[Passed] Repeal: Recognising Achievements Act

[Goobergunchia]

Repeal: Recognising Achievements Act

Category: Repeal | Resolution: GA#146 | Proposed by: Markanite

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General Assembly Resolution #146 “Recognising Achievements Act” (Category: Fair Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

The World Assembly,

Recognising the importance of the issues which the resolution aimed to address, namely ensuring the recognition of academic qualifications across the world;

Believing that academic achievements and qualifications must be vetted only by institutions of the highest quality;

Highlighting the importance of a well-educated workforce and the resultant effect on livelihoods and wider economy;

Hereby repeals General Assembly Resolution #146, "Recognising Achievements Act" for the following reasons:

1. The current resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.
   
2. Currently, the resolution fails to determine how “institutes of accreditation” will determine the validity of academic achievement; potentially unknowledgeable entities could determine the quality and experience of the workforce resulting in a detrimental effect on the populace and the economy of member nations.
   
3. This resolution fails to grant applicants recourse to appeal determinations on qualifications, working contrary to the aims of the resolution.
   
4. The current process is open to exploitation from foreign powers who could potentially wish to accredit their courses whilst not ensuring parity of education, this fundamentally undermines the goals of this resolution and could detrimentally affect a member nation.

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Link to targetted resolution: https://www.nationstates.net/page=WA_pa ... /council=1

Link to replacement legislation: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=533205

General Assembly Resolution #146 “Recognising Achievements Act” (Category: Fair Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

The World Assembly,

Recognising the importance of the issues which the resolution aimed to address, namely ensuring the recognition of academic qualifications across the world;

Believing that academic achievements and qualifications must be vetted only by institutions of the highest quality;

Highlighting the importance of a well-educated workforce and the resultant effect on livelihoods and wider economy;

Hereby repeals General Assembly Resolution #146, "Recognising Achievements Act" for the following reasons:

I. The current resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards.

II. The wording of the law is vague which enables exploitation by the “institutes of accreditation”, instead the aims of the resolution could be better achieved by establishing a new regulator with clear delineated powers.

III. There is no provision to establish who will staff “institutes of accreditation” or determine the validity of academic achievement; unregulated and potentially unknowledgeable entities could determine the quality and experience of the workforce resulting in a detrimental effect on the populace and the economy of member nations.

IV. The established “institutes of accreditation” are not sufficiently empowered to, following the vetting process, help potential applicants nor can they provide applicants with knowledge of national laws, customs or rules and regulations.

V. This legislation empowers any individual with the ability to create an “institute of accreditation” without proper checks and balances, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.

VI. Failure to ensure “institutes of accreditation” report on their financial activities could potentially enable these institutions to misuse any public funds they are entitled too.

VII. Currently, the resolution fails to determine how “institutes of accreditation” are to be regulated or held accountable by any noted body or regulatory authority, nor is there provision for the national government or even the World Assembly to oversee this process.

VIII. This resolution fails to grant applicants recourse to appeal determinations on qualifications, working contrary to the aims of the resolution.

IX. The current process is open to exploitation from foreign powers who could potentially wish to accredit their courses whilst not ensuring parity of education which fundamentally undermines the goals of this resolution.

Draft 2:

General Assembly Resolution #146 “Recognising Achievements Act” (Category: Fair Trade; Strength: Mild) shall be struck out and rendered null and void.

The World Assembly,

Recognising the importance of the issues which the resolution aimed to address, namely ensuring the recognition of academic qualifications across the world;

Believing that academic achievements and qualifications must be vetted only by institutions of the highest quality;

Highlighting the importance of a well-educated workforce and the resultant effect on livelihoods and wider economy;

Hereby repeals General Assembly Resolution #146, "Recognising Achievements Act" for the following reasons:

1. The current resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations, none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.
   
2. Currently, the resolution fails to determine how “institutes of accreditation” are to be regulated or how they will determine the validity of academic achievement; unregulated and potentially unknowledgeable entities could determine the quality and experience of the workforce resulting in a detrimental effect on the populace and the economy of member nations.
   
