YYMGE

Delegate ProspectusYale Model Government Europe 2014

Contents1 Welcome

3 Our Mission

4 WHY YMGE

7 Committee Structure

8 Crises & Committee Structure

10 Meet the 2014 Secretariat

13 YMGE at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest

14 Deadline & Fees

15 Schedule of Events

Dear Faculty Advisors and Delegates,

On behalf of the YMGE Secretariat and Yale International Relations Association, it is my great pleasure to invite you to the fourth annual session of Yale Model Government Europe (YMGE). YMGE 2014 will be held at the Corinthia Hotel Budapest from Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, November 30, 2014.

A storied yet innovative conference, YMGE draws on a large and distinctive background in international relations. Run by members of the Yale International Relations Association—a group of students with a passion for Model UN and international affairs—the conference draws hundreds of top high school students from institutions around the world to raise awareness of and foster debate about international policy and global affairs in the European context.

YMGE 2014 is not just a world class conference, but also a conference in its own class. We hope that you will participate. YMGE strives to inspire delegates to meet their full potential as critical thinkers seeking solutions to the major challenges of today’s world.

Registration materials are available on our website. If you have any questions about the conference or registration, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We look forward to seeing you in Budapest. In the heartland of the Renaissance, a reinvigorated conference awaits you!

Mindén jot

Best Wishes,

David Steiner

President, YMGEpresident@ymge.org

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Our MissionYMGE aims to raise awareness of and foster debate about international relations and global affairs in the European context.

An innovative, collaborative, and inspiring learning environment fosters teamwork and participation. Delegates, as the world’s future leaders, develop self-esteem and invaluable conflict resolution skills.

A uniquely realistic simulation of global crisis challenges a diverse group of delegates to evaluate geopolitical dynamics and global perspectives.

Professional, dedicated, and conscientious YMGE staff members inspire delegates to meet their full potential as critical thinkers seeking solutions to the major challenges of today’s world.

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Why YMGE

Unique EU Simulation Yale Model Government Europe is unique in the fact that the conference simulates the deliberations of the European Union, as opposed to larger organizations like the United Nations. This means that YMGE committees both focus on tackling issues especially relevant to Europe and also encourage delegates to narrow their focus and develop meaningful, applicable solutions to the issues they engage.

Distinct Committee Roles YMGE structures the types of committees it runs to simulate the deliberation of actual decision-making entities of the EU, offering parliaments, specialized committees, and cabinets. Cabinets in particular provide delegates the chance to engage in unique crisis simulations. Each cabinet is comprised of delegates representing specific ministerial positions, and when crises unfold, ministers are asked to reshuffle and coordinate with ministers in other committees who share their roles. This reshuffling engenders the development of uniquely effective solutions to all aspects of crises.

Integrated Crisis At YMGE, each committee is run as a crisis committee, featuring significant crisis updates during every session. However, YMGE crises are particularly unique in that all committees’ crises are interrelated, as they are all part of one central crisis scenario. All committees’ crises correspond with a theme that allows the actions taken by one committee to address a situation that affects the proceedings in other committees. This integrated approach to crises makes for more exciting deliberations and calls on delegates to develop practical, nuanced, and globally-aware solutions.

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How is YMGE different from other Model UN conferences?

Quality of Staff Like all other conferences sponsored by the Yale International Relations Association, YMGE takes the quality of its committees very seriously. To ensure that committees are professionally run, YMGE employs a rigorous selection process to recruit Yale-student Committee Directors with passion for international relations and special knowledge about European affairs. Many of our Committee Directors are members of the Model United Nations Team at Yale, which is consistently ranked one the top MUN teams in the world, and all Committee Directors have extensive chairing experience with the Yale Model United Nations conference and the Security Council Simulation at Yale.

Small Committees 75% of YMGE committees enroll fewer than 15 delegates and no committee is larger than 60 delegates. This small committee size ensures that delegates have plenty of opportunity to participate in debate and play influential roles in their committee’s decision making. An intimate committee environment and individual attention from the Yale staff pushes delegates to reach new understandings of diplomacy, crisis management, and international relations.

Proven Educational Value If you don’t take our word for it that our committees are engaging and well-run, you can listen to delegations advisors from past years instead! Six of YMGE’s seven learning outcomes received overall evaluations of “Major Improvement” or higher in a 2013 survey of schools that attended YMGE 2011, 2012, 2013. These advisor evaluation results indicate that delegates walk away from YMGE with greatly enhanced confidence in large groups; appreciation of global affairs and other cultures; and capacity to think quickly, adapt to information, conduct research, and build consensus.

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“I would say the integrated crisis system [at YMGE] was the best part about the conference. I liked it because I liked the fast-paced debate... I also hadn’t been to a conference that ran crisis like this before.”

