WINTER 2001 CPIN SIMULATION

 Country Profiles

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NORTH AMERICA

SOUTH AMERICA

EUROPE (EU)

EUROPE (NON-EU)

AFRICA

ASIA

 

NORTH AMERICA: General Information

General Info

US

Canada

Mexico
GDP (1999)

$8.7 trillion US

$612 billion US

$483.7 billion US
GDI* (1999)

3

1

50
Population

270 million

30 million

98. 5 million
Leader President Bill Clinton (new President in January 2001) Premiere Jean Chretien President Vicente Fox
Government Federal republic; strong democratic tradition Federation with parliamentary democracy Federal republic operating under a centralized government; long time
one-party rule prior to Fox's election
Economy Strong market-oriented economy Strong market-oriented economy Free market economy with a number of state-owned enterprises
Main Trading partners Canada, Mexico, EU, Japan, China
 US, Japan, UK, Germany, South Korea, Netherlands, China , France, Mexico, Taiwan US, Canada, Japan, Western Europe, South Korea, Brazil, Chile
Current Issues Upcoming national elections; trade disputes with EU; expanded economic relations with China

 

 

 Secessionist movement in Quebec, high unemployment Chiapas secessionist movement, modernization of its economy,
backlash of Mexican financial crisis
of 1994-1995, transition from traditional one-party rule
Info Link http://www.state.gov/ http://canada.gc.ca/
main_e.html		 http://www.quicklink.com/mexico/
ingles/ing.htm

*GDI: United Nations Gender Development Index (GDI) indicates the relative equality between men and women based on quality of life factors. The numbers rank the countries from 1 (the highest level of equality between genders) to 164 (the most inequality between genders).

NORTH AMERICA: Policy Positions

Policy Positions

US

Canada

Mexico

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking

 · major problems with drug production, transit, drug-related money laundering, and domestic demand & consumption

· relies on military approach to addressing "the drug war"

· supports strong tactics to control drug trafficking, especially along Mexican border

 · problems with domestic drug production, drug-related money laundering, transit, and domestic demand & consumption

· supports tactics to control drug trafficking

 

 · major problem with drug production, drug-related money laundering and transit

· major increase in Mexican cartels working as "middlemen" bringing drugs from South America to U.S. and Canada

· frequent subject of U.S. pressure to control drug trafficking

Human Rights

Child Labor

 · openly critical of countries that abuse HR

· has not ratified ILO Convention 138; has ratified ILO 182

· generally pursues a "trade improves human rights" approach

· growing domestic movement for protection of workers' rights especially in garment industry

· often criticized for trade relations with HR/child labor abusing countries

 · critical of countries that abuse HR

· early signatory to UN Convention on Rights of the Child

· using development assistance to pursue child labor reforms in offending countries

· has not ratified ILO Convention 138; has ratified ILO 182

 

 

 · criticized for HR violations, especially in manufacturing industry

· competition with U.S. firms operating in border zone depletes adult labor supply

· have difficulty protecting human rights as economic development is needed

· has not ratified ILO Convention 138; has ratified ILO 182

World Health

Infectious and Communicable Diseases

 · generally willing to contribute to WH programs that address disease control and prevention 

· concerned with the spread of AIDS in relation to the growing population, asserts it is a security threat 

 · generally willing to contribute to WH programs that address disease control and prevention 

· especially concerned with spread of AIDS globally

 · as LDC, is generally a recipient of WH program benefits

· has urban population problems which worsens spread of disease

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · has signed but not ratified Kyoto Protocol

· heavy opposition to Kyoto in Congress and from business community over economic competitiveness and LDC exemption

· single largest emitter of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels

· leads bloc supporting trading emissions credits

 · has signed but not ratified Kyoto Protocol

· federal position accepts Kyoto reduction targets

· is pushing trading partners (such as U.S.) to accept same limits to ensure level playing field

· supports trading emissions credits

 · major urban pollution problems; some commitment required through NAFTA membership

· as LDC, has difficulty pursing environmental protection and poverty alleviation simultaneously

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · continues to be a haven for immigrants & refugees

· generally liberal immigration policy; relative cultural & economic tolerance

· major concern over Mexican border, illegal economic activity

 · currently revising/clarifying immigration policy in Parliament

· promotes immigration as economic benefit

· major concern with "open" border and influx of criminal networks

 · trouble controlling emigration to U.S.; target of U.S. pressure on this issue

· lack of border security contributes to drug trafficking, criminal networks problem

