Director: Alexandra Ceballos

Assistant Director: Mia Chiang

In 1961, resolution 1710 (XVI) marked the 1960’s as the United Nations’ first “Development Decade,” representing the UN’s recognition of major issues affecting the global community at the time. Issues such as combating disease, promoting literacy and hunger arose as a part of the major target areas. Alongside this proclamation of a Development Decade was the establishment of the experimental version of the World Food Programme (WFP) we know today. Proposed as a joint collaboration between the United Nations and the United Nations and its Food and Agriculture Organization to specifically address the threat of world hunger. 4 years later, the World Food Programme was extended, with additional funding and further collaboration with other UN organizations, and became the organization we know today. To this day, the World Food Programme seeks to empower communities through their relief and food assistance programs around the world.

Topic 1: The Displacement Crises and their effect on Global Food Insecurity

Conflict and climate change lead among the causes of hunger worldwide. As defined by the International Organization for Migration, displacement is migration driven by force or obligation as a result of natural or human-directed disasters. As conflict-affected areas in Africa see growing rates of food instability, countries in East Asia grow more susceptible to the effects natural disasters like floods can bring upon their food supply. How have we seen climate-induced displacement and violence-induced displacement overlap? Consider the global food supply, the regions of the world where certain foods are produced, and the labor that such areas require. Should climate and violence put those regions at risk, how should we mitigate the effects such events have on not just the individuals living in these areas, but those who depend on the food it generates? In the face of such a multifaceted issue, delegates will have the opportunity to define for themselves where the effects of the kinds of displacement spill over into global food insecurity, and where the solution can begin.

Topic 2: The Future of Food Science and Technology

Food science and technology has been a field propelled by climate change and supply in recent years. From cellular agriculture that produces animal products like meat and eggs through cell cultures, to upcycling food waste using anaerobic digestion, these developments continue to redefine what solutions to world hunger are within our control. At the same time, these technologies do not change the reality of the food industry’s need to meet demand while ensuring sustainability. The task of evaluating the extent at which the future of food science and technology is an accessible one is truly a critical step forward. As the World Food Programme particularly seeks to build resilience within the world’s most vulnerable and geographically-isolated, it is critical to acknowledge this important part of the WFP’s impact. How can we ensure that developments in food science and technology reach remote communities? Furthermore, how can these developments work towards solving other aspects of world hunger, like curbing food waste? Delegates will have the opportunity to debate this question not only from their regional perspective, but refer to the global market and its sectors to contribute to fruitful discussion on the subject.

Director: Kyle Guo

Assistant Director: Seoyoung Ann

The UN Inter-Agency Committee on Bioethics promotes and coordinates the policies that are universally accepted in the field of bioethics by inter-governmental agencies and organizations. This committee also facilitates international dialogue and understanding on bioethical issues, ensuring that diverse cultural, legal, and ethical perspectives are considered in global policymaking. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in developing educational and public awareness programs on bioethics, aiming to enhance global ethical standards in science and technology.

Topic 1: The Ethics of Organ Transplantation

As biomedical innovation has advanced, we have been able to introduce new life-saving technologies and procedures, such as organ transplantation. Nowadays, it has become commonplace for organ transplant procedures to be practiced in hospitals around the globe. However, as these types of procedures have become more readily available, hospitals are now seeing a shortage of organs. Even with efforts to promote organ donation and introduce new methods such as partial organ transplantation, hospitals are seeing organ wait lists that require patients to wait years to receive an organ, many of whom do not have the time to wait. Thus, decisions regarding organ donation policies and how wait lists are managed have become increasingly important, and quite literally put the lives of people in the hands of these decision makers.

Topic 2: The New Era of Public Health

Public health has been an integral component of civilization for as long as we can remember. Historically, pandemics, infectious outbreaks, and disease have terrorized masses of people, leading to governments putting in place policies to slow the spread of disease, pushing for innovation in vaccine development, and more. However, as societies have found adequate methods to control such public health threats, we are entering a new era of public health that aims to tackle the lifestyle that people have adopted. We have seen governments tackle alcohol, tobacco, obesity, and more in an effort to prevent the shrinking of life expectancy as people in mostly developed countries are adopting more unhealthy lifestyles. How do we determine where the line sits for an appropriate level of government intervention in these areas, and when is it considered to be overstepping?