The conference emulates the proceedings of the European Union and its constituent nations’ cabinets, ministries, and parliaments. YMGE 2013 will simulate 28 different European government bodies, including:

3 National ParliamentsThese parliaments engage in debate on contemporary topics such as the European debt crisis, immigration, and the world’s changing power structure.

2 Specialized CommitteesThese committees target hotspots in global affairs with a European bent, including multi-national alliances, conflict intervention, and cybersecurity.

13 National Cabinets & 13 Ministerial CabinetsThe national and ministerial cabinets, sampled from various EU countries, will be discussing issues unique to their respective agendas, such as financial regulation, agricultural policy, and combating extremism.

Our unique conference format comprises two types of sessions. In standard committee debate, delegates are placed in a parliament, European government, or supranational body to discuss important issues pertaining to the future of Europe and the international community. In crisis sessions, all committees have to table their individual debates to come together and solve an issue that threatens the integrity of the international system and European integration. As a result, each committee will have to respond to the decisions made by their counterparts in a fast-paced and wholly immersive debate.

Committee Structure

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Crises & Committee Structure

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In order to make the crisis simulation as close to real-life as possible, we take the idea of a crisis to the next level: the crisis at YMGE will include an unexpected reshuffling of established stable political contexts. It will test the flexibility and creativity of delegates and require them to adapt quickly to a realist, changing world, as well as interact and cooperate with their colleagues in many different committees. Every committee will be kept abreast of developments in each of the others. In connecting the proceedings of committees, when the crisis begins, rather than falling primarily under the portfolio of one or a few cabinet ministers, the cabinets will be reshuffled to form European Councils of Ministers (CoMs), uniting all the ministers of a given portfolio into a joint task force with a mandate to tackle their aspect of the crisis. The aim of this crisis is to simulate the proceedings undertaken by European ministers in times of difficulty, and to expose student participants to a new dimension of global cooperation and politics.

Tapped Out: The Growing Energy CrisisIn recent years, the EU has been at the forefront of the sustainable energy revolution, standing in the vanguard of a new era of economic incentives for the production of green energy. Faced with dwindling domestic energy sources and stagnant international perspectives on climate change, member states have invested heavily in steering their economies towards energy independence and, ultimately, carbon neutrality. But then the recession hit, and policymakers from every nation have been torn between the economic needs of the present and the systemic objectives of the future. At YMGE 2014, delegates will have to balance supporting the shaky economic recovery and the financial burden of ambitious energy strategies – all against the backdrop of a continuously dwindling pool of resources. Will Europe be able to set a progressive energy policy for the world to follow, or is it simply tapped out?

Just as energy permeates all aspects of our lives, all delegates at YMGE will be involved with the reevaluation of European energy priorities. Some delegates will have to deal with the social effects of energy shortages, while others might have to negotiate the terms of energy trade agreements or respond to terrorist threats to pipelines or other vital energy infrastructure. Delegates serving as ministers in cabinet positions will deliberate both in national cabinets and in meetings with their counterparts from around the EU. In this manner, delegates will be use both national and international perspectives to formulate their energy policy plan.

Larger Parliaments and other specialized committees, while not reshuffling, will respond to the crisis in real-time, reacting to the actions of each subcommittee of the EC to formulate broad and comprehensive solutions to the problem at hand. As the conference progresses, each individual cabinet will hone in on elements of the crisis most pertinent to their purview. The objective of these committees will be to articulate a clear and definitive international policy, gauge European reactions to their decisions, and formulate opinions on the decisions of national actors to maintain European unity. Each European subcommittee will directly interact with other members of national cabinets, and can summon or subpoena them to force them to justify their actions to the international community.

By the end of the conference, each institution represented at YMGE, both national and international, must work together to draft a coherent and effective energy policy, both for the crisis at hand and for the next 20 years. But the fast-paced nature of the crisis will demand that delegates act quickly and decisively – their actions affect a struggling economy in real-time, and by extension, the quality of life of millions of people.

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David Steiner David has the pleasure of serving as President of Yale Model Government Europe 2014. Previously, he served as Director-General of Committees for YMGE 2013, in which capacity he oversaw YMGE’s staff of 18 Committee Directors and helped guide YMGE’s pedagogical philosophy. He has extensive conference-planning experience, including with Yale Model United Nations, the Security Council Simulation at Yale, and YMUN Korea. His background is in specialized, crisis-based committees, and he looks forward to creating a dynamic and interactive experience for the delegates and advisors of YMGE 2014.

David is a rising junior at Yale University from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh is home to the most successful American football team in history, and—like all Pittsburghers—David is an ardent fan. At Yale, he is double majoring in Economics and Political Science. Outside of the classroom, he dabbles with jazz piano and edits the campus political magazine.