 

SOUTH AMERICA: General Information

General Info

Brazil
GDP (1999) $791.4 billion US
GDI* (1999) 79
Population 172.8 million
Leader President Fernando Henrique Cardoso
Government Federal republic; in transition to democracy with strong military influence
Economy Establishing free market economy after decades of state-run economy; vast natural resource base
Main Trading partners Mercosur (Southern Cone Common Market): Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, EU, US, Japan
Current Issues Transition to democracy and capitalism, recent financial crisis led to increased borrowing from IMF; huge gap between rich and poor; major problem with children living in/off of the street
Info Link http://www.brasilemb.org/

*GDI: United Nations Gender Development Index (GDI) indicates the relative equality between men and women based on quality of life factors. The numbers rank the countries from 1 (the highest level of equality between genders) to 164 (the most inequality between genders).


SOUTH AMERICA: Policy Positions

 

Policy Positions

Brazil

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking 

 · has domestic drug production and use problem with cannabis

· important transshipment country increasingly used by Andean traffickers

· govt. supporting efforts to minimize drug use

Human Rights

Child Labor

 · Heavily criticized for human rights violations

· has enormous number of street children; targets of "extermination groups"

· 3 million children under age 14 work; govt. response criticized

· has not ratified ILO Convention 138; has ratified ILO 182

· difficult to protect human rights where growth and development is needed

World Health

Infectious and Communicable Diseases

 · disease conditions worst in northern rural areas

· receives substantial health assistance from foreign sources; govt. is overhauling health system

· overpopulation in urban areas presents great risk for disease outbreak

· lack of health information, especially on spread of AIDS

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · disputes over ownership and usage of rainforests in Amazon; problems with sustainable development (development that does not destroy the environment) due to transition from state-run economy

· did not participate in Kyoto Protocol

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · high emigration of labor in 1980’s has contributed to labor shortage

· attempting to restructure economy following long-term state-run economic policy

· most recent immigration from neighboring states (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile)

 

EUROPE: General Information

EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS

 

General Info

United Kingdom

Germany

France
GDP (1999)

$1.37 trillion US

$2.08 trillion US

$1.41 trillion US
GDI* (1999)

10

14

11
Population

59.1 million

82 million

59.1 million
Leader Prime Minister Tony Blair Chancellor Gerhard Schröder President Jacques Chirac
Government Parliamentary democracy Federal republic; social democracy Republic; social democracy
Economy Free market economy Free market economy; highly committed to EU Free market economy
Main Trading Partners EU, US, Commonwealth nations EU, US, Southeast Asia, Japan, China EU, US, Japan, Russia
Current Issues Growing distribution point for drugs; coming EU currency decision; domestic fuel shortages/prices recent adoption of EU currency; trade disputes with US; domestic fuel shortages/prices immigration issues; recent adoption of EU currency; recent trade disputes with US; domestic fuel shortages/prices
Info Link http://www.britain-info.org/ http://www.germany-info.org/
sf_index.html		 http://www.info-
france-usa.org/

*GDI: United Nations Gender Development Index (GDI) indicates the relative equality between men and women based on quality of life factors. The numbers rank the countries from 1 (the highest level of equality between genders) to 164 (the most inequality between genders).


EUROPE: Policy Positions

EUROPEAN UNION

Policy Positions

United Kingdom

Germany

France

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking

 · transit point for Latin American cocaine

· growing producer of synthetic drugs

· strongly supports tactics to control drug supply

· high domestic consumption

 · high domestic consumption

· transit point for Asian heroin, Latin American cocaine, European synthetics

· supports tactics to control drug trafficking

 · transit point for Asian heroin and Latin American cocaine

· supports tactics to reduce drug trafficking

 

Human Rights

Child Labor

 · as EU member, committed to HR issues/intervention

· "encourages" product labeling and corporate responsibility

· main focus on eliminating "worst forms"; has ratified Conventions 182 and 138

 · as EU member, committed to HR issues/
intervention in particular cases

· historical legacy of WWII makes HRs prominent

· generally prohibits work by children under age 15, except some farm work

· supports product labeling

· early supporter of ILO 138; has not ratified ILO 182

 · as EU member, committed to HR issues and intervention in particular cases

· illegal for children under age 16 to work; enforced by inspection

· supports product labeling

· has ratified ILO 138; has not ratified ILO 182

World Health

Infectious & Communicable Diseases

 · Emphasis on drug resistance

· Major funding source for int’l health systems in developing world

· shares G-8 policy and strategy on disease (see articles 26-32)

