Specialized Committees
Background Guides
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COP18 – UN Climate Change Conference
Chairs: Zach Montague, Salmaan Rizvi
Creating a global treaty on climate change mitigation:
After the struggle in Copenhagen, a comprehensive treaty on climate change mitigation and greenhouse gas reduction has not yet been created. With mounting pressure on governments caused by growing transnational threats associated with climate change (such as bigger tropical storms, rising sea levels, and desertification), bringing this treaty into existence will be the first priority of this committee.
Ecology Preservation:
Myriad scientific reports have shown that climate change is directly affecting not just habitats and ecosystems on a large scale, but also species on a more local level. Besides creating treaty to combat climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions, the committee will go further in depth to pass some legislation designed to protect biodiversity and guard against extinctions caused by warming climates worldwide.
Facilitating technology transfer between conference members:
Crucial to climate change management and sustainable development is an equal access to technology and data. This committee will also task itself with putting in place an international structure for the sharing of technology and information to better equip developing countries contribute to the global effort against climate change.
Creating a global treaty on climate change mitigation:
After the struggle in Copenhagen, a comprehensive treaty on climate change mitigation and greenhouse gas reduction has not yet been created. With mounting pressure on governments caused by growing transnational threats associated with climate change (such as bigger tropical storms, rising sea levels, and desertification), bringing this treaty into existence will be the first priority of this committee.
Ecology Preservation:
Myriad scientific reports have shown that climate change is directly affecting not just habitats and ecosystems on a large scale, but also species on a more local level. Besides creating treaty to combat climate change and curb greenhouse gas emissions, the committee will go further in depth to pass some legislation designed to protect biodiversity and guard against extinctions caused by warming climates worldwide.
Facilitating technology transfer between conference members:
Crucial to climate change management and sustainable development is an equal access to technology and data. This committee will also task itself with putting in place an international structure for the sharing of technology and information to better equip developing countries contribute to the global effort against climate change.
Diet of Japan
Chair: Yilin Zhang
Tackling the Nuclear Crisis:
The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in March with a magnitude of 9.0 is the most powerful earthquake that has hit Japan in history and is considered the worst disaster for Japan since World War II. As its aftermath, nuclear powerplants (Japan’s main energy source) have been unstable and hazardous in releasing radiation, leaking radioactive water, and contaminating harvests and seafood. The Diet of Japan will discuss potential solutions to this crisis including finding and developing alternative energy, reactivating idled reactors, and ensuring the safety of the powerplants.
Reviving the Economy:
Previously the affluent Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is currently suffering economically from the depression and the recent earthquake. The Diet of Japan will discuss on current plans in reviving the weak economy and reining the surging Yen. Subtopics may include whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP), which will eliminate all tariffs and imports, Prime Minister Noda’s plan on raising taxes, and policies to relieve the strong Yen’s impact on local firms.
Implementing the Futenma Plan:
The presence of the U.S. Futenma Marine Corps Air Station in Okinawa has constantly caused animosity from Japanese citizens demanding the government to take action in relocating the military base. The Diet of Japan will discuss possible solutions, plans, and consequences of the relocation of the station, including risks of harming U.S.-Japan relations.
Tackling the Nuclear Crisis:
The Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in March with a magnitude of 9.0 is the most powerful earthquake that has hit Japan in history and is considered the worst disaster for Japan since World War II. As its aftermath, nuclear powerplants (Japan’s main energy source) have been unstable and hazardous in releasing radiation, leaking radioactive water, and contaminating harvests and seafood. The Diet of Japan will discuss potential solutions to this crisis including finding and developing alternative energy, reactivating idled reactors, and ensuring the safety of the powerplants.
Reviving the Economy:
Previously the affluent Land of the Rising Sun, Japan is currently suffering economically from the depression and the recent earthquake. The Diet of Japan will discuss on current plans in reviving the weak economy and reining the surging Yen. Subtopics may include whether Japan should join the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement (TPP), which will eliminate all tariffs and imports, Prime Minister Noda’s plan on raising taxes, and policies to relieve the strong Yen’s impact on local firms.
Implementing the Futenma Plan:
The presence of the U.S. Futenma Marine Corps Air Station in Okinawa has constantly caused animosity from Japanese citizens demanding the government to take action in relocating the military base. The Diet of Japan will discuss possible solutions, plans, and consequences of the relocation of the station, including risks of harming U.S.-Japan relations.