Director: Elizabeth Steeves

Assistant Director: Eunbin Amylia Hong

This committee is focused on updating the UN sustainable development goals after the existing 2030 set expires. This would be an update to the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and attempt to set a more achievable and actionable vision for global peace and sustainability.

Topic 1: Drafting new Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and Beyond

In 2012, a United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was held in Rio to develop a vision for “The Future We Want.” As a result of this conference, the 17 UN Sustainable development Goals were adopted by all member states in 2017. The goals are ambitious, and each includes between 8 and 12 targets that we hope to achieve by 2030. These goals have received significant criticism for being too vague, broad, widespread, and underfunded to be achievable. In this committee, we will reevaluate and condense these goals down to three that are realistic, achievable, and productive. This task asks delegates to prioritize beyond the many vague goals currently in use. Although our discussion will primarily focus around Goal 13 (climate action), Goal 2 (zero hunger), and Goal 4 (quality education), delegates are welcome to propose focusing on different goals as we modify these criteria and set a plan for the future. With these goals, this committee will create a global vision for peace and prosperity for the next 15 years.

Topic 2: Building international infrastructure for the successful implementation of those goals

Another major criticism with the SDGs centers around the UN’s inability to actually implement their vision. For example, SDG 4, quality education, consists of 7 targets, 12 indicators, and 3 means of actual application. 8 of those indicators are meant to be achieved by 2030, and many are much too ambitious for that to be realistic. For example, Target 4.3 “By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.” Of course, university has only gotten less affordable since this goal was implemented. This topic asks delegates to develop a new enforcement mechanism and a plan of action for their new goals that can make their vision binding, urgent, and achievable. This can include anything from political agreements to the creation of new task forces to funding incentives and disincentives. By the close of the last committee session, delegates will have a way to implement their goals.

Director: Elora Kim

Assistant Director: Chloe Oh

Traditional foods and its culinary practices are critical aspects to one’s nation and culture, driving economic impact and cultural significance. Yet, the rise in globalization and the shift in food identity as a result create issues that pervade across the globe, from cultural appropriation of cuisines to the loss of traditional food-related knowledge in younger generations. In this committee, we will discuss and explore the complexities of these issues that obstruct the preservation of food-related cultural practices and traditions today and seek to find holistic solutions to combat them.

Topic 1: Cultural Appropriation in Food

With the rise of cultural exchange and globalized food markets in the last few centuries, cultural appropriation has been increasingly prevalent in cuisines around the world. Traditional foods and culinary practices are commercialized and misrepresented by outside cultures, undermining the significance of foods and practices for communities that originate them and raising important ethical questions about sensitivity, authenticity, and cultural respect in the food culture. Delegates will examine the impact of cultural appropriation on cuisines and marginalized communities, exploring strategies to promote cultural preservation and understanding, respect, and accurate representation within the global food market.

Topic 2: Loss of Traditional Knowledge

Traditional food-related knowledge, such as recipes, cooking techniques, and food preservation methods is often passed down from generation to generation. However, with the rise of globalization and the risk of cultural homogenization, younger generations and the Gen Z are disconnected and will become more disconnected from their cultural heritage, leaving their knowledge of traditional culinary practices and traditions at the risk of being lost and irretrievable. Delegates will seek solutions for the succeeding younger generations to avoid disconnection and preserve their knowledge of their unique cultural identities and traditional culinary practices.

Director: Taehyong Ko

Assistant Director: Charles Yang

This committee will tackle the demographic issues that are challenging many countries in East Asia, including that of Korea. These issues also lend themselves to economic challenges such as labor shortages, rising healthcare costs, and a challenging housing market that will need to be discussed. What comprehensive strategies can be used to tackle these problems?

Topic 1: Low Birth Rates and Aging Population

Many countries, such as Korea, Japan, and China, are all suffering from low birth rates and an aging population. Low birth rates and aging populations are significant issues as they hamper economic growth, strain social welfare systems, and stunt a country’s global competitiveness. For example, an aging population will typically lead to a decline in the size of the workforce. The ensuing labor shortages and smaller working-age population puts a strain on existing pension systems, healthcare, and other social welfare programs, all of which will slow down economic growth. How can these issues be combatted? What policies would be most effective? To what extent should governments be allowed to address the issue?