Hector Pina Hector is a rising junior from Orlando, Florida and was raised in Puerto Rico. He is a Political Science Masters Program student who specializes in U.S.-Middle Eastern foreign relations. Since coming to Yale, Hector has been deeply involved with Model United Nations by staffing the Security Council Simulation at Yale, WEMUN in Beijing and, most recently, the Yale Model United Nations Conference. Outside of Yale, Hector works as a campaign manager for political campaigns in Massachusetts. Hector has a passion for politics and international relations; he hopes to be able to share this with all of the delegates at this year’s YMGE conference.

Brady Currey Brady is a rising sophomore from sunny Los Angeles, California. He is currently a Biomedical Engineering major, but has pursued his interest in modern international relations and development for most of his life. In high school, he was heavily involved with his school’s Model UN team. At Yale, Brady has served on the secretariat for YMUN and is a tutor for Hemispheres, an outreach program that teaches local high school students about current events and the international system. He also is involved in Engineers Without Borders and works in an environmental engineering laboratory researching novel water purification systems for developing nations.

Directors of Committees & Crisis Planning

Salaar Shaikh Salaar is a rising sophomore at Yale hailing from Karachi, Pakistan, where he was heavily invested in public speaking in various formats—including debate, Model UN and elocution. He hopes his experience at conferences in the Subcontinent, North America and the Far East will help create a one-of-a-kind committee experience for all delegates. Salaar is eager to combine his interests in quantitative economics with his passion for international relations; on campus, he is a consultant for low-income entrepreneurs and writes for The Politic. In addition, he spends time with YPAK—the undergraduate association for Pakistanis.

The YMGE 2014 Secretariat

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Director of Finance

Director of Conference

Director of External Relations

Director of TechnologyMelody Wang Melody is a rising junior from Richmond, Virginia. Born in China, Melody speaks Chinese fluently and is currently learning Portuguese. At Yale, she studies economics and political science and is interested in how legal institutions of developing countries support economic development. Beyond YMGE, Melody is part of the Yale Student Investment Group, writes for the economic review, and works as a research assistant in Yale’s Institution of Social and Policy Studies. She will use her past experience and knowledge of mathematical modeling to manage YMGE’s finances.

Christine Houle Christine is from Saline, Michigan, a small town outside of Ann Arbor. Majoring in both Global Affairs and Modern Middle Eastern Studies, she holds a place near and dear to her heart for the dynamics of international relations, especially the efforts of international institutions. She spent last summer in Paris, France studying the French language and is eager to return to Europe for the YMGE conference. At Yale, Christine is a devoted member of the Yale International Relations Association, and she is Yale University’s first-ever Feature Baton Twirler, performing at half-time of Yale’s football and basketball games.

Clarey Zhu Clarey is a rising junior at Yale majoring in Mathematics-Philosophy and Economics, but is also passionate about international relations, linguistics, information technology, and astronomy. Originally from China, she loves travelling the world, learning new languages, and exploring foreign cuisines. She spent last summer learning languages and cultures and travelling in four continents, and is looking forward to equity crowdfunding internships with high-tech startups in Israel and Singapore this summer. Clarey is also involved with the Yale World Fellows Program, Yale Leadership Institute, and Ballroom Dance Team.

Graham Kaemmer Graham is a rising junior at Yale majoring in computer science. He grew up in Concord, Massachusetts and has spent his last seven years tinkering with web, game, and system development. As a seventh grader, Graham experimented with Flash game design. After a high school career as a freelance game and web developer, he spent the summers of 2012 and 2013 as an engineering intern at TripAdvisor. Within YIRA, Graham has served as the Tech Director for Yale Model United Nations, where he managed a team that kept YMUN’s website, iPhone app, and conference videos all running smoothly.

Directors of RecruitmentJacek Oleszczuk Jacek, a rising sophomore at Yale, was born in Poland and has lived in Paris for the last eight years. Prospectively majoring in Ethics, Politics and Economics, Jacek has a passion for learning languages, creative writing and almost every sport involving water. At Yale, he is a dedicated member of the Yale International Relations Association and an ardent writer and business associate for The Politic, Yale’s political magazine. A former delegate of model government conferences as well as an experienced staff member of Yale-run conferences, he looks forward to liaising with the delegates and advisors of YMGE 2014.

Director of Branding Anthony Kayruz Anthony Kayruz is a rising sophomore at Yale, and he spent his freshman year studying Philosophy, Political Theory, and Western Literature as part of Yale’s Directed Studies program. Aside from his interest in the classics, Anthony enjoys political science and international relations and hopes to major in Ethics, Politics, and Economics. On campus, he competes with Yale’s competitive Model UN team, teaches global affairs to local high school students, and serves as a staff writer and graphic designer for The Politic, Yale’s undergraduate political magazine.

