Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM)

The Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee of the United Nations addresses topics related to social matters, humanitarian affairs, and human rights issues that affect citizens around the world.

Topic A: Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

April 15, 2023, marked the start of Sudan’s civil conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Leaders of both parties had previously worked together to overthrow former dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Despite trying to reach a power-sharing agreement, and holding discussions to officially integrate the RSF into the army, both parties began — and continue to — vye for political legitimacy, stalling the country’s democratic transition and socioeconomic development in the process. The conflict has since become the worst displacement crisis in the world, and pushed a nation into severe hunger and poverty. With the additional challenge of navigating a government in transition, delegates must strategize ways to effectively and safely allay the Sudanese humanitarian crisis before conditions for civilians worsen.

Topic B:  Addressing the Growing Aging Population

Advancements in the overall quality of life and subsequent longer life expectancies in the past century have brought with it a surprising demographic development: the rise of the aging population. Amidst a backdrop of decreasing fertility rates and skyrocketing costs of living, most notably in developed countries, the aging population may become the global norm by, estimates wager, as soon as 2050. A key question for delegates remain — what does a world where the dependent elderly overwhelmingly outweigh the active population look like? In this debate, delegates must confront the growing inevitability of the demand for public resources far outweighing what current policies can ever provide. What needs to change? More importantly, how can change — towards a world that champions “healthy aging” — be realized?

meet your chair!

Chair: Maki Flauta

Maki is a sophomore from the Philippines and Hong Kong concentrating in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). Her particular interests lie in welfare and development. Outside Model UN, she is a member of the New College West College Council, a freshman orientation leader with Outdoor Action, and Vice-President of the Princeton Filipino Community. In her free time, she loves to hike and enjoy good food with great company.