Post Archive

Region: Refugia

History

Catiania wrote:Well I was referring to how you were saying the game had patriotism as the bad type, rather than Catiania in an RP sense, which is of course wonderful.

Much agree Cat.

I think the game has done an excellent job of demonstrating the complexity of these attributes. Yes these concepts can coincide with toxicity, but like many things they don't have to. Faith can be inclusive, patriotism can be self critical, welfare can augment productivity, and concepts much like people can grow beyond their first impressions.

Catiania, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Melenavenia wrote:Do you want your patriotism stats to be low or high?

難しい選択。

There's a fine line between patriotism and nationalism. Patriotism is ok so long as it's keep to a decent level that doesn't promote xenophobia. Nationalism on the other hand is bad. I don't need to say why.

In nationstate, I'd prefer it to be low. Avoid any risk of patriotism turning into nationalism

Lower French Gregballs, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

I don't understand the issue that talks about the "limit to the length of campaigns". This concept seems foreign to me, as far as I'm aware people can announce their candidacy for something as far out as they want, but campaign season (in the States) really ramps up in the months leading up to an actual election. I'm confused by what it means and I finally remembered to ask about it.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Araine, Kariforunia

Melenavenia wrote:Do you want your patriotism stats to be low or high?

Depends. Patriotism and Nationalism are two different things, from my point of view. Patriotism is when you accept your country's flaws and still love your country and want to live in it. Nationalism is when you tout that your country is the greatest despite the amount of atrocious acts your country's government does. Yes on patriotism, no on nationalism. Sadly, in my home country of the USA, people tend to confuse patriotism for nationalism and has lead to myriad problems.

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

I've got really great happiness statistics like cheerfulness, niceness, or inclusivity, but I'm in the bottom 100% of all nations for patriotism. Not totally sure why.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia, Inaros Opa

Melenavenia wrote:I don't understand the issue that talks about the "limit to the length of campaigns". This concept seems foreign to me, as far as I'm aware people can announce their candidacy for something as far out as they want, but campaign season (in the States) really ramps up in the months leading up to an actual election. I'm confused by what it means and I finally remembered to ask about it.

My understanding of the US is that campaigning is happening for about 18 months, if not longer (how many people are randomly in Iowa three years before a general election?). The debates even start a year before the election. That's madness.

Our campaign season cannot last longer than 50 days. In fact, our longest election even before the Elections Act mandated that limit was our second one in 1872, which still only lasted 96 days.

Limiting your campaign length forces the people in your government to spend their time doing their jobs instead of spending half their term (or most of their term for US House members) selling to their voters why they should go back.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Medecion wrote:I've got really great happiness statistics like cheerfulness, niceness, or inclusivity, but I'm in the bottom 100% of all nations for patriotism. Not totally sure why.

Because patriotism is blind loyalty to a country. Your people are obviously loyal, but not blindly loyal.

Medecion, Kariforunia

Inaros Opa wrote:Because patriotism is blind loyalty to a country. Your people are obviously loyal, but not blindly loyal.

Patriotism isn't necessarily blind loyalty. It can just be liking your country and having an appreciation for it.

Medecion, Lower French Gregballs, Typica, Sylh Alanor, Araine, Kariforunia

Melenavenia wrote:Does your nation (NationStates) have a dark history that haunts it?

We had our ruler, the McGregory, certified insane and replaced by his clueless but power-hungry secretary. Since then, some safeguards have been put in place to ensure the leader is chosen democratically, and patients' rights respected.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

As a British person I will relentlessly criticise my own country, but as soon as someone else bad mouths it, I get mad.

It may be a sh*t hole, but it's my sh*t hole.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Araine, Tovenia, Kariforunia, Allokyus

Melenavenia wrote:Do you want your patriotism stats to be low or high?

I'm unsure, I think that patriotism has good and bad types. I'd rather focus on inclusivity and compassion.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Vikoland wrote:As a British person I will relentlessly criticise my own country, but as soon as someone else bad mouths it, I get mad.

It may be a sh*t hole, but it's my sh*t hole.

Bruh you ain't seen USA, at least you guys have cheaper health care than we do.

Kariforunia

Inaros Opa wrote:Bruh you ain't seen USA, at least you guys have cheaper health care than we do.

Maybe the other side of the 'my country is the best in the world don't even try to compare' coin is 'my country is the worst in the world don't even try to compare' :P

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, The Most Serene Republicans, Kariforunia, Inaros Opa

Sylh Alanor wrote:Maybe the other side of the 'my country is the best in the world don't even try to compare' coin is 'my country is the worst in the world don't even try to compare' :P

so true

Typica, Melenavenia, Kariforunia

America: *pays most per capita for healthcare*

Also America: Wtf is universal healthcare

Typica, Araine, The Most Serene Republicans, Kariforunia

Lower French Gregballs wrote:We had our ruler, the McGregory, certified insane and replaced ..., and patients' rights respected.

Patients' rights? That's oddly specific and not remotely expected. What were these rulers up to??

Lower French Gregballs, Melenavenia, Araine, The Most Serene Republicans, Kariforunia

Sylh Alanor wrote:Maybe the other side of the 'my country is the best in the world don't even try to compare' coin is 'my country is the worst in the world don't even try to compare' :P

This describes the relation every single Brazilian has to Brazil, ever.

We win at everything, even at losing

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Hey all, just wanted to make a quick statement on why I'm voting against the current resolution-at-vote, Tinhampton's End Conversion Therapy. I thought I should make a statement because, obviously, the idea of ending conversion therapy is one that the world desperately needs. It's a horrific practise that inflicts trauma on untold amounts of people.

Tin has a tendency to throw things into her resolutions that take good ideas and warps them to the point that I can no longer be comfortable that they're good. If this proposal was limited to only clauses A (definition of conversion therapy) and B (total ban on conversion therapy), I would support it 100%. I would have been one of the first to vote for it. But it doesn't, it also has clauses C and D. Let's take a look at them.

0 wrote:[C] clarifies that this resolution does not affect the right of willing individuals to seek and receive gender-adequation or -affirmation procedures, and

[D] strongly recommends that members provide all necessary and relevant support to those who have already undergone, or are likely to undergo, conversion therapy.

