Chair: Henry Chen

Topic 1: Improving Access to Quality Education

Our children and students of today will become the leaders of tomorrow. It is imperative that we educate them well and prepare them for their roles. According to the Harvard Review of Latin America, roughly 14 percent of current adults in Latin America cannot read or write at all, which severely limits their potential job opportunities and abilities to rise out of poverty . There have been efforts to decrease this number, namely by trying to increase enrollment in pre-primary, primary and secondary education. However, this deficiency is still far from resolved. At least 12 million children and adolescents ranging between ages seven to eighteen are currently out of the educational system. While the issue is evidently problematic, the reasons behind it are more nuanced. Intergenerational poverty can fuel the cycle of children not attending school—and it reflects income inequality just as much as educational disparities. With poverty and education so deeply linked, how can we devise solutions to adequately address both sides and break the loop? If successful, these actions could perpetuate a positive cycle of education. Delegates must grapple with two key considerations. First, they must understand the history and relevance of the poverty-education tie. Second, they must also take into account strategies and policies for promoting education once the loop is broken. The future of Latin America’s growth is at stake.

Topic 2: Sustainably Governing Natural Resources

Latin America is fortunate to have been endowed with diverse and abundant natural resources. These are not only beautiful, but also economically important, as many of the resources are vital to industries around the world. For example, according to the International Energy Agency, Latin American mining produces 45 percent of the world's copper and 50 percent of the world's silver. As a result, these natural resources have been highly sought after and exploited throughout history from eras like the industrial revolution to the clean energy transition. Today, they are unevenly distributed. Working to resolve this is vital because these same resources offer massive opportunities for growth and wealth in Latin America if used properly. However, the issue is not just making sure Latin America gets its fair share, but also sustainably managing these natural resources so future generations of Latin Americans can harness them. Delegates will grapple with what it means to develop transparent and fair governance policies. They will also have to address the nexus of accountability and active citizen participation in these policies. How can we strike a balance between economic gain from these resources, natural resource preservation, and the activities of neighboring communities? Is there even a way when they are usually all at odds with each other? What compromises or sacrifices should countries be willing to make?

Chair: Clarissa Tan

Topic 1: Preserving Indigenous Ruins and Cultural Heritage

Our world is scattered with remains of ancient civilizations and settlements, embodying great achievements of humanity while serving as essential reminders of history. From Machu Picchu to Chichén Itzá, these sites are not only impressive architectural masterpieces, but were also important economic, social and cultural centers for indigenous populations of the past. Amidst growing interconnectedness and the rise of tourism, how can we best preserve indigenous ruins for future generations? This committee is tasked with encouraging education gained from vibrant former communities, while protecting their physical integrity and cultural value, as well as applying this knowledge to respect surviving indigenous communities.

Topic 2: Protecting the Amazon Rainforest and its Communities

Spread over eight South American countries and located 60 percent in Brazil, the Amazon Rainforest is home to a vibrant ecosystem and over 400 tribes of indigenous populations. Many of these tribes remain “uncontacted,” preferring to live by the rules of nature alone. However, their safety is threatened by encroaching developments of modern society, such as illegal loggers and cattle ranchers, which trespass over native lands and bring disease. Industrial developments can have detrimental impacts on indigenous ecosystems, and perpetuate injustices such as marginalization and denial of indigenous self-determination. Threats of deforestation, logging and gold mining are detrimental to local biodiversity and sustainable land use. Thus, the committee has called for an agreement to be formed between national governments to protect the Amazon Rainforest, ensuring the livelihood of indigenous rights and cultures.

Chair: Dylan Bober

Topic 1: Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is a major criminal operation that leads to violence, corruption, and destabilized communities. It is a $652 billion black market that will take the cooperation of the world to solve. As the sun sets on the failed War on Drugs, the committee seeks innovative and progressive solutions that build upon outdated approaches. Delegates will grapple with the multifaceted challenges posed by drug trafficking, exploring alternative strategies that prioritize harm reduction, public health and international cooperation. They will focus on the root causes of trafficking, and not just attempt to criminalize drug users. Delegates are encouraged to prioritize approaches that emphasize diversion from the drug trade and reduce the demand for drugs, rather than just the supply.

