The Ambassador of Bulgaria at London Metropolitan University!

In politics decision making is not just an act, it involves processes which need to be considered for long term implications. Lyubomir Nedkov Kyuchukov ( Bulgarain ambassador to UK).

'A picture is worth a thousand words'

The Londonmet Model United nation was honoured to host a talk by the Bulgarian ambassador to the UK on the different issues surrounding the role of UN in the current international affairs. The Ambassador was welcomed by the team and our Senior Lecturer Stevin Curtis was also present to chair the debate that followed after his talk.

Mr. Kyuchukov started on a cheerful note apologizing for being late and joked that instead of UN reform he might need to talk on London Transport reform. Nevertheless He gave a brief introduction about the establishment of the United Nations Organisation after the Second World War and described about the structure; its goal based on Universal values and need for reflection about the composition and role of UN. The principle goal being international peace and security, he stressed that certain balance of force is a key factor for the function of UN based on nation state sovereignty.

Then he explained the need for reform in the UN system, especially in the Security Council. Current proposition maintains the need for addition of four new permanent members; Japan, Germany, India and Brazil. There is call for at least one representation from the African continent in order to maintain regional aspiration. There are different proposals, some calling for semi-permanent members and also readdressing the role of Veto- to reduce it to certain spheres. Inclusion of some Eastern European countries as non-permanent member in the Security Council was another proposal. However, there are numerous challenges to this proposal which need Mutual Corporation and understanding and prudent diplomatic efforts to accommodate interest of all members.

He moved on to touch upon the impact of globalisation, the need for legal and institutional reforms, and about the decrease role of nation- states. The case of Iraq and Afghanistan calls for re-consideration of the principle of Sovereignty. 

Finally he concluded with an overview that the main task at hand is to strengthen international institutions and legal framework to a global level. This needed to be done with certain balance of force without shattering or leaving institutional and legal vacuums.

The talk was followed by many interesting questions from the students and the answers were really interesting and different compared to academicians. Though there were still more questions we have to stop due to time constrains. The team wholeheartedly thanked the ambassador for his time and presented him a small present from Londonmet MUN society.

All students are highly recommended to attend future events if you are up for an stimulating intellectual debate!

check our facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=38641822142

visit http://www.bulgarianembassy-london.org/  for more info about Bulgaria.


The Bulgarian Embassy has endorse our society in the embassy website:


Have a look at - http://www.bulgarianembassy-london.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=698&Itemid=282   (to see our very own Londonmet MUN society being endorsed :)

   

Pray the Devil Back to Hell Movie Screening

Liberia is a country on the west coast of Africa with a unique historical background and a devastating recent past: Ravaged by two civil wars which cost countless lives and uprooted thousands, the country is now slowly recovering from those traumatic events.

The Londonmet MUN Society has screened the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell once at City Campus and once at North Campus, because this uplfiting and inspiring story of how the courage of a group of Liberian women has helped in bringing the civil war to and end, reach a peace agreement between the warring fractions and oust then-President Charles Taylor is a must-see for everyone interested in the role of women in matters of war and peace and in non-violent protest in general.

The Women's Movement

The 2008 documentary tells the story of the 'Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace' movement which was led and organized by ordinary Liberian women, Christian and Muslim united, who were tired of the war and the atrocities connected to it. Their non-violent protests, consisting of sit-ins in public places where they prayed and danced and chanted, gathered so much momentum, that Charles Taylor had to take notice of them and could ultimately be made to attend peace talks with the rebles in Ghana.

Fearing the failure of the talks, a delegation of women followed the president to Ghana to continuesly exert pressure on the different parties, locking them into the building at some point until progress was made.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Finally, their actions helped to contribute to an agreement during the difficult peace talks and led to Charles Taylor leaving for exile in Nigeria, bringing about peace in Liberia after 14 years of civil war. Since then, Liberia has held democratic elections and was the first African country to elect a female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Their story is both hopeful and optimistic, an example of ordinary people being able to achieve the extraordinary. The documentary has won a variety of awards and tells a story which is not as widely known as it deserves!

The screenings were followed by a lively debate and were an enriching experience for everyone!

If you want to know more about future events, please email us on: munlondonmet@gmail.com to be added to our mailinglist or search for our Facebook Group: LondonMet Model UN Society!