3. This resolution fails to grant applicants recourse to appeal determinations on qualifications, working contrary to the aims of the resolution.
   
4. The current process is open to exploitation from foreign powers who could potentially wish to accredit their courses whilst not ensuring parity of education, this fundamentally undermines the goals of this resolution and could detrimentally affect a member nation.

[Kenmoria]

“The clauses after the repealing line should finish with full stops.” Ambassador Fortier comments. “Other than that, I have little to add. This looks to be a solid repeal.”

[Markanite]

“The clauses after the repealing line should finish with full stops.” Ambassador Fortier comments. “Other than that, I have little to add. This looks to be a solid repeal.”

I've added the full stops in, thank you for looking over it!

[The Ice States]

"This is a good start for a repeal. We would, however, suggest, cutting this down to the four or so most important arguments, so that all arguments made here are as compelling as they can be."

I. The current resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards.

"Can you add more elaboration on what this means and how it is a problem? Upon comparing the repeal text with the target text, I do not fully understand what this argument is referring to -- so clarification would be very helpful."

II. The wording of the law is vague which enables exploitation by the “institutes of accreditation”, instead the aims of the resolution could be better achieved by establishing a new regulator with clear delineated powers.

"What kind of exploitation does this refer to?"

III. There is no provision to establish who will staff “institutes of accreditation” or determine the validity of academic achievement; unregulated and potentially unknowledgeable entities could determine the quality and experience of the workforce resulting in a detrimental effect on the populace and the economy of member nations.

"We can agree with this argument, combined with other arguments in this repeal."

IV. The established “institutes of accreditation” are not sufficiently empowered to, following the vetting process, help potential applicants nor can they provide applicants with knowledge of national laws, customs or rules and regulations.

"Could this in particular not go in a separate complementary resolution? I fail to see how this is in the scope of the target, such that repeal should be preferred to enacting supplementary legislation."

V. This legislation empowers any individual with the ability to create an “institute of accreditation” without proper checks and balances, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.

"What is the difference between this argument and III?"

VI. Failure to ensure “institutes of accreditation” report on their financial activities could potentially enable these institutions to misuse any public funds they are entitled too.

"Would any rational member nation not already do this?"

VII. Currently, the resolution fails to determine how “institutes of accreditation” are to be regulated or held accountable by any noted body or regulatory authority, nor is there provision for the national government or even the World Assembly to oversee this process.

"Why could member nations not already do this, without being explicitly authorised to do this by the World Assembly?"

VIII. This resolution fails to grant applicants recourse to appeal determinations on qualifications, working contrary to the aims of the resolution.

"We agree with this argument."

IX. The current process is open to exploitation from foreign powers who could potentially wish to accredit their courses whilst not ensuring parity of education which fundamentally undermines the goals of this resolution.

"How so? Could your mission include more elaboration on this argument?"

~Alexander Nicholas Saverchenko-Colleti,
World Assembly Ambassador,
The Communal Union of the Ice States.

[Markanite]

Thanks for your comments and for taking the time to go through the draft.

"This is a good start for a repeal. We would, however, suggest, cutting this down to the four or so most important arguments, so that all arguments made here are as compelling as they can be."

I've now amended the draft in the first post, there are now 4 points. This has also incorporated some of the feedback here from Tinhampton.

I. The current resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards.

"Can you add more elaboration on what this means and how it is a problem? Upon comparing the repeal text with the target text, I do not fully understand what this argument is referring to -- so clarification would be very helpful."

I've added in "resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.", this point refers to the fact that if there are numerous institutions determining the viability of qualifications they can make conflicting judgements and cause confusion.

III. There is no provision to establish who will staff “institutes of accreditation” or determine the validity of academic achievement; unregulated and potentially unknowledgeable entities could determine the quality and experience of the workforce resulting in a detrimental effect on the populace and the economy of member nations.

"We can agree with this argument, combined with other arguments in this repeal."

