Hello! So I've been working my nation's factbook and wanted to have foreign nation to establish a colony that would become Modern-day Tearvan. I think it would be fun to have another nation involved in Tearvan's finding and would help me with developing the rest of the history. I got a basic outline of the history regarding the colonization of Tearvan but it's all just early concept and subject to change.

Points about the history I have in mind

• Colonizer found a colony, the type of colony and date tbd
  
• Tearvan purchases it's independence, potential catalyst include economic crisis, prolonged war/conflicts, or changing political opinion within colonizer's country.
  

March 22nd, 1978
Lai Zhang and her son, were watching TV within their house in Central Valley.
"What Howard Xiang is doing is admirable at best," said Joseph Zhang
"Look, be glad we don't have that Marxist Juan Costa," said Lai
"But is Howard Xiang, really better I mean I support his social ideas, but is his economic policies will not fix Slokais"
"Joseph you were too young, to know the worst of the revolution"
"Are you going to except Howard Xiang, to run the country"
"Look, your father will not be happy if you say these things around him"
"So its the truth"
Joseph Zhang had lived in the mansion on the hill since he was born in 1965, his family came from generations of politicians and local figures, his uncle Richard Zhang was the pastor at the local church. His uncle often spoke about how we must never go back to the evils of Juan Costa and his regime and that the Left Party was the successors of Juan Costa. Yet unlike many in Slokais, his family's time under Juan Costa was not nearly as bad as others, as his family was rich enough to just bribe the police to turn a blind eye. Yet many within their own neighborhood has not been as lucky, they spoke up against the government, despite what his mother had said Juan Costa was not actually a Marxist, rather he drew from the works of Karl Mark and then used it to get people to agree with him then took those ideas to an authoritarian level.
"I heard you spoke ill of Howard Xiang"
"Yes, father I did because what he is doing well not help Slokais"
Verano Zhang was a Member of the Conservative Party as well as being on the Township Council. Those around him described him as a man, who thought he deserved respect from all, many on the Council feared his powerful will.
"Son, if these ideas continue I will have to stop it"
"Okay, father but you should really think about it"
"What did you say" yelled Verano
"Nothing I will just leave-"
"You are a child you have power over what I do, I will decide for myself," Verano said his tone rising
"I am sorry, father"
"Good, dont let that happen again next time I won't be so nice next time"

(OOC note: please visit the planning thread for more info about this event.)

Ixtenco
February 1st

Atoacotl sighed in frustration. The former executive with Xiomera's Mizhua Corporation was used to challenges. But the ones that came with his newest job were the worst ever.

After the end of the Second Xiomeran Civil War and the emergence of an independent Huenya, Atoacotl had left Mizhua when the megacorp decided to cut its losses and withdraw to what was left of Xiomera. Mizhua's sudden withdrawal had left thousands of people in Huenya out of work, and dozens of factories dismantled and stripped of their valuable equipment.

The Huenyan government had subsequently seized control of the former Mizhua facilities and what was left of the equipment, creating the Huenyan Goods Corporation to try to get the factories up and running again under new ownership. HG had been gifted the factories by the government, with a mandate to build them into something that could be a foundation for the Huenyan economy again. But HG, along with multiple other companies that had been created to take over the spaces left by now-absent Xiomeran corporations, had been given a massive task. To get the factories going again, and people working, would need a big investment. Money the companies, and Huenya in general, did not have.

"You seem happy," a chirpy voice with a touch of sarcasm interrupted Atoacotl's thoughts. Catzahue, Atoacotl's counterpart at the newly created Huenyan Products Corporation, walked into the office with his usual swagger. HuenPro, like HG, was in an almost impossible position. Atoacotl had no idea how Catzahue could always be in such an optimistic mood. "I'm supposed to launch a consumer conglomerate to rival Mizhua and get people working again with broken machines, wrecked factories, and no money. And so are you. Your cheerfulness is....slightly deranged," Atoacotl said. "And don't you ever knock?"