C on its own wouldn't block me from voting in favour, but it still bothers me. It simply makes no sense- conversion therapy is defined as "interventions meant to alter or reverse any person's sexual orientation or gender identity". Gender-affirming procedures, be they hormone treatments or surgeries, are not interventions meant to reverse someone's gender identity. They're, as stated in their names, affirming that person's gender identity by making their body more closely match who they are.

D is where my problem lies. I don't like the phrase "or are likely to undergo, conversion therapy" in this. At all. Clause B fully bans conversion therapy, therefore if we believe in the strength of the resolution, nobody will ever go through conversion therapy in a World Assembly nation once this is passed. Now, me being a nosy busybody, I posted these concerns in Tin's GA thread for this before it was at vote. Tin replied that it's to provide support to people who are going to be travelling to a non-WA country to undergo conversion therapy. No. Absolutely not. That's such a terrible loophole, and I will not support the idea of providing support for people who are going to either be by choice (thereby negating the definition) leaving the country to undergo torture, or as a nation support the process of someone being forced to go, and being forced into 'consenting'. No no no, dealbreaker loophole. It just allows conversion therapy to continue.

Hard against.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia, Castagovia

So, I guess where I'm at with this is that we know that there will be an attempt to repeal GAR #437 if this goes through because that was the stated intention. The idea is that this is a repeal and replace (or in this case a replace and repeal). So we're in an unusual position to be able to see what we would get over what we already have. That said, is it good, does it work, is it better? Etc.

Status quo is:

0 wrote:Prohibits any person or organisation in a World Assembly member-state from performing conversion therapy on minors,

Prohibits any public or governmental body in a World Assembly member-state from recommending or performing conversion therapy on any individual,

Proposed replacement:

0 wrote:requires member states to prohibit the practice and advertisement of conversion therapy in all circumstances,

clarifies that this resolution does not affect the right of willing individuals to seek and receive gender-adequation or -affirmation procedures, and

Regarding your point on D, it is entirely non-binding. Nothing prevents (to my immediate knowledge) a person being exiled or what have you for their sexual orientation in either the status quo or the proposal. Nothing in particular incites it to happen really.

Functional changes appear to my eyes to be moving a ban on conversion therapy for minors in all cases to a ban on conversion therapy in all case. Moves from a government body from being blocked for conversion therapy to a block for government and private entities blocking conversion therapy.

The wording of C may be clumsy, but it is not obstructionist. The intentions of D may be questionable, but its legal effect is functionally nothing, so. I'll be voting for, I think.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia

Refuge Isle wrote:Regarding your point on D, it is entirely non-binding. Nothing prevents (to my immediate knowledge) a person being exiled or what have you for their sexual orientation in either the status quo or the proposal. Nothing in particular incites it to happen really.

My point was more that as long as a person states that they're okay with undergoing conversion therapy, the government is now strongly recommended to support that person. Since people are almost never going into conversion therapy by choice, it seems that those private organisations which currently are able to operate in some countries as conversion therapy clinics or whatever would instead move to non-WA countries, and those people could still be just as forced by their family to make that trip. And the governments that allowed private industry to handle that under the current resolution would have clearance to allow it, because they would be providing support for those likely to undergo conversion therapy. Obviously this version gives those of us who would have already banned conversion therapy reinforcement.

I agree to your points about everything else, and I'm really on the fence about it one way or the other, it's just I feel that D removes the ban in countries that were already allowing private corporations to put adults through conversion therapy anyway.

Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia

Sylh Alanor wrote:My point was more that as long as a person states that they're okay with undergoing conversion therapy, the government is now strongly recommended to support that person.

Legal text is written from the perspective of the World Assembly. The World Assembly recommends that member nations support such persons, however those governments are not expected or obliged to do any action of substantive effect in the face of such a recommendation.

A recommendation may be an operative clause but, at the end of the day, it's nil for power.

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia

Refuge Isle wrote:Legal text is written from the perspective of the World Assembly. The World Assembly recommends that member nations support such persons, however those governments are not expected or obliged to do any action of substantive effect in the face of such a recommendation.

A recommendation may be an operative clause but, at the end of the day, it's nil for power.

Of course, I understand that a recommendation isn't legally binding. I'm stating that the proposal suggests this wink wink nudge nudge method of overriding/ignoring the ban (governments are recommended to still make allowances for people to be taken out of country to go through this anyway) that those of us who outlaw conversion therapy support, but those countries who support conversion therapy would more than gladly take. Doesn't it just add an extra step for those who would put people through conversion therapy?

If it doesn't, and this is actually a full-on ban that I'm misinterpreting, I'll reverse my vote gladly. I'm just having a hard time seeing past this as making conversion therapy easier for those countries that would allow it, because it would only require a plane ticket (and those governments can provide that transportation as providing support to those who are likely to undergo in a non-WA country).

Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia

Sylh Alanor wrote:Of course, I understand that a recommendation isn't legally binding. I'm stating that the proposal suggests this wink wink nudge nudge method of overriding/ignoring the ban (governments are recommended to still make allowances for people to be taken out of country to go through this anyway) that those of us who outlaw conversion therapy support, but those countries who support conversion therapy would more than gladly take. Doesn't it just add an extra step for those who would put people through conversion therapy?

If it doesn't, and this is actually a full-on ban that I'm misinterpreting, I'll reverse my vote gladly. I'm just having a hard time seeing past this as making conversion therapy easier for those countries that would allow it, because it would only require a plane ticket (and those governments can provide that transportation as providing support to those who are likely to undergo in a non-WA country).

There is no way to ignore or override the ban. The text of the document is that it is illegal in all circumstance. The scope of that ban is within member nations' territories. Within those territories there is no capacity for a private organisation or government proxy to preform conversion therapy.

Where your concerns are related to whether or not a person may be forced out of a country or whether a government may pay for someone to leave the country and have conversion therapy done in a non-WA government's territory, that is permissible. There's very limited ways on preventing that because the WA can't legislate on non-WA governments, and it would be especially strange to specifically say something like "Nations may not pay for a plain ticket to Karachi".

