[PASSED] The Central Library Compact

[The United Royal Islands of Euramathania]

So - all my other objections aside - I have a question about this clause :-

Requires that for any written work provided through the ULEN, that a replicated copy of the work must be donated to WACLC,

If The ULC (Resolution #79) is repealed, and The ULEN no longer exists, would that action invalidate this clause and so make the proposal kind of a mess?

I think that it would, but that could easily be fixed by giving the ULEN a specific [new] duty to accept those donations which -- as the rules stand -- would be enough to keep the ULEN in existence for that purpose.
OOC: A larger problem is that the draft now seems somewhat longer than maximum possible length set by the game's coding, which is 3'500 characters including punctuation, spaces between words, & line breaks.

OOC: I thought the limit was 5000. So I was basing the draft on that. I have pared down the resolution to be under 3500. Also took out the part about the ULEN since it didn't fit with the new direction.

World Assembly Central Library Compact
Category: Education| Area: Cultural Heritage

The World Assembly,

Recognizing the work of the Universal Library Coalition (ULC), its Executive Committee (ULCEC), and their Universal Literary Exchange Network (ULEN), in promoting literacy and cross cultural understanding;

Concerned, however, by a lack of protections for preserving physical written works, and thus, that mission of digitizing and distributing literary works may be hindered by not having a central repository from which to conduct this import work;

Therefore, Hereby:

Establishes & builds a World Assembly Central Library Complex (WACLC), with the purpose of:
-Restoring & Replicating older written works, which may have become damaged with age,
-Collecting new & informative written works for archival purposes,
-Displaying rare, unique, or important works from nations,
-Providing scholastic access to such works, and maintaining the circulation of important written works among nations;

Mandates that WA Nations seek to preserve &, wherever possible, restore the historic & cultural written works of their nation, which may have become damaged through age;

Further, Requires all WA nations adopt standards governing the preservation, restoration, and security of historical, cultural, or important written works;

Encourages that all WA Nations unable to provide for the preservation and security of historic & cultural written works, seek wherever permissible to donate such works to the WACLC;

Mandates, that in order to achieve these goals, that the ULC be tasked with:
- Collecting & preserving written texts as donated by entities to the WACLC, and when applicable returning original texts to their donor,
- Providing for the storage & security of written works;
- Creating replicated copies of works within the WACLC which may not be stable enough for public handling,
- Comparing digital copies of works to original written works to prevent tampering;
- Restoring & repairing, at fair cost, written texts, at the request of donor entities

Mandates that ULCEC oversee & consult with donors on
- the importance, or literary value of a written work donated to the WACLC,
- the restoration or replication of written works provided to ensure authenticity and validity,
- the security of written works donated to the WACLC,
- new standards of preservation, restoration, and protection of written works against loss or damage,
- transfers of written works from donors to the WACLC;

Mandates that the Office of Building Management (OBM) locate suitable land(s) and/or a planet, in international territory on which to build the WACLC, which shall:
- Have adequate access to transportation to & from the WACLC & WA Nations,
- Be sufficiently large enough to include for future expansion(s) of the WACLC,
- Ensure necessary protection against fire, natural elements, or other natural phenomena;

Encourages all WA Nations seek wherever possible to donate new, informative written works to the WACLC and the ULEN for circulation amongst nations and/or archival purposes,

Affirms that all donors retain cultural ownership of all written works donated to the WACLC, and may elect to remove their work from circulation by providing written notice of such intent to the ULCEC;

Clarifies that nothing herein shall be read as to remove written works from member states, and that all contributions to the WACLC must be voluntary;

Affirms the rights of all WA Nations in promoting, as they see fit, the written works and literary traditions of their nation;

[Excidium Planetis]

OOC: But doesn't the fact that it went through act as precedent for these sort of things not being illegal?

OOC: No.

OOC
It should be precedent, but GenSec didn't buy that argument when I cited Repeal "Max Barry Day" in defense of the mention of other parts of the game.

[Bakhton]

OOC: No.

OOC
It should be precedent, but GenSec didn't buy that argument when I cited Repeal "Max Barry Day" in defense of the mention of other parts of the game.

OOC what's GenSec? I keep seeing this phrase pop up.

[Excidium Planetis]

OOC
It should be precedent, but GenSec didn't buy that argument when I cited Repeal "Max Barry Day" in defense of the mention of other parts of the game.

