The Diplomat

Journal Of The United Nations Student Association Maastricht

Food Waste. TAKE A LOOK INTO YOUR TRASH Maasmedia. PARTICIPATORY JOURNALISM DAY Identity. A DUTCH POINT OF VIEWWinter 2012 www.myunsa.org

our city our lives

CONTENT

AT F I R S T

Ida Roivainen

AT F I R S T03

THINK ABOUTYour favourite spot in Maastricht?

04 What do you think about:

SPOTLIGHT05 One can make a differenceDay of participatory journalism

Editors in Chief Alisa Fluhrer, Charlotte Steenhuis Editorial Team Sevda Arslan Danille Blox Laura Garcia Thomas Gidney Kaja Hengstenberg Teresa Kern Lena Krohmer Robin Riffaud Ida Roivainen Annie Scanlan Niklas Schmalholz Anna Theisen Paul Toetzke Johanna Zllner Cartoon Margaux Nve Photos Paul Toetzke, Johanna Zllner Cover page phot0 Ida Roivainen Cover page layout Alisa Fluhrer Layout Ida Roivainen Print Grafik-Zentrum Deutmann Circulation 500 Contact journal@myunsa.org

06 Save money in MaastrichtAvoid being poor at the end of the month

FOCUSFind out the origin of all the tapas bars in the city

08 Spotting Maastricht s past 08 Feeling European

According to a study of the Faculty of Randomness, this picture caption is 100 % useless.

Dear reader, Winter holidays have passed and the student population of Maastricht has returned back to the city. Suitcases filled with presents and food from home are reminders of the past few weeks. The darkest days of the year are the time of celebrations in many religions and cultures. At the same time it is the annual heyday of consumption and waste. Just think of boxes full of Christmas cookies and sweet cakes that no one wants to eat anymore as soon as the last present is unwrapped. Where do they go? Right to the dumpster. And this time we follow them. The personal is political, is what feminists say and we say it too. Our city, our lives are political. Read why your daily life in Maastricht matters. Find a warm and cosy place, get a cup of tea, and enjoy reading The Diplomat! Alisa and Charlotte

09 Throwing treasures in the trashThe truth behind our wasteful behaviour

INSIDE UNSA12 UNSA diar y par t 1:An MUN in Stockholm

13 Delegates get the word 14 I nside view from the conferencePasta and kttbullar

WORLD EXPERIENCE15 Falling for IndiaPush in new directions

AT L A S T18 Diggin the dumpsterA wake up call

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THINK ABOUT

SPOTLIGHT

What is... ...your favourite spot in Maastricht?

One can make a differenceIn the beginning of 2011, Ahmed Naguib was part of the huge crowd of young Egyptians occupying the Tahrir Square. Almost a year later in Maastricht, twenty-five curious faces are looking at a webcam video of Naguib fascinated by his enthusiastic report about his involvement in the revolution.Paul Toetzke

MAARTEN, 24, ABK, DUTCH Every Thursday night I go to the Jam Sessions at the Landbouwbelang. Its great to listen to other peoples performances and just having a beer and relax there.

JOYCE, 16, STUDENT, DUTCH I would say for me the favourite spot in Maastricht might be the beach at the Maas, especially at night you have an amazing view from there.

PHILIPP, 29, ENGINEER, UKRAINIAN The citywall is the most beautiful place. It is nice to sit in the sun, watch the animals and the river. A perfect place to hide from the trouble of the inner city.

An international Skype conference with people from London, Edinburgh, Cairo and Amsterdam was only one of the highlights of a manifold day of participatory journalism. Launched in 2009 by several students in Maastricht, in November 2011, MaasMedia hosted the event for the third time. We want people to share their stories, explained Valentin Tappeser, one of the founders of MaasMedia. The idea behind participatory journalism is to encourage everyone to make use of the possibilities given by the new media, through participating in it. Close to utopia Stories were certainly shared, as the Skype session was set up to connect people from all over the world. As the main theme of the conference was Creating Waves, Ahmed Naguib, from Cairo, an active participant in the revolution in Egypt, spoke first. Being involved in politics for the first time Naguib described the atmosphere during the revolution on the Tahrir Square as close to utopia and creating the feeling that one person can really make a difference. During the conference the young man presented his expectations of the future political process in Egypt. Through taking part in the construction of a new democratic system, Naguib stands as a symbol for the young educated class willing to actively participate for a change in the system. His ultimate goal is a new change generation that would bring all movements of change such as the Arab revolutions and the Occupy movements together. The skype conference then shifted to Maastricht, with all eyes on student Alejandra Wallace from Spain. Wallace responded to Naguib, and supported his ideas. Though she claimed that the Occupy movement in Spain encountered some organisational difficulties, she wasThe participants of the international Skype session were geographically far away, but technically close in mind.

enthusiastic about the movement in Amsterdam, where people were still spending the nights on the street.

