The Heidelberg MUN Society

“The status of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas)”

Chair Applications OPEN

Even 4 decades after the Argentine-British war over the Falkland Islands, the sovereignty dispute over the territory is still going on. The United Kingdom invokes, amongst other legal principles, the right of the Falkland Islanders to self determination, reaffirmed by the 2013 referendum on the Island. Argentinia argues that the Falkland Population is not aboriginal, and that the Islands were transfered from Spain under the legal principle of “uti possidetis juris”. Over the past decades, the SPECPOL committee has requested that both countries negotiate a peaceful settlement to the still ongoing dispute.

“Security threats, concerns and developing dynamics in Balochistan and surrounding regions”

Chair Applications OPEN

The regions of Sistan and Balochistan have long been centers of ethnic and intergovernmental tensions; which have only been further exacerbated by instability and terror in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Today, tensions between Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan are at an all time high, due to Iran and Pakistan accusing each other of harboring separatists, Border conflicts between Iran and Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees due to terrorism concerns. Additionally, large Chinese investments in the region’s resources and infrastructure (Belt and Road) and paranoia about terror in Xinjiang, India‘s alleged support of Balochi separatist groups, and Russia‘s increasing stake in Iran further focus international attention on the region. Deescalation in the region would therefore greatly benefit China and Russia, but this is complicated by India‘s rivalry with Pakistan and decent relations with Russia, as well as the West‘s aspirations to counter Chinese influence in the region.

“Reorganization of the German territories – Creation of a succession entity of the Holy Roman Empire”

The Congress of Vienna from 1814 to 1815 reorganized Europe, shifted borders and established new political power relations following the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Restoration, a return to the Ancien Regime, the forging of alliances and the creation of sustainable and long-term security and stability were key objectives that the monarchs of Europe tried to achieve at international banquets.