OOC what's GenSec? I keep seeing this phrase pop up.

That would be the GA Secretariat. The group of players who rule on whether proposals are legal or not. Separatist Peoples, Sciongrad, Bears Armed, Sierra Lyricalia, Glen-Rhodes, and Christian Democrats are GenSec members.

[The Second Moon Rising]

While The Second Moon Rising finds the spirit of this proposal appealing, The Second Moon Rising agrees with the delegate from Calladan on the matter of the impracticability of the building required for this endeavor. Such a building would be in a constant state of expansion and, possibly, sectional demolition from the day construction commences to the day the World Assembly, whatever assemblage may one day replace it, or the multiverse itself ceases to exist. And what of staffing, and the needs of the staff?

[Lenninia]

Let me first express our full support for the Library Compact.
Next, to address some concerns and offer solution:

• To those overly conservative concerns about loss of important materials. What about some sort of mobile lab, so that important works can be processed in the target nation, where the work is at little risk?
• To those committee concerns. Since the Library Compact followers prior precedent for non-committee efforts:

  OCC: So you keep saying. But how? What makes it different from other resolutions that establish an agency, committee or GA or WA body, to carry out a purpose? The critique without clarity isn't really helpful. By my reading of what you are inferring then GA resolutions 31,60,86,287,291,320,and 322, which all establish committees before they require any changes to international laws, would be read as being 'comittee only'. Unless there is something different that you haven't mentioned as a means test for understanding this rule, that would classify this as seperate. I cannot fix it unless I know what you are meaning, and merely proclaiming that it's illegal doesn't help.

  
  GAR #31:

  I) Strongly encourages nations to make spending commitments to achieving decent health standards for their people;
  
  II) Further encourages coordination between the existing health agencies of nations in order to promote decent health standards in the international community;

  and

  V) Strongly encourages individual nations to:
  -create agencies concerned with the health of their people,
  -research ways to prevent and remedy threats to decent health,
  -disseminate such information in the international community in order to impede threats to decent health.

  would still affect member nations if the committee wasn’t there.
  
  GAR #60:

  4) REQUIRES that nations afflicted by nuclear disasters take the following measures in dealing with the disaster, including, but not limited to:
  
  A) Evacuating any areas that have been contaminated by radiation as a result of the disaster, beginning with areas closest to the source of radiation and moving outwards.
  B) Providing clean water to areas that have had their sources of drinking water contaminated as a result of the disaster.
  C) Providing immediate medical services to those suffering from radiation poisoning as a result of the disaster.
  D) Clearly marking contaminated zones with multi-lingual signs, using languages present in the surrounding area.
  E) Taking appropriate measures to prevent the spread of radiation by restricting or diverting the flow of contaminated waterways, where possible.

  would still affect member nations if the committee wasn’t there.
  
  
  GAR #86: I agree, according to the precedent that I mentioned, that proposal should have been considered illegal.
  
  GAR #287: It’s borderline, but arguably

  4. Encourages all nations to make a good faith effort to preserve their culturally relevant sites, and to assist other nations in the preservation of their culturally relevant sites,

  would still affect member nations if the committee wasn’t there.
  
  GAR #291:

  URGES all states to set aside a portion of their extant forest for conservation, that such forest, or forests, be as large, and its boundaries as uniform as possible, and be in the most environmentally sensitive areas;

  and

  STRONGLY URGES states to avoid harvesting trees near waterways and coastlines;
  
  ENCOURAGES that areas damaged by acts of nature, or cleared prior to the passage of this resolution, be reforested;
  
  CALLS UPON able states to lend aid and assistance to neighboring states which may need it.

  would still affect member nations if the committee wasn’t there.
  
  GAR #320:

  2. Requires that each nation encountering a public health hazard of infectious disease within their sovereign territory or any other territory under their jurisdiction:
  
  Seek expert medical counsel to determine necessary medical precautions to be undertaken by visitors to that territory;
  
  Publicly promulgate a travel advisory and any updates in its status until the hazard has been resolved, describing relevant medical precautions to be undertaken by visitors to that territory;
  
  Inform, at minimum, their World Health Authority national office and the embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions they have established with any nation from which they permit travel, of this advisory and of any updates in its status;

  would still affect member nations if the committee wasn’t there.
  
  GAR #322: I agree, according to the precedent that I mentioned, that proposal should have been considered illegal.
  