ROY, 22, IB, DUTCH Ive lived in Maastricht my whole life and still think my favourite is the old SintServaas bridge. Its great to walk over it in the morning when no one is there.

ROWI 19, STUDENT, DUTCH I really like the Onze Lieve Vrouwen Plein because its so cozy and just beautiful!

TOM, 21, CONSERVATORIUM, BELGIAN I love good music and especially get excited by Jazz. Thats why I really like to go to places such as Edds Cafe because they play a lot of Jazz music there.

Bring all movements of change togetherIan Fraser from London added to the theme of the Occupy movement by contributing with his knowledge as a journalist of the BBC and blogger on the financial crisis. Although he is a strong supporter of the Occupy movements, he identified several problems, the main one being the lack of a proposal. Like Naguib and Wallace, Fraser called for more cooperation between the movements that must be as big as the Egyptian revolution. Live from Edinburgh The last few faces that popped up on the webcam were situated in Edinburgh, where an occupier reported live from the Occupy camp. He introduced the audience to the rather small movement from Edinburgh. However, he also had good news: The DiplomaT

NORA, 20, EUROPEAN STUDIES,GERMANY The Bandito Espresso coffee corner at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has cozy atmosphere and good coffee.

LARISSA, 2I, EUROPEAN STUDIES, GERMAN The Irish park behind Emma Plein is something I recently found. Huge green areas and the ruins of old buildings, a castle I think.

LUKAS, 21, EUROPEAN STUDIES,PORTUGESE Sint Pietersberg is the most beautiful. You see the whole city from there. It is so calm and the view of the mountains is just wonderful.Text: Teresa Kern, Photos: Paul Toetzke

the Scottish Green Party had just announced their support of the movement. This - not only financial - assistance is of immense importance for the movements, the occupier emphasized. With little time left before the conference came to an end, he also managed to invite a representative of the Green Party to join the international skype conversation, to elaborate on their viewpoints on the movements. A long-lasting applause then brought the conference to an end. The participatory journalism-day by MaasMedia clearly revealed the new freedom that journalism faces in an age of globalisation. Not only did the skype conference prove that it is possible to communicate with people from all over the world, it also gave participants a new sense of power, and a refreshed idea of what it means to unite. Most importantly, the event initiated waves of a new generation that can make a difference.Paul Toetzke Want to share your story? Check out www.maas-media.org

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SPOTLIGHT

SPOTLIGHT

Save

money in

Looking for luxury?There are several possibilities to save money and get high quality products in return. Dutch bread is not able to keep up with French or German bread? Try this: in the French bakery in the Heidenstraat, near the inner city library, students get 50% off after 5.30 pm for nice olive-, spiced- or just plain bread. If you like going out for dinner but think it is too expensive, check out the dinner at the Kometen eetcafe in the LBB (Landbouwbelang). There, you can get a three course menu every Monday evening for only 5 Euro. Alternatively, when you take a break from the library try out the lunch deal at the Kiwi: A sandwich and a soft drink is only 45 Euros. And if you need a change, go around the corner to the Toneelacademie in the Lenculenstraat. In the cafeteria of the theater school you can get the soup of the day for less than 2 Euros.

