YBMUN 2023

Topic

Ensuring the Resilience of the Poor and Reducing their Vulnerability to Climate – Related Extreme Events

About the committee

#1 : According to a 2017 study by the Brookings Institution, low-income communities are more vulnerable to the risks of natural disasters, and struggle the most to recover. This vulnerability stems from a lack of infrastructure and access to resources such as shutters, generators, food, and medicine. This committee will be tasked with improving the infrastructure of low-income communities and discussing how to increase the availability of disaster relief resources. #2: In recent years there has been a noticeable rise in violent attacks and hate crimes on minority groups. One of the main contributing factors to this increased intolerance is the radicalization of online groups. Far-right groups have used online and community platforms to convert people to ideologies that create divisions. One example of intolerance that has been on the rise is Islamophobia, which has mainly stemmed from the belief that Muslims support terror. Xenophobic descrimination, though, exists around the world and targets countless groups such as the LGBTQ community and indigenous peoples. The delegates of this committee must ensure that each and every citizen of this world received the liberties and freedoms guaranteed to them by the Declaration of Human Rights.

Countries

Topic

Improving Literacy Rates Among Indigenous Peoples

About the committee

#1: Closing the gap between indigenous communities and the rest of modern society has been at the forefront of UNESCO’s work since its inception in 1945. Now, over seventy years later, improving education in indigenous communities is still at the center of UNESCO’s mission. In this committee delegates will be tasked with improving literacy rates among indigenous people. This is an extremely difficult task due to the fact that are over 4,000 vastly different indigenous languages in the world. In Cambodia, for example, the literacy rate for those who do not speak Khmer is over 30% lower than the national literacy rate. Therefore, delegates must discuss how to increase literacy rates while still preserving the culture and languages of indigenous groups. #2: In alignment with target 11.4 which states, “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage” delegates in this committee must address the sad reality that throughout history, many cultural sites have been damaged or destroyed in war. In Syria, for example, the country’s six World Heritage Sites were placed on UNESCO’s list of endangered sites. Since the onset of the civil war, hundreds of sites around the country have been subject to shelling, looting, occupation, and demolition. The destruction of cultural sites, though, is not an issue confined only to Syria. The delegates of UNESCO must confront this occurrence head on and work together to ensure the preservation of both history and tradition. #3: Research has revealed that ocean acidification has increased by 30% since the industrial revolution. This is due to human activities that release carbon dioxide, which is then absorbed by the oceans and converted to carbonic acid. This greatly affects the lives of sea creatures by corroding their shells and skeletons, thus making it impossible for them to live. Delegates must address this growing concern by working to protect coastal areas and decrease carbon emissions in order to ensure a safer future of life below water.

Countries

Topic

Eliminating Child Labor

About the committee

Recent data from UNICEF and the World Bank suggests that over 168 million children ages 5 to 17 are caught in the chains of the child labor system, depirved form their childhood, education, and health. The worst forms of child labor include slavery, forced labor, child soldiering, sexual exploitation, and drug trafficking. Despite steady declines, though, over 100 million children are expected to still be caught in the system by 2020. That being said, the work of this committee to tackle child labor is more important than ever. UNICEF believes that in order to prevent child labor, children must be placed at the center of programs designed to protect their rights. Delegates in this committee will discuss the most effective ways to end child labor, including helpng communities change their their cultural acceptance of child labor, and provindg income, education, and protective services to families.

Countries

Topic

Violence against women in Asia

About the committee

Violence against women is a widespread problem in Asia and affects women of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The most common forms of violence against women in Asia include domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment. In many countries, cultural and societal attitudes and norms often contribute to the prevalence of violence against women and make it difficult for victims to seek help or get justice. In some Asian countries, domestic violence is not considered a crime and there are no laws in place to protect women from abuse by their partners. In other countries, laws exist but are not enforced effectively, leaving women with little recourse in the face of violence. Sexual assault and harassment are also major issues, with victims often facing social stigma and discrimination if they come forward. Efforts are being made in some countries to address violence against women, including passing laws and implementing programs to support victims. However, much more needs to be done to ensure that women in Asia are protected from violence and have access to justice. This requires a sustained and concerted effort from governments, civil society organizations, and individuals to change cultural attitudes and norms that enable violence against women to persist.

Countries