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GA (UNA-USA)
GA (THIMUN)
Fictional
Crisis
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United Nations Security Council
The misuse of military surveillance and government sanctioned equipment in Iran
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has adopted seven resolutions as part of international efforts to address Iran’s nuclear program, although only one is in effect today. When Iran and the P5+1 reached a comprehensive nuclear deal on July 14, 2015, the UN Security Council endorsed the deal and put in place measures to lift UN sanctions that targeted Iran's nuclear program. The looming prospect of expanded use of unmanned aerial vehicles, colloquially known as drones, has raised understandable concerns for lawmakers. Moreover, with the virtual shift in our livelihood, there is confidential information that is being transferred, and it is important that countries feel a sense of security. Private technology companies are also tracking and these companies use an exemption in data protection laws to share data. With this in mind, I believe that the committee can focus on various aspects of the misuse of technology and the potential of hacking confidential information
Disarmament and International Security Committee
Terrorism, piracy, trafficking, and inter-state disputes in regards to international maritime security
The Disarmament and International Security Committee, also known as GA1, is part of the United Nations General Assembly. DISEC specifically deals with threats to peace through international cooperation. The committee tackles the issues of demilitarization and challenges to international security in order to promote world peace. Such threats to the sanctity of the international community come in many forms like terrorism, trafficking, and disputes between states. International maritime activity, which accounts for 90% of the world’s trade, is the essential lifeblood to the interconnected and globalized community. An unregulated and unprotected system could potentially lose 6.5 billion dollars every year globally. Interstate disputes also account for a lot of the existing tensions in the world, in places like the South China Sea, where a total of 7 nations (including the ROC) currently claim governance over. The constant need to militarize maritime zones only fosters conflicts and worsens relations between nations; accordingly, the need for security in international maritime zones is an utmost priority.
United Nations Environment Programme
The Prevention of Zoonotic Transmitted Diseases
The UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) is a global authority dedicated to solve international environmental issues. In our first agenda, delegates will focus on preventing zoonotic transmitted diseases, By altering natural wildlife habitats, humans have created opportunities for zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 to spill from wild animals to people. With 75% of infectious diseases originating from animals, zoonotic diseases are a major problem in today’s society. The UNEP committee will discuss possible changes and actions made regarding human activities of agriculture, settlement, and industry which opens the opportunity of pathogens being delivered from animals to humans.
United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
Creating a framework for the use of Artificial Intelligence in transportations
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a committee that focuses on establishing world peace through global cooperation on education, science and also culture. The UNESCO committee, aware by the rapid development and the wide use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diverse business sectors and education, hereby concerns the morality dispute and possible abuse of the new technology. Although AI could be beneficial through performing jobs with great precision as well as completing dangerous tasks, it is inevitable to face side effects such as job replacement of technologies leading to unemployment, as well as abusing and misapplying the ability of AI. In the case of accidents caused by AIs, legislation has not yet been made to measure the responsibility of the incident. As such potential issues exist, it is extremely vital to maintain control over these technologies. Taking this into account, the UNESCO committee should focus on ways that could encourage the appropriate use of Artificial Intelligence through the formation of a framework.
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Ensuring the Resilience of the Poor and Reducing their Vulnerability to Climate-Related Extreme Events
SOCHUM will be debating two different but important issues for this conference. The poor are amongst the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to lack of proper infrastructure and access. Less economically developed nations affected by climate disasters will be hindered in their development and economic growth, affecting the global community. It is important that the whole world is sufficiently prepared for the disastrous effects of climate change, and equipped with necessitated measures to aid under-resourced individuals. Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information and has been negatively affecting the world in many ways, as it inhibits civil rights and limits the inherent freedom of expression. From political censorship in North Korea, to Chinese media regulations, to journalistic censorship in Turkey, this committee will review problems that are violating the postulate of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which states that all people should have the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Special Political and Decolonization
International Safeguards for biological weapons production
This year, SPECPOL is strongly concerned about how biological threats pose a big threat to the world during extraordinary times. The committee looks forward to addressing the relevant topic considering the current breakout of Covid-19. The rise of such a biological virus raises a number of questions on whether this virus occurred naturally or it was “manufactured” and then released to the world to cause devastation. In times of such turbulence, we will be discussing the agenda: “International Safeguards for biological weapons production”. Chairs believe that the committee can focus on various aspects of the measures that can be taken to curb the production of biological weapons while taking the different stances of nations that adds the complexity to this issue into account. Join our journey to write the future of the world!
