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DISEC
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UN Women
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Topic 1: The weaponization of social media
Upon hearing the phrase "weapon," firearms and other dangerous objects that could create direct physical harm are usually what come to our minds. However, in the modern day, wars are no longer just about the physical conflicts. Contemporary wars could include everything from influencing major political decisions to swaying the public opinion, therefore gaining control over the general population through social media has made it a weapon.
Since the information and communication technology revolution, the internet and social media have been easily accessible to almost everyone. It is something that we are all familiar with in everyday life. In light of events such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) using social media for propaganda, recruitment, and broadcasting, it seems to be increasingly clear that social media could be fatal enough to be taken seriously.
This issue is particularly difficult to tackle as this is an unprecedented new problem of the twenty-first century. It also concerns how this may affect the freedom of speech and communication. How could the United Nations possibly regulate the use of social media? And to what extent is censorship considered reasonable? As for the corporations that own social medias, to whom are they obliged?
Upon hearing the phrase "weapon," firearms and other dangerous objects that could create direct physical harm are usually what come to our minds. However, in the modern day, wars are no longer just about the physical conflicts. Contemporary wars could include everything from influencing major political decisions to swaying the public opinion, therefore gaining control over the general population through social media has made it a weapon.
Since the information and communication technology revolution, the internet and social media have been easily accessible to almost everyone. It is something that we are all familiar with in everyday life. In light of events such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) using social media for propaganda, recruitment, and broadcasting, it seems to be increasingly clear that social media could be fatal enough to be taken seriously.
This issue is particularly difficult to tackle as this is an unprecedented new problem of the twenty-first century. It also concerns how this may affect the freedom of speech and communication. How could the United Nations possibly regulate the use of social media? And to what extent is censorship considered reasonable? As for the corporations that own social medias, to whom are they obliged?
Topic 2: The regulations of Lethal autonomous weapons systems
Could you envision that in the future the world is dominated by computers, and the human are all in control, just like the movies “Terminator”? This is truly happening right now. While technology has been evolving and improving day after day, the autonomous weapons are no exception. The Lethal autonomous weapons system (LAWs) are a type of robotic weapons designed to select and attack military targets without any human intervention. In recent years, there is severe debate on the lawful and ethical concerns of LAWS.
Authorizing robots the power to attack targets on their own on battlefield without any human control is a controversial concept. Many international actors have been calling for a comprehensive, pre-emptive prohibition on fully autonomous weapons. On the 2016 Review Conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), 89 nations have agreed to formalize and expand the deliberations on LAWS in 2017. The issue of autonomy will surely remain highly debatable on the international agenda in the coming years. It is a collective challenge to all nations to make peaceful and productive approaches to the prohibition of LAWS.
Could you envision that in the future the world is dominated by computers, and the human are all in control, just like the movies “Terminator”? This is truly happening right now. While technology has been evolving and improving day after day, the autonomous weapons are no exception. The Lethal autonomous weapons system (LAWs) are a type of robotic weapons designed to select and attack military targets without any human intervention. In recent years, there is severe debate on the lawful and ethical concerns of LAWS.
Authorizing robots the power to attack targets on their own on battlefield without any human control is a controversial concept. Many international actors have been calling for a comprehensive, pre-emptive prohibition on fully autonomous weapons. On the 2016 Review Conference of the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW), 89 nations have agreed to formalize and expand the deliberations on LAWS in 2017. The issue of autonomy will surely remain highly debatable on the international agenda in the coming years. It is a collective challenge to all nations to make peaceful and productive approaches to the prohibition of LAWS.
Chair: Clever Wang
Co-chair: Cherie Huang
Co-chair: Yvonne Su
Co-chair: Ebrima Sallah
Co-chair: Cherie Huang
Co-chair: Yvonne Su
Co-chair: Ebrima Sallah
Topic 1: Empowering Women’s Access to Educational Resources
Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, access to basic education being fundamental human rights has served as a core principle in numerous conventions. However, in reality, millions of children globally are deprived of the rights to learn, and for girls, the picture is even bleaker. Such disparity is often the result of socio-economic discriminations, where traditional gender roles and financial constraints induce parents to prioritize boys’ education over girls’. Recognizing this, the UN has endeavored to eradicate gender inequality in education by mobilizing the international community through the establishment of many commissions and development programs.
Through education, women can also be better equipped to become better mothers, workers and citizens, which could contribute immensely to the economical and social welfare of the entire society. As the international society comes to realize such linkage between women’s education and sustainable development, it is crucial that greater mobilization and cooperation on global, national and local scale is formulated, in order to stimulate extensive progress and accomplish wider-reaching results.
Since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, access to basic education being fundamental human rights has served as a core principle in numerous conventions. However, in reality, millions of children globally are deprived of the rights to learn, and for girls, the picture is even bleaker. Such disparity is often the result of socio-economic discriminations, where traditional gender roles and financial constraints induce parents to prioritize boys’ education over girls’. Recognizing this, the UN has endeavored to eradicate gender inequality in education by mobilizing the international community through the establishment of many commissions and development programs.
Through education, women can also be better equipped to become better mothers, workers and citizens, which could contribute immensely to the economical and social welfare of the entire society. As the international society comes to realize such linkage between women’s education and sustainable development, it is crucial that greater mobilization and cooperation on global, national and local scale is formulated, in order to stimulate extensive progress and accomplish wider-reaching results.
Topic 2: Countering vulnerability of Women and Children under climate change
Climate change, which has increased the frequency of extreme weather, has devastated human beings for decades without a generally efficacious solution. However, although climate change doesn’t discriminate when it poses harm, it increases the risk of the most vulnerable and less empowered groups, specifically women and children. With climate change and the unequal predicament combined, how are women and children going to protect themselves?
Due to stereotypes and discriminations, barriers formed by social structure have greatly limited women’s capability to be brought into full play. In many rural areas and relatively poor regions, women and children are responsible for agrarian and domesticated activities, which are fiercely influenced by climate change. Extreme weathers like typhoons, hurricanes and droughts could displace and impoverish women and children in a fast manner.
UN Millennium Development Goals has on one hand highlighted the importance to promote gender equality, empower women, and take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As a specialized agent, UN Women takes every effort to protect women and children’s right and highly look forward to having fruitful solutions.
Climate change, which has increased the frequency of extreme weather, has devastated human beings for decades without a generally efficacious solution. However, although climate change doesn’t discriminate when it poses harm, it increases the risk of the most vulnerable and less empowered groups, specifically women and children. With climate change and the unequal predicament combined, how are women and children going to protect themselves?
Due to stereotypes and discriminations, barriers formed by social structure have greatly limited women’s capability to be brought into full play. In many rural areas and relatively poor regions, women and children are responsible for agrarian and domesticated activities, which are fiercely influenced by climate change. Extreme weathers like typhoons, hurricanes and droughts could displace and impoverish women and children in a fast manner.
UN Millennium Development Goals has on one hand highlighted the importance to promote gender equality, empower women, and take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. As a specialized agent, UN Women takes every effort to protect women and children’s right and highly look forward to having fruitful solutions.
Chair: Alan Lee
Co-chair: Amy Lu
Co-chair: Effie Peng
Co-chair: Amy Lu
Co-chair: Effie Peng