I've merged this point with another

IV. The established “institutes of accreditation” are not sufficiently empowered to, following the vetting process, help potential applicants nor can they provide applicants with knowledge of national laws, customs or rules and regulations.

"Could this in particular not go in a separate complementary resolution? I fail to see how this is in the scope of the target, such that repeal should be preferred to enacting supplementary legislation."

Yes, it doesn't quite fit now so I've removed it.

V. This legislation empowers any individual with the ability to create an “institute of accreditation” without proper checks and balances, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.

"What is the difference between this argument and III?"

This is basically a repeat, I've removed it.

VI. Failure to ensure “institutes of accreditation” report on their financial activities could potentially enable these institutions to misuse any public funds they are entitled too.

"Would any rational member nation not already do this?"

I put it in there to cover financially irregularities however, Tinhampton had said WA bodies are perceived to be squeaky-clean so I've removed it.

VII. Currently, the resolution fails to determine how “institutes of accreditation” are to be regulated or held accountable by any noted body or regulatory authority, nor is there provision for the national government or even the World Assembly to oversee this process.

"Why could member nations not already do this, without being explicitly authorised to do this by the World Assembly?"

I've merged this point with another above, to tighten the lack of regulation aspect of the argument.

IX. The current process is open to exploitation from foreign powers who could potentially wish to accredit their courses whilst not ensuring parity of education which fundamentally undermines the goals of this resolution.

"How so? Could your mission include more elaboration on this argument?"

Hypothetically, as anyone could set up an institute of accreditation, a foreign power could set up one in an enemy member state and use this to create confusion among academic recognition. So they'd approve qualifications that were not of the accepted standard in order to weaken the workforce of another nation.

[Markanite]

Bumping this to see if anyone has any further thoughts on draft 2

[Chipoli]

Not a fan of the "court ruling" style of writing, but otherwise this is a good repeal.

[Markanite]

Not a fan of the "court ruling" style of writing, but otherwise this is a good repeal.

Thanks for looking over it!

[Comfed]

I think the court style articles are very good and make the resolution much easier to read.

[Markanite]

Thanks Comfed!

[The Ice States]

...“national or supranational” organisations, none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards...

"We have added a small grammar correction here, on our copy of the proposal. Otherwise, this proposal addresses our previous concerns, and we can support this."

~Alexander Nicholas Saverchenko-Colleti,
World Assembly Ambassador,
The Communal Union of the Ice States.

[Markanite]

...“national or supranational” organisations, none of which are regulated by any single authority to ensure fairness and acceptable standards...

"We have added a small grammar correction here, on our copy of the proposal. Otherwise, this proposal addresses our previous concerns, and we can support this."

~Alexander Nicholas Saverchenko-Colleti,
World Assembly Ambassador,
The Communal Union of the Ice States.

I missed that, thank you very much!

[Markanite]

Bumping this one as well as I think I'm going to submit these soon

[Tinhampton]

I'd suggest list tags be used here too for consistency with the replacement.

[Markanite]

I'd suggest list tags be used here too for consistency with the replacement.

Sorry I missed this, I've updated it accordingly.

Thanks!

[Markanite]

Going back to this, hopefully going to submit soon if anyone else has any comments or questions!

[Markanite]

Sorry the delay with this! Going to be submitting this weekend!

Link to replacement draft: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=533205

[Markanite]

Submitted: https://www.nationstates.net/page=UN_vi ... 1695663432

[Markanite]

Draft 3 is now above, taking on the feedback received following the submission.

[Australia Minor]

The points that have been made to repeal this resolution are false, and any statement they are not would mean they apply wholly to the proposal to replace this beautiful piece of legislation. For these reasons we implore nations to vote against.

[Retired WerePenguins]

I have so many questions.

The resolution states "DEFINES "institutes of accreditation" as any national or supranational organisation charged with determining the validity of academic qualifications and/or awarding suitably-qualified individuals with the right to use legally-protected professional titles,"

You argue, "applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations"

I wonder how? Would there be multiple academic organizations in a given nation for any given subject matter? Two groups for surgeons, for example? If you are suggesting that a person could go to a different nation, I'm sorry but not being in my nation, that is of no concern to me. It only comes into play in a minor way in this clause, "PROHIBITS institutes of accreditation from refusing individuals access to their accreditation process based solely on the nation where their qualification was earned," and even then, the important word is "solely" so it doesn't imply that the nation with the lowest standard wins in your nation.