  __________________________________
  
  Does that help?

[The United Royal Islands of Euramathania]

The Elected Ambassador from the United Royal Islands of Euramathania, The Wise and Considered A. Meridian, of the House of Solus Garden, on behalf of the Eternal Monarch:
Firstly, We wish to thank my predecessor the Honorable J. Everett for his fine work in establishing our General Assembly Office, and his eloquent work in advocating the positions and values of the United Royal Islands. For his outstanding work in his temporary role, he has obtained the blessings of Theryiat to receive our nation's highest diplomatic honor, The Crest of Falling Water. We wish him well as he returns to his post as lecturer, and scholar of antiquities and culture at Theryia University. He will be missed, along with his assistant Ms. Wilde.
As newly elected Ambassador, I have taken the opportunity over the past several days to aquatint myself with the GA, and its mission. As well as the proposed resolution by Fmr. Ambassador Everett, and the debate surrounding it. As such, I believe that we shall be moving forward with this proposal following a few adjustments to address some of the concerns shared.

To our Calladan Colleague, we hear and thank you for your spirited debate. We recognize that for many cultures within the World Assembly, the written word, is becoming or already is obsolete, and can under how building a library may seem superfluous to those nations. We have attempted to mitigate that factor by affirming the voluntary nature of donations to this project, as well as now requiring that the Executive committee seek out ongoing funding for the project, among other things. We hope that this reduces the strain on the GA General Fund, and the individual burdens placed on member-states, and thus helps garner the support of nations such as yours, despite many already being in compliance with most of this resolution. We intended this resolution with those nations in mind who have not yet outlived the need, or desire for written manuscripts. From our nation there are several thousand manuscripts dating back many thousands of years, carefully preserved by scholars and sages. We hope this is the case in other nations, and feel that an international library would be a an exceptional place to showcase these treasures, instead of risking loosing them to the traveling library that is the ULEN. We feel that preserving and sharing these written works of our shared histories is an important international mission which redounds to all our collective benefit. We hope that you see this too, and ask for your consideration of support in this matter.

Lastly, we wish to thank those many members supporting this proposal. We hope that the changes made here have been for the better and that we can still count upon your support in our efforts. We invite any further comments, before we submit this.

World Assembly Central Library Compact
Category: Education| Area: Cultural Heritage

The World Assembly,

Recognizing the work of the Universal Library Coalition (ULC), its Executive Committee (ULCEC), and their Universal Literary Exchange Network (ULEN), in promoting literacy;

Concerned, however, by a lack of protections for preserving physical written works, and thus, that the mission of digitizing and distributing literary works may be hindered by not having a central repository from which to conduct this import work;

Therefore, Hereby:

Establishes & builds a World Assembly Central Library Complex (WACLC), with the purpose of:
-Restoring & Replicating older written works, which may have become damaged with age,
-Collecting new & informative written works for archival purposes,
-Displaying rare, unique, or important works from nations,
-Providing scholastic access to such works, and maintaining the circulation of important written works among nations;

Mandates that WA Nations seek to preserve and, wherever possible, restore the historic & cultural written works of their nation, which may have become damaged through age;

Further, Requires all WA nations adopt standards governing the preservation, restoration, and security of historical, cultural, or important written works;

Encourages that all WA Nations unable to provide for the preservation and security of historic & cultural written works, seek wherever permissible to donate such works to the WACLC;

Mandates, that in order to achieve these goals, that the ULC be tasked with:
- Collecting & Preserving written texts as donated by entities to the WACLC, and when applicable returning original texts to their donor,
- Providing for the storage & security of written works;
- Creating replicated copies of works which may not be stable enough for public handling,
- Comparing digital copies of works to original written works to prevent tampering,
- Restoring & Repairing, at fair cost, written texts, at the request of donor entities;

Mandates that ULCEC oversee & consult with donors on:
- Ongoing funding efforts for WACLC operations,
- The importance, or literary value of a written work donated to the WACLC,
- The restoration or replication of written works provided, to ensure authenticity and validity,
- The security of written works donated to the WACLC,
- New standards of preservation, restoration, and protection of written works against loss or damage,
- Transfers of written works from donors to the WACLC;

Mandates that the Office of Building Management (OBM) locate suitable land(s) and/or a planet, in international territory on which to build the WACLC, which shall:
- Have adequate access to transportation to & from the WACLC & WA Nations,
- Be sufficiently large enough to include for future expansion(s) of the WACLC,
- Ensure necessary protection against fire, natural elements, or other natural phenomena;

