Committee Topics

Committee Topics

European Response to the Green New Deal

In recent years, global warming has been worsening and negatively affecting nature as well as people. Even with the actions of environmentalists like Greta Thunberg, the need to protect and restore our planet increases every day. In 2020, the European Environment Agency assessed that the state of nature in the European Union (EU) is in severe decline. Notably, only 15% of EU habitats are in good condition, and 50% of areas with pollinator-dependent crops do not provide suitable conditions for pollinators...
By: Alice Guzzi
Published: 11/9/2023
Committee Topics

Weaponization of Pathogens

The weaponization of pathogens is a concerning issue that has the potential to disrupt international peace and the stability of the world. Some would even say that is a threat to humanity itself seeing the devastation that some epidemics/pandemics have caused in the past. Pathogens include viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms capable of causing disease. They have been a part of history throughout humanity's existence with a notable example being the black plague during medieval times. While they are natural entities and often viewed as adversaries of human health, they can be transformed into tools of warfare or terror that differ themselves from the use of conventional warfare weapons. The origins of pathogen weaponization date to the early 20th century, with the development of biological weapons during World War I. Since then humanity has witnessed further developments in biological warfare with a major notable example being anthrax...
By: Niraj Singh
Published: 11/9/2023
Committee Topics

The Race for the Arctic

The first country to execute drilling for resource extraction in the Arctic was Russia in 1915. Ever since, the Arctic region has become a hotspot for governments and companies to seek access to acquire the resources this area has to offer. These raw materials are not only limited to oil, but also include gas and minerals such as phosphate, used for the production of fertilizers, and other rare-earth minerals near Greenland’s melting icecaps, essential for the functioning of wind turbines and electric vehicles. The Arctic is estimated to hold around 22% of the world’s natural oil and gas, with a possible value of 28 trillion dollars worth of oil...
By: Bianca Giannacchi
Published: 11/9/2023
Committee Topics

Application of the International Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination - Georgia v. Russian Federation

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the UN body of independent professionals that oversee the execution and fulfilment of the International Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Due to the everpresent racial discrimination in modern society and politics, CERD aims to fight against this injustice. This UN body believes that racially based discrimination is “a barrier to the full realisation of human rights” and poses dangers to society; such as conflicts, genocides, suffering, and loss of life. Thus, CERD strives to monitor member nations in their implementation of racial equality and ensure total elimination of discrimination...
By: Lesso De Vincenzo
Published: 11/9/2023
Committee Topics

The Bosnian War

Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe is often regarded as a relatively unknown territory and country, especially considering its non central role in current global affairs. However Bosnia and Herzegovina has an important and broad history, that includes many bitter moments, like any country, with war...
By: Martina Mongelli
Published: 11/9/2023

A Zoom into the Human Rights Commitee

The ASMMUN officially started and after the inspiring opening ceremony, during lobbying time our delegates got the opportunity to enter their committees and meet the chairs as well as the delegates and the respective countries that are going to debate with. The press took the opportunity to ask our delegates, such as Jessica Ejike, some questions. She is the representative for India in the Human Rights Committee and showed immense excitement to be participating in a live, held in-person conference.
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Political cartoonist: Sophie Scheulenburg
Committee Topics

SOCHUM:
​Racism and Racial Discrimination in Europe

Racial discrimination can be defined as “the belief that some races of people are better than others” and as a result of their racial differences, they will be unjustly subjected to prejudices and negative behavior. Currently, in today’s society, the protection of human rights is being threatened by the prevalent issue of racism and racial discrimination in Europe.
​By: Audrey Schmuelling
​Editor: Caterina Siciliano
Published: 10/29/2022
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Political cartoonist: Sophie Scheulenburg
Committee Topics

DISEC:
​The Regulation of Artificial Intelligence: How will we deal with machines that learn?