"I tried to ask him, sir," Cihalchitli, Atoacotl's secretary, said in irritation from the doorway. Atoacotl sighed again and nodded in commiseration with her. Catzahue wasn't the type to take no for an answer; Atoacotl gave his secretary a wry smile of forgiveness before gesturing for her to shut the door.

"Formalities such as knocking are for people who have time to waste. We don't," Catzahue said. "You're right - we're all between the proverbial rock and hard place, with a bunch of junk and smashed-up buildings and no money. But there is a way to jumpstart this situation."

"How? Don't even say the government, such as it is - they've made it clear they have no funds to give us, only expectations for us to meet," Atoacotl said sourly, his last meeting with Huenyan officials still leaving a bad taste in his mouth.

"Pfft, the government. When have people like us ever relied on the government? I have a better idea. Whether it's the private sector or the public sector, Huenya needs funds to begin rebuilding. Seed money, if you will. We're essentially the biggest startup the world has ever seen, right now. And we need venture capital, of a sort. I have a way for us to find some."

Catzahue handed Atoacotl a folder. Atoacotl took the folder and opened it, reading through the documents aside. After a moment, he put the folder down. "A benefit festival?" he said at last. "That's the idea?"

"It is, and a damned good one, if I say so myself," Catzahue said, slightly stung by Atoacotl's dubious tone.

"So.....you want us to go begging the world for money? That sounds....distasteful," Atoacotl countered.

Catzahue grimaced in frustration. "It's that kind of pride that will keep us in the gutter. It's not wrong to admit you need help, and if anyone needs help right now, it's Huenya, especially after the number the Xiomerans did on us....sorry," he finished with a look of embarrassment on his face. Atoacotl, who was Xiomeran, gave his Tepiltzin counterpart a bemused look. "Don't be sorry....it's not like I claim those Xiomerans either," he replied. He picked up the folder again and began looking through it, as much out of renewed interest as giving Catzahue a chance to recover from his embarrassment. "This won't work if it's just some crass money grab. We have to appeal to people outside Huenya, and give them a reason to care about helping us. We have to......show they're helping actual people. Show they're helping to build a democracy," Atoacotl said, his voice warming as the wheels began to spin in his head. "We'll need to form a non-profit board, with members from all walks of life. Including foreigners, if they want to be on the board. We'll also need to let multiple accounting firms watch the books, and how the money's spent. The money raised will also need to go to a wide range of goals: rebuilding the economy, building democratic institutions like the new legislature, repairing and building infrastructure...."

"So, it sounds like you're in," Catzahue said eagerly.

Atoacotl sighed yet again. "Someone has to make sure your crazy dream actually works," he replied.

---

March 1st
Chuaztlapoc

The press conference one month later was being held at the ancient south gates of the old city wall of Chuaztlapoc. This was by design. The south gates of Chuzatlapoc had already gained worldwide renown as the place where the forces of what would become Huenya had achieved their first great victory and stopped the Xiomeran army from crushing their dream of freedom. At those gates, the newly formed board of the Huenyan Aid Corporation was set to make their first announcement. Catzahue, as the most animated speaker, was chosen to give the statement. He stood in front of a large banner that read Huenya Aid 2021, a sober expression on his face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. We are here to stand before the world in a much different fashion from what you are used to hearing, from this part of the world. But as Huenya begins its journey of independence towards becoming a full-fledged democracy, we must humbly admit to the world: we need your help. The destruction of war, coupled with the deliberate pillaging and destruction of our homeland by its former rulers, have severely damaged our nation. Thousands of people are out of work, with their workplaces stripped bare and even destroyed. Infrastructure has been brought to ruin. Schools, hospitals, clinics, businesses large and small....all are feeling the impact of this wanton destruction."