Avoid being poor at the end of the monthMost Students know this situation: It is the end of the month and the wallet is completely empty. However, when one thinks back to the things bought, especially food, nothing healthy or extraordinary comes into mind. Well, that is about to change. The solution is to spend some more time on thinking about what to eat and where to buy food or clothes. There are plenty of opportunities to save money and get better quality without eating Euroshopper macaroni with a ready-made tomato sauce.Get food for freeJumbo offers a special possibility: discover a product that expires the same day or the day after, and you can take it for free. The offer is perfect when your plan to cook something the same day and are creative with the things you can get. Probably the healthiest way to cook and spend less money than in supermarkets is to buy things at the market. At the Markt, fresh vegetables and fruits are offered for a much lower price than at the supermarket every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. And for those who are more concerned with eating healthy food, every Thursday there is an organic market in the Stationstraat.

maaStricht

Student Servi

ces

Member Deals10% Discount St. Amorsplein 5

Some other adviceIn general, look for discounts in shops or at restaurants. Most of the time students can get 10% off. The hairdressers near the market, for example Tony & Guy, are advisable because they give students a 10% discount. Many students know the night club de Alla, but may be unaware of their membership card which gives you 10% off. Just ask for it! A Cultural part should not be missing in a students life either. For instance, the Lumire cinema and the Path have special offers for students. Also, the Bonnefanten Museum offers an all-year-round entrance card for 5 Euro.

10% Discount Gubbelstraat 8-10

20% Discount Acht. het Vleeshuis 5

Pay less and be individualAnother way of saving money is to visit flea markets. There is one in front of the station every Saturday; but there are also others that need to be explored. For the fashion lovers: Go to a vintage store! There are some in Maastricht, for example in the Heggenstraat and the Bredestraat. They have individual clothes that no one else has. If somebody does not want to use money at all, there is also a free shop at the LBB. One option that creates some space in Maastrichts wardrobes and rooms is to attend Swaps. It is an opportunity to exchange clothes and get rid of the things you no longer need.

10% Discount Kapoenstraat 8

Tickets: 10,00 Vrijthof 47

20% Discount Markt 4

20% Discount Corversplein 10Kaja HengstenbergThe DiplomaT

More at www.julesmaastricht.com 7

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FOCUS

FOCUSTim Strasser

Spotting Maastrichts PastHistory for DummiesPaul Toetzke

Feeling EuropeanWhen opening your purse, you can see the Euro as a small Europe just lying in your hands. This is how my tutor Bram Akkermans percieves the European identity. He says he is feeling European, especially when he crosses the border from Belgium to Maastricht. His thought triggered me to think about my own identity. Personally, I feel European but it really depends on where I am. In Europe I feel Dutch, somewhere outside Europe I feel more European. On the other hand, in Maastricht it sounds logical to feel like a Brabander (Brabant is a province in the Netherlands), but this is generally not true. Maastricht is so internationalised, that sometimes it does not even seem you are in the Netherlands.

Sint Servaaskerk is a sign of a city that has often changed its hands over time.

The display of diversity, culture and history that the city on the side of the Maas has to offer, is amazing. Maastricht, a small town compared to other cities, is no less vibrant because of its population.On a Saturday afternoon the streets are full of people from the countries around Maastricht. But why is Maastricht more important than its size suggests? History, evidently! Maastricht is (disputably) the oldest city in the Netherlands. Originally constructed by the Romans, the city has a strong link to Catholic Christianity. One has simply to walk around to notice the amount of works dedicated to St. Servatius the first Bishop of Maastricht who spread Christianity in the 4th century. The most obvious symbols are the large Church called Sint Servaaskerk (St Servatiuss Church) and Sint Servaasbrug, (the bridge in the centre currently undergoing reparation). Maastricht has gained fame due the signing of the Maastricht treaty in 1992, yet in the 8th century, the city was already at the heart of a European empire. In regards to the power of the Church in the 8th century, Maastricht was incorporated into the diocese of Liege, a holding of the Holy Roman Empire. However by 1204, the cities control was split between the diocese and the Dukes of Brabant where it was granted city rights. The influence of the Brabants is in the original city walls. Maastricht was situated in the Spanish Netherlands. However, when Maastricht joined the Dutch revolt, it was sacked by the Duke of Parma in 1579. On the other hand, with the coffee culture and weekend accordion players, one might think of being in France. In fact French was taught to locals until the beginning of the 20th century, which is probably a result of the constant invasions of Maastricht by the French army (from 1673 until 1814). After the fall of Napoleon, the city stayed loyal to the United Kindom in the Belgian Revolution of 1830. However, with Maastrichts proximity to major European powers, it wasnt long till the Germans wanted their slice of the Vrijthof. The city was once again occupied in 1940 by the Nazi Germany. Nevertheless, Maastricht was liberated in 1944 by the Americans.

