General Assembly
General Assembly committees are great for those who prefer traditional Model UN experiences. They are the biggest type of committee. This year, we have four great general assembly committees:
3rd Committee of the General Assembly: Social, Cultural and Humanitarian (SocHum)
The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs Committee, under the auspices of the General Assembly, oversees topics concerning international societal affairs, including the rights of women, indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees, and other issues of self-determination and human rights. This committee will focus on three specific topics that the chair and assistant chairs feel passionate about to be debated and discussed during the conference. Our goal is to bring awareness to the public by introducing global humanitarian and social issues by having delegates come up with ideas for solutions and resolutions. SocHum will once again be the beginner’s committee for MSUMUN, welcoming to less experienced delegates.
4th Committee of the General Assembly: Special Political and Decolonization (SpecPol)
Special Political and Decolonization is the Fourth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. The mandate of SPECPOL covers a wide variety of issues, making it debatably the most dynamic committee in the General Assembly. The diversity of topics available to SPECPOL makes it possible for every nation to have a strong stake in the debate. The committee often leads delegates to ask some of the most basic and challenging questions that the United Nations faces. Where is the line between national sovereignty and international collaboration? Is there a moral imperative to intervene during a crisis? Does the United Nations allow for an effective way for nations to discourse, or is it dominated by the more powerful nations? SPECPOL will undoubtedly be an exciting and intellectually stimulating experience for everyone involved.
Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change (COP-15)
The Copenhagen Conference on Climate Change is the fifteenth conference of parties for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, taking place in Copenhagen, Denmark from December 7th-18th. Officials from 192 countries will be attending, including many heads of state. This conference is happening at a dire time: the effects and inevitability of climate change is being seen throughout the world, particularly in developing countries, while the Kyoto Protocol is set to expire in 2012. Technology is helping to create new and innovative forms of alternative energy, but without proper funding and technology sharing, they cannot be implemented on a wide scale. Responsibilities of individual countries on every level of development are deeply contested. The hope for this committee is to tackle some of these major issues and explore new solutions.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency which promotes international peace through a collaboration between education, science, culture, and communication. While promoting international dialogue, UNESCO works to form innovative ideas and build knowledge to solve ethical issues and current global problems through universal accords. UNESCO is currently tackling human rights, standardized education, urban growth, natural science programs, cultural issues and a variety of further international concerns. At MSUMUN 2010, UNESCO will touch on three unique and thought-provoking topics which survey UNESCO’s three areas of cooperation: education, science and culture.