"For the first time in our history, a democratic and equal nation is emerging in Huenya. But this great accomplishment, which we all aspire to, is fragile and painful to achieve. The deprivation our nation is now facing due to the war and to the deliberate attempts to sabotage us threaten that dream. The emergence of a democratic state in Huenya is something that the people of Caxcana, and indeed the world, have hoped and dreamed for just as we have, to end the shadow of tyranny and imperialism that hangs over this part of the world. We're asking the world, today, to help us ensure that dream can be realized."

"The Huenya Aid Foundation, a non-profit foundation, will be staging a series of live events on March 28th, 2021 under the banner of Huenya Aid 2021. We will be holding artistic and musical events, as well as educational events, live throughout the day both on air and online. We are hoping the rest of the world will join us in this effort to raise funds throughout that day to benefit the following goals: rebuilding the economy, building democratic institutions, repairing and building infrastructure, and direct aid to Huenyans in need. We're pleased to announce that groups in the Slokais Islands have already committed to holding a series of events to feature music, movies and special guest speakers. We hope many more nations will join us in this historic effort."

"The people of Huenya are hardworking and industrious - we're not looking for a handout. The help you give us will help get us back on our feet, so that we can repay it by being a stable trading partner, a united society, and another nation to help lead the fight for equality and democracy with our neighbors. It will also benefit those who are suffering through no fault of their own due to the fires of war, and those who have lost loved ones or suffered physical or mental harm. I hope that more nations will join with us to help the suffering, to help Huenya recover from its fight for freedom, and build our nation into a great land to help champion the cause of democracy in the future. Thank you," Catzahue said, before stepping back to applause.

Unclaimed Territory, equidistant from LOM and Kerlile
Shortly before midnight

The Kerlian stood next to her truck, leaning against the front, sunglasses on her face in spite of the absolute darkness of the area. The others were spread out, waiting by the starlight in the middle of the desert. It was cold, the way deserts could get in the night, and the Kerlian wrapped her long trench coat around her tighter. She was aware of how stereotypical she looked; she relished it.

Her radio crackled, “they’re on their way.”

“Copy that,” she said, then with a gesture from her, the drivers of the two Kerlian vehicles switched on their headlights, blindingly bright in the starlight. After a few minutes, the Maximusian vehicles drove up, and sat, idling their engines, clearly wanting to be able to make a quick getaway.

The Kerlian walked forward as her Maximusian counterpart left his vehicle. His posture was stiff, and his nerves were visible on his face even as he tried to hide them. The Maximusians were more scared of Kerlians than the other way around. She was relaxed; she didn’t expect them to double-cross her, and since Kerlile wasn’t planning anything untoward, there was no need to be concerned unless some further evidence came to light.

“Here we go again, hm?” she said brightly. “We’ve got your people in the back, unharmed as you specified. Have you got what we agreed?”

“You first,” he said tersely.

“Still distrustful, I see,” she shook her head and made another gesture. The back doors of the van which had accompanied her own vehicle were opened, and three blindfolded women were led from the van.  “Two journalists and a spy, as promised. As you can see, there’s not a scar on them.”

She gestured again, and those leading the captives spun them around to show off their scar-free skin, shivering in the cold of the desert night. “Now your turn.” The Maximusian man hesitated for a few seconds, before turning and nodding to his own men.

The captive they led out of their van was in a much worse state than the other trio. She looked underweight and had some old scars – faded, whatever had happened to her, it hadn’t happened recently – across her skin. She was struggling to get away from her captors, fighting even as she looked too weak to fight. The Kerlian stiffened at the sight of her.

“Let’s get this over with,” she snapped, her falsely joyful tone gone from her voice. The two groups exchanged their prisoners without any further comment or hassle.

As soon as the three Maximusians were in the vehicles, the contingent from LOM drove off at high speed. The Kerlians lingered further, chuckling a little at the sand blowing around in the van’s wake. Maximusians were always so eager to get away from their Kerlian counterparts during these prisoner exchanges.