When I talk to Dutch people, it sometimes gives me a strange feelingThe alarming financial situation of the European currency union has given rise to critical voices against the Euro. However, one of the alleged benefits of the single European currency was that it would lead to a shared identity. How do people feel about this today? Do people in Maastricht feel Dutch, European or world citizens? Do people share a common European identity? I still feel Dutch in some way, but when I talk to Dutch people in Maastricht, it sometimes gives me a strange feeling. Our accents differ so much, that the locals instantly know I come from Brabant. At these times it feels like the bond I have with my fellow students is stronger than the one I share with the Dutch people. Even though our English accents among students differ sometimes, it is more understandable than the different accents among the Dutch people. The Euro has changed a lot for me. I was still a little girl when the Euro was introduced in the Netherlands, but I feel this has contributed to a European identity. When you go abroad and visit another member state, you no longer have to change your money for another currency. Introducing a single European currency was a really positive development of the Maastricht Treaty. I believe the Treaty made a significant difference and contributed to the feelings Europeans now share. Danille Blox

According to a local supermarket, all this food was regarded as inedible, because it was thrown to the bottom of a dumpster.

Spoiled enough to waste?We dont often take a peek in our trashcans. After all it is filled with old, filthy and insufficient products, right? Well maybe we should start to take a more thorough look because, on average, Dutch consumers throw about 400 euros worth of edible food in there every year.-The first time you open the dumpster and actually see what is inside, you realize the magnitude of this thing, declares 21-year-old Jane Doe*, an occasional dumpster-diver and a student living in Maastricht. Food waste is one of todays most controversal and pressing global issues. While there are nearly one billion malnourished people in the world, approximately one third of the food produced for human consumption every year, roughly 1.3 billion tons, gets lost or wasted according to a study commissioned by FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). Meanwhile, on less than a quarter of the food that is wasted in the US, UK and Europe the majority of the famished could be lifted out of malnourishment. -Our wasting makes absolutely no sense. The problem is that everything is made too comfortable for us, Doe claims. angles; the factories produce too much, the supermarkets buy too much, the farmers throw away too much...

Consumers play an immense role in the waste of foodHowever, we often forget that we as consumers play an immense role in the waste of food. More than 40% of food losses in industrialised countries occur at the consumer and retail level. In fact, our list of requirements for food is very long; it needs to*Name of the interviewee is changed due to the difficulties that, still illegal, dumpster-diving might cause to her.

Birthplace of the European Union

Falling for the cardinal sin

Sketches of Spain and France

If you had ever wondered why there were so many tapas bars in Maastricht, it may have something to do with the fact that

In a stroke of genius, Europeans decided that killing each other was no longer a very good solution to our problems. The events of the Maastricht treaty in 1992 will probably be its most resonant, as Maastricht is the birth place of the European Union. This is rather suitable for a city that has changed hands so many times as each invader has left a cultural footprint on the city.

In middle- and high-income countries food losses and waste results largely from consumer behaviour. Consumers frequently fail to realise how much edible food is being tossed out; let alone where it ends up. The issue can be seen from a multitude of

Thomas Gidney

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FOCUSTim Strasser

FOCUS

Tips against Wasting FoodWhile buying Before you go shopping, finish your old products first Always make a shopping list, to avoid buying more than you need Fall for the sales advertisements only, if you are planning to eat all Pre-cut vegetables rot quicker than whole vegetables. Make sure to eat the pre-cut vegetables first. Storage Put your refrigerator on 4c, it will keep your food fresh longer. Put your bread in an air tightcontainer. You can also freeze it. Check the best-before tags on your food. THT, is the at-least-best-before-date. You can eat this product until after the THT, if it smells and looks okay. Use the TGT products until the date indicated.

