The United Nations Committee of Social,
Cultural, and Humanitarian Affairs
Chairs: Tessa Bangs, Claudia McKenzie, and
Jessie Gugig
Middle School Model UN 2012
April 26th, 2012
Committee Background
The United Nations Committee of Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian
Affairs, or SOCHUM, was created in 1948 to assist with the development and
the upholding of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The committee
works to protect the rights of native peoples, advance social development,
eliminate discrimination, and prevent international crimes. SOCHUM’s charter
gives it the power to resolve international social, cultural, and humanitarian
issues. Like all United Nations committees SOCHUM can only make
suggestions, and cannot demand actions from any of its member nations.
Topic 1 Background
The issue of censorship was brought into the spotlight with the proposal of
the SOPA and PIPA bills in the US Congress earlier this year and the fiery
opposition that it was met with. This debate also reminded us that citizens of
many other nations, including North Korea, the People’s Republic of China, and
Cuba, do not have the same freedom to express our opinions as we do.
Censorship has been used to promote a one party political system and oppress
citizens with differing political ideologies and religions. It can also be used to
control people and the knowledge they do or do not possess, and hide human
rights abuses that may be taking place.
Although censorship can be abused, it also can be used in moderation to
ensure political stability and correctness. Many nations employ moderate
censorship or media screening techniques. Make sure to research the
censorship policies in your nation before you choose a side for this resolution.
Censorship in one country can affect other nations as well. Citizens who are not
educated about a group of people, or who only receive certain information
regarding them may be prone to provoking conflict with or resisting assistance
from them. Likewise, citizens who are allowed to share all of their ideas and
opinions stand at risk for angering and grossly offending members of a certain
race, class, religion, ethnicity, etc. Do the people have a right to know? Or is
censorship necessary to maintain stability and civility?
Topic 1 Resolution Summary
This resolution would encourage all nations to allow uncensored media to
be distributed to promote the freedom of opinions and ideas. Think about
problems this could potentially cause, including the spread of hate speech,
destabilizing political ideas, and materials that may be offensive or disturbing to
some. On the other hand, think about how government censorship of ideas can
be abused, and what good can come from the free flow of ideas. The second
link below has a fairly comprehensive list of the pros and cons of censorship.
Topic 1 Research Sources




http://censorship.laws.com/
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-censorship.html
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/#atop
http://listverse.com/2010/10/02/top-10-countries-that-censor-theinternet/
 http://www.isoc.org/inet2000/cdproceedings/8k/8k_4.htm
The United Nations
Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Affairs
Committee
Author: Claudia McKenzie
Resolution No: 001
Co-Author(s): Tessa Bangs, Jessie Gugig
A Resolution to Protect
RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Expressing the sense of the people of the United Nations regarding the government
censorship of printed, televised, audio, online, or any other materials.
Whereas as is evident in the Arab Spring of 2011, online discussion and organizing are
capable of enabling oppressed peoples to express their opinions and overthrow tyrannical
regimes. Whereas during the Arab Spring many governments used Internet censorship in an
attempt to quell the revolts and prevent the spread of ideas;
Whereas government censorship is often used to promote a one sided view of political and
historical events and issues and create a falsely flattering image of political figures;
Whereas censorship can be used to give rise to and hide human rights abuses.
Whereas the arrest of citizens due to violations of censorship laws involving political and
ideological differences, such as the case of Ai Weiwei, violates Article 9 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights which states “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest,
detention, or exile”;
Whereas censorship of a medium breaches Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights, which states “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”
Resolved by the United Nations
1. Member nations are strongly encouraged to discontinue the censorship and
prevention of the distribution of printed, televised, audio, online, and any other
media unless they represent a direct threat to the safety of (an) individual(s) or the
welfare of that nation.
2. Supports the creation of public forums like television and radio stations, websites,
and other settings that would stimulate the free flow of ideas and peaceful resolution
of differences in opinions.
3. Calls upon nations to offer amnesty to individuals fleeing due to persecution based
on violations of unreasonable censorship restrictions in their home countries.