I think if you're concerned about persons being exiled for their LGBT status, that's a separate resolution topic. As it stands, GAR #437 makes no effort to approach this topic either. Perhaps it's already law, but I haven't been keeping up on GA as much lately.

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia

Refuge Isle wrote:There is no way to ignore or override the ban. The text of the document is that it is illegal in all circumstance. The scope of that ban is within member nations' territories. Within those territories there is no capacity for a private organisation or government proxy to preform conversion therapy.

Where your concerns are related to whether or not a person may be forced out of a country or whether a government may pay for someone to leave the country and have conversion therapy done in a non-WA government's territory, that is permissible. There's very limited ways on preventing that because the WA can't legislate on non-WA governments, and it would be especially strange to specifically say something like "Nations may not pay for a plain ticket to Karachi".

I think if you're concerned about persons being exiled for their LGBT status, that's a separate resolution topic. As it stands, GAR #437 makes no effort to approach this topic either. Perhaps it's already law, but I haven't been keeping up on GA as much lately.

Exile is not my concern, but I think I'm understanding what you're saying. I would hope for some stipulation that governments are not allowed to support citizens seeking out conversion therapy, but if B. properly forbids that to the best extent it could be forbidden, I'm okay with reversing my vote on this then.

Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Post self-deleted by Eroias.

Eroias wrote:Hello, my name is Jim, the bellwether of the Federation of Eroias, and I promulgate my intention to become the Councilor of the Interior.

So I want to become a candidate for the Councilor of the Interior, that's it.

[sub]Had to go to https://www.csgenerator.com/ for that one.[/sub]

My message feels so out of place when you read the previous messages here on the RMB, I feel so shy uwu.

Hi! :D No need to be shy, we're friendly.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia, Eroias

Sylh Alanor wrote:Hi! :D No need to be shy, we're friendly.

And I love this region for it.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia

Eroias wrote:I feel so shy uwu.

Don't sweat it, Jim

Accepted.

For anyone else, today's the last day to declare candidacy for the Councillor of the Interior

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Kariforunia, Eroias

Refuge Isle wrote:Don't sweat it, Jim

Accepted.

For anyone else, today's the last day to declare candidacy for the Councillor of the Interior

I read that as Councillor of the Inferior :P

Also, why are we going to ban conversion therapy in the WA?

Refuge Isle, Kariforunia

Bruh how have 1500 people voted against the current resolution, "Banning Conversion Therapy?" It's just beyond unethical how there even is a choice to vote against that resolution. I'm not LGBT, but I stand with my friends and family who are and it's just sickening that there are people who voted against the resolution.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Free Las Pinas Ii, Kariforunia

Inaros Opa wrote:Bruh how have 1500 people voted against the current resolution, "Banning Conversion Therapy?" It's just beyond unethical how there even is a choice to vote against that resolution. I'm not LGBT, but I stand with my friends and family who are and it's just sickening that there are people who voted against the resolution.

TNP has released a reasoning that I legitimately dislike. That being said, please see the discussion some of us had starting here to see why some more reasonable people might vote against it. Furthermore, there's already a ban on conversion therapy in the GA, this is a proposed replacement before the repeal of the original goes up.

That being said, yes, some people voting against genuinely do want to legally perform torture on queer people and I find that sickening. At least one person has said they'll leave the WA if this goes through.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Kariforunia

Sylh Alanor wrote:Hey all, just wanted to make a quick statement on why I'm voting against the current resolution-at-vote, Tinhampton's End Conversion Therapy. I thought I should make a statement because, obviously, the idea of ending conversion therapy is one that the world desperately needs. It's a horrific practise that inflicts trauma on untold amounts of people.

Tin has a tendency to throw things into her resolutions that take good ideas and warps them to the point that I can no longer be comfortable that they're good. If this proposal was limited to only clauses A (definition of conversion therapy) and B (total ban on conversion therapy), I would support it 100%. I would have been one of the first to vote for it. But it doesn't, it also has clauses C and D. Let's take a look at them.

C on its own wouldn't block me from voting in favour, but it still bothers me. It simply makes no sense- conversion therapy is defined as "interventions meant to alter or reverse any person's sexual orientation or gender identity". Gender-affirming procedures, be they hormone treatments or surgeries, are not interventions meant to reverse someone's gender identity. They're, as stated in their names, affirming that person's gender identity by making their body more closely match who they are.

D is where my problem lies. I don't like the phrase "or are likely to undergo, conversion therapy" in this. At all. Clause B fully bans conversion therapy, therefore if we believe in the strength of the resolution, nobody will ever go through conversion therapy in a World Assembly nation once this is passed. Now, me being a nosy busybody, I posted these concerns in Tin's GA thread for this before it was at vote. Tin replied that it's to provide support to people who are going to be travelling to a non-WA country to undergo conversion therapy. No. Absolutely not. That's such a terrible loophole, and I will not support the idea of providing support for people who are going to either be by choice (thereby negating the definition) leaving the country to undergo torture, or as a nation support the process of someone being forced to go, and being forced into 'consenting'. No no no, dealbreaker loophole. It just allows conversion therapy to continue.

Hard against.

We are voting against it not because we are against the goal of the resolution but rather that it is flawed and wouldn't do what it is intended for

Typica, Laisou

Golden Gateway wrote:We are voting against it not because we are against the goal of the resolution but rather that it is flawed and wouldn't do what it is intended for

I would like to state (as well as for anyone coming to this only now) that following that quoted post is a full discussion that convinced me to change my vote to for.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou

I am genuinely interested in knowing, Is it easier to pass a bill that is a slightly tweaked/improved bill of a bill that previously failed, or to repeal and replace a bill with some minor improvements?

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou

Middanowah wrote:Also, why are we going to ban conversion therapy in the WA?

Probably because it's a barbaric form of torture that some primitive societies actually believes adjusts a person's sexuality instead of just providing unrelated trauma.

We should probably, collectively, not do that.

Castagovia wrote:I am genuinely interested in knowing, Is it easier to pass a bill that is a slightly tweaked/improved bill of a bill that previously failed, or to repeal and replace a bill with some minor improvements?