Topic 2: Youth Unemployment Crisis in East Asia

In East Asia, youth unemployment has emerged as one of the most significant socio-economic challenges of the century. Despite the rapid industrialization and economic growth that has occurred in the region, factors such as the shift in the job market and disparities in educational opportunities have led to a youth unemployment crisis in many countries throughout East Asia. For example, the rise of higher education without a similar increase in advanced job opportunities have left many young college graduates struggling to obtain employment. In response to such challenges, many East Asian governments have explored different strategies such as the promotion of entrepreneurship, enhancement of vocational training, and improved labor market flexibility. Which of these strategies have proven to be effective, if any? How many resources should governments dedicate to fixing the issue of an increasingly smaller demographic?

Director: Ava Chae

Assistant Directors: Desmund Loo and Annie Cho

The Goryeo dynasty has fallen after decades of internal tension and cross-border strife. It is now the year 1392, and the new dynasty needs to be raised to build Korea stronger, secure its borders, and develop its identity. Seeking fresh ideas and innovative solutions, the new leaders have opened an emergency council consisting of military officers, policy advisors, cultural ministers, and general citizens to discuss how to construct a long-lasting dynasty.

Topic 1: Establishing the Pillars of Power

As the Joseon Dynasty begins to establish its identity, the council must navigate the complexities of forming a resilient government structure and developing frameworks for diplomacy. Considering the previous Goryeo dynasty’s history of internal political instability and weak military strength, delegates must reorganize the bureaucratic hierarchy and redevelop the approach towards foreign entities. Delegates will debate the roles and powers of various advisors and officials within the palace bureaucracy to better reflect the new dynasty’s priorities and goals. Discussions will also center around military alliances, diplomatic missions, and trade agreements to enhance Joseon’s economic and political stature amidst the geopolitical landscape involving neighboring states such as Ming China and Japan.

Topic 2: Cultivating Enlightenment

Moving forward, where should Joseon invest to improve societal welfare and its international position? To redefine the Joseon dynasty, the council must determine how to strengthen national identity through cultural and scientific innovations. Delegates must consider how such pursuits should be supported by the government and where the focus of funds should be to build a robust dynasty. The discussion will revolve around the societal impact of loosening the aristocracy’s monopoly on knowledge as well as the implications of integrating new ideas into the broader economic and political framework. The council must also address the resistance from conservative beliefs while uniting progressive approaches with traditional methods to propel Joseon into a new age of enlightenment.

Director: Kate Foglesong

Assistant Director: Yuki Ikeda

Since its establishment in 1972, the UNEP has encouraged partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. This committee will tackle some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our planet in the modern day.

Topic 1: Addressing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a vast accumulation of floating plastic debris between Hawaii and California, three times the size of France. It is a critical environmental challenge, posing a significant threat to marine life and affecting the health of ocean ecosystems globally. Most notably, it creates millions of microplastics, leads to the entanglement of sea animals in the floating plastic, and blocks sunlight from flora and fauna living below. This committee will delve into the sources of plastic pollution, its long-term ecological impacts, and the efficacy of existing international agreements aimed at reducing marine debris. Delegates will explore how to clean up the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, including innovative strategies for waste management, enhanced recycling technologies, and international cooperation to minimize plastic leakage into the ocean. This discussion is vital for developing actionable policies to restore marine biodiversity, ensure sustainability, and protect ocean life.

Topic 2: Managing Industrial Hazardous Waste Pollution

Industrial hazardous waste pollution is a pressing global issue with significant repercussions for environmental health and public safety. The U.S. alone produces approximately 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste annually, and manufacturing processes are responsible for about 24% of global emissions. Inadequate disposal techniques and a lack of stringent regulatory frameworks in many regions exacerbate this issue. In UNEP, delegates will address the challenges of managing hazardous waste from industrial sources, including chemicals, electronic waste, and heavy metals. This committee will explore and evaluate the effectiveness of current international standards and protocols, discuss technological advancements in waste treatment and disposal, and consider policy reforms to enforce stricter compliance. Delegates in UNEP will develop global strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of industrial processes and promote sustainable industrial practices, thereby protecting both human health and the environment from the adverse effects of hazardous waste.

