Feeling Diplomatic? Try Model UN Iain Reeve, OP Contributor ons 2604 & : ey hile the real United Nations \ \ / (UN) contemplates major reforms, Douglas College is presenting its annual dose of global polit- ical diplomacy, at least the pretend kind. Once again, a bunch of hardworking students from all walks of college aca- demic life are throwing together a conference that lets you become a diplo- mat for a weekend. The basic idea behind the conference is that you get to choose a country (or, new to this year, a non-gov- ernment organization like Amnesty International or Greenpeace, or a judge in the International Criminal Court) and represent their views in one of the com- mittees. These committees are based on real UN branches and include the Security Council, the Commission on Human Rights, and a civil society com- posed entirely of NGOs. The issues to be discussed ate real-life issues on par with those the UN deals with every day. Your job as a delegate will be to research your country and voice their views on these issues in council, debating with other countries, and working towards a resolu- tion. So, I know what you’re asking: “I’m a crim student—why do I care about the United Nations?” Well, why not try being a judge on one of the world’s most impor- tant courts, overseeing proceedings of war crimes and crimes against humanity? All you economics students may be inter- ested in the International Bank on Research and Development, the parent committee of the World Bank, which is one of the world’s most important eco- nomic-development agencies. History? Sociology? Philosophy? Political Science? No matter what your interest there is something here for everyone to learn and experience. If nothing else you will get to meet some great people, take in some fun entertainment and good food at the big gala dinner, shmooze with local diplomats during the diplomat evening social, and learn how to be a real-life diplomat (or at least act like one). You even get a cool certificate at the end. What more incentive do you need? So, if you’re interested in learning about world issues, diplomacy, and the politics and beliefs of far away countries and interest groups, then contact Marlene Hancock at 604-527-5208. Thousands Protest Bush s Ottawa Visit Reka Szekely and Dave Weatherall, Canadian University Press OTTAWA (CUP)—While Prime Minister Paul Martin played gracious host to George W. Bush, thousands of protesters took to Ottawa’s streets to voice their dis- approval of the United States’ president and his policies. Bush’s visit was aimed at warming relations between Canada and the US, damaged by Canada’s refusal to go to war in Iraq. Despite having only two weeks’ notice of the visit, anti-war groups bussed in protesters from across Ontario and Quebec. Protesters carried signs such as, “No Bush, Know Peace” and “I Support Fair Trade: Bush for Anyone” as a peaceful match through downtown Ottawa kicked off the day’s demonstrations. Most signs condemned the US-led war in Iraq and Bush’s Middle-East policies. “T’m here because George Bush is basically a war criminal, with Kofi Annan’s declaration that the occupation of Iraq was illegal,” said Greg Kerr from the Council of Canadians. Since the country opposed the war, Canadian companies shouldn’t be supply- ing US forces, Kerr added. In front of Parliament, protesters re- enacted the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s statue using a papier-maché mock-up of Bush. After stamping on it repeatedly, a triumphant protester stuck what was left of the head on top a wood- en stick and waved it about. Police erected fences to block off sev- eral parts of Wellington Street and the | OUREPPReSSs atea around the Chateau Laurier hotel, but protesters broke through the first line of fences, pushing a severely outnum- bered line of police back to the second fence. Soon after, hundreds of police officers in full riot gear began pouring onto the streets behind the fence. Frustrated with their lack of progress, some protestors began throwing sticks, signs, and eggshells full of paint at riot police. Three police officers carried away one of their colleagues, who was struck in the face by a paint bomb. As the stand- off continued, chants of “Fuck You Bush” and “Bush Go Home” grew loud- er. One protester blew whistles into an RCMP officer’s ears. Lines of riot police on two fronts engaged the protesters, creating an air of uneasiness among the crowd, and it began to disperse. Protesters reassembled on Parliament Hill for a candlelight vigil commemorat- ing civilian casualties in Iraq. Speakers addressed the crowd in both English and French, including New Democratic Party Leader Jack Layton and Carolyn Parrish, the former Liberal MP kicked out of caucus. Layton said the US’s unilateral policies are being protest- ed around the world. He spoke out strongly against Bush’s ballistic missile- defense system. Brandon Hughey, a 19-year-old American who made international head- lines after he deserted the US army, also spoke. Hughey said he wasn’t willing to put himself in a situation where he would be forced to do things he was morally opposed to. “You only need to look at the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, where low-rank- ing enlisted servicemen were scapegoated after following orders from higher up,” he said. “I’m not saying these people don’t deserve to be punished, (but there is) evidence showing that these acts were approved from higher up in the chain of command.” “There should be more people going to jail than just a couple of privates.” Police estimated there were 5,000 pro- testers in the afternoon, but organizers pegged the number at 13,000. Organizers claimed the crowd grew to about 20,000 at the vigil. Montréal and. Toronto sent the largest fleets of buses, at least 20 each, with other cities sending smaller contingents of protesters. Caitlin Lloyd brought her three-year- old daughter, Kira, to the protest. “I feel it’s only dumb luck that my daughter happened to be born in Kingston, Ontario, into my home. I think she could very easily have been born in Iraq,” Lloyd said. “She could have been exposed to the devastating loss of her family, people being killed all around her, bombs going off, and I feel because she could have been born there, those chil- dren there are, in effect, my children.” Across the river in Hull, protesters led by Québec flags confronted police barri- cades at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, where the president and ptime minister joined premiers, cabinet ministers, ambassadors, and other guests for dinner. Police in full riot gear quickly arrived and held their ground. As the day of mostly peaceful protests—with several arrests—wrapped up, activists said there was more work to be done. “T think this can only be a beginning,” said Ryan Toews, a graduate student in political science at York University, “And I think Canadians should think seriously about the relationship of our govern- ment and our defense industries to the US and the fact that we’re also culpable for the deaths of people overseas.” December 8/200