It is a pleasure to welcome you to the forty-second session of the University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference (UPMUNC) and, more specifically, to the Third Committee of the General Assembly, the Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM).
My name is Ainah Tan and I have the distinct pleasure of being the chair of this committee. I am a senior studying Economics and Chemistry at Penn. I have been involved in Model UN for the past eight years and look forward to another year of tackling the world’s issues. In particular, I have been a member of the Secretariat of our sister conference, the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference (ILMUNC). I have served as an Assistant Secretary-General, Undersecretary-General of the Economic and Social Council, and, most recently, the Secretary-General of the twenty-fourth session of ILMUNC. As far as UPMUNC is concerned, I have served as the Vice Chair of the Legal General Assembly Committee, and also Vice Chair and Chair of the Disarmament and International Security General Assembly Committee. I am extremely excited to be chairing SOCHUM for this year's UPMUNC.
SOCHUM is a crucial committee in the United Nations, with a long history of significantly contributing to social and humanitarian affairs, and human rights. In this session, we will face some of today’s most contentious issues: 1) The Dissemination of Contraceptive Education, and 2) Water and It’s Use in Developing Countries. Both of these topics are multifaceted, and are of great importance in today’s ever-changing world.
Topic 1, The Controversy Surrounding the Education and Usage of Contraceptives encompasses several issues ranging from aging populations, to forced labor, and to disease eradication, all of which must be considered during topic discussion. We must be sensitive to countries’ differing cultural and religious values regarding contraception, and be able to suggest educational programs that may be implemented, bearing in mind the varying population dynamics around the world.
Topic 2, Clean Water in Developing Countries, looks at the most basic necessity in human populations. While some countries are using water without limitations, others struggle with the lack of clean or accessible water. The availability of water affects issues from sustaining agriculture to basic sanitation. This committee must devise solutions on how to provide clean water to those in need of it.
My goal for this committee is that it be challenging, exciting and also fun. I have no doubt that all of you will be able to tackle these difficult issues of concern. If you have any questions about the committee prior to conference, please feel free to contact me at ainah@sas.upenn.edu. I look forward to seeing you all at UPMUNC!
Ainah Tan
ainah@sas.upenn.edu