Director: Raymond Jin

Assistant Director: Colin Ji

The IMF is an international organization focused on helping countries achieve economic success by promoting financial stability and monetary cooperation. Beyond just advising member states, the IMF also provides loans and other forms of financial assistance as needed to ensure that countries can continue to prosper and develop. As stated on its website, the IMF has three main goals: furthering international monetary cooperation, encouraging the expansion of trade and economic growth, and discouraging policies that would harm prosperity.

Topic 1: The Role of Central Banks in Climate Solutions

Since their inception over 300 years ago, central banks around the world have played a key role in ensuring economic and financial stability in their home countries. Although their functions have evolved over time, the central banks of today are primarily tasked with controlling a country’s currency and managing its monetary policy. In times of crisis, they can also act as a so-called lender of last resort or engage in other practices to ensure that a country’s economy survives. Through various mechanisms, central banks are often tasked with both or just one of the following goals: stable prices and low unemployment. Even though these are certainly important mandates, the world today is facing another unprecedented existential crisis: climate change. Many of the solutions for climate change come directly from technological innovation and government policies, but economic and financial systems are also vital in ensuring the success of climate solutions. As such, the question arises of what role, if any, central banks should play as the world grapples with climate change. Given the enormous power that central banks yield, understanding the consequences of their action or inaction on the climate, economic systems, and society as a whole will be essential in the coming few years. Today’s decisions on what central banks should and should not do will have deep implications for the world’s future.

Topic 2: The Future of Global Supply Chains

Since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the world has become an increasingly globalized place. Goods that were once produced and consumed within the same town are now being transported around the world to reach their final destinations. According to traditional economic theory, this type of globalization and trade is beneficial for everyone involved. It allows for places to specialize in producing certain goods, lowering their prices and enabling more people around the world to access various needs and wants. However, in recent years, these global supply chains have faced a multitude of challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed just how fragile the entire system was; more recent geopolitical conflicts and tensions have further disrupted supply chains. In light of all of this, many countries are reconsidering the past few decades of globalization. For both national security and economic reasons, countries have begun attempts to bring supply chains back within their borders. These changes then raise the question of what the future of global supply chains may be. How countries react to these changes - whether it be perpetuating them, stopping them, or doing something else altogether - will have severe consequences for the world. As such, it will be critical to evaluate the implications of such changes so that decisions about the future of supply chains can be made.

Director: Frank Lin

Assistant Director: Jimin Kim

After experiencing three decades of sustained growth, in the late 1990s Korea began facing a financial crisis that threatened to undo all the socioeconomic progress the nation had achieved since independence. In 1997 Korea found itself at the epicenter of the brewing Asian Financial Crisis, often called the first modern financial crisis, and its government had to respond immediately and drastically to avoid catastrophe and reposition Korea for future growth.

Topic 1: The International Monetary Fund, the currency crisis, and the threat of financial collapse

In 1997, following the collapse of various currencies across the emerging markets, the Korean won became the target of fierce speculative attacks. Korea’s government had to make quick decisions about how best to protect its currency. The International Monetary Fund offered to help, but the conditions it offered were so onerous that many claimed accepting them would be tantamount to giving up Korea’s economic independence. The currency instability also exposed vulnerabilities in the wider financial system; to support aggressive business expansion in the 1980s and 1990s, Korean banks had signed on a series of non-performing loans that now threatened to disrupt the wider financial infrastructure. The State Council must decide how best to negotiate with the IMF and protect the tethering currency, and it must act fast to prevent the financial crisis from deteriorating.

