'24 Committees & Topics
ALTMUN high School Conference | nov. 15-17 2024 |
This page contains all the committees that will be present at the 2024 ALTMUN High School Conference.
With the topic blurbs now published delegates can explore our offerings and see what they might enjoy debating!
This year we have seven standard committees and two advanced committees, ICJ and SecCo, which both require special registration. Use the buttons above to help jump to the various committees.
To find out what delegates are doing in other committees read this year's edition of 'The Delegate' found on The Weekly Update tab!
DISEC
Disarmament & International Security
Topic A:
Evaluating the Weaponization of Water as a Military Tactic
Water, a fundamental element of our societies and humanity, is being weaponized globally. This weaponization manifests in three forms: intentional contamination, deprivation, and flooding. These tactics, often used to weaken enemy troops and diminish morale, inflict irreversible consequences on civilians. For decades, weaponizing water has resulted in contaminated water supplies, disease, destroyed infrastructure, disrupted agriculture, displacement, and heightened poverty. The DISEC committee will convene to discuss the boundaries of water weaponization and explore regulatory measures to address all three applications.
Topic B:
Assessing the Role of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) on Naval Warfare
Unmanned surface vessels (USVs) are revolutionizing naval operations with their unparalleled surveillance capabilities, cost-effective deployment, and ability to navigate hazardous waters without risk to human life. Yet, beneath these advantages lies the shadow of danger: the potential for USVs to inadvertently trigger conflicts through autonomous decision-making. Due to the relatively new state of USVs, especially in regards to power projection, there remains the risk of unintended confrontations with the the lack of collision detection capabilities, proper satellite communication for kinetic-equipped USVs, and accommodation of failed USV assets. The DISEC committee will discuss the viability and implications of USVs in conflicts to prevent misuse and the escalation of transnational conflicts.
ECOFIN
Economic and Financial Committee
Topic A:
Exploring Frameworks for Implementing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs)
As our world progresses into the digital age, the way currencies look and are exchanged is moving to evolve with it. In today’s age hundreds of nations are examining the adaptation of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to serve as a more stable and controllable digital exchange currency. These CBDCs are the financial future- but the global economy has yet to discuss and prepare for the challenges that this new currency adoption will bring both individually and internationally. ECOFIN will forward the global CBDC discussion to debate the effects of these currencies within the past and forward to their future, as well as accelerating collaboration to better the state of implementation regarding this fresh form of currency..
Topic B:
Addressing the Effectiveness and Risks of Weaponizing Sanctions
Economic sanctions have been utilized as a political tool almost as long as the concept of warfare has existed- and the two have constantly gone hand in hand. Currently, due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine the world is facing one of the strongest impositions of sanctions ever, and it has exposed many already concerning and debated issues surrounding the implementation of sanctions as an economic weapon. These concerns should be debated by the committee and collective solutions are needed to improve the questionable effectiveness and results of economic unilateral sanctions.
ICJ
International Court of Justice (Advanced)
Topic A:
Ethiopia-Somaliland v. Somalia Dispute
The concept of self-determination is a dangerous idea to entertain in modern times because of the fragile geopolitical tensions that seem to dominate the early 21st century. The right to self-determination may lead to war and regional instability but still remains a supposed right for all peoples who have formed a state. This same right, alternatively infringes on the natural sovereignty of the principal nation-state by taking away a piece of land and their ability to rule it as they see fit. The case before the International Court of Justice focuses on the concept of self-determination in an argument set forth by Ethiopia which claims that the region known as Somaliland should be considered a state, and therefore should retain the right to self-determination. Somalia on the other hand, maintains that Somaliland is their own territory any consideration of Somaliland as an independent state should be considered a violation of their national sovereignty and an act of war.
Topic B:
Bangladesh & Maldives vs. Russia
The world is facing the clock; the effects of climate change have become ever more apparent and deadly. Nations that have dense coastal cities or island nations are under threat. Climate change has attempted to garner the attention of governments worldwide, yet some remain steadfast in their position of the past: fossil fuels and negligence. The Russian Federation is one of those states that have continuously ignored any effects of climate change and welcomes its effects with open arms. The case before the International Court of Justice highlights the discrepancies between climate policy and negligence vs. the actual effects against other nation-states’ citizens and the future stake of their country as a whole, as in the case of the Maldives and Bangladesh. This is why the Maldives and Bangladesh have brought forward a case against the Russian Federation to determine whether climate policy can have a consequential nature in the 21st century, despite its novel nature and historical international law lacking to hold climate policies accountable.
Legal
Legal
Topic A:
The Definition of Genocide and Its Protected Groups
For the past century, genocides have led to the loss of millions of innocent lives throughout the world, and an insurgence of cultural conflict and fear – but what exactly defines a genocide? The original definition established provides an interpretation with questionable validity, especially in the lights of modern world events. The goal of the Legal Committee is to differentiate the strong from the weak in this definition, and to ensure that justice can be properly provided to any and all groups that may suffer from horrific mistreatment due to oversights in it.
Topic B:
The Abuse of Disinformation Laws
Factors such as a rise in the usage of social media, the Covid-19 pandemic, and controversial elections all have led to the increased regulation of disinformation, and it is up to the Legal Committee to ensure that it is not abused. The spreading of misinformation with malicious intent is being resisted by new laws across the globe designed to protect. However, these laws may very well be stripping individuals of their rights and freedoms, such as of speech and expression, in an attempt to have a more-controlling government. It is vital to find a balance of freedom and information validity, and it starts with this committee addressing the necessity and specificities of the laws that are in place.
