Large Committees
Background Guides
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Special Political, and Decolonization (SPECPOL)
Chairs: Lauryn Beretta, Danni LaBarbiera
Race to Space:
As we have seen in World War II with the “Space Race”, increasing technology has influenced the international community to explore into space. One of the main ideas being debated within this general topic is regulation. Currently, space is completely sovereign. The idea we will be focusing on is the struggle to protect the development of this territory through peacefully sharing access and discoveries among states. The United Nations has organized the United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE) with the most recent UNISPACE III (1999). Although, this can been seen as a promising move in the right direction, more action from the UN is needed to avoid another “Space Race” and to maximize the utility of the valuable area.
Refugee Camp Policies:
With the decline of refugee camps available and the exponentially increasing number of refugees, camps find themselves underfunded and pressured to close, leaving refugees as nomads. These nomads are putting unwanted pressure on the countries which they are invading. In addition, the countries are acting in a negative matter due to the fact that their economies cannot support the increased unemployed population. Our committee looks to find a way to alleviate this pressure through finding a way to give the refugees a safe, permanent home and creating the funding to support camps and transportation of refugees.
Preparing Non-self governing nations for statehood:
In 1898 following the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded Guam along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the U.S. Under the Peace Treaty of Paris, Guam's political status would be determined by Congress. To this date, Guam continues to be categorized by the United Nations as a non-self governing territory. Since 1945 to date, most of those non-self governing territories placed under U.N. trusteeship and administered by various major nations of the world have exercised their self-determination, most of them opting for independence. Guam is now at the crossroad of its self-determination process. During the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, Britain successfully invaded Gibraltar. In the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, Spain lost control of Gibraltar forever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever. Despite this, Spain has never given up on its claims to the sovereignty of Gibraltar. The problem is a mixture of national pride and practical considerations. The Gibraltarians, for their part, claim to be British and have repeatedly asserted that they don't want to return to Spanish rule. Our committee will work to prepare both Guam and Gibraltar for official statehood.
Race to Space:
As we have seen in World War II with the “Space Race”, increasing technology has influenced the international community to explore into space. One of the main ideas being debated within this general topic is regulation. Currently, space is completely sovereign. The idea we will be focusing on is the struggle to protect the development of this territory through peacefully sharing access and discoveries among states. The United Nations has organized the United Nations Conference on the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE) with the most recent UNISPACE III (1999). Although, this can been seen as a promising move in the right direction, more action from the UN is needed to avoid another “Space Race” and to maximize the utility of the valuable area.
Refugee Camp Policies:
With the decline of refugee camps available and the exponentially increasing number of refugees, camps find themselves underfunded and pressured to close, leaving refugees as nomads. These nomads are putting unwanted pressure on the countries which they are invading. In addition, the countries are acting in a negative matter due to the fact that their economies cannot support the increased unemployed population. Our committee looks to find a way to alleviate this pressure through finding a way to give the refugees a safe, permanent home and creating the funding to support camps and transportation of refugees.
Preparing Non-self governing nations for statehood:
In 1898 following the Spanish-American War, Spain ceded Guam along with Puerto Rico and the Philippines to the U.S. Under the Peace Treaty of Paris, Guam's political status would be determined by Congress. To this date, Guam continues to be categorized by the United Nations as a non-self governing territory. Since 1945 to date, most of those non-self governing territories placed under U.N. trusteeship and administered by various major nations of the world have exercised their self-determination, most of them opting for independence. Guam is now at the crossroad of its self-determination process. During the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, Britain successfully invaded Gibraltar. In the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, Spain lost control of Gibraltar forever, without any exception or impediment whatsoever. Despite this, Spain has never given up on its claims to the sovereignty of Gibraltar. The problem is a mixture of national pride and practical considerations. The Gibraltarians, for their part, claim to be British and have repeatedly asserted that they don't want to return to Spanish rule. Our committee will work to prepare both Guam and Gibraltar for official statehood.
Disarmament and International Security (DISEC)
Chair: Sehj Kashyap
The 2012 session of the 1st committee on Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) will convene to address the following issues demanding global attention and unified action:
Post-Civil War Libya: Disarmament and Arms control of former rebels:
In 2011, Libyan rebels banded together to successfully oust the country’s dictator, Moammar Gaddafi. The weapons, which were crucial for the rebels’ campaign, must not be secured in the new governments hands. Certain rebel factions are resisting disarmament and consequently threatening a peaceful transition; furthermore, there is evidence of weapons smuggling into neighboring countries including Egypt and Syria. The interim government has sought UN help in its efforts; the issue requires the attention of the DISEC comm.
Future’s Crisis topic: Iranian De-Nuclearization:
The issue of a nuclear program in Iran has received much international attention and debate. While many nations and specific IAEA reports suggest that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program, the Iranian government strongly argues that it is developing nuclear energy. The focus of this committee will not be present back and forth of rhetoric, or the progress and breakdown of negotiations. Instead, the committee will simulate years of future development in the span of the conference. The dais will represent the Iranian government tightly in line with its foreign policy, whilst releasing fictitious international and national developments in line with how events might reasonably progress. Briefings may be inspired by similar situations in other countries. In order for delegates to successfully debate this issue, mastery of the every facet of the issue will be necessary, along with knowledge of other denuclearization efforts.
Modern Mercenaries: Renewed efforts to define role of Private Military Companies:
The use of private military companies has increased in past decades. Governments and trans-national organizations, including UN agencies, hire these companies for security services. While this role is generally accepted by the international community, recent transgressions by company personnel acting as an offensive force rather than a defensive force in war zones have encouraged a new look at old regulations and treaties. The DISEC committee will consider modern challenges to the issue and propose improvements to pre-existing treaties in the form of resolutions.