Topic 2: Defending the Miracle on the Han River

In the decades leading up to the 1990s, Korea experienced a period of unprecedented economic growth known as the miracle on the Han River, catapulting the nation from a poor agrarian state to one of the world’s most advanced economies in the span of just one generation. However, the financial crisis quickly spread into the rest of the economy, as banks and industrial conglomerates failed across the board. Major Korean businesses, including Kia Motors and Samsung, tethered on the brink of collapse, and confidence in the government was hit by a series of scandals. The State Council must decide how to fight the growing recession as well as fix structural issues in the economy, such as the power of the chaebols, rampant corruption and a proliferation of irresponsible loans, to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

Director: Caleb Nieh

Assistant Director: Tommy Jang

The Interstellar Diplomatic Council (IDC) is a specialized committee that simulates diplomatic relations and negotiations among extraterrestrial civilizations in a fictional future (the year 2030) where humanity has made contact with intelligent life beyond Earth. Delegates will represent different alien species, human ambassadors, and interstellar organizations as they navigate complex interspecies relations, intergalactic conflicts, and cosmic diplomacy. Delegates will meet at a futurist, neutral space station orbiting a star between the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way galaxy.

Topic 1: Galactic Security and Defense

Advanced astronomical technology has enabled intergalactic travel spanning millions of light-years between the Milky Way and neighboring galaxies such as the Andromeda Galaxy, Triangulum Galaxy, and Large/Small Magellanic Clouds. Presently, humans have only just made contact with extraterrestrial civilizations in the Andromeda Galaxy, located 2.537 million light-years away. This civilization is quite advanced, quite possibly more than human civilization. Humans have called this civilization the Limirans, inhabiting the planet called Lumira which orbits a star similar to humankind’s sun. Lumira is a lush world with diverse ecosystems, abundant resources, and a rich history of colonizing other planets around their own galaxy. Resistance movements have spread among other nations, such as Nova Haven and Stellaris Vortex. Extraterrestrial civilizations on these two planets have made contact with humankind asking for support in their resistance efforts. Lumira threatens to target regions of Earth’s Milky Way if humans intervene. Meanwhile, other solar systems in the Milky Way have already begun to take up arms against Lumira. Delegates will address threats to interstellar peace and security, including territorial disputes, arms proliferation, and alien factions. Discussions may focus on collective defense mechanisms, disarmament initiatives, and peacekeeping operations in response to the Limiran attacks.

Topic 2: Intergalactic Trade and Commerce

Representatives from all parties, spanning both galaxies, convene to negotiate trade agreements, economic partnerships, and resource-sharing arrangements among alien civilizations. Disruptions on interstellar trade routes by intergalactic pirates and currency exchange rates lead to instability in the governance of international trade. And, the advancement of technology has led to a serious need for resource extraction from civilizations on planets among both galaxies. However, pre-existing conflict and power structures create tension in the acquisition of one precious resource: rhodium. Rhodium, a precious metal crucial for catalytic converters and advanced propulsion systems, is more abundant in the Milky Way Galaxy than in the Andromeda Galaxy, yet the latter boasts superior advancements in technology and innovation. This committee must negotiate among representatives of different extraterrestrial life to address the rhodium disparities– or not.

Director: Mark Chung

Assistant Director: Hanna Lee and Jihyo Kang

On February 6, 1840, a historic treaty was signed between the British Crown and around 540 Indigenous Māori chiefs who called the islands of Aotearoa (New Zealand) home. The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) would go on to define the nation's Indigenous policies to the current-day, being the foundation of debates ranging from landback rights to citizenship policies for Indigenous peoples. This committee would be divided into two sections, exploring the historic and modern implications of the Treaty: the first half would be a historic committee simulating the 1840 signing, and the second half would adopt the modern New Zealand parliament structure to discuss the present contexts of the Treaty.

Topic 1: 1840: Signing of Te Tiriti

The first portion of this committee will be based on the historical dialogues that occurred between the British Colonial government and Māori chiefs. Debate will primarily center on the question of rule of the British Crown versus Indigenous sovereignty, and will incorporate discussions of trade, land and resource rights, and citizenship. How can the two parties create an agreement that properly addresses cultural, linguistic, and political differences? How will the historic compromises made in the Treaty affect New Zealand’s future?

Topic 2: Te Tiriti Today

The second portion of this committee will adopt the structure of the present-day New Zealand Parliament (delegates will be assigned a new position with roughly parallel political alignments as their historic assignments). Delegates will discuss the present-day implications of the Treaty, especially as it pertains to Landback activism and Māori reparations. Delegates will analyze the treaty/treaties that they sign during Topic 1 through a modern lens during this portion of the committee.