 · cited for "Best Practice" by UN in AIDS education for children

· major source of health support in CIS and Central and Eastern Europe

· shares G-8 policy and strategy on disease (see articles 26-32)

 · shares G-8 policy and strategy on disease (see articles 26-32)

· emphasis on promoting affordable AIDS treatments, especially in Francophone Africa

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · supports overall EU reductions of 8%

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

· seeks to limit emissions trading

· facing strong domestic pressure to reduce "green" fuel taxes

 · leader in global environment issues; Green Party part of governing coalition

· supports overall EU reductions of 8%

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

· strong proponent of high, EU wide "green" fuel taxes

· seeks to limit emissions trading

 · active in global environment issues

· supports overall EU reductions of 8%

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

· proposed "World Environment Organization" to oversee global env.

· recently reduced "green" fuel taxes

· seeks to limit emissions trading

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · small increase in immigration

· most from south Asia and Commonwealth states

· recently adopted more stringent immigration laws

 · high number of immigrants and refugees from Turkey and Balkan states

· right-wing backlash against immigrants continues

· govt. has funded significant Jewish immigration

· supports EU policy encouraging immigration for demographic and economic needs

 · high number of immigrants from Middle East and Francophone Africa

· some right-wing anti-immigrant groups

· supports EU policy encouraging immigration for demographic and economic needs

 

NON-EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS

General Info

Hungary

Russian Federation
GDP (1999)

$48.4 billion US

$184.6 billion US
GDI* (1999)

47

71
Population

10.1 million

146.5 million
Leader President Arpad Goncz President Vladimir Putin
Government Parliamentary democracy Federation; democracy
Economy Nearly complete in transition to free market economy Moving from central-planned economy to free market economy
Main Trading Partners Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, Netherlands US, EU, Japan, Eastern Europe
Current Issues Seeking accession to European Union; continuing economic liberalization; neighboring Balkan instability transition from communist system to democracy and capitalist economy, corruption, organized crime
Info Link

http://www.meh.hu/default.htm

 http://www.russianembassy.org/

 

POLICY POSITIONS: NON-EUROPEAN UNION NATIONS

Policy Positions

Hungary

Russian Federation

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking

 · major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis

· transit point for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe

· increasing crime is ongoing domestic concern

 · drug-related problems due to increasing organized crime

· domestic drug consumption problems

· transit point for many different illicit drugs, especially from Central Asia, Afghanistan

· has shown recent political interest in Andean region

Human Rights

Child Labor

 · minimal HR abuses; mostly police treatment of criminals and some mistreatment of Roma

· employment illegal under age 15; education mandatory to age 16

· govt. strictly enforces child labor regulations

· has ratified ILO 138 and ILO 182

 · has problems with HR abuses, especially with ethnic minorities

· early supporter of ILO 138 (as USSR); has not ratified ILO 182

· illegal for children under age 16 to work

· some children working as street vendors

World Health

Infectious & Communicable Diseases

 · leader in promoting development of cheaper drugs for use in LDCs

· infectious and communicable diseases not a major problem due to high immunization rates and low infant mortality

 · shares G-8 policy and strategy on disease (see articles 26-32)

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · has not signed Kyoto Protocol

· has pledged to reduce emissions to mid 1980’s levels by 2000

· high emissions a legacy of socialist-era industrialization

 · economic transition takes priority over environment

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

· strongly supports emissions trading

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · small number of minorities, mostly historical Roma population

· govt. concerned with improving treatment of Roma

· large Hungarian minorities in neighboring Yugoslavia, Romania; treatment of Hungarians abroad a major concern

 · has high number of emigrants, mainly for religious (Jewish) or economic reasons

· growing immigration of persons of Russian descent from former USSR and Eastern bloc

 

AFRICA: General Information

 General Info

Nigeria

South Africa

Kenya
GDP (1999) $34.1 billion US $ 131.5 billion US $10.6 billion US
GDI* (1999) 146 84 136
Population 123.4 million 43,421,021 30.3 million
Leader President Olusegun Obasanjo President Thabo Mbeki President Daniel arap Moi
Government Federal republic: in transition from military state to democracy Federal Republic: in transition out of apartheid system into democracy Republic
Economy State-run in transition to free market economy State-run in transition to free market economy Transitioning to liberal market economy; plagued by govt. mismanagement
Main Trading Partners US, EU, Japan, India UK, Italy, Japan, US, Germany UK, Germany, Japan, US, EAC (partnership with Tanzania and Uganda; mainly exports)
Current Issues transition from military state to democracy; issues surrounding growth and development; internal corruption; crop damage due to weather conditions; Nigerian troops involved in several internal African conflicts; severe problems with the spread of AIDS