Be part of a changeMany people feel like there is a distance between them and their waste. If this applies to you, there is no need to despair. In fact, movements for change are being initiated all over the world. For instance, in November 2011 Feeding the 5000, which arranged their first event in 2009 London, fed 5000 people on food which would have otherwise been wasted on the Trafalgar Square. Their aim was to raise awareness in the UK and internationally on the ease of cutting levels of food waste. To sign the pledge of to reduce my food waste and want businesses to do the same you can look at their website (www. feeding5k.org). In addition, the European Union has recently recognised the urgency of the need to reduce waste, as the agricultural committee called for measures to half food waste by 2025. Action is not only being conducted in large cities and institutions though. To get involved in small scale initiatives, you simply need to look at activities on offer in your own community. Charlotte Steenhuis

Feel like knowing more? Get informed! www.fao.org www.scp-knowledge.eu/ knowledge www.lovefoodhatewaste. com www.tristramstuart. co.uk www.epa.gov/osw/conserve www.divethefilm.com www.tastethewaste.com

Students looking for treasures in the trash.

be fresh, unblemished, in shape, and preferably exotic. Furthermore we get ecstatic about Buy 3-get 1 free promotions, and too regularly buy XL-readily prepared meals. This extreme demand for variation encourages us to fall for the cardinal sin.We glut ourselves with the illusion that whatever we want is available whenever we want the rest can be thrown away. -It is not normal that we expect to get, for example, fresh vegetables throughout the year, and as cheap as possible.

ends up in the trash untouched every year.

Lack of common sense

I couldnt believe it was all from the trashMoreover, for many consumers the best-before date is perceived as a ticking time bomb. After this date food is claimed as inedible, ghastly substance. No wonder 20% of the food we buy

Though there is a serious need for an attitude-change in consumer behaviour, there is an immense problem at the retail level as well. Lack of communication between different actors in the supply chain causes unnecessary waste. The retailers demands create competition that leads to overproduction at the manufacturinglevel, which then results to useless surplus. In many cases, the manufacturing level is also forced to throw away food due to quality standards; curved cucumbers and funny-looking potatoes are not proper for the grocery-store shelf. -I started to consider dumpster-diving as an alternative to supermarkets two years ago, when a friend of mine appeared to my door with a bag full of bread found from a bakery container. I couldnt believe it was all from the trash.

Cooking Save leftovers, and use them for another recipe within 2 days Switch to smaller portions if you often buy packages which are too big Is the meat good until today, but you dont feel like eating it? You can also bake it, and still keep it in the fridge for 2 subsequent days

For the majority, dumpsterdiving may seem disgusting. However, as the current market demands and over-production are getting out of control, people have started to manifest against the system. Taking a dip to the container is no longer a desperate means to find nutrition it is a political stance. -There is a difference between knowing and being aware of something. Many people acknowledge that there is a problem, but they dont want to see it, Doe emphasises. What shall we do then? -The beautiful thing is that you can confront people, and make them think by asking: why?

Charlotte Steenhuis, Ida Roivainen

Sources: Bio Intelligent Service (2010). Preparatory study on food waste across EU 27; Final report. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2011). Global food losses and food waste.

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INSIDE UNSA

INSIDE UNSA

INSIDE UNSA:

In this section we give you some insight into the experiences of UNSA members. Here is the space to read about real life stories: students who travel abroad to MUN conferences, boardies that sometimes manage the impossible, members that want to make a change, exciting UNSA Maastricht events, wild parties and many other little things in UNSA life such as tons of birthday cake for the associations anniversary.

annual Stockholm Model United Nation Conference takes place in the private Stockholm School of Economics. Negotiations in English are held in three different UN committees, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Human Rights Council.

Welcome to the capital of scaNdiNaviaJuliane Grper

An MUN is a stage for performance of a special kindAward for best delegate For three days, the participants of the UNSA delegation from Maastricht were successfully rep-

resenting the interests of a various number of countries such as France, India and Russia. When finally sitting in the lecture hall for the closing ceremony again, there was nobody without having their personal story to tell about the experiences made in the past few days. Tim Hausweiler, member of the Permanent Delegation, was even awarded the title for the best delegate of the Human Rights Council for his outstanding performance in his committee (read the interview with Tim below). The one thing Last but not least, the social aspect of the event should not go unmentioned. There is one thing

that helps against the cold darkness: socialising. This activity the country representatives did a lot They did it during the get-together on the first evening. They did it at the Diplomat Dinner and the party at Sdertrn Universitys Student Union. And again they did it in the posh club Cafe Opera, the place for the rich and shiny people of Stockholm, where the final party took place. However, of course there is more than this: There is also the chance to talk and get to know interesting people far away from the formal atmosphere of the committee rooms. Some drinks help, the Swedes know, not only when it comes to freezing fingers.