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
Chair: Tiffany Tsay
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Developing a Transnational Partnership for Development:
Although the Commonwealth of Nations is an organization of nations with diverse economic, political, and social backgrounds, it is a platform where all member nations are treated as equals. Logically, the Commonwealth is dedicated towards alleviating poverty and developing the economic and social conditions within its member nations. With development being an MDG, the Commonwealth should be further committed towards developing a partnership through which all forms of development, including economic, environmentally sustainable, and human, can be coordinated.
Commonwealth Membership:
Membership in the Commonwealth of Nations previously required member nations to be former countries of the British Empire. However, with Mozambique and more recently, Rwanda joining the group of Commonwealth Nations, many member nations are questioning the existing requirements for membership to the Commonwealth. If more and more exceptions are made, will this body become a second United Nations?
CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND GUIDE
Developing a Transnational Partnership for Development:
Although the Commonwealth of Nations is an organization of nations with diverse economic, political, and social backgrounds, it is a platform where all member nations are treated as equals. Logically, the Commonwealth is dedicated towards alleviating poverty and developing the economic and social conditions within its member nations. With development being an MDG, the Commonwealth should be further committed towards developing a partnership through which all forms of development, including economic, environmentally sustainable, and human, can be coordinated.
Commonwealth Membership:
Membership in the Commonwealth of Nations previously required member nations to be former countries of the British Empire. However, with Mozambique and more recently, Rwanda joining the group of Commonwealth Nations, many member nations are questioning the existing requirements for membership to the Commonwealth. If more and more exceptions are made, will this body become a second United Nations?
Counter Terrorism Implementation Task Force
Chair: Sarah Trillo
The Criminalization of Terrorist Financing:
The committee would be examining what measures have been taken in order to reduce the financing of terrorism worldwide and what can be done to better enforce these measures.
Terrorism and the Internet:
The Internet is being increasingly utilized by terrorist organizations in order to spread their views, recruit members, and plan activity. The committee would discuss how to better understand these activities and what can be done to deter them, without infringing on human rights.
Education and Terrorism:
The committee will discuss the links between terrorism and education and their effect.
The Criminalization of Terrorist Financing:
The committee would be examining what measures have been taken in order to reduce the financing of terrorism worldwide and what can be done to better enforce these measures.
Terrorism and the Internet:
The Internet is being increasingly utilized by terrorist organizations in order to spread their views, recruit members, and plan activity. The committee would discuss how to better understand these activities and what can be done to deter them, without infringing on human rights.
Education and Terrorism:
The committee will discuss the links between terrorism and education and their effect.
European Union
Chair: Elizabeth Rust
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Rights of the Romani People:
France's expulsion of the Roma, more commonly known as "gypsies" (a pejorative term), in 2010 brought the rights of this European ethnic group to international attention for the first time in a number of years. Now, it is time for the European Union to address the issue as a way of building on the efforts of some of its individual member states. The Roma have faced constant discrimination throughout their history, but more recently suffer discrimination most frequently in the realms of employment and education. Meanwhile, levels of unemployment and poverty are extremely high among the Romani people. How can Europe raise the Roma's standards of living while simultaneously making sure to prevent discrimination and avoid infringing on their rights?
Europe's Sovereign Debt Crisis:
The EU has faced a constant threat from rising levels of government debt and several waves of downgrading of government debt in certain members since 2009--and the problem only seems to be getting worse. This session of the European Union will focus on Greece's debt crisis and the consequences--especially the political consequences--of financial instability within the Eurozone.
Education:
While Europe remains one of the most educationally advanced regions of the world, there is a considerable amount of variation within the Eurozone with regard to educational standards and quality. While Northern and Western European students benefit from high-quality education and perform well on international standardized tests, their Eastern European counterparts fall considerably behind. Recently, concern has arisen about the ability of education in Europe to prepare younger generations for higher levels of unemployment and an increasingly globalized world: as a result, this EU session will be sure to touch on issues of higher education and English-language education.
CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND GUIDE
Rights of the Romani People:
France's expulsion of the Roma, more commonly known as "gypsies" (a pejorative term), in 2010 brought the rights of this European ethnic group to international attention for the first time in a number of years. Now, it is time for the European Union to address the issue as a way of building on the efforts of some of its individual member states. The Roma have faced constant discrimination throughout their history, but more recently suffer discrimination most frequently in the realms of employment and education. Meanwhile, levels of unemployment and poverty are extremely high among the Romani people. How can Europe raise the Roma's standards of living while simultaneously making sure to prevent discrimination and avoid infringing on their rights?
