Dear Delegates,
I am delighted to welcome you to this year’s BERMUN2 conference.
Phones are something we take for granted, we use them every day; recharging them without a second thought. This convenience is made possible by cobalt, a critical mineral essential for rechargeable batteries. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds more than half of the world's cobalt supply. Nonetheless, while the global cobalt market was valued at $8.6 billion in 2021, the wealth primarily flows to foreign corporations. Meanwhile, locals endure poverty wages, dangerous working conditions, and environmental damage to their land.
How can less economically developed countries, like the DRC achieve economic and political independence when they remain dependent on exploitative trade relationships with their former colonial powers and multinational corporations? These systems promote cycles of resource extraction and economic exploitation that mirror colonial structures, preventing countries like the DRC from achieving sovereignty. This is the central theme our committee will be discussing.
This year's theme, “Decolonize.”, invites us to take a look at the lasting effects of colonialism and debate ways to decolonize our current systems. This means looking more concretely at what parts of our current global system still reflect colonial legacies, for example international trade agreements and global financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank, which contribute to unequal power dynamics similar to those during and after colonial periods. We need to ask what economic sovereignty looks like in practice and whether there are countries already working towards this goal. The Congo’s situation is not unique, but it highlights the work that needs to be done.
On a more personal note, I’m a sophomore at the John F. Kennedy School, which I have been attending for 10 years. I have spent most of my life in Berlin, but recently participated in an exchange year in the United States, where I picked up volleyball and track. Additionally, I enjoy reading and hanging out with friends. Regarding my experience, I’ve been a part of the program for less than a year, having participated in BERMUN, and this conference marks my first time as a chair. I hope this conference will be a memorable experience for all of you, and I look forward to meeting you all in February!
Sincerely,
Nova Amondson
