NPSI – Model United Nations – 2018
The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural committee
Study Guide Cover:
Introduction to committee:
The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural committee or SOCHUM, is one of the three General Assembly committees established in 1947 and follows the rules of the General Assembly as set out in the Charter of the United Nations. It comprises of 193 member nations and enables non-member states and other bodies to participate in and to observe meetings. However, the attendance of these external entities must be warranted by the UN and they are not permitted to vote during committee sessions.
As its name suggests, the committee’s mandate encompasses addressing social, cultural, and humanitarian issues, inclusive of issues concerning the advancement of women’s rights, the protection of children, indigenous issues, the treatment of refugees and economic migrants, the promotion of fundamental freedoms through the elimination of racism and racial discrimination, and the right to self- determination. The committee also addresses prevalent social development issues related to youth, family, ageing, persons with disabilities, prevention of heinous crime, criminal justice, and control over the international drug epidemic.
It is imperative to bear in mind that resolutions passed in this committee are non-binding. It would be to your benefit to perceive feasible solutions as recommendations which can be ratified and adjusted by member nations, taking into consideration past, present, and potential developments to the issue at hand.
Conventionally, SOCHUM has been recognized as a novice committee but do not be misled by that general consensus. It takes patience, perseverance, and open-mindedness to comprehend the demarcations of morality for each individual and nation – something you must be willing to do once you set foot in this committee. It is challenging to ascertain an unanimous understanding on a “social, humanitarian, or cultural” issue due to the idiosyncratic manner in which we perceive them. What one construes as a violation of integrity may be holy to another. Therefore, it is paramount that you attempt to understand where the issue stems from and whether the belief that serves as its foundation can be challenged objectively and if so, repealed and replaced by one that changes the lives of those involved for the better. That is what we aim to achieve in SOCHUM.
Helpful resources:
http://www.un.org/ga/third
http://www.un.org/en/ga/third/index.shtml
http://www.un.org/en/sections/documents/general-assembly-resolutions/index.html
AGENDA II
Adolescent Sexuality and Reproductive Health
1: Introduction to the topic
Adolescence; is inherently a subjective experience, shaped by culture and social structure amongst other things. The United Nations defines adolescents as persons aged 10-19 years, without prejudice to alternative definitions of the same by Member States. In 2009 there were an estimated 1.2 billion adolescents in the world, collectively making up 18% of the world’s population. Since then, this number has only been increasing. A large majority of these individuals live in developing countries, with the least developed countries being home to around 16% of all adolescents. The onset of adolescence is characterized by changes to the body, both physical and mental. However, for many people around the world, adolescence also brings with it a new and heightened vulnerability to human rights abuses, particularly in the areas of sexuality, marriage and childbearing. While sexual initiation and sexual activity vary considerably depending on the region, country and even sex, all around the world adolescents are reaching puberty earlier, often engaging in sexual activity at a younger age, and marrying later. As a result, they are sexually mature for longer periods, especially before marriage than has historically been the case.
2: History and development
While Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) has been a historically overlooked issue, in recent years have shown international agencies have started providing programmatic funding focused on improving ARSH globally. It is important to note that ASRH rights are based in several legal instruments – in 2002, the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children recognized the need to develop and implement health policies and programs for adolescents that promote their physical and mental health; in 2003, the Committee of the Convention on the rights of the Child issued a comment that recognised the special health and development needs, as well as rights of adolescents and young people. Other supporting instruments include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the right to health which is a concept included in several international agreements such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Millenium Development Goals of 2000—which included indicators to reduce pregnancy rates among 15-19 year olds, increasing education about HIV, and reducing its spread among young people. While this is a start, it It is important that ARSH be prioritised on the global agenda to prevent millions of people from enduring a painful and damaging transition into adulthood fraught with ill-health and trauma.
Action taken so far:
There have been a series of commitments made in the past by governments at the United Nations in response to young people’s need for services that protect and promote their sexual and reproductive health. Most notably at the International Conference of Population and Development in Cairo 1994 which is detailed in the Programme of Action paragraph 7.3.
3: Sub issues
3.1 Pregnancy, contraception and abortion
Neglecting ARSH has dangerous implications, more so for females than males such as, but not limited to…. Sixteen million girls aged 15–19 give birth each year, which is approximately 11% of all births worldwide; 95% of these births occur in LMICs. For adolescent girls, Ppregnancy, and thus younger mothers, amongst very young mothers is a significant problem; in LMICs, almost 10% of girls become mothers by age 16, with the highest rates in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Central and Southeast Asia. Many of these are unwanted. Pregnancy and motherhood poses physical risks in the form of unsafe abortions, dangerous births with complications that include such as anemia, malaria and postpartum hemorrhage as well as postpartum depression. In addition, their educational achievements and economic potential are usually compromised. Adolescent girls are also more vulnerable than boys to HIV exposure, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) [see below], sexual coercion, substance abuse, exploitation, and violence. All these result in poor outcomes for adolescent offsprings, who have higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight and asphyxia, and perinatal and neonatal mortality.