“So,” the Kerlian said as she leaned against the door of the van they’d managed to get the struggling Aurora into. “You don’t seem particularly happy to be returned to Kerlile.”

The Aurora remained silent, staring at the wall of the van.

“I know they tortured you, did they break you? You’re safe now, yet you look terrified. Did they give you some kind of drugs before they handed you back?”

She still did not respond, and the Kerlian sighed, motioning for the others to shut the doors. She got back in her own vehicle as they began the process of turning around and heading back to where they’d left the helicopter. “Next stop, Kerlile!” she said cheerily to her subordinates as they drove the Aurora home. “And long live the Matriarchy!”

December 1st, 2020
Haven House

President Matōchmizalo watched with pride as the group of Milinticans marched through the square in front of the presidential residence. Their green fatigues may have had the newly adopted flag of Manauia Island on their shoulders, but the small red patch underneath that flag was what mattered. PFM Manauia Island, the patch read.

On Manauia Island, for the first time, Milinticans had backed up the values they believed in with more than just words. The tiny nation had always demanded that the great powers of the IDU respect peoples' rights, but to no avail. Everyone ignored Milintica, because Milintica never did anything to back up their words.

Manauia Island had shown that Milinticans could do more than just talk about freedom. They could fight for it - and they could win. The comeuppance they had delivered to the Xiomeran Empire had proven that. The newly won freedom of the Manauians proved it.

As the parade to welcome the volunteers back home wound down, the President gave a final salute and walked back inside to begin a planning meeting with his top advisers. The liberation of Manauia Island had been a great accomplishment for Milintica, but Matōchmizalo wanted more. Much more.

---

February 3rd, 2021
Fort Amacatl

"We've completed the final preparations, sir," General Tlehuaque said. "We have begun training volunteers and forming them into cadres. Have you begun considering where they might be sent first?"

"Xiomera, for sure," Matōchmizalo said immediately. "I don't care what Calhualyana's fraudulent elections claim. There have to be Xiomerans who want to be free. The international community may have been duped by the sham she has presented to the world. I am not. We will send the first new PFM there, to continue the fight for freedom in Xiomera and support the underground there."

"And the next cadre?" the General asked.

Matōchmizalo thought for a moment. "Mallacaland, possibly. Once the peacekeepers are withdrawn - and they will be, after the latest debacle - there will be no one to protect the people there. We cannot stand by and allow the people there to be repressed."

The General nodded. "The first two cadres have gathered in the assembly area. I think a speech from you would be great to bolster their morale."

President Matōchmizalo nodded. He hadn't planned to give a speech, but he didn't typically need to.

As he stepped into the assembly area, the volunteers gathered began to cheer. The President smiled and waited for the applause to die down. "Volunteers! You have chosen to stand as the force behind our fight for freedom and democracy throughout the world. Milintica has always been among the first of nations to demand that all people be free, and their right to democracy respected. But our demands have gone unheeded. The great powers allow tyranny to flourish, because they are afraid to confront it. But we are not afraid. And for the first time, we showed that on Manauia Island."

The President pointed to the group of volunteers standing in front of him, their red patches glowing under the lights overhead. "These brave volunteers were the first, and they brought freedom to the people of Manauia Island and defeated the tyranny of the Xiomeran Empire. But they will not be the last. You will follow in their footsteps, and with your own bravery and willingness to sacrifice for what is right, you will help bring freedom to others suffering oppression and cruelty. The tyrants of the world have always ignored Milintica, and our call for liberation. They will be able to ignore us no longer. Our Popular Freedom Militias will stand with those seeking liberation throughout the world, and together, we will bring about a better tomorrow for everyone."

As the volunteers raised their rifles over their heads and cheered, the President raised his own fist triumphantly over his head. Milintica was no great power. But on Manauia Island, they had shown that even they could change the world. The entire IDU would soon see how Milinticans fought for change.