UNSA delegates get the word:What impression has Stockholm left on you?Maastricht delegation wrapped themselves in warm clothes to enjoy the sun set in chilly Stockholm harbour basin. -Freezing temperatures, expensive food, Vapiano, good music (conferences song is most definitely Fade Into Darkness by Swedish DJ Avicii!), a lot of interesting people and new friends; and my grandmothers 86th birthday which I unfortunately missed! it would have been a good thing to start this year with a rather small MUN, before tackling the big fishes EuroMUN and the one in Israel.

UNsa diary part 1: What is a model UNited NatioNs coNfereNce?Stockholm in November; only few hours of daylight; cold and soupy weather; freezing hands and feet, sometimes in boots, most times in dress shoes and high heels. -Welcome to the the capital of Scandinavia! Boris Ajeganov, Secretary General of the Stockholm Model United Nations conference (SMUN), opens the ceremony on Thursday. He is looking into the excited faces of hundreds of students from all over the world. The expectations of the participants sitting in the lecture hall of the Stockholm School of Economics on this first day of the conference could not be more diverse. What they all have in common is the eagerness to start searching for solutions to achieve Peace and Security in North Africa and the Middle East, the hypothetical goal and topic of the conference at the same time. What country are you? This is definitely the most frequently asked question in the basement of Swedens most prestigious business school during the meet and greet after the first assembly. A glass of champagne in one hand, the other one ready to shake hands with potential allies for later negotiations. The first evening of every Model United Nations (MUN) is the time to get to know the right people. Who could be supportive in reachingThe DiplomaT

certain country-specific goals in the upcoming days? But it is also the time to have fun with interesting people who all share the passion to turn into a diplomat of a foreign country. An MUN is not only a conference filled with political discussions, it is also a stage for performance of a special kind. Model conferences You still have only a vague idea about Model United Nations conferences? An MUN conference is a simulation of the international organisation United Nations. For once, students have the opportunity to slip into the roles of diplomats and discuss about current events and topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda. The

What is your secret lobbying strategy during the unmoderated caucus?-Cookies always work when trying to convince fellow delegates of your position. At least thats what Ive heard, Ive never tried it myself. From my experience, I can only tell that its helpful to be well prepared, to know what youre talking about and especially to play your role authentically when participating in MUNs, youre no longer yourself; you are the delegate of your country and thats also what you should act like.

Describe a Model United Nations conference in one sentence.-MUNs are great experiences from which you profit even more on a personal than on an academic level.

Tim Hausweiler advises his fellow delegates to use cookies as bribes.

Why did you decide to participate?-MUNs are a great way to gain more detailed insights into international politics and therefore, a practical experience for people who think about pursuing a career in this field. Joining SMUN was never really much of a question for me. As a member of the Permanent Delegation, I thought

How did you feel when receiving the award for the best delegate in your committee?-I had not expected neither aimed for it, especially because there were so many of my fellow delegates who had been working even harder than me The DiplomaT

and surely would have deserved this certificate. Nevertheless, I obviously felt honoured and was more than happy. Being awarded the certificate for the most distinguished delegate of the Human Rights Council was only one of this weekends several highlights.

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WORLD EXPERIENCE

What impression has Stockholm left on you? -The time in Stockholm makes me think of an awesome delegation from Maastricht, which is very well known among other delegations. I had so much fun with our people that I did not care much about the overall quality of the conference. Also I met people I know from previous MUNs, which was great too. I wont forget how we all sang Lemon Tree after the Delegates Dinner at the train station. Describe a MUN conference in one sentence. -It is a get together of a variety of young students from all over the world where they debate on a certain topic, share experiences and have as much fun as they can. Why did you participate? And should others do so too? -It is my job at UNSA to go to these conferences, and I love it, thats why I chose it! After all the prep work it is heaps of fun to be in charge of such a great group. I primarily take part in these conferences in order to meet like minded people. Researching on a topic widens my horizon, but meeting all these people means even more to me. I love the discussions in and around the conferences that give different perspectives on issues debated and other things that matter to you and to other people from various different backgrounds. Is it relevant to simulate student conferences about topics such as the Arabic spring? Do they have any impact on real life? -I believe this is of great importance as it opens your eyes and it makes students aware of what is going on in the world. Only through active discussions you will really start thinking about backgrounds, causes, indicaHead delegate Juliane Grper presented India in the Security Council.