The 2012 session of the 1st committee on Disarmament and International Security (DISEC) will convene to address the following issues demanding global attention and unified action:
Post-Civil War Libya: Disarmament and Arms control of former rebels:
In 2011, Libyan rebels banded together to successfully oust the country’s dictator, Moammar Gaddafi. The weapons, which were crucial for the rebels’ campaign, must not be secured in the new governments hands. Certain rebel factions are resisting disarmament and consequently threatening a peaceful transition; furthermore, there is evidence of weapons smuggling into neighboring countries including Egypt and Syria. The interim government has sought UN help in its efforts; the issue requires the attention of the DISEC comm.
Future’s Crisis topic: Iranian De-Nuclearization:
The issue of a nuclear program in Iran has received much international attention and debate. While many nations and specific IAEA reports suggest that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program, the Iranian government strongly argues that it is developing nuclear energy. The focus of this committee will not be present back and forth of rhetoric, or the progress and breakdown of negotiations. Instead, the committee will simulate years of future development in the span of the conference. The dais will represent the Iranian government tightly in line with its foreign policy, whilst releasing fictitious international and national developments in line with how events might reasonably progress. Briefings may be inspired by similar situations in other countries. In order for delegates to successfully debate this issue, mastery of the every facet of the issue will be necessary, along with knowledge of other denuclearization efforts.
Modern Mercenaries: Renewed efforts to define role of Private Military Companies:
The use of private military companies has increased in past decades. Governments and trans-national organizations, including UN agencies, hire these companies for security services. While this role is generally accepted by the international community, recent transgressions by company personnel acting as an offensive force rather than a defensive force in war zones have encouraged a new look at old regulations and treaties. The DISEC committee will consider modern challenges to the issue and propose improvements to pre-existing treaties in the form of resolutions.
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural (SOCHUM)
Chair: Alana Reid
Access to Media and Freedom of the Press:
This topic has 2 inter-related focuses, the first being access to media outlets. In today’s world, newspapers, magazines, TV have been joined by the Internet in increasing people’s access to news and the flow of information and ideas. However numerous governments (notable China, Turkey, Hungry) have taken measures to censor people’s access to free media outlets. The second focus of this topic revolves around the ⅓ of the world’s population living in countries where there is no freedom of the press. Instead, these countries employ state-run news organizations promoting propaganda that plays a critical rol in maintaining their political power. Very often they use police, the military, or intelligence agencies to suppress attempts made by the media or individual journalists to challenge the approved “government line” on contentious issues. Clearly, access to media outlets plays a large role in promoting freedom of the press and the topic ideally would focus on the synergies between the two, in search for solutions to improve both.
Promotion of LGBT Rights:
In 1994, the UN Human Rights Committee declared that laws against sexual orientation violate human rights law. Additionally, in 2003 the UN Human Rights Commission put forth the Brazillian Resolution stating that lesbian and gay rights should be considered to be fundamental rights of all human beings. Despite this, homosexuality is punishable by death in at least five states – Iran, Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, and is considered to be a crime in at least 75 countries. Additionally, beyond formal action of governments, homosexuals are the victims of abuse and hate crimes at incredibly high rates internationally. The committee would work to protect and promote the lives of LGBT community.
Refugees: Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Victims of Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing:
Currently, there are more than 15.4 million refugees and 27.5 million internally displaced people as cited in a recent UN report, the largest number recorded within the last 15 years. With this large number of displaced persons it is particularly relevant that the global community ensures their rights are protected and a plan is formulated to assist the refugees and their host nations. Problems of migration due to climate change and domestic conflict further complicate the issue of providing economic and social services to refugees. A solution must account for their current and future wellbeing, as refugees adjust to their new environment or begin the process of returning to their homes.
Access to Media and Freedom of the Press:
This topic has 2 inter-related focuses, the first being access to media outlets. In today’s world, newspapers, magazines, TV have been joined by the Internet in increasing people’s access to news and the flow of information and ideas. However numerous governments (notable China, Turkey, Hungry) have taken measures to censor people’s access to free media outlets. The second focus of this topic revolves around the ⅓ of the world’s population living in countries where there is no freedom of the press. Instead, these countries employ state-run news organizations promoting propaganda that plays a critical rol in maintaining their political power. Very often they use police, the military, or intelligence agencies to suppress attempts made by the media or individual journalists to challenge the approved “government line” on contentious issues. Clearly, access to media outlets plays a large role in promoting freedom of the press and the topic ideally would focus on the synergies between the two, in search for solutions to improve both.
Promotion of LGBT Rights:
In 1994, the UN Human Rights Committee declared that laws against sexual orientation violate human rights law. Additionally, in 2003 the UN Human Rights Commission put forth the Brazillian Resolution stating that lesbian and gay rights should be considered to be fundamental rights of all human beings. Despite this, homosexuality is punishable by death in at least five states – Iran, Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, and is considered to be a crime in at least 75 countries. Additionally, beyond formal action of governments, homosexuals are the victims of abuse and hate crimes at incredibly high rates internationally. The committee would work to protect and promote the lives of LGBT community.
Refugees: Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Victims of Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing:
Currently, there are more than 15.4 million refugees and 27.5 million internally displaced people as cited in a recent UN report, the largest number recorded within the last 15 years. With this large number of displaced persons it is particularly relevant that the global community ensures their rights are protected and a plan is formulated to assist the refugees and their host nations. Problems of migration due to climate change and domestic conflict further complicate the issue of providing economic and social services to refugees. A solution must account for their current and future wellbeing, as refugees adjust to their new environment or begin the process of returning to their homes.