In the past, technological advancements have been met with a lot of adversity, stemming from a deep rooted fear of change. Whether it was the invention of trains that elicited the fear of the end of pastures, or the creation of the telegraph that people believed to be the work of the devil, the world has always been critical of technological innovation. It just happens to be that now the technological advancement is artificial intelligence (AI). 
​By: Alice Guzzi
​Editor: Arianna Zhou and Caterina Siciliano
Published: 10/28/2022
Committee Topics

ECOSOC:
​The Economic and Social Repercussions of Israeli Control on Living Conditions in Occupied Palestinian Territory

The economic and social hardship of the Palestinian residents of the occupied Palestinian territory has deteriorated. The use of arbitrary detention, the disproportionate use of force, house demolitions, severe mobility restrictions, a lack of building permits, and closure policies greatly contribute to the worsening of life. ​
​By: Peniel Yator Gbem
​Editor: Caterina Siciliano
Published: 10/29/2022
Committee Topics

Human Rights Committee: 
​Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen

This year’s Human Right committee is going to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. An issue that according to the United Nations, is the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with over 20 million civilians in need of immediate care.
​By: Carlota Sousa 
Editor: Arianna Zhou 
Published: 10/26/2022
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Political Cartoonist: Sophie Scheulenburg
Committee Topics

Environmental Committee
The Issue of Overfishing

The issue of overfishing in countries like Estonia has raised urgent concerns over the biodiversity of the ocean. Overfishing is threatening food chains and communities within marine life. If such an issue remains unaddressed, eventually, overexploitation and environmental degradation will lead to the depletion of fish as a resource. 
​By: Rosandy Okolo 
Editor: Arianna Zhou 
Published: 10/20/2022
Committee Topics

C40 Cities: 
The Issue of Using Technology to Aid with Policing 
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Over the past decades, significant changes in policing have been achieved through various technological advancements. Police officers today are equipped with technology that is intended to boost agency efficiency, officer safety, and productivity. The benefits of technology include the creation of innovative tools to better enforce the law as well more effective medians of communication. While it is an undeniable fact that technological advancements have been beneficial for policing, these advancements have also been recognised to have adverse drawbacks which often go overlooked. 
​By: Esther Agamah
Editor: Arianna Zhou and Caterina Siciliano
Published: 10/20/2022
Committee Topics

Historical Security Council: 
The Issue of the Chinese Civil War, (1949)

The Chinese Civil War was centered around the control of efforts to rebuild the nation, following the Second World War. It was waged between a Nationalist entity, led by Chiang Kai-shek, and a Communist party, led by Mao Zedong. Due to a hold put on hostilities during the Second World War, the Chinese Civil War can be divided into two phases: from 1927 to 1937, and then from 1945 to 1949. The Historical Security Council will be focusing on the second phase.
​By: Stella Ormoneit
Editor: Arianna Zhou 
Published: 10/20/2022

The Issue of EU Dependence on Russian Oil

The European Union is undoubtedly the biggest investor in Russian Oil and with Russia being the largest exporter of oil to global markets and the second largest crude oil exporter, the issue lies within the current energy crisis and its consequences affecting most countries worldwide.

Committee Topics

Disarmament and International Security Council: Chemical Weapons

Chemical weapons were first used on a large scale during the First World War, and have been widely condemned since.  
​By: Stella Ormoneit
Editor: Agnese Pazzi
Published: 11/12/2021
Committee Topics

ECOSOC:
​The Issue of the Crisis in Venezuela

Venezuela is experiencing an economic and social crisis due to the collapse in the economy and exponentially increasing hyperinflation. The state became a democracy in 1958, and it is important to note that in the 1990s, 
​By: Stella Ormoneit
Editor: Agnese Pazzi
Published: 11/12/2021
Committee Topics

COUNCIL OF EU:
THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL MIGRANTS IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

​The European immigration crisis is presumed to have started in 2011, when the Libyan and Syrian wars began  and the unrest in the Middle East and Africa heightened. The migrants were aided by ‘smugglers’ who would transport them into the continent via boat or truck.
​By: Agnese Pazzi
Editor: Agnese Pazzi
Published: 1/12/2021