United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 160 single DELEGATIONs

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes peace and international cooperation through education, culture, science, and technology while working to preserve and strengthen the cultural foundations of each society. Topic A will address the increasing global threats facing cultural heritage sites, including those arising from interstate conflicts and irresponsible tourism. Delegates must approach this issue from multiple angles, considering transnational strategies to preserve and safeguard cultural heritage sites. Topic B will confront the growing commercialization and appropriation of indigenous art and culture, which has contributed to the theft of intellectual property and exploitation of indigenous communities. Delegates must discuss how to protect indigenous cultural expression from exploitation while creating frameworks that allow indigenous communities to maintain intellectual ownership of and economically benefit from their artistic and cultural heritage

Chairs: Catherine Hiemstra & Sophia Saccone

TOPICS

Topic A: Combating Global Threats to Cultural Heritage Sites

Topic B: Addressing the Commercialization of Indigenous Arts and Culture