Vancouver MUN 2009 Simulations

WHO – World Health Organization

            A specialized agency of the UN and a Vancouver MUN favorite, the World Health Organization has been around since 1948. Devoted to “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health,” the WHO is committed to discussion of a wide range of topics, from clean water to the containment of epidemics. The WHO also supports development and distribution of vaccines, drugs, and other pharmaceuticals. This committee has played an important role in many past global health crises such as the SARS outbreak in 2003, and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Discussion is often very stimulating and inclusive, as WHO issues often effect the majority of member nations to some degree.

DISEC – Disarmament and International Security Committee

            The first committee of the General Assembly and a first for Vancouver MUN, the Disarmament and International Security Committee is designed to deal with, as the name suggests, issues of global arms and security. With the increasing proliferation of nuclear weapons and perceived world security threats such as North Korea, Iran, and others, DISEC continues to have a growing role on the world stage. This committee will make recommendations and create policies which may work in tandem with other UN committees such as the Security Council. However, all nations belong to DISEC, and so it is an extremely crucial venue for open, creative, and important debate. Topics such as nuclear disarmament and terrorism are examples of previous DISEC topics in the UN.

UNSC – United Nations Security Council

            Another Vancouver MUN classic, the Security Council is regarded as the most powerful committee in the United Nations. Charged with maintaining international peace and security, the SC has the power to make binding resolutions, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression. This gives the group a special responsibility to come up with effective and practical ideas, as Security Council resolutions are often far more than suggestions. Of course, with regards to other areas of the charter such as Chapter VI, Pacific Settlement of Disputes, pertaining to peaceful solutions, Security Council resolutions are non-binding (as enforcement goes against the idea of ‘peaceful solutions.’) The powers entrusted to the committee and the gravity of the topics often leads to the Security Council being a center for highly intelligent discussion.

The Arab League

            The Arab League is not formally a part of the United Nations, but the issues which it faces are equally important on the global stage. Founded in the same year as the UN itself, the Arab League is committed to “drawing closer the relations between member states and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries.” The Arab League is the most prominent forum of discussion for members of Arab nations, covering a wide range of topics from cultural preservation to regional economic or military cooperation. In a somewhat similar fashion to the security council, the decisions made can be binding; however, this only applies to nations that voted for the them. Today’s world presents many challenging issues to the Arab League, and the League’s solutions will have a major impact on the world’s future.

The Politburo of the Communist Party of China

            Also not a component of the UN, the Politburo of the Communist Party represents perhaps the ultimate political authority in China.  The Politburo (‘political bureau’) is a collection of the most major political figures within China, including the heads of different areas of government, the Paramount Leader, and many important regional leaders. The Politburo, through its monthly meetings, is a major decider in the course of China’s future. As well, the decisions made in the Politburo can have a huge impact on the region. Moreover, as China gains power on the global stage, its Politburo gains greater capacity to affect global changes. Unlike other committees, decisions are reached by consensus rather than majority, and all members of the Politburo will be forced to engage in crucial and highly political debate.

The Cabinet of the United Kingdom, 1920-1999

            The Cabinet of the United Kingdom is somewhat different and perhaps more challenging than other committees, primarily in that it is historical. Originally a sub-committee of the British Privy Council, the UK Cabinet as we know it today was devised by Prime Minister David Lloyd George following the First World War. Various structures were added to the Cabinet over the decades, and its importance has increased dramatically. Ultimately, the UK Cabinet allows for better, faster, and more efficient decision making than other political organs in the United Kingdom. Due to the prominence of the United Kingdom on the world stage, the British Cabinet’s decisions have often had far-reaching effects. Topics covered in this committee may come from a regional perspective but will likely concern global and European issues. The Cabinet will be simulated as an historical committee, and so topics will be based in the past, between the years of 1920 and 1999.