Economical and Financial Committee
Addressing the issue of brain drain from Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDC) | Mitigating global warming by financing the transition to sustainable growth in developing countries
The Economic and Financial Council (ECOFIN) deals with issues regarding economic growth and development at national, regional, and international levels. Its mandate is to discuss and improve international financial systems and trade agreements so that all nations can financially keep up with the globalising world and its economy. The committee promotes global partnerships and examines regional operational activities, the use of information and communications technology for development, and foreign aid programs to directly finance or create platforms that can finance sustainable development and decrease economic strains on countries, especially in developing nations that may be in times of crisis or are in need of financial reconstruction. ECOFIN’s agenda about brain drain will allow delegates to focus on the development of nations that have a large part of their workforce migrating to other countries.
Amnesty International (Fictional-1)
Ending All forms of Discrimination and Persecution Towards LGBTQ+ People | Protecting Human Rights During a Zombie Outbreak
Amnesty International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) devoted to ending human rights abuses around the world. While we are a realistic “fictional” committee not in the United Nations, we strive to support the values and missions of Amnesty International, the world’s largest human rights organization, in leading a global movement involving more than 7 million people in over 150 countries. As a truly international committee, Amnesty International will invite representatives from key countries in the world, in addition to relevant NGOs and the United Nations, to discuss the world’s most pressing human rights issues. Our topic will be of an interesting yet serious nature, involving the Protection of Human Rights During a Zombie Virus Outbreak. In this topic, we will be simulating a fictional situation where the international community must work together to defend the human rights of those affected by a new virus. Among other measures, nations and organizations have changed migration policies and enforced social distancing in hopes of containing the virus. When addressing this issue, representatives must consider ways to protect the human rights of refugees, those living without adequate healthcare, and other vulnerable people that are negatively impacted by the virus and changes in economic and border policies.
Outer Space Treaty Revision Committee (Fictional-2)
Commercial Use of Space
The Outer Space Treaty Revision Committee (O.S.T.R.C.) is a fictional committee that was instituted in the purpose of enlarging the basic framework of the “Outer Space Treaty. For decades, humans have gained more knowledge about space with their explorations and unmitigated curiosity. The potential of space can be seen as an advantage for More Economically Developed Countries (MEDC) and stakeholders to chase after. By utilizing its resources and celestial body, it can serve as a resource base for many nations. A similar incident was when Denmark, Norway, Canada, Russia and the United States signed the Law of the Sea Treaty to divide the Arctic for its rare natural resources in 2008. To prevent this scenario from happening, OSTRC will be composed of states, stakeholders, and space agencies to build upon the currently existing “Outer Space Treaty” in order to establish a foundation for the safe and equitable use. Agenda 1 (militarization) The Outer Space Treaty Revision Committee is concerned with the nation's military occupation in space.The militarization in space stems from the space race between Soviet Union and the United States of America. A turning point appeared when the Outer Space Treaty was adopted by the General Assembly in 1963, which states that any weapons of mass destruction are not permitted to be in orbit or any celestial body. However, the international law is riddled with ambiguities in terms of the degree of militarization. As a revision committee, we will discuss and propose ideas to further elaborate on the legal framework. As globalization started to spread over the world, space became a possible target for commercial entities. In 1984, it cost $54,500 to launch a kilogram of material into space. Now, that sum stands at just $2,720. What was once firmly in the hands of wealthy sovereign nations has suddenly opened to enterprising individuals. Yet while our technology has rocketed forward, the laws that govern space have lagged dangerously behind. The Outer Space Treaty Revision Committee will invite a spectrum of major stakeholders to find common ground on how to resolve and clarify issues regarding the use of space.
Spanish Flu (1912)
Spanish Flu
A virus probably originating from either the military hospitals in France or the region of Southern China, but whose source is yet to be conclusively determined, became known to the public through Spanish press during the Great War. Maintaining a neutral status throughout the war, Spain imposed no censorship on its press having no concerns it would demoralise the fighting soldiers, as opposed to the nations part of the Entente or the Central Powers alliance. In fact, approximately one third of the world population was exposed to the virus, resulting in the death of an astonishing 10% of those infected. So, there was a total death toll upwards of 40 million, most of which were due to the absence of modern pharmaceuticals, like antibiotics, which could have easily cured the pneumonia symptoms the virus was linked with. Specifically, we’ll be looking at the second and third wave of the pandemic, which, respectively, started in October 1918 and January 1919. Hence, our attention will be drawn to the governmental policies followed by affected nations, which, at the time, were aimed at both resolving the pandemic and recovering from the devastating implications of WW1 that had preceded.