SecCo
Security Council (Advanced)
Topic A:
A Crisis in Sudan
As the War in Sudan has continued to displace and harm the innocent people within the country, the Security Council will convene to discuss what can and must be done to confront this issue. With the aftershocks of the Darfur genocide and the overthrow of former president Omar al-Bashir still fresh, both the country and the people of Sudan have fallen victim to collapse of the economy and the abuse of military militas within the war-torn region. Additionally this issue has implications around the world due to the involvement of member nations with private interest in the conflict, making it not only more compound but more fragile. With the people suffering and the conflict ever growing, time is of the essence as more and more people fall victim to the civil war within the region.
Topic B:
The Houthi Rebel Groups Involvement with International Maritime Terrorism
The Houthi Rebel group has threatened global shipping routes within the Red Sea causing irreversible damage to the global economy and jeopardizing the safety of merchant and military vessels alike within the region. Furthermore the Houthi rebels have claimed allegiance to other groups involved within other conflicts around the world, creating an intense and compound issue. With several member nations having already responded with military action, the Security Council must collectively decide how to confront the Houthi rebels for the sake of the countries and people around the globe while also looking at the implications their solution might have on the world stage.
SOCHUM
Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues
Topic A:
Protecting Women Migrant workers
Migration has consistently shown differences between gender based experiences, and one major factor is the push and pull. Women specifically face a disproportionate set of push and pull factors, which need to be addressed to keep the flow of migration. SOCHUM will convene to discuss these push and pull factors, and their impact on migrant women across the globe.
Topic B:
Ameliorating Issues Connected to the Use of Humanitarian Drones
Humanitarian agencies are constantly seeking for updated tools; and the latest development is the use of drones for humanitarian purposes. Drones can be used for delivering aid, mapping crisis areas, and achieving connectivity in crisis. With the benefit of drones, there is a large pitfall found in public perception. This committee will convene to discuss possible solutions to the current state of humanitarian drone usage.
UNEP
UN Environment Programme
Topic A:
Evaluating the Impact of Solar Panels on the Environment
As the sustainable energy market develops throughout the 21st century, solar energy is becoming increasingly more popular. As these panels are being used around the world, many are questioning the environmental impact of these panels. These developments have created a debate on the environmental benefits of solar panels. This issue is being addressed by the committee as they discuss and work towards a solution for this environmental dilemma.
Topic B:
Addressing the Marine Impact of Offshore Drilling
The creation of offshore oil rigs for oil and gas drilling in the 20th century has led to many discussions on the environmental impacts of oil drilling. These oil rigs can create significant damage to the area around them, from the water health to the health of the marine life. After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in 2010 this concern has only increased. UNEP will work as a committee to address this question and the environmental impacts of these rigs.
UNODC
UN Office of Drugs and Crime
Topic A:
The Captagon Crisis: The Drug of Jihad and its Revolutionary Effect on Drug Trafficking
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is on the front lines in the battle against the issue of drug trafficking in the Middle East, with a focus on the highly potent and deadly stimulant, Captagon. Captagon is an illicit stimulant, often referred to as “the drug of jihad,” containing fenethylline (aka. fentanyl) and various fillers. Captagon’s rampant use and trafficking pose severe global health and security threats. In a staggering example, Italian officials seized 84 million tablets in 2020, worth $1.1 billion. Captagon trafficking in the Middle East has become so prominent that it now exceeds the scale of Mexico’s Cocaine market. To put it in different terms Captagon and its illegal trade is now contributing up to 30% of the economy in some regions of the Middle East (more than the $10 billion annual revenue generated by Mexico’s cocaine sales). This committee will delve into the root causes of the drug crisis, its societal impacts, and the effectiveness of current international legislation. Delegates will need to forge comprehensive resolutions aiming to mitigate this pressing global issue and foster peace and prosperity without destroying the economy of the Middle East.
Topic B:
International Cybercrime: The Global Battle for Cyber Security
International cybercrime threatens global security, economies, and individual privacy, demanding immediate and coordinated action. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) leads the charge, uniting nations to combat these digital adversaries. Cybercriminals exploit global interconnectedness, targeting everything from financial markets to national security systems. Shockingly, the global cost of cybercrime is projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, making it a more profitable industry than the global trade of all major illegal drugs combined. The UNODC will convene to engage in this crucial dialogue to help shape a safer, more secure digital future for all.
WHO
World Health Organization
Topic A:
Assessing Antimicrobial Resistance Health Concerns and Policy
Commonly referred to as the “silent pandemic”, antimicrobial resistance remains a pressing global issue as pathogens increasingly become immune to antibiotics and conventional medicine. These pathogens can develop into what is known as superbugs, acquiring resistance to multiple medicinal drugs. As the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance grow, so do the number of deaths, thus the diffusion of disease becomes a deadly ordeal. Antimicrobial resistance is an issue that transcends borders, and it is the responsibility of WHO to relieve the threat before it spins completely out of control.
Topic B:
Assessing Rehabilitation for Traumatic Amputees
Traumatic amputation, the separation or loss of limb in response to injury, can occur for several reasons, from traffic accidents, to disaster and conflict, to criminal punishment. The alarming prevalence of traumatic amputation as well as the limitations of rehabilitation services for amputees raises concerns and stands as a barrier to the United Nations’ Sustainable Goals; the disparity between rehabilitative services, both for physiological and emotional well-being resources, can range from insufficient or immediate aid in areas of conflict to prosthetic technology in developed states that restores sensory touch. Traumatic amputation continues to affect millions of individuals, from the children to the elderly. It is the duty of WHO to take action on behalf of the millions of amputees, not just for their individual needs, but for society as a whole.