Globally, it is estimated that more than 220 million women in LMICs have an unmet need for family planning and little progress has been made in increasing uptake of contraception.
3.2 HIV/AIDS and STIs
Young people are currently the group most severely impacted by HIV/AIDS. In 2009, young people aged between 15 and 24 years accounted for 41% of all new HIV infections among adults over the age of 15 and it is estimated that worldwide there are five million young people (15–25 years) living with HIV. Most of these young people live in Sub-Saharan Africa, most are women, and most do not know their status. Globally, young women make up more than 60% of all young people living with HIV, and in Sub-Saharan Africa that rate jumps to 72% with prevalence among teenage girls in some countries five times higher than among teenage boys. Rates of STIs also show the highest prevalence among 20–24 year olds, followed by 15–19 year olds, again often with adolescent girls bearing the higher burden. Biologically, adolescent girls have immature reproductive and immune systems which make them more susceptible to STIs and HIV transmission. Only a minority of adolescents have access to any acceptable and affordable STI/HIV services. In most countries, comprehensive and accurate knowledge about HIV is low and HIV testing in this age group is rare and HIV related deaths are on the rise.
4 Global challenges:
4.1 Political
ASRH is low priority for many countries and there are frequently restrictive laws and policies in place. Services may also be hampered by corruption, or economic and physical access to services may be limited.
4.2 Socio-Cultural
Various societal, cultural, and religious factors create an inhibitive environment for discussion of ASRH as many societies hold a deeply embedded sense of disapproval of adolescent sexual activity; this is often demonstrated through the stigmatization of sexual health concerns, in particular STIs/HIV. Judgmental attitudes about sexual activity abound, especially for those out of marriage and sexually active girls and women. In some regions, accepted practices of early marriage and childbearing, age differences between partners, and societal pressure prohibiting use of contraceptive methods may also exist. Poor ASRH can be further confounded by conflict, migration, urbanization, and lack of schooling.
4.3 Service-related
There is a distinct lack of youth-friendly ARSH services. It is Some argued that the single most important barrier to care is provider attitude . Many healthcare workers deter adolescents from using services because of their lack of confidentiality, judgmental attitudes, disrespect, or not taking their patients' needs seriously which is not good, considering that they are one of the biggest access points for information
KEY QUESTIONS A RESOLUTION MUST ANSWER:
H how to better deliver ARSH services outside of facilities, especially to vulnerable and marginalized populations?
What should be the role of healthcare providers in improving ARSH ?
How to better ARSH in areas where the culture/religion/society acts as a barrier?
incomplete.
Helpful resources:
incomplete.
AGENDA I
Institutional Racism
Introduction to Agenda:
Institutional Racism, or Systemic Racism, is a reflection of the system of discrimination based on race that is primarily found in social and political institutions. The way in which it differs from the traditional concept of racism that we are familiar with is by its subtle nature – it is often implicit and therefore under-detected, and as a result, under-scrutinized. It stems from prejudicial beliefs which subconsciously manifests itself in the minds of influential decision makers. This means that they may not be cognizant of the fact that they are becoming perpetrators of racism – a colossal defeat for victims, even before the battle has begun.
A consequence of this inadvertent ignorance is the question of whether Institutional Racism really exists or not. Many individuals, including the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, believe that this is system is self-concocted, and the illusion of its existence is mistaken for reality, catalysing pre-existing discrimination in social environments. However, there is an abundance of examples available which only aids in increasing the veracity of the issue.
History and Development:
The term "institutional racism" was coined and first used in 1967 by Stokely Carmichael and Charles V. Hamilton in Black Power: The Politics of Liberation. The novel constitutes as a staple text on the matter, delving into the cogent factors that have contributed to widespread segregation in the United States. However, Institutional Racism has vastly exceeded the confines of the United States and has permeated its way into many international societies such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. A pandemic without a definite cure, the issue must be addressed quickly and decisively.
The oppressive and nefarious nature of this system is highlighted in the "Black Lives Matter" movement, an organized response consisting of ideological and political intervention against state-sanctioned violence and anti-Black racism following the death of Trayvon Martin and the subsequent acquittal of his killer, George Zimmerman. The organization has managed to procure international recognition and is globally perceived as as influential advocate for minority rights. Despite the social advancements they have pioneered for African-Americans, particularly in the field of criminal conviction, their true success is perhaps reflected in the conversations they have raised amongst ordinary citizens as well as people of power regarding the system – a cogent prerequisite for progress and tangible change.