Europe's Sovereign Debt Crisis:
The EU has faced a constant threat from rising levels of government debt and several waves of downgrading of government debt in certain members since 2009--and the problem only seems to be getting worse. This session of the European Union will focus on Greece's debt crisis and the consequences--especially the political consequences--of financial instability within the Eurozone.
Education:
While Europe remains one of the most educationally advanced regions of the world, there is a considerable amount of variation within the Eurozone with regard to educational standards and quality. While Northern and Western European students benefit from high-quality education and perform well on international standardized tests, their Eastern European counterparts fall considerably behind. Recently, concern has arisen about the ability of education in Europe to prepare younger generations for higher levels of unemployment and an increasingly globalized world: as a result, this EU session will be sure to touch on issues of higher education and English-language education.
UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Chair: Ankur Bajaj
Youth Empowerment:
As witnessed in the Arab Spring, transnational and domestic youth movements have the power to transform societies. How do we tap into that raw energy to catalyze change and development?
Scientific Literacy:
Increasingly, it’s becoming important to understand how the world works from a scientific lens in order to function successfully in the global economy. What existing educational structures can we leverage to increase this scientific understanding in the world, especially in the secondary level of education? How do you resolve this with the religious context that many states are rooted in?
Death of language:
Globally, minor languages are becoming lost and/or forgotten given the international rise and national consolidation of English, Chinese, Russian, French, Arabic and Spanish. What steps can we take to help preserve them, given their historical and cultural legacy?
Youth Empowerment:
As witnessed in the Arab Spring, transnational and domestic youth movements have the power to transform societies. How do we tap into that raw energy to catalyze change and development?
Scientific Literacy:
Increasingly, it’s becoming important to understand how the world works from a scientific lens in order to function successfully in the global economy. What existing educational structures can we leverage to increase this scientific understanding in the world, especially in the secondary level of education? How do you resolve this with the religious context that many states are rooted in?
Death of language:
Globally, minor languages are becoming lost and/or forgotten given the international rise and national consolidation of English, Chinese, Russian, French, Arabic and Spanish. What steps can we take to help preserve them, given their historical and cultural legacy?
Arab League
CLICK HERE FOR BACKGROUND GUIDE
Since being formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan (renamed Jordan in 1949), Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, the Arab League has grown to encompass 22 nations and four observer members. It was created with the intention to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries." This year, the Arab League is more pertinent to the global community than ever. With the rise of the Arab Spring, the Middle Eastern region has been rocked and in evident need of collaboration by all Arab nations. Issues such as food security, Iran, and the modernization of the region will be addressed by this committee to ensure the continual survival and stability of each Arab nation. Be prepared to adapt to developing crises that may require the immediate attention of the Arab League while working to combat the previously mentioned issues. It is up to the Arab League to determine the future of Arab nations in the international sphere.
Islamic Fundamentalism v. Modernization:
Arab Nations face a new dilemma evolving out of the ashes of the Arab Spring; the choice between Islamic fundamentalism and the attempts to modernize. These choices have presented themselves to Arab nations on various occasions in the past, yet the decision has never been as critical as it is right now. The members of the Arab League face pressing questions regarding the future course of political action in their respective countries. Is Islam holding the Arab nations back from industrialization and modernization that will inevitably help them in securing foreign investment and trade? Is modernization resulting in the weakening of Islam and consequently the position that Arab states hold in the international state system? Will modernization eradicate the cultural roots of the people? Will the shift from fundamental Islam, tone down the very roots that brought different nomadic people together to constitute a nation? These questions pose enumerable challenges for the Arab nations as they try to formulate a desirable course of common action without infringing on the national sovereignty of the member nations.
Food Security in the Arab World:
In a region where the lack of food has led to the incitement of many protests, it is evident that this lack of a basic resource must be addressed. A significant amount of food is obtain through import and this number is only growing. Furthermore, the government subsidizes some foods in an effort to quell the restless public, but such subsidization cannot last much longer with such resources running out. The Arab League must look to implement better policies in this field or face the very real threat of no longer being able to feed its people.
The Iranian Challenge:
The threat of Iran is very prevalent in the Arab world. Not only does Iran’s nuclear ambitions threaten stability in the region but its threats to impose upon other nations’ sovereignty have caused turmoil. While most of the Arab states agree Iran is an issue that must be addressed, they are unable to agree upon a manner to combat the problem. With Iran growing as an actor in the international community, it is essential that the Arab League develops a joint Arab strategy to deal with the Iranian Challenge.