Leo Espinoza Leo Espinoza is a rising sophomore at Yale majoring in Political Science and Modern Middle East Studies. Leo joins YMGE after working on the Security Council Simulation at Yale, Yale Model United Nations, Yale Model United Nations in Seoul, and Yale Model United Nations in Taiwan. Outside of Model UN, Leo is an active member of the Roosevelt Institute, a progressive organization that engages students in public policy work around New Haven, and the Saybrook College Council.

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ConsultantTiffany Ho Tiffany is a YMGE veteran, having served as a recruitment director for YMGE 2012 and as a president for YMGE 2013. Tiffany’s interest in law, policy, and international politics has led her to pursue a political science degree as a rising senior at Yale. When Tiffany is not busy with YMGE, she works for Yale Law School, consults with the World Scholar’s Cup on risk management issues, peer reviews articles for the International Conference on Marketing and Business Development in Bucharest, Romania.

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YMGE at the Corinthia Hotel BudapestKeeping with tradition of selecting unique, interesting, and beautiful locations, YMGE 2014 will be held in Budapest, Hungary. Nestled along the Danube River, the luxurious Corinthia Hotel will host the conference. YMGE has negotiated significantly discounted room rates at the Corinthia for delegates and advisors. Budapest, rich with history and culture, offers many varied activities for time out of committee.

Deadlines & FeesYMGE has two registration tracks - Early Registration and Regular Registration. Schools that successfully complete Early Registration for YMGE 2014 will benefit from discounted conference fees, access to a reserved pool of specialized positions, as well as earlier notification of committee assignments. Early Registration closes on June 13, 2014. Please register at http://ymge.org/registration/.

Early Registration (closes June 13)Delegation prepayment is due 8 business days after registration. Delegation final payment is due August 29, 2014

Prepayment—300 EUR/450 USDDelegation Fees—120 EUR/ 175 USDAdvisor Fee—70 EUR/105 USDDelegate Fee—150 EUR/225 USD

Regular RegistrationDelegation prepayment is due 8 business days after registration.Delegation final payment is due by November 7, 2014.

Prepayment—450 EUR/ 670 USDDelegation Fee—160 EUR/240 USDAdvisor Fee—100 EUR/150 USDDelegate Fee—200 EUR/ 300 USD

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Wednesday, November 26Before 19:00 Optional Programming19:00-21:30 Registration

Thursday, November 279:30-16:00 Registration13:00-13:50 Advisor Briefing13:00-13:50 Assistant Director Briefing14:00-14:50 New Delegate Training15:00-16:00 Opening Ceremony19:30-21:00 Committee Session 121:15-22:30 Committee Session 2

Friday, November 2810:00-10:30 Workshop I10:30-11:00 Workshop II11:00-12:00 Lunch Break12:00-14:30 Committee Session 3 (Crisis Session)13:00-13:30 Advisor Briefing15:00-17:00 Committee Session 4 (Crisis Session)20:00-23:00 Committee Session 5 (Crisis Session)

Saturday, November 2909:00-10:45 Committee Session 6 (Crisis Session)11:00-12:45 Committee Session 7 (Crisis Session)12:00-12:30 Advisor Briefing12:45-13:45 Lunch Break13:45-15:30 Committee Session 8 (Crisis Session)15:45-17:30 Committee Session 9

Sunday, November 3009:00-10:15 Committee Session 1010:30-11:30 Closing Ceremonies

Schedule of Events

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“I think the way Yale Model Government Europe organizes crises is very innovative. [The integrated crisis structure] makes for great debate because it lets delegates cross committees and work together in new ways, keeping us always thinking about issues from new perspectives. It was a really exciting way to run the conference.”

At YMGE 2014, a cutting edge conference awaits you in a World Heritage Site, where mist from the Danube River glistens against the backdrop of mosaic Ottoman domes. Dedicated and inspirational staff from Yale International Relations Association (est. 1969) will come together in Budapest, Hungary to host some of the world’s most motivated and talented delegates.

With a mission to foster inspiration, collaboration and innovation, the conference exceeds precedence with a skillful and deliberate combination of true-to-life current events and creative challenges. In an atmosphere of teamwork, camaraderie and scholarship you and your delegation will gather with fellow future leaders.

YMGE builds on the prestige and tradition of Yale’s flagship Model UN program and brings critical thinking and global citizenship to the forefront of discussions and debates in diplomacy. Take a moment to visit our website, www.ymge.org, to find more information about our

• unique and interactive crisis model,• dynamic committees, and• professional conference and setting.

Early Registration closes on June 13, 2014, and Regular Registration is limited by availability. Visit www.ymge.org to register today, and feel free to contact us with any questions. Join us at YMGE 2014 in Budapest, Hungary. The heartland of the Renaissance awaits you!

Jacek OleszczukLeo Espinoza

Directors of Recruitment, YMGE 2014recruitment@ymge.org

Inspire. Collaborate. Innovate.