Topic 2 Background
The practices of colonizing and Imperialism have long served as the basis
for today’s modern world, a world controlled by its major international powers—
first world countries—and destroyed by the violence and insurrection exhibited
in those still developing. Yet long before the United Nations was created, at
separate times in separate parts of the world, almost every newly discovered
part of land in the world was claimed by one of the old European powers—
primarily England, Portugal, Spain, France, and Russia, among others—creating
a planet full of diverse cultures and practices all conformed into strict models of
only a few.
Though the era of Imperialism and the practice of colonizing are now longsince out of date—America itself gained its independence officially in 1776, and
later reasserted the title in the War of 1812—much of the cultures and political
paradoxes are still seen today in countries and continents across the world,
many direct aftereffects of this era of colonization. This can particularly be seen
in the great continent of Africa, which lays claim to the first birthing of
humankind, and the most abundant supply of natural resources on the planet,
yet suffers from the highest rate of crimes against humanity, and other human
rights violations on the planet, along with scary rates of violence, illness, lack of
education, and death.
While debating this topic, it is important to take into mind that you are
representing a country, and not just yourself. Though it is commonplace today
of independent thinkers such as yourselves to immediately refuse any coercing
of one’s independence, economic and political tactics must be taken into
account as well, along with the never-ending issues of foreign intervention,
national sovereignty, and the massive debate of human rights, before you make
a decision.
Topic 2 Resolution Summary
This resolution will essentially take a very concrete stance on an extremely
controversial topic: if passed, it will officially allow the United Nations to urge to
send military and political forces into developing nations when needed. Though
this is oftentimes achieved through the signing of treaties and other committees,
this is an extremely drastic measure, betraying national sovereignty and
international protocol in many cases. Keep in mind, delegates, to represent the
views of your country, and not yourself, and that these resolutions may always
be edited.
I also realize that we’re dealing with some extremely complicated terms
and problems for this upcoming conference. Bearing that in mind, please do not
hesitate to contact me if you need anything, at tessaabangs@gmail.com. I’m
looking forward to seeing you all.
Topic 2 Research Sources
 http://voiceseducation.org/content/legacy-colonialism-today
 http://www.marxists.org/subject/africa/nkrumah/neocolonialism/introduction.htm
 http://www.ffyh.unc.edu.ar/posgrado/cursos/rufer/McClintock.pdf
 http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
The United Nations
Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Affairs
Committee
Author: Tessa Bangs
Resolution No: 002
Co-Author(s): Claudia McKenzie, Jessie
Gugig
A Resolution to Intervene
RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Expressing the sense of the people of the United Nations regarding the intervention of
primarily first-world nations in developing States, dealing with neo-colonialism and postcolonialism.
Whereas neo-colonialism is recognized as the “practice of using capitalism, globalization,
and cultural forces to control a country in lieu of direct military or political control”;
Whereas post-colonialism is defined as “postmodern intellectual discourse that consists of
reactions to, and analysis of, the cultural legacy of colonialism and imperialism”;
Whereas the majority of the world today is in some way a byproduct of Imperialism,
primarily through colonization by European nations;
Whereas though this practice has been eradicated at different times in different parts of the
world, the effects of colonialism are still seen across all continents, through economic,
political, and social tidings and tendencies;
Whereas national sovereignty is essentially human rights for a nation as a separate entity;
Whereas the majority of developing nations across the world—particularly in Africa—are
undergoing political insurrection, and are dealing with startling rates concerning poverty,
illness, education, malnourishment, and the essential safety of their people;
Resolved by the United Nations
1. The United Nations will endorse the military and political intervention of a member
State into a struggling nation when approved by SOCHUM.
2. Though these troops and other workers will be under guidance from the United
Nations, they will come from a specific country, as opposed to international
diplomats or “Peacemakers.”
3. The intervention of a member State into another may only be proposed when there is
direct harm being imposed upon the struggling nations’ peoples, betraying their
basic Human Rights.