Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 80 double DELEGATIONS

The primary goal of SOCHUM is to address and respond to social issues connected to protecting individuals’ livelihoods, such as ensuring the security of children, indigenous groups, and the media. Topic A will be preventing child malnutrition and obesity in rural areas. Delegates will consider malnutrition in rural areas in tandem with larger issues of poverty, limited healthcare, and resource shortages. Topic B will examine the legal and ethical dimensions of state interaction with isolated indigenous tribes. Delegates will debate how to protect indigenous autonomy while ensuring these communities are safeguarded from exploitation by external actors, including corporations and unauthorized groups.

Chairs: Catherine Hiemstra & Sophia Saccone

TOPICS

Topic A: Preventing Child Malnutrition and Obesity In Rural Areas

Topic B: Regulations on State Interference of Isolated Indigenous Tribes

lEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Identify the social, economic, and infrastructural causes of child malnutrition and obesity in rural regions across diverse national contexts.

  • Evaluate international human rights standards in the protection of indigenous tribes and cultural autonomy.

  • Understand the responsibilities and limits of state sovereignty in humanitarian and cultural preservation efforts.

about the chairs

Catherine Hiemstra is a student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service’s class of 2027, majoring in International Politics with a minor in French. This is her third year staffing NAIMUN, and she was on NAIMUN LXII’s Secretariat as the Director of Philanthropy. She has also staffed Georgetown’s collegiate conference, NCSC, for the past two years, and competed in Model UN throughout high school. She is excited to chair SOCHUM for NAIMUN LXIII and can’t wait to be in a more front-facing role. In her free time, Catherine enjoys reading, outdoor activities like hiking, going on walks, and trying new coffee shops with friends. She is looking forward to meeting all of SOCHUM’s delegates and to making this NAIMUN an incredible experience for everyone who is participating!

Sophia Saccone is a student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service’s class of 2027, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in Security Studies and a minor in Theology & Religious Studies. This is her second year staffing NAIMUN, and she has also served as Director of Registration for Georgetown’s middle school conference, DistrictMUN. Outside of MUN, Sophia enjoys hiking, watching sports, and exploring D.C. She is beyond excited to be co-chairing SOCHUM and to meet all of you in the process!