I am voting against this repeal. A bad repeal remains on the books FOREVER.

[The Overmind]

There is no need to recognize achievements, for all that you are lies wholly within me. For.

[Luzianne]

The honorable Prime Minister Benjamin Lincoln of Luzianne stands to address his concerns.

"Luzianne stands opposed to this repeal as its goals are incongruent with the varied needs of individual nations. Though national sovereignty is now a concept of the past due to the creation of the World Assembly, we must retain some rights bestowed to those possessing nationhood. I believe that this mindset of international supremacy is established in the very explanation of the repeal:

The resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur.

Educational qualifications need not be the same nation to nation. Some nations have higher standards of education because they have better supports for families, students, and educators. These supports are the result of a successful economy, a culture of intellectualism, and a flourishing class of taxpayers. Many nations lack one of those three critical factors. Some possess none of them. If a nation believes that they need to set expectations more attainable for their populace, that may be in their best interests. Meanwhile, a nation which believes heavily in the importance of education need not be bogged down by the meager standards created for mediocre societies with a mostly lower-class populace.

Institutes of accreditation should set their own standards for academic achievement. Not all students are created the same way, and neither are their schools. A repeal of this bill should, at the very most, establish an organization responsible for tiering the existing accreditors to determine which has the highest standards and which has the lowest. These accreditation tiers could help prospective students determine which school they feel is right for them and most fitting to their qualifications and preparation. Beyond that, any repeal of the Recognizing Achievements Act is either an outright attempt to dismantle what few educational standards we have or an international power-grab, forcing all nations to play by the rules of the most powerful when it doesn't seem logical.

The current bill ensures that accreditors have the power to examine the quality of education provided by an institution. It also gives nations the freedom to determine their own standards, which is important. International qualifications, for most occupations, are impractical. A lawyer in Luzianne will not be knowledgable on the laws of another nation; a doctor in The Western Isles will not be well-practiced at treating localized illnesses in other regions; a businessman in Porto Verde may be well-suited to work on Luzianne's famous Bridge Street, but that doesn't mean they can easily help the economies of other nations. Ultimately, repealing the RAA will only serve to diminish the important baseline for schooling we have in the short term to serve the unfortunate goal of stripping nations of what sovereignty they have in the longterm. Luzianne remains opposed to this repeal."

[Tinhampton]

Repeal "Recognising Achievements Act" was passed 11,893 votes to 934. (92.72% support)

