United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)
Topic A: Combating the Regression of (Education and Health) Welfare in War Zones
"Children have become frontline targets. This is a moral crisis of our age: We must never accept this as the ‘new normal.’"
Under the international humanitarian law, both schools and hospitals are regarded as zones of peace, out of bounds for any armed group. However, this is often disregarded during times of conflict, due to the practical and tactical advantages schools and hospitals offer, causing detrimental effects on children. Due to the occupation of schools and hospitals, children are deprived of two of their basic rights which are their right to education and health, putting their lives and futures at risk. Through the destruction and damage of these educational infrastructures, children’s security while going to school and attending class is threatened, causing many parents to fear sending their children to school, especially girls who are often at risk of violence. Additionally, due to this increased violence and the need of soldiers as recruits, children are now more prone to becoming child soldiers, where their lives are further at risk. The impacts of the war is not only limited to children's physical health but also their mental health and development which is but at risk during these times. Children are forced to carry the negative effects of the war throughout their lives, causing girls to experience the effects of the war emotionally, while boys often reflect their feelings through behavioral disorders. Apart from the direct and physical damage to schools and hospitals, conflict can result in the forced closure or the disrupted functioning of these institutions. Plus, the damage inflicted upon hospitals and schools is detrimental and deemed irreversible with no source of aid. Therefore, delegates must discuss solutions regarding the present and future impacts of war on welfare, where they must consider clearing current damage and rehabilitation.
Topic B: Addressing the Case of Stateless/Invisible Children
According to the 1954 UN Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, stateless people are those who are not considered to be a citizen under any law. There are over 20 million documented stateless people in our world, with almost half are estimated to be children. Stateless children are often referred to as ‘invisible children’ as they do not appear in any official documents. This barrier has denied children from their basic rights. In terms of education, many families exploit their children as cheap labor since the governments will not recognize their right to learn. Health care is limited which results to long-term health damaged. As for any social services, they are not granted any protection or insurance. What is the main cause of this crisis? Studies show that the majority of invisible children inherit their statelessness from their parents during birth. If both parents are not recognized as citizens, the child will not no matter the birthplace. Many West African countries do not have legislations and procedures to handle the situation. In some countries, the child’s nationality depends on the father’s. Even if the baby is born in the same country as his mother, the child would inherit his father’s statelessness. An example would be Senegal, that prevented women from passing on their nationality to their children up until 2013. While the lack of official registration at birth, such as a birth certificate, has made it impossible to verify one’s identity and citizenship. Parents in rural areas usually opt for putting their children up for adoption. Occasionally, the country of birth will revoke the child’s nationality when moving to the country of the adoptive parents. However, there is no way to prove the child would be granted citizenship at the adoptive parent’s country. For example, Switzerland would only accept the adoption after a year of the future parents proving they can provide care and education. This will cause the child to be stateless in international adoption cases for a period of time. Other factors that may cause children to be stateless is the surrogate does not live in the same country as the future parents or political tension, such as the Rohingya refugees. As members of the United Nations, we must not be hopeless for stateless children. Delegates must cooperate in building frameworks that will prevent statelessness. By joining efforts with NGOs and government officials, resolutions must ensure the provision of rights for current and future invisible children.