Contemporary Amsterdam

All with Canon Powershot G9

More in my album called “Contemporary Amsterdam”

UNISCA is a success!

The United Nations International Student Conference of Amsterdam has come to a close after months of preperation involving over two hundred students. UNISCA is a UN simulation conference designed for students to be involved in decision-making and gaining valuable experiences such as debating, diplomatic negotiations and making draft resolutions.

My committee was the First Committee, in which its main theme was Global Crime. There were three topics up for debate:
– Cybercrime
– Bio-terrorism
– Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS)

The first procedure was actually debating in which order of topics we should follow. Some mentioned that PAROS should be ordered first as it is seem to be ‘the most important topic’ in the committee. While others argued that other topics are important too and for the sake of efficiency, the schedule should remain. Most people thought that these agendas can be rushed through quickly enough and allow an ample amount of time for PAROS to be discussed.

We were all wrong

The first two topics took so long that the resolutions had to be debated the next day, which caused a domino effect, leaving PAROS to be discussed the last three hours on Thursday, which was inconveniently from 5pm to 8.30pm.

As a delegate of Tunisia, i had to place my agenda through which mainly consisted of gaining support from developed world to developing countries such as technology transfer, development aid and other forms of activities which would meet the demands of the Millennium Development Goal.

For the Cybercrime, we had a very slow start. Some delegates started to debate on which defines as cybercrime. I knew this would take ages and it was very unproductive in defining cybercrime in the first place. For the sake of efficiency, i argued for a creation of a committee consisting of experts to formulate a regulation in responding to challenges of cybercrime. Then there was a schism formed where there was a bloc who wanted to debate on the prevention of Child Pornography in internet. As for the definition, i reiterated that it is just naive to think about definition as none of us have information technology background and should delegate the committee for create a comprehensive report in defining cybercrime for us. In the end, we had two resolutions. One is the formulation of a committee, and the other on stressing the need for all nations to fight against child pornography in cyberspace. It took us more than a day to complete the first agenda item.

As for bio-terrorism…let’s say we tried not to tangle with bio-terrorism with bio-technology. The United States delegate swayed much of the policy in banning bio-weapon altogether and convinced that some form of these weapons should remain as it may be used for ‘vaccination’ purposes. In the end, we had a resolution through in safeguarding biological agents.

PAROS was the most funniest debate i have ever encountered. Yes, it was serious, but the delegate of China managed to rally for a draft resolution in America-bashing their policies in weaponization of outer space. And this draft resolution was already completed with almost unanimous support (which excludes USA) even before the agenda started! USA tried to create a draft resolution through, but it belly-flopped when the delegate couldn’t meet the minimum sponsor/signatory. We didn’t support the China’s America-bashing, instead opted for a water-downed version sponsored by Australia and their team which iterated that all nations should prohibit in weaponizing space.

On the last day, every resolutions in all committees got their resolution approved by at least a majority of delegates.

I think what took us so wrong is that we tried to get a unanimous support for all pieces of draft resolution, which meant in negotiating for a compromise. What was wrong with it was that we had a water-down version, mainly attempting to bend down to United State’s demand all agendas, excluding the PAROS. Forgetting that we only needed a simple majority, but instead would like to have a human relationship with all members and simply being “too nice”! The good thing about it was that we did get more than a majority in the General Assembly…so it worked favourably.

I guess the skills that i gained from this tiresome ordeal was in debating, while wearing a full business suit. Then trying to wiggle through my agenda as much as possible. I did just that and i was satisfied with what we have come up with.

Negotiation for a draft resolution. Rounds of amendments and debating.

Getting the resolution approved in the General Assembly.

Few comments about DSLR + Compact Camera Combo

After coming back from Italy, i do feel that i have much more about my dslr and compact camera than ever before. I now appreciate how well the Canon 24mm f/1.4L take in low light situations. And for my G9, it is very practical to take it when travelling in crowded places such as trains stations and clubs.

I have done quite a lot of experimentation between higher ISO and faster aperture. It turns out that higher ISO would make brighter areas such as shopfronts at nights to turn over-exposed. The areas that i want to have greater exposure would only gain slight improvement, but at the expense of loss in data from over-exposed areas. Where as if i use faster aperture, there will be a greater balance in exposure. There will be greater warmth and tonality in faster aperture and higher ISO would only create more noise and loss in detail.

So i really like minimise the use of excessively high ISO. Focusing the range between 400 to 640 in low light areas. Usually it’s 1/100 f/1.4 ISO 400-640.

Photo taken with Canon EOS 30D, f/1.4, 1/160, ISO 400, No Flash

I think my next lens would either be Canon 16-35 f/2.8L or Canon 85 f/1.2L.

In Northern Italy…

I haven’t got around in completing all my photo editing. It is a massive job in sorting through over over 5000 RAW photos and trying to make a decent and presentable album for general viewing. It is a task that requires plenty of determination and patience. Still, after 4 days since arriving from my trip, i have only completed half of my albums. You can view the updated gallery in RSS link on the right of page.

Here are some updates:

Christmas at the Vatican City

Near the colosseum during sunset on Christmas Day

Stampede to try the best cafe in whole of Rome for Boxing Day

…and also tasting its bitter rivalry…

Then checking out jaw dropping architectures in Florence

The next day, i visited a city which invented Bolognese Sauce…called Bologna. And shopped in their food markets…

Then checking out the Official Ferrari store in Milan

My thoughts on Italy

Pacing up and down the hilly hidden avenues in Rome, i do wonder if Italy in general has really ushered in the 21st century lifestyle. Not just in technology, but the mentality of society’s norms and way of life. Rome must be the most chaotic city in terms of traffic i have ever been to. Traffic are at a halt near the Vatican City and Roma Termini because of large volumes of pedestrians not sticking to designated footpaths. Instead taking risks in jaywalking, and halting traffic as a result.

To me, design is overstated in Italy. It is more utilitarian to my liking. Function over form. Yet, function is not reliable as society expects? Public transportation are not reliable in punctuality and servicing, the public are very intolerant of tourists, and there seems to be more class division between the haves and the haves-not.

When i was roaming around Florence, majority of local women wore mink fur coats as if there is some territory to be protected of. As majority of citizens are just window shopping, the haves would graciously enter a jewellery store and sit face to face with sellers showing off their finest wares.

Has Italy really embraced modernity? Or has status quo really treated them well and thought that no alternative can replace such success they readily enjoy?