 

 extremely high rate of unemployment; no jobs for youth

problems of poverty and lack of economic empowerment among the disadvantaged groups, especially due to transition from apartheid system

high rates of crime,  internal corruption, and gang-related violence

severe problems with the spread of AIDS

 govt. continues to resist economic liberalization; government corruption, especially surrounding last election (1997); high population growth, spread of disease; ethnic (tribal) violence; crop damage due to weather conditions; declining standard of living in 1990’s
Info Links http://www.info.usaid.gov/regions/
afr/nigeria.html		 http://www.usaembassy.
southafrica.net		 http://www.kenyaembassy.com/

*GDI: United Nations Gender Development Index (GDI) indicates the relative equality between men and women based on quality of life factors. The numbers rank the countries from 1 (the highest level of equality between genders) to 164 (the most inequality between genders).

 

AFRICA: Policy Positions

Policy Positions

Nigeria

South Africa

Kenya

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking

 · increasingly a transit route for cocaine from South America and heroin from Asia

· support for prosecution of criminals varies due to cultural differences
  • increasingly a transit route  for heroin and cocaine as well as methaqualone which comes from India via East Africa
  • major problems with drug production, transit, and domestic demand/ consumption
 · widespread production of cannibis for domestic consumption

· transit point for South Asian heroin to Europe

Human Rights

Child Labor

 

 · child abuse in general a major problem

· child labor (often forced) and prostitution on the rise

· growing number of children in military service, especially in neighboring African conflicts

· high number of AIDS orphans forced to work

· limited schooling available

· has not ratified ILO 138 or ILO 182
  • as country previously ruled by apartheid, understands the pressures of intervention on behalf of human rights
  • racial and cultural tensions extend to consideration of child labor
  • high number of AIDS orphans forced to work
  • has ratified ILO 138 and ILO 182
 · early supporter of ILO 138; has not ratified ILO 182

· child abuse in general a major problem, esp. of street children

· child labor (often forced) on the rise

· high number of AIDS orphans forced to work

· schools not funded by govt; high costs force dropouts and increase child labor

World Health

Infectious & Communicable Diseases

 · spread of AIDS and AIDS-related mortality is primary health concern

· cultural norms (largely Muslim population) influences public health strategy

· economic transition and dependency limits effort to combat disease

· drug resistance a growing problem
  • Subject of global concern over AIDS policy and position on origin and spread of AIDS
  • AIDS a massive health disaster in many differing sectors of the population
  • economic and cultural obstacles to health education
  • legacy of apartheid era is minimal health care systems in rural (black) areas
 · An African leader in AIDS education

· economic transition and dependency limits efforts to combat disease

· drug resistance a growing problem

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · has not signed or ratified Kyoto Protocol

· as LDC, proponent of "environmental double-standard" argument
  • as country in transition out of apartheid, has problems with sustainable development
  • as LDC, proponent of "environmental double-standard" argument
  • has not signed or ratified Kyoto Protocol
 · has not signed or ratified Kyoto Protocol

· as LDC, proponent of "environmental double-standard" argument

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · international economic assistance dependent on continued IMF restructuring

· low migration rate
  • huge disparity between rich and poor people
  • target of much immigration from conflict-torn areas of Southern Africa
  • extensive economic ties with other southern African nations, including labor
 · international economic assistance dependent on continued IMF restructuring

· large informal economy supplying small goods locally

· low migration rate

 

