NWMUN Portland Country Facts by Makena Hulme

We are privileged to send our most experienced delegates to the North West Model United Nations conference in Portland for the first time ever next year. In order to get ready for the vigorous conference, it is essential that we do excellent research, keep up on current events, and write wonderful academic paperwork.

Bolivia

Basic Facts

Capital: La Paz

Population: 10,800,882 (2015)

Currency: 1 boliviano (B$) = 100 centavos

Current Events

• Experts seek underlying cause for persistent health inequalities in the Caribbean
•  United Nations Paris Climate Agreement goes into effect on November 4^th
•  Bolivia’s Morales accuses Chile of restricting access to ports
• The disappearance of Lake Poopo destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds of fishing families and has added to a new category of climate refugees
• In Bolivia, drinks made from the endangered Titicaca water frog are promoted as a cure for many ailments, without scientific support
• Thousands of fish are dead in Lake Alalay and scientists are researching what caused oxygen levels in the lake to drop so rapidly
•  Evo Morales loses bid to seek a fourth term
• Morales’ secret dead son has been found alive and in good health
•  Bolivia’s health ministry has recommended eating llama instead of processed meat, after the World Health Organization warned an excess of red meat could cause cancer
• Anger in Chile ensues as International Court of Justice at the Hague declares it has jurisdiction to rule on Bolivia’s claim to a strip of the land in the Pacific Ocean

Spain

Basic Facts

Capital: Madrid

Population: 48,146,136

Currency: euro

Current Events

• List of new Catholic cardinals named by Pope Francis
•  Euro zone economy resilient to recent shocks
• More than 100 African migrants were saved from the Mediterranean off the coast of Spain
• Spain has plodded along without an elected national government for a year as of October 2, 2016  (New York Times)
• Barcelona is using superblocks as a transportation initiative to ease traffic and pollution and make better use of public spaces
• Hundreds of thousands of Catalans took to the streets of four major cities to urge their leaders to push for separation from Spain
• A hospital patient in Madrid died of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in Spain without having traveled to an endemic area.
• Spain’s Socialist leader Pedro Sanchez steps down to clear way for formation of government
• Spain’s Donana coastal wetlands being added to UNESCO danger list
• The chef Jamie Oliver’s inclusion of chorizo in paella causes a “paella gate” and unites fractured Spain together against Oliver

Delegate Preparation: The Country Profile by Makena Hulme

The reason we write country profiles is to get a grasp of the basic information about the nations we are representing at conference. In order to expand your awareness of the nation you decide to represent, it is absolutely essential that you spend some time understanding all six parts of your nation before tackling the task of writing policy for the committee you choose.

Government

When researching the government of your nation, focus on the type of government used and note if the government type has changed, not merely the leader changing. Also consider the relations the government has with its citizens, regional neighbors, and international community.

Economy

When researching the economy it is crucial to focus on the type of economy, the current state of the economy, the major industries, and the level of imports and exports.

Military

When researching the military presence in your nation, focus on the types of military it possesses, the size, strength, and capacity of said military, and the willingness and capacity the nation has to use military force.

Culture

Culture is a vast topic so remember to only mention topics that are important to your nation. Research dominate religion and any recent problems, immigration and migration, ethnic, tribal, and race considerations. Also emphasize values and major concerns of your nation.

Geography

In considering the geography of your nation, research the absence or presence of important resources as well as the land. If the nation is land-locked or has natural harbors, it will have political impact for the nation.

United Nations Policy

In order to understand your nation from a United Nations perspective, knowing the nation’s country voting bloc, level of participation, relationship of UN policy to domestic and foreign policy goals, and its overall strategy in the UN is imperative.