Pasta sauce fantasiesYou are one of those who always claim that they could eat pasta every day? Welcome to pasta wonderland! Italy? Wrong, Sweden. For some, a dream came true in the Best Hostel in Gamla stan, the beautiful old town of Stockholm. Fortunately, the hostel crew had the wonderful idea to provide a free all-you-can-eat box of pasta to all their international guests; free refill included. After a long day of negotiations, lobbying and working on controversial resolutions, future diplomats deserve a delicious meal. After walking home from the tube station, having a red nose of the cold weather and the never-ending appetite of a Swedish elk, there is only one diplomatic discipline left: Agreeing on and preparing an outstanding pasta sauce. Thanks to Best Hostel for saving the Maastricht delegation from starving or completely emptying their student accounts! In the early hours, night-outs were made complete by a big plate of noodles in the cosy kitchen of the hostel. There are three lessons learned during the week in Sweden that need to be shared with the whole UNSA community: First, Sweden is a cold country, you need gloves, boots, a scarf and everything else that is associated with real winter. When you participate in a MUN you also need strong nerves because, due to the conference dress code, most of the time you wont be able to wear these things. Second, only Swedes think that Stockholm is the capital of Scandinavia. To quote the secretary general of SMUN: People from Denmark and Norway, lets talk about that later! And finally, a perfect strategy to pep up a pasta sauce: add either salmon or Swedish meat balls, kttbullar, or both. And one last fact that is so obvious that it is not counted as a fourth one: a magic box of Pasta is a genius idea! Alisa Fluhrer

India: a push in new directions

tors, actors and what it means for the world. It is the best primary source you can get, to talk to other students originating from there. What is your secret lobbying strategy during the unmoderated caucus? -I am presenting myself selfsecure. It is important to know what I am talking about. Proper reasoning can convince everyone. What lesson can we learn from SMUN for our own conference in May? -There is always a lot to take out of an other conference. The MUN committee should make sure that they get chairs from outside and do not do the task themselves. The actual conference is not the time to celebrate yourself, but to mix and mingle with others from all over the world. SMUN, however, clearly beats us with their sandwiches. Everyone was happy and satisfied after lunch, try to challenge that.Alisa Fluhrer

The contrasts in India between beautiful and shocking are to be found everywhere.

Perhaps I was a little underprepared for India. I left home earlier this year for three months with only a ticket to Delhi, an old friend and my mind filled with misguided ideas of what the trip would hold.Even after reading about India, I could have never imagined the sheer amount of people that I found myself in the midst of. There was a beauty to be found in the madness of people, markets, traffic, smells and colours: enchanting, magical, impossible to adequately describe. Poverty and wealth Alongside its magic, there is a severe harshness to Indian life. Witnessing a woman and child being beaten up on the train tracks or countless people with obvious diseases or injuries were images of the extreme poverty. Sprawling slums and dirty streets where you cannot walk for long without being asked for money, dodging a diseased cow or narrowly avoiding being run over by a speeding rickshaw in the constant traffic: I felt very far from home. Whether beautiful or shocking, the contrasts within India are to be found everywhere; even different states feel like different countries: language, culture, people ever changing as your journey continues. One typical image of India is of a place absorbed in religious traditions The DiplomaT or poverty. However, encountering billionaire business men in Bangalore and the cosmopolitan pilots who fly between places like Mumbai and Delhi socialising, drinking and generally flashing their cash somewhat cracked this more traditional perception. Whilst out for my friends birthday, we met and were bought drinks by some of them in rooftop bars that could have been in London or Paris. It was a strange feeling that I never felt entirely comfortable with: just outside the security manned doors

Interested in participating? Contact Juliane Grper via delegationscommittee@myunsa.org

