COMMITTEES
SOCHUM: Combatting Disinformation and Misinformation as Threats to Human Rights, Social Cohesion and Global Governance
Disinformation and misinformation have become global issues with direct consequences for both human security and the stability of the international order. From artificial intelligence deepfakes to state backed election interference, the spread of false information can undermine trust in critical institutions, often at great human cost. During the Covid 19 pandemic for example, disinformation campaigns led to people rejecting the life saving recommendations of the World Health Organisation, challenging its legitimacy.
In this committee, delegates will examine how misinformation and disinformation spread, address the threat it poses to global governance, and consider potential solutions. Throughout their deliberations, delegates must balance the need to address misinformation and disinformation with the responsibility to uphold freedom of expression.
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SOCHUM operates as a General Assembly (GA) Committee where delegates work to create a unified document called a final resolution paper. The committee revolves around a singular topic. Delegates will represent different countries, and are expected to collaborate with each other, form blocs, debate the topic, and propose resolutions that will be voted on. GA Committees are the largest and are suitable for all levels of experience.
UNHRC: Ensuring Accountability and Addressing Civilian Harm in Contemporary Conflicts involving Prohibited Weapons
In recent conflicts around the world, such as in Syria and Ukraine, both state and non-state actors have ignored prohibitions on chemical weapons, cluster munitions, and other banned weapons. As a consequence, high rates of civilian casualties define these conflicts. Beyond the human cost, growing disregard for international rules and norms leads to a decline in the influence of international humanitarian law, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. Furthermore, it undermines the importance of the institutions, such as the UNHRC, that work to ensure accountability for human rights abuses.
In this committee, delegates must work to break this cycle by addressing the civilian harm caused by prohibited weapons, analyzing why violations often go unpunished, and proposing ways to strengthen accountability.
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UNHRC is a specialized committee model centred on a single topic, with a narrower, more focused scope. The format is the same as a GA, but it operates at a faster pace, as this committee is smaller than a GA. Delegates have the same expectations, but at a higher level. A specialized committee is most suitable for delegates who are passionate about the topic and have previous experience.
Cuban Missile Crisis: The International Summit Amidst the 13 Day Standoff
For 13 days in October 1962, the world stood on the brink of nuclear war. It was the peak of the Cold War, when distrust and the existential divide between the Soviet Union and the United States defined the international order. On October 14th, Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba that could be used against the United States. Tensions were already higher than they had ever been, as the United States had invaded Cuba the previous year and had missiles placed in Turkey poised to strike the Soviet Union. It took a combination of diplomacy, level-headedness, and luck to avoid armageddon.
In this fast-paced crisis committee, delegates are tasked with navigating the perilous dynamics of Cold War diplomacy in order to avert nuclear war. Recommended for only experienced delegates, this committee will require creative problem-solving, adaptive thinking, and confidence in managing high-stakes situations.
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The Cold War Crisis Committee is a historical crisis model where delegates encounter multiple challenges and obstacles in a changing situation. There are 2 aspects of this committee: the committee itself and the backroom. The Backroom is where delegates may write personal or joint directives to influence the committee and plotline. Delegates are expected to participate and balance both. Multiple topics are debated throughout the committee and are motioned by delegates. The goal of the committee is to resolve the crisis through collaborative efforts and directives. Delegates represent advisors, giving them more autonomy and are expected to debate, collaborate, adapt to the situation and write all different types of directives. Crisis committees are typically smaller and are most suitable for delegates who have previous experience and are confident in public speaking skills, debate skills, and Model UN procedures.
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