Despite my own real-life issues, I'm determined to continue organising our quarterly updates, which means it's time to incessantly ping people on discord to try and get them to write things again.

Remember: the quicker the submission, the more consideration to your time zone I'll give you when asking for updates on how you're getting on! Yes, I'm in a Kerlian mood today.

So, here's a few topic suggestions:
1. Kaijan Affair RP
2. Film Festival
3. Sports update

Suggest your other topics below please & preferably have articles completed ASAP with a preliminary deadline of the 5th February.

Ibrahim Moussa and fellow students at Mallacalnd City University read the new Social Guidelines for 2021:
"Still a ban on abortion"
"They reenacted the ban on same-sex marriage, I thought the supreme court said they could not do that"
"And still a ban on e-cigs and vapes?
There was always a political discussion on campus but whenever the council of emirs launched the new yearly guidelines, the "social and religious guidelines for a better Mallacland". However, even seemed to agree that these years were harsher than last years. Every year the council of emirs put out their rules for the country, at least recently there were some cutbacks, like the freedom to practice religion and being allowed to not were a head covering in public places for women. However, it looked like there were tightening them up again.
"They better not cancel the elections again," a fellow student said
"All I want to do is to vote inshallah," someone else said

Later, he was talking with some of his activist friends in a dorm room.
"We should have a protest, maybe they will allow elections this year," Ibrahim said
"but there is a ban on cardboard signs and posters," said one of his friends
"How about we use sports scarfs," he said
"Yes, how about we do it at the next National Team match"
"I am part of a supporters group, I will tell them to make some scarfs then hand them out before the game so during the national anthem we could hold them up," he said.
"All right, everyone, be safe out there"

Happy Holidays, International Democratic Union!

We at Europeia wanted to wish you a happy new year, and hope you ended 2020 on a high note, celebrating with your friends and family.

2020 has been a difficult year for us, but we’ve seen that the NationStates community is more resilient than ever. Among real-life issues like the pandemic causing us to change our way of life, we’ve seen our online community flourish and grow closer than ever before.

Europeia has had her own share of events this year, ranging from big ones like the re-merge of our executive to a single president, and a new world assembly delegate, but also smaller ones such as welcoming newer citizens during the Drew Boom, finally playing on a regional minecraft server, and attending NS-wide events like N-day and UCR Con!

We hope that your regional community has continued to grow closer together and stronger during the course of this year, and we are excited to see what 2021 will bring to the nationstates community. We are glad to have had you by our sides this year, and look forward to continuing to work with you.

Here’s to a great year, and onwards to 2021!

SkyGreen24
Europeian Ambassador to IDU

Application to attend the 65th International Women’s Congress in Kerlile

The 65th biannual meeting of the International Women’s Congress is due to take place in Grapevale, Kerlile in June August 2021. First held in North Fleura in 1893, the IWC has sought to promote women’s rights across the globe since then.

Representatives of governments, alongside third sector and civil society organisations dedicated to women’s rights are warmly invited to attend the conference. Each participating organisation and government is entitled to five voting delegates and up to 20 observing delegates.

Businesses and organisations without a focus on women’s rights may apply for a stall in the exhibition hall. Stall costs begin at 350,000 Kerlian Credits (~ 500 Sanctarian Pounds), dependent upon the category of applicant. Delegating organisations may also apply for stalls.

Delegates are responsible for the booking of their own accommodation, with the exception of the delegations of national governments who are invited to contact the board of the IWC to discuss security arrangements for their delegations.

There is a deadline of the 31st July 2021 for applications from organisations to attend the conference, or for an exhibition stall. Applicants should fill in one, or both, of the following forms. Each delegating organisation must fill out a separate form, even if they are from the same nation.

Applications for individuals seeking to run for board positions are now open and will close on the 31st July 2021. All individuals applying should fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQ...sp=sf_link