YMUN 2012 Positive Peace: The New Social Paradigm

The theme to YMUN 2012 is Positive Peace: The New Social Paradigm.

Positive peace is best understood when juxtaposed with its opposing concept, negative peace. While negative peace is the absence of violence, positive peace is the presence of justice. Negative peace is realized when the incidence of physical violence visibly decreases, but positive peace emerges when political, social and economic justice is fulfilled through the democratic redistribution of power and the dismantlement of all structural and cultural violence engrained within the social framework. Ceasefire may end war, most likely temporarily, but the restoration of fallen relationships, the creation of fair social systems that accommodate even the marginalized and the constructive resolution of conflict may extricate its root causes and result in truly lasting peace.

In the international context, the root causes of war and violence can be eliminated through world order, which in turn can be enforced through support for international law, compliance with multilateral treaties, the strengthening of international courts and the extended use of NGOs and communication as the means of nonviolent conflict resolution. It entails social equality through the rule of law, economic equity through the fair distribution of resources and human rights protection through commitment to basic human dignity. The addition of the Human Rights Council speaks volumes of YMUN’s dedication to this theme, as do many of the selected agenda topics, such as the enhanced efficiency of UN sanctions, inclusive financial systems in microfinancing and providing equitable access to sanitation.

The YMUN Secretariat invites all participating delegates to keep positive peace in mind during the three days of conference - mull over the true meaning of peace, question the existing structure and devise viable solutions to topple society's bastions of injustice.

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