ASIAN CAUCUS - PAULA MASCARENHAS AND MILLA GOLDENSTEIN

Fellow Delegates and Dear Colleagues,
Within the world’s vastness there are an unaccountable number of alarming issues, and with that, the determination of mankind towards their solvency. As you must be aware, this is why the United Nations was established – so that all nations could come forth, and together put ideals into actions. A Model United Nations delegate should, therefore, be tested on skills of logic, global awareness and strength of solvency. The Asian Caucus is an area where you will be able to explore these skills critically. This is where you will learn to look through a nation’s perspective and still set differences aside to agree upon the best resolution. It is enticing to know that the Asian Caucus is promising heated up debates due to the present events. We will be dealing with nuclear weapons, ethnic conflicts, territorial conflicts, terrorism and more! This is the opportunity to choose within a wide range of topics one that concerns you the most and that would emphasize the brilliance of your ideas. Choose between representing a world power, like China, or an exotic one, such as Sri Lanka. We assure that the Asian Caucus is most definitely a number one choice, where you will learn, interact, and receive our total support so that together we can run an intense and interesting discussion. We welcome you to the caucus that will fulfill you in every way, and make every second of the experience worth it!

Pakistan
• Kashmir territory disputes.
• Ethnic majority/minority and the ongoing conflicts (Shia Muslims)
• Religion conflicts (Muslim)
• Taliban during regime (1996-2001) and its influence in Pakistan then and today.
• Terrorism and anti-terrorism actions (War on Terror)
• North Waziristan area
• Creation of Pakistan
• NPT
• Benazir Bhutto (assassinated political leader)
• Economic aspirations (the organizations they are part of: Organization of the Islamic Conference, G20 developing nations, etc)
• SAARC

India
• Creation of India
• Kashmir territory disputes
• NPT
• Population growth control
• Women in India and other social issues
• Religion in India
• Cultural related issues – the strength of traditional values (caste systems, young marriages, etc)
• Rising economy
• SAARC

Afghanistan
• Elections (government, parties, etc)
• Opium issues
• Terrorism (War on Terror)
• Taliban regime then and today
• Women in Afghanistan
• War in Afghanistan
• NATO
• Ethnic groups and the relationship among each other (Pashtuns, Tajik, Hazara, etc)
• SAARC

Japan
• Economic growth
• Repercussion of WWII (on the bombs, government limitations, economic difficulties, etc)
• Sino-Japanese War (Japan’s imperialism)
• Relations with North Korea (especially its nuclear program)
• Population issues (racism)
• China and South Korea issues with Japan
• Japan relations with developing nations in Southeastern Asia

Bangladesh
• Creation (War for independence in 1971)
• Democracy restoration in 1991
• Economic growth
• Bangladesh Liberation War
• Relations with India
• Participation in the Persian Gulf War
• Relations with China, Japan, and Muslim countries
• Gender discrimination
• SAARC

Bhutan
• Gross National Happiness (GNH)
• Transition from monarchy to democracy (2008)
• SAARC
• Bhutan – India relations (since India’s independence)
• Bhutanese army against anti-Indian insurgents in training camps (2003)
• Southern Bhutanese (refugees)
• Border demarcation with China issue
• Relations with Nepal (refugees)


Indonesia
• Muslim population
• Independence after WWII
• Democratization process
• Ethnic/population conflicts
• Communism in Indonesia
• Asian Financial Crisis (1997-1998)
• Suharto Era: New Order Administration
• 25-year military occupation
• Aceh (Free Aceh Movement, GAM) and Papua


China
• Sovereignty over Tibet
• Human rights violations
• The First Opium War
• The founding of “People’s Republic of China”
• China’s involvement with communism/socialism
• China’s hostage to refugees from Myanmar, North Korea, etc.
• China’s involvement in the Darfur conflict, and the selling of weapons
• Food poisoning
• Wen Jiabao
• Relation with Pariah Nations
• Tian’anmen Square Massacre
• The Long March
• War with Japan
• Korean War
• Great Leap Forward
• China and Taiwan

Tibet
• Tibet’s Sovereignty
• Chinese invasion
• Buddhism, the Monks, and slavery in Tibet
• Peace treaty between Tibet and China
• Civil War
• The Manchu invasion of Tibet
• The Dalai Lama

North Korea
• Nuclear program
• Korean War
• Refugees
• Conflict with South Korea
• Yellow Sea clash

South Korea
• Sino-Japanese war
• Conflict with North Korea
• Yellow Sea clash
• UN recognition of independent South Korea after WWII
• No Gun Ri
• Relation with China and communism
• Refugees

Myanmar
• British wars
• BIA or Burma National Army
• Aung San
• Civil War
• Ne Win
• The government system, and dictatorship
• Aung San Suu Kyi
• 8888 Uprising
• The military system and refugees

Nepal
• 1996 armed conflict
• Crisis of governance after first ceasefire
• System of government and relation to communism
• Royal Palace Massacre
• The Maoists