If this is also aimed at the World Assembly, after a topic has gone to vote and if it has failed, there's generally this kinda sentiment that the subject has had it's time in the sun and a consensus has been reached on it. That's not to say it can never be brought again, but repeatedly pushing different versions of the same proposal leads to voter fatigue and a general sentiment of "Ugh, not again".

Repeal and replace is very much a three part system of

1) How credible is the repeal argument? Is it a nitpick or is it actually a dealbreaker that was overlooked before?

2) What's the quality level of the replacement? Will the new resolution be even worse than the first one? Will it intentionally not do something good the last one did?

3) How recent was the original legislation passed? If it's very recent, you run into the fatigue mentioned in my first answer.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou

I would like to run for Councilor of the Interior.

Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho

Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Lethodus, Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Valdonland, Inaros Opa

Melenavenia wrote:Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Oh absolutely. I grew up hearing the "a young conservative has no heart, an old liberal has no money" and I think that follows the assumption that society moves to meet the expectations of the new adults as they inherit power. Therefore they become conservative because they feel they've moved things "far enough". But, up until the boomers, they would eventually be outweighed

I'm fairly certain that didn't happen with gen x in the US, given that your government is still full of old boomers and silent generation people. It's nearly impossible for millennials to get into government in both our countries because we're, on the average, much more left leaning than the previous generations (mostly due to the fact that we've witnessed the horrors of capitalism first hand). Furthermore, we are not likely to have financial stability or comfort in our lifetimes for the same reasons, and therefore will not become easily content. The best they can hope for out of us is being beaten into submission. So no, I imagine we will not 'see the world differently', especially when we're dealing with the effects of climate change.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Inaros Opa

Laisou wrote:I would like to run for Councilor of the Interior.

Accepted

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Laisou

Melenavenia wrote:Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Literally every Filipino adult save for Social Studies teachers, my sister, and her best friend, and the things they say and try to justify are just disgusting.

I remember my sister (who's bi) talking to my dad (who doesn't know she's bi) about a hypothetical where she would marry a girl and raise a child with her. My dad said that would be selfish, because their child would only be bullied (he did say that he won't stop her though, and would instead stop me from marrying a boy, which is a whole other story). That didn't make sense to me, because how could you acknowledge the hate that gender minorities experience, but think that it's completely justified? Why does the idea of adopting "liberal" (I'm not a liberal either) views hurt them so much?

(edit: posted too early)

And that wasn't the first time he did something like that. Despite us literally being Filipino and living in the Philippines, he would try to defend Trump to me. He simply sees things that are anti-SJW and immediately takes that position. There's so much more I could go on about, but I probably shouldn't turn this into one huge rant.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

Free Las Pinas Ii wrote:-snip-

*hugs* I'm sorry you've had to deal with this.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Melenavenia wrote:Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Oh, yes. My mother is an avid Trump supporter, and thinks that the US should completely lock down their borders to immigrants etc. The funny thing about that is that my father, who is a perfectly reasonable person (and a political centrist) is an immigrant. My mother generally hates/is awful to him, but he sticks around for some reason. Even though I keep my political views to myself, she still says that sort of thing to me. I remember, quite recently, the conversation came up of ‘what do you want to do when you grow up’ and I’d said I wanted to work in environmental conservation (engineering in particular) and she said that she thought that was an awful idea but that I’d change my mind before I went to university, as well as that she ‘used to care about the environment, but then realized that global warming was government propaganda, and that national parks/protected land were constitutional violations.’ This was one of our mildest interactions, really. Usually, we don’t speak at all.

Sorry for the semi-long rant xD

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho

Welcome, Dispepstrogen, Castagovia, New Camelot Of Avalonia, and People Of Greater Virginia, to Refugia! I hope each of you enjoys your stay. If you find it applicable, please pay attention to the rest of this message.

Refugia aims to be a friendly, laid-back community, which is open to players of all experience levels. Nations who wish to become more active in the region, however, should consider joining the World Assembly (WA). WA nations are able to vote on international law, and receive exclusive benefits within the region, such as the ability to vote in regional elections, get a spot on Refugia's map, and even run for office when elections come up! If you're interested in joining the WA, check out this article, and make sure to endorse our delegate.

If you'd rather just chill with us, that's perfectly fine as well. We have an offsite forum and a discord server, as well as frequent discussions on the regional message board (RMB), which everyone is welcome to participate in!

If you have any additional questions about the region or how NationStates works, feel free to leave them here, on the RMB. If you're interested in joining our offsite forum, look for the link at the top of Refugia's World Factbook Entry (the big text box at the top of our regional page).

Once again, I really hope you enjoy your time here, and look forward to seeing more of you soon!

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Free Las Pinas Ii, Castagovia

Notice:

The candidacy period has closed for the Councillor of the Interior. During this time, I received two valid candidates via the RMB. Those are Eroias and Laisou. Both of these candidates appear on the ballot of this term's elections. Feel free to pose questions to the candidate if it will better inform your voting decisions.

There will be a five day voting period, beginning now, where all member states may vote to elect the next councillor. A member state is a World Assembly nation who has lived in this region for seven days. If that sounds like you, your name should be on the voter roll.

Turn in your vote today: https://vote.calref.network/vote/16

Voting closes at the end of the day on Monday, Jun 28th.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou, Eroias

Ooooh, election time! Instead of being the first to vote again, I will ask a question to the candidates.

Eroias and Laisou, what are your thoughts on the Interior seat and what are your plans for your term if you get elected?

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Golden Gateway, Eroias

Post self-deleted by Eroias.

Melenavenia wrote:Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Personally my parents aren't really political.My father's a left-winger and a syndicalist,but never really tried to intoctrinate me into anything.I developed my political beliefs (I'm a Christian Socialist) through my grandparents.My paternal grandparents were socialists and my maternal granparents were conservative.Both sides are (like most Greeks) quite religious.Not that my grandparents are really into politics,but they had and continue to have their opinions on stuff that's happening around us,nor they indoctrinated me ever.It was just through our conversations and their advises that I started developing my political ideas.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Kariforunia

Melenavenia wrote:Most of the adults in my life are conservative Americans. Some times they'll talk down to me and say things like, "I used to hold liberal (I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is) views when I was younger, but as I aged I started to see the world differently". I was curious if anyone else has older adults in their life that have said similar things.