Topic 2: Money Laundering and Illicit Financial Flows

With the rise of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), money laundering has become easier than ever for criminals around the world. The ability to launder money enables criminal organizations to make their funds appear to have legitimate sources, even if they ultimately come from drug trafficking or other illegal operations. However, making money laundering more difficult can reduce incentives for criminal activity. Delegates must grapple with the urgent need to adapt, innovate and stay one step ahead of those seeking to exploit the digital realm for nefarious purposes. The committee's mission is to craft comprehensive strategies that respond to these new advances in technology and safeguard the integrity of financial systems, protecting nations from the corrosive influence of dirty money. Delegates may also address gaps in money laundering enforcement outside the realm of digital technology.

Chair: Zakira Bakshi

Topic 1: Promoting Environmental Governance and Multilateralism

The fight against climate change is the biggest challenge facing humanity and in order to achieve success it requires the participation of everyone, from every citizen to every government. In a world that prioritizes economic interests over environmental ones, inclusive environmental governance and multilateralism will play an essential role in bringing countries together and establishing a common strategy with a common goal of safeguarding the planet. Multilateralism is usually defined as collaboration between countries, global organizations, and regional organizations to make their essential contribution to tackle climate change. Hence, this committee advocates for inclusive governance, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement across all sectors of society, ensuring transparent and accountable decision-making processes. Central to its mission is the empowerment of nations, particularly developing countries, through capacity building, technical support, and the promotion of environmental democracy. It champions the principles of public access to environmental information, participation in environmental governance, and the right to environmental justice, aiming to create a more equitable and sustainable future.

The committee's focus on fostering innovative partnerships with public, private, and civil society actors underscores the importance of collective action, required to overcome environmental challenges. Delegates play a pivotal role in galvanizing international efforts towards robust environmental governance and multilateralism, crucial for tackling global sustainability challenges. By spearheading the development, implementation, and reinforcement of multilateral eEnvironmental aAgreements (MEAs), delegates should facilitate global cooperation and legal compliance to address pressing issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Through its commitment to environmental governance and multilateralism, the delegates underscore the critical need for global solidarity and concerted efforts in safeguarding our planet for future generations, encapsulating a holistic approach to achieving planetary health and human well-being.

Topic 2: Combating Climate-Induced Migration and Displacement

Climate-induced migration and displacement have recently become a paramount threat to global peace and security. Climate change affects all areas of human security (food, water, social, economic, political, energy and environmental) and undermines sustainable development efforts with a disproportionate impact on communities with existing vulnerabilities, including migrants, women and girls, children, youth, older persons, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples. Global warming and environmental changes are placing added stress on governments already unable to meet national development needs, deepening socio-economic fragility and increasing political grievances. In fragile and conflict-affected states, these dynamics exacerbate tensions, particularly when national and local policies fail to address the causes of existing tension and implement local mediation and dispute resolution mechanisms with the most vulnerable and marginalized groups for whom natural resources are depleted and traditional livelihoods progressively destroyed.

According to the World Bank, by 2030, climate change could push up to 132 million more people into extreme poverty without early and concerted climate and development action. With this awareness, in addition to the importance of calling upon governments to limit their carbon emissions, the delegates are expected to figure out solutions for people and communities impacted by the interplay between climate change effects and conflicts. This agenda calls for longer-term development, peacebuilding, adaptation and disaster risk reduction policies that strengthen the resilience of migrants, displaced people and hosted communities to ensure durable solutions. International cooperation and solidarity are essential, requiring the mobilization of resources and the development of partnerships across sectors. Proactive strategies, such as land-use planning and disaster risk reduction, are crucial for preventing displacement, while integrating climate considerations into migration policies can help manage its impacts. By embracing an integrated approach that combines environmental, social, and political dimensions, the global community can work towards mitigating climate-induced displacement and fostering a more resilient and equitable future.