For: 11,893: Pallaith (835), Kethania (618), Ebonhand (612), Imperium Anglorum (468), Altys (433), Overthinkers (395), East Durthang (376), Astrobolt (232), Mechanocracy (198), UPC (195), Socialist Platypus (134), South Boston Irishmen (109), Rayekka (102), Danslandia (101), Vinslott (96), Verdant Haven (85), The Glorious Hypetrain (84), Student Loan Debt (78), Ysengrim (76), Deims Kir (75), 9006 (74), The Freakin Guardians of the Galaxy (70), Vancouvia (66), New United Common-lands (65), Wintermoot (64), Tim Stark (61), Marim Grunzy (60), Moukden and Kirin (58), New Zora (57), Vobron (57), Oogway (53), Lesser Velutaria (52), Random small European state (51), Ovenerium (49), Courelli (48), Romanovskaya (37), Bearded Dragones (30), Shanlix (30), Japuile (29), Tinhampton (29), Ventus Prime (28), Portzania (28), Parkplace (28), Mark (27), Joiklandia (25), Suter (25), Great United Columbia (25), Koronic (25), Lamoni (24), Gran River (23), Connerist Society of Necrovia (23), Holy Anderele (21), Josephtan (20), Densaner (19), The Great Hiatus (18), NewTexas (17), Esgeirimmen (17), The Republic of Western Sol (17), Roylaii (16), Landbang Rkipo Islands (16), San Pera (16), Winch (15), Imperial Mansion of Japan (14), Kyraina (12), Wyerd (11), Eshington (11), Nagols Dauger (10), Comunist Land1 (10), Migs (10), West-Indies (10), The Bolivian Socialist Falange (10), Suvmia (10), Kantabria (9), Sociedade de Nisyales (9), Siluvia (9), LEOLAND3 (9), Roshar TM (9), Santa Thereza (9), Nagistan (8), IronAlexandria (8), The Voltarum (8), Haaton Prime (8), Markus Sarasti-Varis (8), Quasi-Stellar Star Civilizations (8), Farokand (8), Nukeya (8), Hydroponic Nation (7), Madrocea (7), Cardisland (7), Squornshelan Remnant States (7), The United States of Ikrasen (7), Repreteop (7), Wadelhelpia (6), Thee Imperium 0f Man (6), Aynia (6), Toriniall (6), South Sulphur (6), Lurusitania (6), New Delfos (6), LoboHobo (6), Acelandia (6), Brocklandia (6), United Provinces of Phoenix (6), Voxija (6), Federal Captali (6), Yormu (6), Stairs (6), Rust Islands (5), The Soviet state of Svalbard (5), San Lumen (5), British Arzelentaxmacone (5), Great Libertona (5), Weirdiron (5), Kaias (5), Oi Barbaroi (5), The Tony Paporordia (5), Edmundian Pluto (5), Vegaga (5), The Grand Kingdom of Elsweyr (4), Golanchia (4), Westerd (4), Emir Army (4), Delaces (4), Kiev-Russ (4), Archangelis (4), Carbyland (4), Aanlin Mra (4), Reactorland (4), Zazince (4), Pye48 (4), Wabacha (4), The Greenlandic North (4), The Palentine (4), Asase Lewa (4), Wobbegong (4), Stratocratic-Anarchy Oceanic Empire (4), Nanako Island (4), Lysset (4), Olenian Union of workers (4), Phoenicia- (4), Jibuti (4), Hyreen (4), Totimook (4), Vologda State (3), Kamikaze Pilots (3), Sneyland (3), The Democratic Republic of Japan (3), Chodean Kal (3), Xdlandians (3), Zombiedolphins (3), Tri-State Area (3), The Shadow Fold (3), The Peoples Democracy of Freedom (3), Lycantine (3), Vigilante GB7 (3), Neo Spiandis (3), Kincones (3), Lavuistuvia (3), Nationuraniume (3), Kaeral (3), Brunoz (3), Osmos (3), Island of Avalon (3), Novo New York (3), 11 Templar Knights (3), Reino do Brazil (3), Gregandua (3), Fahran (3), Von Zeischter (3), Karthor (3), Making Catgirls Real (3), Big Bubba Johnson (3), Equitaria1 (3), Czechostan (3), Roznepal (3), New Carsas (3), Kylarnatia (3), Rubaca (3), Kleinekatzen (3), Vene (3), Cyrisk (3), Sherpus (3), Mycinaea (3), NBCLand (3), Russian Red Soviets (3), Cruciatus (3), Yourabuy (2), The Komode (2), Kyrdor Subar (2), Selbstland (2), Cha Hetstopia (2), Brazil FS (2), Callenia (2), PlaceOfSaddness (2), Chairman Cities (2), United Baathist Arabia (2), Doulant (2), Transsobor (2), Al Concerman (2), Sardon (2), CrossVegas (2), Technoco (2), Hostis Humani (2), Bobraqia (2), The Lady Eowyn (2), Qudrath (2), Minns Forhault (2), Devonithia (2), Adeiatic (2), Lehqhbraot (2), Velvoinka (2), Memestw (2), Pirates and Buccaneers (2), Yokashai Israel (2), Nouveau Strasbourg (2), Republic of Dixie (2), Tomicstan (2), Gandoor (2), New Borland (2), Eternali (2), Karinif (2), Pary Elys (2), Brazilies (2), Borstein (2), Molson Iceland (2), The 2nd Facepunch Republic (2), Eastalicown (2), North Texia (2), Anratalia (2), Banjar-Dayak (2), Trash Heap (2), Kelzay (2), United Lammunist Republic (2), The Ancient World (2), NinjitsUtopia (2), Archopotamia (2), Hetairaea (2), IstoWalker (2), NiCrawlosis (2), Akiniad (2), Riverstonia (2), The Akasha Colony (2), Counter-India (2), Mancel Rictor (2), Char Aznable Neo Zeon (2), Caliawii (2), Boku no Pica (2), Darapima (2), Balamara (2), Gaiah (2), Etherton (2), Namkada (2), Charliston (2), Torvien (2), Liechteinshtain (2), Fishtoniaa (2), Theborso Heetopia (2), Rizieland (2), Novagraden (2), Burg land (2), Imperial Felchah (2), PouchiLand (2), TomBoy Mandalorians (2), Umbreonica (2), Galactic Powers (2), Anaity (2), Averfall (2), The republic of zeronoa (2), Slythoria (2), Voskrennovsk (2), Physoxford (2), Greater Wolfinia (2), Esthera (2), Cloztria (2), Kilanga (2), Saab Minivan (2), Siberia-Urals (2), and (4,254) individual member nations.