Encourages all WA Nations seek wherever possible to donate new, informative written works to the WACLC and the ULEN for circulation amongst nations and/or archival purposes;

Affirms that all donors retain cultural ownership of all written works donated to the WACLC, and may elect to remove their work from circulation by providing written notice to the ULCEC;

Clarifies that nothing herein shall be read as to remove written works from member states, and that all contributions to the WACLC must be voluntary;

Affirms the rights of all WA Nations in promoting, as they see fit, the written works and literary traditions of their nation.

[Bakhton]

Lara Qzu is calmed by the return of the library proposal and drinks her tea softly. "We reaffirm our approval of this motion and would wish to welcome Euramathania's new ambassador, A. Meridian, to our honored halls." Ms. Qzu proceeds to eat her breakfast on her desk.

[Araraukar]

Lastly, we wish to thank those many members supporting this proposal.

OOC: What support? I count TAI, one obvious undeclared puppet and 2 people who I'm not sure have ever posted in GA before. (Except maybe support/no support on at-vote threads, but those don't count.)

We invite any further comments, before we submit this.

IC: I still suggest you leave the draft there and step well away while I grab my flamethrower...

OOC: Make sure the first post of this thread has the recentmost draft in it. I'll get back to you in proper IC on it later today (or tomorrow, if the ongoing health issues get the upper hand tonight).

[Bakhton]

OOC: What support?

OOC: Ayyye. Also best wishes on health.

[States of Glory WA Office]

OOC: one obvious undeclared puppet

Are we reading the same thread? Then again, I could just be terrible at identifying puppets.

[The Atlae Isles]

Lastly, we wish to thank those many members supporting this proposal.

OOC: What support? I count TAI, one obvious undeclared puppet and 2 people who I'm not sure have ever posted in GA before. (Except maybe support/no support on at-vote threads, but those don't count.)

We invite any further comments, before we submit this.

IC: I still suggest you leave the draft there and step well away while I grab my flamethrower...

OOC: Make sure the first post of this thread has the recentmost draft in it. I'll get back to you in proper IC on it later today (or tomorrow, if the ongoing health issues get the upper hand tonight).

Awww...It would be a shame to see it go...

[Imperium Anglorum]

I still suggest you leave the draft there and step well away while I grab my flamethrower...

PARSONS: I could bathe in that flamethrower out here. The weapon nullifiers are quite nice out here.

[Araraukar]

I still suggest you leave the draft there and step well away while I grab my flamethrower...

PARSONS: I could bathe in that flamethrower out here. The weapon nullifiers are quite nice out here.

I don't know where the "out here" is that you are in, but that's why I was asking for the author to step away from the draft, as I know full well it wouldn't work as a flamethrower if any sapient creature was in the line of fire...

[The United Royal Islands of Euramathania]

PARSONS: I could bathe in that flamethrower out here. The weapon nullifiers are quite nice out here.

I don't know where the "out here" is that you are in, but that's why I was asking for the author to step away from the draft, as I know full well it wouldn't work as a flamethrower if any sapient creature was in the line of fire...

C.J. Wallows: What an impertinent fellow. In my days we debated the merits of combat before breaking out the firepower!

A. Meridian, interrupting her assistant: Yes and we thank you for your service Sir, but this is neither the time nor place for war stories.

C.J. Wallows: Aye, but I have my eye on that fellow. Disgregarding proper protocols.

A. Meridian: That we agree upon Sir.-she turns to the Araraukar Ambassador- Stick to the facts Ambassador, and leave the toys alone. ~said with concealed mirth and slight derision~

[Imperium Anglorum]

I don't know where the "out here" is that you are in, but that's why I was asking for the author to step away from the draft, as I know full well it wouldn't work as a flamethrower if any sapient creature was in the line of fire...

I'm not actually sure about that one. I'm only confident that those people with diplomatic immunity are afforded such protections.

[Araraukar]

C.J. Wallows: Aye, but I have my eye on that fellow. Disgregarding proper protocols.

OOC: Janis is female, not a "fellow".

I don't know where the "out here" is that you are in, but that's why I was asking for the author to step away from the draft, as I know full well it wouldn't work as a flamethrower if any sapient creature was in the line of fire...

