations for instance was an international organization founded (by ⅗ of the countries) after the Paris Peace Conference (1919), with goals including, disarmament, war presentation, settling disputes peacefully and through negotiation and diplomacy, improving global welfare, etc. However, the start of World War II (due to these countries’ respective incentives) indicated the evident failure of their cooperation and negotiations, and eventually the dismantlement of the institution. Therefore, the establishment of the United Nations in 1945 (more specifically the United Nations Security Council) led to much controversy amongst nations world-wide, as the oppressors became the “peacemakers”. Additionally, the permanency of their seats and ability to “veto” resolutions led to an uproar, as they were given “absolute” power in decisions. Thus with the start of the Cold War, many countries were left displeased with the situation at hand, as they (five permanent countries) were the instigators; this caused instability as disagreements regarding who should lead the United Nations arose, with one side claiming only such countries hold such power to make a change, and the other side acknowledging the need of global cooperation. Therefore, delegates must decide whether or not such power should be held by any country, or if these countries should contain membership in the United Nations at all (discussions may also include: should veto power be eliminated or given to others, should the five countries be replaced, should “permanency” of seats exist) .