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WORLD EXPERIENCE were desperate people, barely surviving on the streets. On the other hand, experiencing this materialistic aspect is a manifestation of modern India: a society with centuries old roots with a new generation that is trying to modernise and imitate western excess. Generosity in countless people With so many of the people we met, regardless of wealth, there was a strong sense of hospitality as they considered us guests in their country. A memorable moment was the Hindu festival of Mahashivrati (a day to celebrate the wedding of Shiva and Parvati) in the village of Virupapur Gadde, Karnataka. It was a beautiful place, a rural tranquil in many ways but those living there obviously had little in terms of wealth or possessions. We were invited to the local temple where we sat on the floor and, on a banana leaf plate, were served a huge meal of rice, curry and dhal which was replenished between mouthfuls. As a day of celebration this delicious meal was given free to everyone, even us as non-Hindu, perceivably rich Westerners. Stronger sense of community The people we met often had difficult lives, working incredibly hard for very little pay, but many made the time to talk to us, even guide us. Yes, arguably, we were viewed as rich indicating that some would have less honourable motives for helping us but it would be cynical to always assume this. Due to the huge population, problems with health care and a lack of education, illness and death seem more ingrained in everyday life. In relation to this, the amount of positive-minded people we met during the trip made me think of a few things. Firstly, Europeans, especially the British, dont really speak to each other anymore. For example, on a bus it would be very unusual, perhaps even viewed as threatening, for a stranger to strike up a conversation with you. Secondly, I thought about the level of negativity that many people carry in England; angry about their lives, feeling like the world owes them something, but with no motivation to work hard and actually change. Compare this to the average, hard working Indian and I feel embarrassed about the vast amount of

The trip to India made Annie Scanlan realise that she has many opportunities in life.

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opportunities we have in Europe and how many people dont take advantage of them. Lastly I left with a feeling, which I imagine is quite common amongst Western travellers when they leave India, of guilt. I considered how I would go back home to live surrounded by material objects after meeting people with practically nothing. The city billionaires who were consumed by their luxurious lifestyle are in stark contrast with the villagers of Virupapur Gadde who appeared content with a more simple way of life.

India is a country with its eye to the futureIndia-catalyst for a change Being far from home in more ways than just geographical, it was amazing to find people who seemed to genuinely care about strangers who

passed through. Without them, I think we would have come home feeling defeated by India. But we didnt. The trip was not quite as I had imagined, nevertheless this proved to be for the best. Seeing beautiful, ancient sights, seeing the harshness of the poverty and the effects of modernity made me feel that in the three months we had had an exciting glimpse into the many sides of India. Despite the problems and dangers, it is a country with its eye to the future. There is also generally a great sense of community and awareness of others that perhaps has been lost slightly in more developed countries. It is still uncommon for UK students to study abroad, so I guess coming to Maastricht was another little adventure for me. My time in India gave me the push to try more, choose more, realise the opportunities that we have in Europe and really go for them. Text and photos, Annie Scanlan

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Donderdag Maastricht 13:30 18:30 uur Stationsstraat

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Zaterdag Sittard 9:30 14:00 uur (Parking) Steenweg

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AT L A S T

Tasty wasteDark clothes, checked. Flashlight, checked. Place, checked. No, I didnt try to rob a bank I was planning a trip into a supermarket dumpster. If someone would have come to me a year ago and suggest getting dinner from the trash, I would have probably refused the offer. No way would I have dived into the container myself. However, I got a wake-up call, when I saw a documentary that threw some facts on the table: there are nearly one billion malnourished people in the world, but about one third of the food ends up in the dumpster. What the shmuck?! The amount of edible food that gets wasted daily has become so normal, that we dont see it even if it would be thrown away right under our noses. Calling for supermarkets! What is the sense in buying more than needed for just in case? Not to mention the fast food restaurants, bakeries, and cafeterias, that keep their shelves full until closing time, because it looks nicer.

Charlotte Steenhuis

Its your turn now!

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What the shmuck?!Not so fast. We consumers waste food as well. Salad that looks a bit tired, a piece of cake that was left on a plate, unopened packages at the back of the cupboard that have passed the expiration dateSounds familiar? It is never too late to make a change though. Some weeks ago, when I took my first trip into the dumpster, I saw something I could not escape: fresh salad, fruits, vegetables, bread, unopened packages that had not even passed the due-date. There was so much food, that it provided 30 full bellies and the same amount of smiling faces. I cannot deny that it wasnt a bit disgusting, it was the trash after all. However, my decision to face the truth was stronger than the smell. If we can afford to throw away so much food at times when people die of hunger, isnt there something wrong? Ida RoivainenThe citys patron, Sint Servatius , watches over Maastricht.

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