Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM)
Topic A: Discussing the Use of Tunneling and Urban Underground Space Technology in Reducing Overpopulation
With the rapid rate of population growth and economic development, cities are facing enormous challenges to meet the needs of such growth as space is limited. Many countries have acknowledged the need to use optimal and integrated solutions to ensure sustainable development and advancement despite overcrowding aftereffects. Recently, a new approach to settling overcrowding caused by world-wide urbanization has been popularized, where the usage of subterraneous spaces is being regarded as a shrewd solution. Efforts have included using such spaces for both commercial and residential use, as well as storage, water conveyance and treatment, travel and entertainment purposes. The utilization of underground space effectively ensures the exploitation of underground resources, eases environmental pressures caused by urbanization, grants humans control over unpredictable weather conditions, all with meeting people’s needs. However, considering each projects’ considerable and excessive costs, and some countries’ difficulties in acquiring qualified administrators to undertake such projects, traditionally, subterraneous solutions have been overlooked as a solution in many regions. In turn, delegates must discuss the practicality of this solution, and whether or not efforts should be extended or alternatives should be proposed (with given examples). Additionally, delegates must compare and address the negative and positive economic, social and environmental outcomes of each given solution.
Topic B: Justifying the Rights of Civil Disobedience and its Effects on National Sovereignty
Civil disobedience is the active, professed refusal of a citizen to obey a certain law, demand or order of a government in an attempt to convey a message of dissatisfaction regarding a certain policy or practice. Historically, acts of civil disobedience have been great catalysts for change, as they are usually public and aimed at gathering a shared resistance to unjust or constitutional laws or policies. Additionally, such acts are considered symbolic and ritualistic by many, where moral examples are set peacefully and in turn causing meaningful political, social, or economic change. Examples of such acts include: The Black Panther civil rights movement, Mahatma Gandhi's campaigns, and the Orange Revolution. Though, acts of civil disobedience have faced many criticisms from radical and conservative schools of thought, as many deem such acts as anarchy and the cause of dysfunction in society, as people are “allowed to break any rule at anytime.'' Additionally, many efforts have lead to harmful coups and massacres including Gandhi's Salt march of 1930, and the Paris massacre of 1961. Therefore, delegates must first determine whether or not “Civil Disobedience” should be defined as an “issue”, and in turn propose solutions discussing to what extent civil disobedience should be permitted, regulated or protected in order to ensure a secure resolution for this ethical dilemma.