Yes, I hear this a lot actually. Pretty much everytime I get into a discussion with my father about politics, he says this like its some end all and I'll "come around" to his point of view.

He also does this with a lot of other things, for example I said I don't think I could see myself having kids in the future and he says that he was the same way and changed and I totally will too. So pretty much I'm just not allowed to be my own person in general.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Laisou, Kariforunia

Castagovia’s economy was one ranked at 1/100, and now is ranked at 50/100. Average income was once 7.699,31 and is now 51.199,94. Once Castagovia considered going capitalist, but instead has kept socialism and has entered into a new age of prosperity, which puts it around as rich as Sweden or Austria (according to the UN/World Bank), or Germany (according to the IMF).

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Laisou, Valdonland, Kariforunia

Thank you for all your answers. I'm also curious what the adults in your lives' reaction was to racial justice movements that peaked during summer 2020? Mine had questionable responses to say the least. They played the victim card and some reminisced about the "old days" down south in North Carolina and Virginia. My youngest aunt, who I consider to be the most moderate out of my aunts and uncles said that "people have their folds, and it's best to stick to them". I interpreted that to mean voluntary racial segregation.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Valdonland, Kariforunia, Allokyus

Melenavenia wrote:Thank you for all your answers. I'm also curious what the adults in your lives' reaction was to racial justice movements that peaked during summer 2020? Mine had questionable responses to say the least. They played the victim card and some reminisced about the "old days" down south in North Carolina and Virginia. My youngest aunt, who I consider to be the most moderate out of my aunts and uncles said that "people have their folds, and it's best to stick to them". I interpreted that to mean voluntary racial segregation.

I would definitely interpret that as wanting segregation.

Uhhh, I haven't spoken to my parents since 2017, nor do I really have any plans to. The 'adults' in my lives are generally the friends I have in the CalRef discord, and I believe we were unanimously on the side of BLM. I don't have much, if any, interaction with anyone older than millennials outside of professors at uni.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine

Melenavenia wrote:Thank you for all your answers. I'm also curious what the adults in your lives' reaction was to racial justice movements that peaked during summer 2020? Mine had questionable responses to say the least. They played the victim card and some reminisced about the "old days" down south in North Carolina and Virginia. My youngest aunt, who I consider to be the most moderate out of my aunts and uncles said that "people have their folds, and it's best to stick to them". I interpreted that to mean voluntary racial segregation.

Again,my parents didn't have very strong opinions about it.They were generally neutral on what was happening in the US,although I recall my mother saying something along the lines of "American policemen are brutal and uncivilized" or something similar.Again,they didn't really had strong opinions about the BLM or anything like that.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

Melenavenia wrote:Thank you for all your answers. I'm also curious what the adults in your lives' reaction was to racial justice movements that peaked during summer 2020? Mine had questionable responses to say the least. They played the victim card and some reminisced about the "old days" down south in North Carolina and Virginia. My youngest aunt, who I consider to be the most moderate out of my aunts and uncles said that "people have their folds, and it's best to stick to them". I interpreted that to mean voluntary racial segregation.

Well I live in Singapore which is an extremely conservative country, so my parents have a very negative opinion of the west in general and when the BLM protests happened, they commented that 'You see? With democracy, there cannot be order and stability. And being someone that really supports individual freedoms in a country of conformists, most people agreed with them and I was, as usual, shamed (ish) for my views.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

Sorry for being off-topic, but do you reckon Singapore is as conservative as its neighbours (Indonesia and Malaysia)? I, an Indonesian, have always been under the impression that Singapore is pretty much indifferent when it comes to social issues—especially regarding LGBT+ rights, and I think that's relatively much better than Malaysia and Indonesia, since both of them actively try to crack down on LGBT+ communities. Middanowah

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

Sylh Alanor wrote:Ooooh, election time! Instead of being the first to vote again, I will ask a question to the candidates.

Eroias and Laisou, what are your thoughts on the Interior seat and what are your plans for your term if you get elected?

I hope the interior seat will allow me to create polls and interesting conversions in the RMB that will allow me to become a better part of this great community!

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Eroias

High Reiserland wrote:Sorry for being off-topic, but do you reckon Singapore is as conservative as its neighbours (Indonesia and Malaysia)? I, an Indonesian, have always been under the impression that Singapore is pretty much indifferent when it comes to social issues—especially regarding LGBT+ rights, and I think that's relatively much better than Malaysia and Indonesia, since both of them actively try to crack down on LGBT+ communities. Middanowah

Singapore has LGBT banned and has a sedition act which prevents you from critisizing the government, as well as a few other human rights violations. It's really not too different from Saudi Arabia on the political compass actually.

The people here are also generally anti-LGBT, as I said, they're rather conformists and always talk about "The norm" and how LGBT isn't "normal".

So to answer your question, yes.

Lower French Gregballs, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

The Avalonian High Commission for Foreign Affairs has announced that per our human rights led foreign policy, trade and relations will not be established with Giant Redwoods. There are five overarching policies that have earned the nation its place on the Avalonian inter-state diplomatic blacklist. which are: Theocracy, Heterosexuality, Capital Punishment, Corporal Punishment, and Slavery. Due to the Giant Redwoods' placement on this list, the nation's people will enjoy a Level 1 Asylum Urgency status.

The Avalonian business community has been awaiting this announcement, as Giant Redwoods has one of largest economies in Refugia.

The Avalonian Government, although, would like to invite the leadership of the Giant Redwoods to our capital of Köbarnhavn, to discuss such policies and potential relations.

Vikoland, Free Las Pinas Ii

Melenavenia wrote:(I'm not a liberal, they just don't know what a liberal is)
I swear none of the people who complain about liberals actually know what liberals are. Both conservatism and socialism are heavily influenced by liberal ideas, it's just that conservatives are similar to classical liberals, who favoured negative freedom and a laissez-faire economy; whereas socialists take ideas from modern liberals, favour positive freedom and an enabling state.

Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Melenavenia wrote:Thank you for all your answers. I'm also curious what the adults in your lives' reaction was to racial justice movements that peaked during summer 2020? Mine had questionable responses to say the least. They played the victim card and some reminisced about the "old days" down south in North Carolina and Virginia. My youngest aunt, who I consider to be the most moderate out of my aunts and uncles said that "people have their folds, and it's best to stick to them". I interpreted that to mean voluntary racial segregation.

Thankfully my parents and I share political views (I probably get my left-wing progressive nature form them) and we discuss politics frequently. I don't think they really care about what was happing in America, because in their view (and mine), it doesn't concern us in the UK.

P.S.

I have also just looked at the map and seen that Melenavenia has increased in size and is now my Southernly neighbour. I hope your friendly because my nation doesn't have a military! Perhaps we can sign a free trade deal and possibly have open borders?

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Vikoland wrote:P.S.

I have also just looked at the map and seen that Melenavenia has increased in size and is now my Southernly neighbour. I hope your friendly because my nation doesn't have a military! Perhaps we can sign a free trade deal and possibly have open borders?

All Refugi are considered my friends.

New Camelot Of Avalonia, Lower French Gregballs, Lethodus, Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Vikoland, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Vikoland wrote:Thankfully my parents and I share political views (I probably get my left-wing progressive nature form them) and we discuss politics frequently. I don't think they really care about what was happing in America, because in their view (and mine), it doesn't concern us in the UK.

P.S.

I have also just looked at the map and seen that Melenavenia has increased in size and is now my Southernly neighbour. I hope your friendly because my nation doesn't have a military! Perhaps we can sign a free trade deal and possibly have open borders?

Avalonia does not have a military either. Are you a neutral nation?

Typica, Melenavenia, Vikoland, Free Las Pinas Ii, Inaros Opa

New Camelot Of Avalonia wrote:Avalonia does not have a military either. Are you a neutral nation?

We are a neutral nation, however we are committed to achieving world peace and will host any treaty signing that may end a conflict.

New Camelot Of Avalonia, Lower French Gregballs, Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Inaros Opa

New Camelot Of Avalonia wrote:Avalonia does not have a military either. Are you a neutral nation?

I mean, it's not like Earth and Mars are in a position to attack us and we haven't found any hostile aliens while exploring the cosmos, so we don't need a military.

New Camelot Of Avalonia, Refuge Isle, Melenavenia, Vikoland

Vikoland wrote:We are a neutral nation, however we are committed to achieving world peace and will host any treaty signing that may end a conflict.

Would you be interested in signing this?

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=916725

Melenavenia, Vikoland

Typica wrote:Patients' rights? That's oddly specific and not remotely expected. What were these rulers up to??

Certifying patients was just too easy in the old days.

Typica, Melenavenia

New Camelot Of Avalonia wrote:Would you be interested in signing this?

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=916725

After holding a debate in Parliament, Vikoland has decided to sign the treaty and is committed to promoting neutrality and demilitarisation.

New Camelot Of Avalonia, Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine

walrus?

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia

Minskievian Refugees wrote:walrus?

No, I am the eggman. John is the walrus.

Melenavenia wrote:Narwhal?

Dolphin?

Melenavenia

Congratulations to Laisou on becoming the next Councillor of the Interior! They appear to have gotten in by a squeaker with 55% of the vote.

A million thanks to Araine for being so engaged with people in the last term, helping to welcome everyone and keep an eye out for problems, you're awesome.

Notice:

At this time, the candidacy will now open for our last election for this term, the Councillor for World Assembly Affairs, whose responsibility is to keep us all apprised of World Assembly matters, discuss and analyse proposals, and issue recommendations on what we should do with them. Our current rockstar Councillor is, regrettably, term limited.

If this excites your brainbox, announce your candidacy today in the RMB or in #ground-floor. Candidacy runs between now and the end of the day on Wednesday, June 30th.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Vikoland, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho

Thank you so much! I didn't have very high hopes of winning the election and to be fair I almost didn't. I promise I'll do the best I can as Councilor of the Interior!

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Eroias

Laisou wrote:Thank you so much! I didn't have very high hopes of winning the election and to be fair I almost didn't. I promise I'll do the best I can as Councilor of the Interior!

You're going to do great ^-^ the Councillors have a culture of helping one another and all of us talk and brainstorm together about things in the server, so if you're ever having trouble, you can contact us there or send telegrams gameside for help.

Thanks for running as well Eroias, as far as I remember this was our closest election? That's pretty cool, it means you were both drawing people to your ideas.

Alsooooooooooooooo stay tuned I've got something coming up.

Typica, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou, Eroias

The Councillor chat is the cool kids chat.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Free Las Pinas Ii

A message from the outgoing Councillor of World Assembly Affairs:

I'm disappointed that the last two months have been so chaotic IRL that I've not been able to keep up with the WA. I miss having in-depth discussions about legislation and assisting in understanding dense or misleading proposals. I'd have liked to do more, but such it is. I do want to acknowledge HumanSanity's wonderful work as Security Council Correspondent, parsing out the detailed history and intentions behind international figures. I look forward to seeing more such dispatches in the future.

I'm hopeful that the next councillor will be more able to keep up activity and spark discussion. I'd like to see more dynamic conversations, I'd like to see more regular dispatches. In months past we've had members of the community seek advice while drafting legislation, and hopefully we can continue to offer a helpful space for that. It would also be neat to find a way to engage more people in NS-forumside WA stuff; by the time a bill is submitted for approval, the opportunity for constructive advice is virtually gone. More eyes on WA drafting threads would be by far the most efficient way to influence the course of the chamber. (Possibly short of some tinfoil hat stuff about anti-recruitment.)

Thanks to everyone for participating and being supportive during this past term. Good luck to the surely incoming candidates.

Typica, Refuge Isle, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Hi everyone!

I moved here from Thalassia (Rest in peace Thalassia ✝️), so I’m new to this region. Is there anything in particular that is recommended to read, for example? Or anything I should know? If I believe this region fits me I’ll be staying here so better get integrated a bit :$

Kind regards,

El Hierro

Edit: just saw the dispatch I received, is that all I need to know?

New Camelot Of Avalonia, Narwhal, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou, Allokyus

Hi!