I'm not actually sure about that one. I'm only confident that those people with diplomatic immunity are afforded such protections.

Really? So if I don't recognize their diplomatic immunity, I can fry them?

OOC: The nullifiers apply to all players' characters, whether or not they just sneaked in or were duly appointed by their governments...

[Merni]

OOC: The title doesn't match up with the body of the proposal, since there is no mention of the word "compact" anywhere in the body. Other than that, I will not support this, for the same reasons Calladan has been arguing.

[States of Glory WA Office]

I'm not actually sure about that one. I'm only confident that those people with diplomatic immunity are afforded such protections.

Really? So if I don't recognize their diplomatic immunity, I can fry them?

Barbera: Refusal to grant diplomatic immunity to Delegations that have been sent to the World Assembly shall be construed as a violation of GA #22 a.k.a Diplomat Protection Act and shall thus result in the termination of diplomatic relationships between the Grand Nation of Araraukar and the Commonwealth of States of Glory.

Harold: Honestly, have you people learned nothing from the fiasco involving Fairburn and the police officers over at the Stranger's Bar? Not that it matters, anyway, as Ararararauu...Arraukr...that nation is not a WA member.

Barbera: Personally, I disagree with the idea that observer states should have a major say in regulations which they are not even required to follow.

[Araraukar]

Barbera: Refusal to grant diplomatic immunity to Delegations that have been sent to the World Assembly shall be construed as a violation of GA #22 a.k.a Diplomat Protection Act and shall thus result in the termination of diplomatic relationships between the Grand Nation of Araraukar and the Commonwealth of States of Glory.

...we had a diplomatic relationship? That's news to me.

In any case, please point out the part of GAR #22 which would be violated.

Also, this has nothing to do with the draft at hand...

OOC: In GAR #22 resolution the first "requires" sets diplomatic immunity. Fourth explains what all is meant by it. It doesn't say anything about not hurting them. The third "requires", which I think you're trying to invoke, has the wording "diplomats to other nations", which would make it apply only if the ambassador was sent to Araraukar, what with the WA not being a nation. I've argued about this before and think it's a lethally stupid mistake, as it would indeed let you assault an ambassador to the WA.

None of this means that 1) Janis would actually try to seriously hurt someone here or that 2) the weapons nullifiers wouldn't work with non-ambassadors.

So your protest is on shaky ground, unnecessary and aimed at the wrong person. You'll be wanting to growl at IA.

Barbera: Personally, I disagree with the idea that observer states should have a major say in regulations which they are not even required to follow.

That's quite fine, I personally disagree that nations not involved in the drafting process should be allowed to vote on the proposals, but I know that's just me...

[The United Royal Islands of Euramathania]

C.J. Wallows: Aye, but I have my eye on that fellow. Disgregarding proper protocols.

OOC: Janis is female, not a "fellow".

OOC: yeah. I know. CJ is just a bit set in his ways. Saw the flamethrower and made assumptions. Mea culpa on his behalf.

[States of Glory WA Office]

Barbera: Personally, I disagree with the idea that observer states should have a major say in regulations which they are not even required to follow.

That's quite fine, I personally disagree that nations not involved in the drafting process should be allowed to vote on the proposals, but I know that's just me...

Barbera: It's not just you, you know.

Harold: Did you just use a contraction? This is cause for celebration! Custard pies for everyone! (starts lobbing custard pies all around the chamber)

Barbera: (holding in laughter) St...stop it. This is embarr...embarrassing.

[Appalachia]

I believe that an all-powerful spirit should be appointed to curate the library. Perhaps one that takes the form of a giant owl.

[Calladan]

While I admit the one specific reason I had to object to this seems to have been removed - the requirement to donate works that are part of the ULEN - I still think this is a massive waste of time, money and effort and can not find a single reason to support it.

[Whovian Tardisia]

That's quite fine, I personally disagree that nations not involved in the drafting process should be allowed to vote on the proposals, but I know that's just me...

Barbera: It's not just you, you know.

Harold: Did you just use a contraction? This is cause for celebration! Custard pies for everyone! (starts lobbing custard pies all around the chamber)

Barbera: (holding in laughter) St...stop it. This is embarr...embarrassing.

Pink is struck in the face by a stray pie. He grumbles something about government incompetence and enters the Police Box in the corner of the chamber to wash up, further disgruntled by the pie which has struck the window of said box.