Councils

Myanmar has faced a troubled history of internal military conflicts, culminating in its worst humanitarian crisis following a military coup in 2021. Since 1962 the military Junta has maintained power through violence against civilians and the government, exemplified by the brutal suppression of the 1988 protests. Ethnic minorities were promised autonomy in the Panglong Agreement, but they became the targets of “Burmanization” which suppressed their culture, language, and religion. Despite introducing a 2008 constitution to allow limited democracy, the military retained power, fueling ongoing conflicts like the Rohingya genocide. The coup overthrew the National Unity Government (NUG), sparking civil war as defense groups and Ethnic Armed Minorities (EAMs) resisted the junta. Efforts for peace have failed, leaving Myanmar in deepening chaos.

The Formula One Management (FOM) council delves into the question of granting drivers more decision-making power, a topic central to the future of motorsport governance. While the governance structure of Formula 1 has traditionally prioritized team principals, engineers, and corporate stakeholders, drivers—equipped with unparalleled on-track experience—have increasingly called for a voice in shaping safety regulations, car design, and race strategies. Advocates argue that their involvement could modernize the sport and address emerging challenges like sustainability and fan engagement, while critics warn of potential disruptions to the established governance model. As FOM CEO Stefano Domenicali advocates for innovation while preserving the sport’s competitive integrity, this council tasks delegates with finding a balance. By examining perspectives from all stakeholders i.e. drivers, team principals, engineers, corporate partners, the FIA, the GPDA, the FOM, the media representative and the academic analyst. delegates must determine to what extent driver involvement should influence Formula 1’s governance to ensure its continued evolution.

The Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has been said to be fairly successful with the rapid decrease in nuclear weapons. However, ever since 2020, there has been a concerning rise in nuclear development, particularly in Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea, with other Member States’s number of arsenal's remaining constant. Just recently, Russia has also amended its nuclear doctrine to stipulate that an attack by a Non-Nuclear Weapon State (NNWS), supported by a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS), will be regarded as a coordinated assault on Russia. This would fall under the conditions under which the country would consider using its nuclear arsenal, escalating the preexisting mistrust between nuclear powers and NEWS even further. Hence, DISEC’s role in disarmament is even more crucial than ever before to navigate this complex yet critical matter.

The global pornographic industry, valued at over USD 129 billion in 2023, has become a highly commercialized sector, raising concerns about its societal impacts. The normalization of violence in pornography poses psychological risks to vulnerable groups, such as children, and may exacerbate gender inequality and violence against women, particularly in societies where harmful gender prejudices persist. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a key UN body dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women, plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges. The CSW must navigate the complex task of mitigating the societal impacts of pornographic materials while upholding rights to expression and advocating for improved legislation to protect sex workers and women from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking, ensuring their dignity and equality.

The global state of human rights has grown increasingly fragile, with conflicts and crises stripping millions of individuals of their dignity, safety, and basic freedoms. In 2024 alone, nearly 300 million people across 72 countries required humanitarian aid, as seen in the devastating crises in regions like Gaza and Haiti. Gaza has suffered relentless airstrikes, displacing families and leaving survivors with deep physical and emotional scars, while Haiti faces a humanitarian disaster fueled by gang violence and political instability, forcing over half a million people into displacement. These dire situations highlight the urgent need to protect the most vulnerable and reaffirm the global commitment to human rights. Despite the foundation laid by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, disparities in cultural, political, and economic priorities, along with emerging challenges like digital surveillance and democratic backsliding, complicate its implementation. As one of six main committees at the General Assembly of the United Nations, it is up to the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural (SOCHUM) committee to evaluate the effectiveness of human rights agreements amidst the escalation of global conflicts.