2017 United Nations Development Programme TOPICS
Topic 1: Measures to stabilize Iraq (Chair Report)
The humanitarian, security, and development crisis in Iraq is amongst the most volatile and severe in the Middle Eastern region. Seizing approximately one-third of Iraq’s territory, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) sparked a country-wide issue, displacing 3.3 million Iraqis. In addition, some 250,000 Syrians fled conflict at home in hopes for refuge in not only in Iraq, but also in various Middle Eastern region. The condition of host communities is also deteriorating rapidly. After three years of crisis and economic stagnation, people today are more vulnerable than they ever were since the beginning of the conflict. Families that generously opened their homes and shared resources with displaced relatives and neighbors are plunging into poverty. At least ten million Iraqis currently require some form of humanitarian assistance. With the conflicts between superpower nations and over political indifference of global society, Iraq is excluded from the global society and suffers from severe domestic affairs, such as the ISIS. Proper measures to stabilize Iraq is urgently needed.
Topic 2: Assisting sustainable development in Haiti (Chair Report)
On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake truck Haiti. More than 200,000 people were killed, 1.5 million were displaced, and over 300,000 buildings were destroyed in the 7.0 magnitude quake. Since then, Haiti has successfully pulled through the humanitarian recovery phase and has seen significant socio-economic gains. The country has steadily boosted its net enrollment rate in primary education and achieved equal participation of boys and girls. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS has stabilized, and nearly 70 percent of households now have access to an improved source of water. Today, yet, as Haiti moves toward long-term, sustainable development, new challenges await Haiti and its people. The political system remains fragile, sustainable jobs are scarce, and the environment is still as vulnerable now, threatening life of a number of Haitian people.
Topic 3: Response to the crisis in South Sudan (Chair Report)
South Sudan became a nation on July 9th, 2011, after a decades-long struggle for independence. However, the widespread optimism that reflected the national mood on that day has now vanished. Unresolved political conflicts, ethnic and religious tensions erupted into widespread violence across the country since December 2013, the issue unabated to this day. The violence has now killed thousands of people and led to the destruction of critical infrastructure, homes, farms, and businesses, which will affect livelihoods and exacerbate poverty for years to come. Hundreds of thousands of vulnerable women and children are at risk of gender based and sexual violence. As newly born country, South Sudan is suffering from internal conflicts even before it enjoys its independence. As a global society, appropriate measures to stabilize South Sudanese society and politics to promote equality in South Sudan.
Topic 4: Promoting socioeconomic development in Southeast Asia (Chair Report)
As Samuel Smiles said in his writing, Self-Help, “every nation gets the government it deserves.” The level of transparency and corruption is largely dependent on the individuals in the country. Many countries in southeast Asia currently suffer from corruptions and irrational governmental operations. According to the Non-Government Organization (NGO) Transparency International, the average corruption index of southeast Asia is labeled at 33.5, which is significantly lower than international average of 43. In order to socioeconomically develop the southeast Asian region, distributive justice is in dire need for implementation while corruption is to be defied. So far, United Nations Development Program has suggested means to fight against the corruption, such as proper measures to train and reorganize bureaucracy, to Vietnamese government as an initiative example.