ASIA: General Information

 General Info

China

Japan

India

Pakistan
GDP (1999) $996.3 billion US $4.4 trillion US $447.3 billion US $60.8 billion US
GDI* (1999) 98 4 132 138
Population 1.26 billion 126,549, 976 1 billion 134.8 million
Leader President Jiang Zemin Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee  Gen. Pervez Musharraf
Government one-party Communist Constitutional monarchy; democracy Federal republic; democracy Federal republic; recent military takeover
Economy Moving from centrally planned to state-run market economy Free market economy Free market economy Moving towards free market economy; heavy foreign debt
Main Trading Partners US, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, EU, Taiwan, Singapore US, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia UK, US, Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium, Japan, Saudi Arabia US, Japan, Hong Kong, UK, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Germany
Current Issues normal trade status with US; growing liberalization of economy, maintaining central control of country overcrowding, aging population, continued economic slump, whaling issues, long-term territorial disputes with Russia border dispute and arms race with Pakistan, internal ethnic and religious violence, population growth, territorial dispute with Bangladesh Border dispute and arms race with India, heavy indebtedness and lack of foreign exchange; overpopulation, instability related to recent military takeover
Info Link http://www.china-
embassy.org/		 http://www.mofa.go.jp/ http://www.indian
embassy.org/		 http://www.pak.gov.pk/

*GDI: United Nations Gender Development Index (GDI) indicates the relative equality between men and women based on quality of life factors. The numbers rank the countries from 1 (the highest level of equality between genders) to 164 (the most inequality between genders).

ASIA: Policy Positions

Policy Positions

China

Japan

India

Pakistan

Conflict and Cooperation

Drug Trafficking

 · major transshipment point for heroin from South and Central Asia

· growing domestic drug abuse problem

· has rigorous domestic program for combating illegal drug consumption

 · will support tactics to reduce drug trafficking

· small, but growing, domestic drug use problem

 

 

 · increasingly a transit route for illicit drugs (esp. heroin) from South Asia, mainly to Europe

· major problems with drug production, transit, and domestic consumption

· improving domestic program to combat illegal drug production and trafficking

· world’s largest supplier of legal opium (for pharmaceutical industry), diverted to illegal use

 · producer of illicit opium and hashish for the international drug trade

· govt. has undertaken major campaign against poppy cultivation (50% reduction in last 2 years)

· key transit area for Southwest Asian heroin

· borders Afghanistan

Human Rights

Child Labor

 · argues that HR concept is defined and dominated by West

· fairly strict child labor laws; mostly limited to agricultural sector and rural areas

· recently ratified ILO 138; has not ratified ILO 182

 · strictly enforced child labor laws and strong educational system make child labor almost non-existent

· recently ratified ILO 138; has not ratified ILO 182

 · argues that HR concept is defined and dominated by West

· significant child labor problem; resents Western criticism

· education is not free and required; only 59% of children age 5-14 attend school

· legal protections against child labor not well enforced

· has not ratified ILO 138 or ILO 182

 · argues that HR concept is defined and dominated by the West

· HR abuses increasing since military takeover

· child labor common, esp. in carpet weaving and garment industries

· bonded and forced labor by children common

· has not ratified ILO 138 or ILO 182

World Health

Infectious & Communicable Diseases

 · Funding for AIDS education and treatment increasing

· large population makes disease strategy difficult

· health education programs cited by WHO

 · second largest contributor to WHO disease programs

· announced 5 year, $3 billion dollar global infectious disease initiative at recent G8 summit

· offers global "partnership" grants for fighting AIDS, mostly in Asia

 · population growth contributes to spread of disease

· cultural norms influence policy

· funding for AIDS counseling and treatment increasing

 

 · population growth and overcrowding contributes to spread of disease

· cultural norms influence policy

· communicable disease remains major problem, esp. for women and children

· immunization rates have doubled in last 10 yrs.; health policy improving

Global Environment

Global Climate Change

 · use of coal for heating large source of emissions

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

· rapid economic development expected to increase emissions

 · hosted Kyoto Conference in 1995

· seeks to export "green" technology to help other countries reduce emissions

· has signed, but not ratified, Kyoto Protocol

 · poverty and basic human needs precede environmental protection

· has not signed Kyoto Protocol

· vocal critic of developed countries for "environmental double-standard"

 · has not signed Kyoto Protocol

· poverty and basic human needs precede env. protection

· has initiated some climate change research, using international funds and technical support

International Economics

Immigration Issues

 · major problem of human smuggling (both into and out of country) by organized crime groups

· controversy over govt. supported Chinese immigration into Tibet

· govt. concerned over "Brain Drain" to West

 · tight controls on immigration and asylum

· high number of foreign laborers from poorer Asian nations

· high unemployment among immigrants due to sluggish economy

· problem with smuggling of sex workers into Japan

 · high number of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh; govt. forcibly deports

· govt. concerned over "Brain Drain" to West

 · major concern over Muslim population in Kashmir

· govt. labor strategy and policies promote emigration