In recent years, the issue has rapidly garnered more attention through the use of contemporary platforms such as Netflix, which aid to raise awareness on Institutional Racism with shows such as Dear White People that accentuate police brutality and discrimination against adolescents in educational institutions. However, a major point of controversy when it comes to using such shows for establishing a political agenda, is whether they are actually being objective in their presentation, or trying to inculcate anti-white predispositions amongst the viewers. Could they be trying to create a stereotype that male, white law enforcers are inherently racist or presenting the situation as it is seen in reality? There is ample evidence to suggest that the latter is more likely but the former should not be ruled out from consideration. Irrespective of the genuine intention, human reaction is unpredictable and such shows could therefore exacerbate pre-existing division rather than encourage transparent dialogue and innocuous communication.
13th, an American documentary that was directed by Ava Dumeray, explores the "intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States." 13th is a reference to the 13th amendment of the United States' constitution which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, with exception to those charged with criminal conduct. As a result, many African-Americans who had just been liberated from their shackles found themselves behind bars, having been convicted for displaying "criminal behaviour." However, the grounds for incrimination were often trivial, with '’loitering" being considered one of them or with no basis at all – only conjecture. The true premise can perhaps be deduced to ancestral prejudice, which is still of extreme relevance today. Despite being home to 5% of the world's population, the United States houses 25% of the world's criminals. Unscrupulous and unsubstantiated conviction contributes heavily to that statistic, which begs the question: how can we overcome ancestral prejudice?
Evidently, the agenda exceeds the dimensions addressed above. Its multifaceted nature makes it an issue that must be meticulously dissected in order to effectively comprehend its social, cultural, and humanitarian constituents. The manner in which it has subjugated political, educational, and judicial honesty is just the beginning. Immigration, housing, civil service, and health are also platforms that have become grounds for discrimination. When debating on feasible solutions to escape this quagmire, bear in mind the ramifications it would have on policies that the solution does not directly address as well.
Sub issues:
Past UN Actions:
Predictably, actions taken with regard to systemic racism reflect the contemptuous use of police brutality in maintaining law and order. United Nations human rights experts have expressed their grievances of the use of the aforementioned instrument against people of African descent and ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom. The UK government has acknowledged the urgent nature of the matter and aims to implement the recommendations set out in the Report of the Independent Review of Deaths and Serious Incidents in Police Custody. The use firearms, tear gas agents, long handed batons, electroshock weapons; physical restraint resulting in the inhibition of the respiratory system and asphyxia; restraint equipment; and denial of appropriate healthcare, have all contributed heavily to the copious amounts of civilian casualties. “Failure to properly investigate and prosecute such deaths results in a lack of accountability for those individuals and State agencies responsible, as well as in the denial of adequate remedies and reparation for the families of the victims,” said the group of UN experts.
Similar circumstances were found to to be prevalent in Germany, in 2017, with Afrophobia and xenophobia catalysing the purgery of people of African descent. The Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (part of the Human Rights Committee's Special Procedures' fact-finding and monitoring) were given the task of assessing the racial predicament in Germany, and promoted the International Decade for People of African Descent which aims to "highlight the contribution of people of African descent to societies and strengthen national, regional and international cooperation to ensure the human rights of people of African descent are respected, promoted and fulfilled."
In 2016, the same Working Group fabricated a report pertaining to the systemic racism crisis in the United States. The report primarily comprised of findings reflecting sentiments of disappointment and trepidation. Adequate reparations have not been made to compensate ethnic minorities for the historic injustices they were made to endure such as enslavement, colonialism, and racial subordination. The group further accentuated the urgent need to address the "epidemic" of police brutality in the United States that has reached unprecedented levels. Impunity for State violence, mass incarceration, and lynching (a form of racial terrorism that has contributed to a legacy of racial inequality that the United States must address, as described by the group), has exacerbated the exploitation and dehumanization of African-Americans, despite the abolishment of the Jim-Crow laws in the 1960s. The group has also requested the U.S. Government to warrant independent monitoring of places of detention and increase cooperation with the UN's Human Rights mechanisms.
Country Matrix:
Country Matrix: SOCHUM
South Africa
Argentina
Australia
India
Nigeria
Canada
Germany
France
USA
United Kingdom
DPRK
Japan
Israel
Malaysia
Republic of Korea
Sweden
Mexico
Russia
Brasil
Ireland
Pakistan
Afghanistan
China
Italy
UAE
Switzerland
Jordan
Philippines
Thailand
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Algeria
Sri Lanka
Democratic Republic of Congo