The Regional Government Master Dispatch sums up a lot of things about this cool region. We have an election going on right now for the World Assembly Affairs Councilor which essentially talks and debates about new World Assembly resolutions!

So now is a great time to settle in this community!

Refugia also has a discord, a lot of the important people are active on there who will be able to answer anymore questions you have.

-Laisou

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho

Thanks! I’ll join the Discord

Lethodus, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou

El Hierro wrote:Hi everyone!

I moved here from Thalassia (Rest in peace Thalassia ✝️), so I’m new to this region. Is there anything in particular that is recommended to read, for example? Or anything I should know? If I believe this region fits me I’ll be staying here so better get integrated a bit :$

Kind regards,

El Hierro

Edit: just saw the dispatch I received, is that all I need to know?

Welcome welcome! I said hi on the discord server, but I wanted to get you some information here, since there are maybe some other people who don't know.

Refugia is a pretty casual place, but we have a lot going on. Like our Councillor of the Interior said, we have an election coming up. All member states can participate in this, which are WA nations that have been in the region for at least 7 days. So if you're here now, you should be able to vote before the election is over (in case we get enough candidates). Getting member state status means you'll also be able to put in a map application and get put on our map:

https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1287372

We're also always looking for people who might like to write things for us, as we have the 'How Does' series of dispatches going here. It's sort of an ongoing series of tutorials for everything community related and NS related. https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1488160

The wider community outside of NationStates is called Calamity Refuge, and we've been around for quite a while! We have the discord server, which is the overlap point for everyone in the community and has a lot of people who don't have an interest in participating in the NS side of things. You can check out our forum here (https://calref.cc/). We have spam games, a couple fantasy RPs going on, an eternal writing prompt, and discussion threads for various things. Sometimes we play games together, which have historically been coordinated through the discord, but our current Councillor of Culture Lethodus has stated they're going to try and pull in more RMB-only people as well.

Really, our focus is on keeping people feeling safe and comfortable, and providing a happy place where you don't have to stress about stuff. Do the things you enjoy doing, and we'll all help you out with those things ^-^

Melenavenia, El Hierro, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou

El Hierro wrote:Hi everyone!

I moved here from Thalassia (Rest in peace Thalassia ✝️), so I’m new to this region. Is there anything in particular that is recommended to read, for example? Or anything I should know? If I believe this region fits me I’ll be staying here so better get integrated a bit :$

Kind regards,

El Hierro

Edit: just saw the dispatch I received, is that all I need to know?

What happened to Thalassia?

Melenavenia

I swear NS makes it impossible to have a capitalist nation....at least my economy is mostly privatized :P

Melenavenia

Middanowah wrote:I swear NS makes it impossible to have a capitalist nation....at least my economy is mostly privatized :P

It's possible, you just need to be more 'economic-oriented' (what is a human if it is not just a number in your statistic) :p

Typica, Melenavenia, Free Las Pinas Ii

Hello Refugi, I'm here to officially announce my candidacy for Councillor of World Assembly Affairs.

First, I don't think it can be overstated how important Junitaki-cho's term was to the position. While she may wish she could have done more, I don't think there could have been a better first WAA Councillor for our region. During her term, we went from our only regional author being Refuge Isle to outlining multiple now-resolutions in our discord channel, resulting in several new authors.

I hope to bring back my traditional method of introducing new General Assembly (and Security Council, assuming we ever get another SC proposal to vote) proposals through the RMB for discussion. My aims in doing this prior ot the position being created last winter was to provide links to the proposal itself and the drafting thread, then summarise it (including important contextual information for SC proposals), and only after those things would I provide my own opinion on the matter. My primary goal has always been to encourage a critical approach to WA without telling people what to think. While we often approach things from similar mindsets in this region, we can still have different opinions, and I think that discussing things from different positions makes all of us better.

So I guess my platform is this: I promise to make sure a post is made in the RMB for every upcoming proposal, along with links and ways for Refugi to become more informed on the subjects. While they may not always be as in-depth and detailed as Junitaki-cho's, I also promise to put up an IFV on every proposal that comes to vote, and I will aim to make them as detailed and useful to people as possible.

Lower French Gregballs, Zukchiva, Typica, Narwhal, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou

Narwhal wrote:It's possible, you just need to be more 'economic-oriented' (what is a human if it is not just a number in your statistic) :p

I may or may not have "accidentally" banned cars

Chacapoya, Lower French Gregballs, Melenavenia, Laisou

Sylh Alanor wrote:Hello Refugi, I'm here to officially announce my candidacy for Councillor of World Assembly Affairs.

First, I don't think it can be overstated how important Junitaki-cho's term was to the position. While she may wish she could have done more, I don't think there could have been a better first WAA Councillor for our region. During her term, we went from our only regional author being Refuge Isle to outlining multiple now-resolutions in our discord channel, resulting in several new authors.

I hope to bring back my traditional method of introducing new General Assembly (and Security Council, assuming we ever get another SC proposal to vote) proposals through the RMB for discussion. My aims in doing this prior ot the position being created last winter was to provide links to the proposal itself and the drafting thread, then summarise it (including important contextual information for SC proposals), and only after those things would I provide my own opinion on the matter. My primary goal has always been to encourage a critical approach to WA without telling people what to think. While we often approach things from similar mindsets in this region, we can still have different opinions, and I think that discussing things from different positions makes all of us better.

So I guess my platform is this: I promise to make sure a post is made in the RMB for every upcoming proposal, along with links and ways for Refugi to become more informed on the subjects. While they may not always be as in-depth and detailed as Junitaki-cho's, I also promise to put up an IFV on every proposal that comes to vote, and I will aim to make them as detailed and useful to people as possible.

Accepted

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Junitaki-Cho, Laisou

Middanowah wrote:I may or may not have "accidentally" banned cars

nice

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Laisou

New Camelot Of Avalonia wrote:What happened to Thalassia?

They decided to put it down

Melenavenia, Laisou

Chacapoya wrote:nice

hey at least my economy recovered from it

Chacapoya, Lower French Gregballs, Laisou

Hello everyone, after abandoning my puppet states in a region called Omnia Quilibet I've decided to move here. How are you all doing? I'm doing (s)well, I hope you are too!

