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SOCIAL, HUMANITARIAN, and CULTURAL COMMITTEE
Chair: Greta Garrison
Committee Type: General Assembly
The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM), also known as the Third Committee of the General Assembly, is one of the United Nations General Assembly’s six main committees. It was created alongside the United Nations during the late 1940s and considers issues related to violations of basic human rights, such as the right to life and freedoms like political participation and cultural expression. This committee also seeks to deal with issues that concern specific groups including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities. SOCHUM aims to do this through the creation and implementation of peaceful solutions, work with experts and other UN agencies, and by conducting research and advocacy efforts. Today, SOCHUM is considered one of the most important bodies of the UNGA, and is instrumental in protecting many rights outlined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Topic 1
Advancing Education Opportunities For Displaced Persons
With millions across the globe seeking asylum in host countries or safety in refugee camps, it’s essential to consider the limitations to education access that these people face. Education programs available to refugees entering into new areas are often underfunded or inaccessible, and additional language and cultural barriers can make integration into schooling systems extremely difficult. Refugee camps often include a diverse body of refugees from many different ethnic and national origins, and additional social challenges and tensions can make education more complicated. Additionally, inadequate funding for programs in camps remains a persistent problem, and has been increasingly exasperated by cuts to humanitarian and development aid. Delegates in this committee should seek to reimagine and standardize instructional programs in camps and in refugees' host countries to ensure that people are given the educational support and options that allow for smooth integration, cultural exposure, and employment opportunities, and so that refugees are able to build new and stable lives.
Topic 2
Addressing Refugees’ Economic Barriers and Limited Opportunities in the Work Force
Over 40 million people around the world today are categorized as refugees, and finding opportunities in the work force has become a pressing challenge for this group of people. Humanitarian groups and funding often prioritize immediate needs, like food and healthcare, but needs for longer term support and economic integration are largely overlooked - and these are what often dictate the ability for refugees to assimilate into new countries or lead comfortable lives within camps. This leaves refugees with little support in the job search, and often pushes refugees into less stable lines of work. Low wages, minimal labor protections, and short terms are common for those who secure jobs; as a result, refugees are often dependent on humanitarian aid, and vulnerable to exploitation. Language and skill gaps, lack of recognition of prior education/professional credentials, and sometimes legal restrictions on the right to work (or limited access to financial systems) make the job hunt incredibly difficult to navigate, or even entirely inaccessible. These obstacles are often further amplified for women and youth, as issues like interrupted education and differences in gender norms can make it more difficult for these groups to find jobs. SOCHUM recognizes that overcoming this barrier is essential in assisting refugees to build successful and happy lives. Therefore, in this topic, delegates are asked to consider transformative measures for programs that allow refugees quick and easy access to specialized trade schools and trainings, assistance with the job search that takes into consideration the unique skills and situations of individuals, and more accessible long term career paths, within refugee camps and abroad.