Against: 934: Frattastan II (248), Herya (33), Gideon (17), Kingdom of Englands (12), Northern Greccia (7), Ferima (7), New order of Equus (6), Isle of Westland (6), The Fascist Empire Of Canada (6), The Immortal Fire Nation (5), Greater Cuba (5), The Beer Barony (4), Shieldstan (4), The Surviving Canadian Resistance (4), The Land Of Donuut (4), Chemung (3), Thylaheim (3), Fa lin (3), Lomda (3), Groknakioa (3), Mitzvah (3), Weyland Yutani (3), Vorrilium (2), Imperial Dhoutaland (2), Democratic Republic of East Versland (2), Tarlag (2), Lillstokia (2), Kliasia (2), The Utes (2), The Noble State of Aegir (2), American Military Junta- (2), Lacmhacarh (2), Grita (2), The Leine Land (2), Dytarma (2), Simonia (2), Aeternum Bellum (2), Sedgistan (2), Sartlandia (2), Serbian Black Army (2), President Pro Tempore (2), Hustlertwo (2), Eclaire (2), The Terren Dominion (2), Union of Noovistian (2), Zurmenia (2), and (497) individual member nations.

[Knootoss]

"It is a shame that General Assembly Resolution #146 “Recognising Achievements Act” was repealed with absolutely minimal debate, especially given that the repeals clauses appear to be based in part on a misunderstanding of the text.

The repeal argues that the resolution does not ensure parity of treatment of potential applicants; applicants can apply to any number of “national or supranational” organisations, resultantly conflicting judgements on the parity of educational qualifications could occur. This misunderstands the goal of the General Assembly Resolution #146 as providing a universal recognition of qualifications, rather than a national or supranational recognition of qualifications, based on the regulations and standards in the 'receiving' nation. A refugee from Communististan with dental qualifications who has fled to Wasemblistan needs merely to certify that they are qualified to be a dentist in Wasemblistan. They need not be certified for every single World Assembly member nation, all of whom might have very different standards and qualifications.

Our issue with items II, III and IV of the repeal similarly follows from this misunderstanding that certification cannot take place on the national level, in accordance with national standards and methods for determining the validity of academic achievements, appeals by applicants, etc. These are national procedures, and General Assembly Resolution #146 explicitly prohibits institutes of accreditation from refusing individuals access to their accreditation process based solely on the nation where their qualification was earned, as a non-discrimination principle.

That this resolution was passed virtually without debate is testament to the standards to which this once august body has sunk."

Barrell Marais
Deputy Minister for World Assembly and Extraregional Relations

((will repeat and continue this in the intended replacement thread))