So hello, again.

I've got a few questions I need answers to:

How and why does this region have a disproportionate large LGBT population???

Why is this region so centered around the environment? (Not saying I don't care about the environment, just asking)

Why does everyone have custom nation types while I'm just stuck at being regular nation types?

What do I do here?

Edit: Will be creating a Discord account soon to join your Discord server too, I really want to engage with all you people. This is the first time I've decided to become a part of a community, took a lot of courage.

Narwhal, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho

Uitmuntendheid wrote:-snip-

Welcome! I hope you like it here ^-^ I'll answer your questions, ooooooooone second~

0 wrote:How and why does this region have a disproportionate large LGBT population???

It just kind of happened that way, honestly. When we were first trying to grow the NS-side community, a lot of the people who showed up (or, rather, the people who stuck around) happened to be lgbt. So now we have a large, though not exclusively, lgbt population. It's fun and it's become kind of a calling card point for the community.

0 wrote:Why is this region so centered around the environment?

Refuge Isle and I are pretty big environmentalists (we live in a temperate rainforest surrounded by old-growth forest) and care a lot about the environment, so when we were creating the region, it just made sense that that would be our focus. Given the general leftist slant and social-issue interests of a lot of the people who have come afterward, the environment is a massive overlap in interest for all of us.

0 wrote:Why does everyone have custom nation types while I'm just stuck at being regular nation types?

That's something that unlocks at a certain population, though I don't remember exactly how much. Maybe 500 million?

0 wrote:What do I do here?

Well, what would you like to do? We're a casual community, so if you just want to hang out in the RMB, Discord server, and forum to chat with us, that's entirely acceptable. We have RPs and spam games on the forum, we sometimes play games together as a group, and we're involved in a lot of things all around NS as a region here. We have a World Assembly presence (feel free to register for the WA and endorse people in the region, if you're interested!) where we discuss stuff here, we have a lot of the best card players in the game in the region, we do events and have elections and we even have a map! A big focus of Calamity Refuge (the community behind Refugia) is giving as many options as possible to our members, and having a place where everyone can help everyone else accomplish the things they're interested in doing.

Typica, Narwhal, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Junitaki-Cho, Kariforunia, Uitmuntendheid

Sylh Alanor wrote:Welcome! I hope you like it here ^-^ I'll answer your questions, ooooooooone second~

It just kind of happened that way, honestly. When we were first trying to grow the NS-side community, a lot of the people who showed up (or, rather, the people who stuck around) happened to be lgbt. So now we have a large, though not exclusively, lgbt population. It's fun and it's become kind of a calling card point for the community.

Refuge Isle and I are pretty big environmentalists (we live in a temperate rainforest surrounded by old-growth forest) and care a lot about the environment, so when we were creating the region, it just made sense that that would be our focus. Given the general leftist slant and social-issue interests of a lot of the people who have come afterward, the environment is a massive overlap in interest for all of us.

That's something that unlocks at a certain population, though I don't remember exactly how much. Maybe 500 million?

Well, what would you like to do? We're a casual community, so if you just want to hang out in the RMB, Discord server, and forum to chat with us, that's entirely acceptable. We have RPs and spam games on the forum, we sometimes play games together as a group, and we're involved in a lot of things all around NS as a region here. We have a World Assembly presence (feel free to register for the WA and endorse people in the region, if you're interested!) where we discuss stuff here, we have a lot of the best card players in the game in the region, we do events and have elections and we even have a map! A big focus of Calamity Refuge (the community behind Refugia) is giving as many options as possible to our members, and having a place where everyone can help everyone else accomplish the things they're interested in doing.

Gosh dang it I wish I lived near a temperate forest...or any nature at all, really

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Valdonland, Kariforunia

Thanks a lot for the answers and most especially, your kindness and patience! I can't wait for the journeys I'll have in this community!

Lower French Gregballs, Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, El Hierro, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Kariforunia

Middanowah wrote:Gosh dang it I wish I lived near a temperate forest...or any nature at all, really

I live my entire life in a nature, i'd be willing to share some space in my house for you if you want.

Say, do you prefer Arctic or Bering Sea?

Lower French Gregballs, Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii, Middanowah

Post self-deleted by Melenavenia.

Narwhal wrote:I live my entire life in a nature, i'd be willing to share some space in my house for you if you want.

Say, do you prefer Arctic or Bering Sea?

(Thinking emoji)

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia

Middanowah wrote:Gosh dang it I wish I lived near a temperate forest...or any nature at all, really

I actually live just a few steps away from a pine forest.Its really beautiful,I spend many hours in there.

Lower French Gregballs, Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Free Las Pinas Ii

Welcome, The High Commission For Foreign Affairs, El Hierro, Castalonia, and Uitmuntendheid to Refugia! I hope all of you enjoy the region! We've already said hello to El Hierro!

But, if you want to know more about the region then you should know that Refugia aims to be a friendly, laid-back community, which is open to players of all experience levels. Nations who wish to become more active in the region, however, should consider joining the World Assembly (WA). WA nations are able to vote on international law, endorse other nations within the region, and receive exclusive benefits within the region, such as the ability to vote in regional elections, get a spot on Refugia's map, and even run for office when elections come up! (We're having a big one for the delegate right now!) Make sure to endorse the delegate!

If you'd rather just chill with us, that's perfectly fine as well. We have an offsite forum and a discord server, as well as frequent discussions on the regional message board (RMB), which everyone is welcome to participate in!

If you have any additional questions about the region or how NationStates works, feel free to leave them here, on the RMB. If you're interested in joining our offsite forum, look for the link at the top of Refugia's World Factbook Entry (the big text box at the top of our regional page). Hope you enjoy this wonderful little region!

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, El Hierro, Araine, Uitmuntendheid

Well,I've just banned prisons....This is going to be interesting.

Typica, Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Araine, Laisou, Middanowah

I am rather concerned about my tax rates increasing...

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia

Middanowah wrote:I am rather concerned about my tax rates increasing...

ssshhhh... your citizens don't need money, you know what's best for them afterall

Sylh Alanor, Melenavenia, Free Las Pinas Ii

Assembled with Dot's Region Saver.
Written by Refuge Isle.