ENGLISH COMMITTEE DESCRIPTIONS
2023
There are lots of activities available for HACIA Democracy members to choose from. Have a look at our offerings and make sure to get in touch if anything is unclear. We look forward to seeing you soon.
PERMANENT COUNCIL OF THE OAS (DOUBLE DELEGATION)
Topic 1: Climate change and environmental challenges have been a growing concern for much of the international community. Many countries in Latin America have been facing many ecological disasters such as food shortages, droughts, floods, or extreme temperature changes. These changes have in result increased the internal and external migration of individuals. This OAS session we will be focusing on tackling the issue of climate migration in Latin America and working towards creating long lasting solutions to help address this issue
Topic 2: The briefing titled, The Foundations of Climate Change and Impacts on Sustainable Living, outlines key issues in regards to climate change that pertain to Latin America. This briefing specifically focuses on how climate change factors could influence the economies of Latin America and pushes students think critically about how to address this through the Permanent Council of the OAS.
PAHO (DOUBLE DELEGATION)
Topic 1: This committee will evaluate the current state of the existing health systems in Latin America & Caribbean and study prior reform attempts in order to innovate methods of expanding the capabilities and efficiency of these systems while reducing the current inequality of access to care.
Topic 2: Addressing the great issue of decreasing health in Latin America due to high rates of obesity comes with a series of challenges. These include many social determinants of health such as food insecurity, safety concerns, lack of access to care, unstable health systems, a lack of health education and literacy, cultural perceptions towards obesity, and now, complications from the deep impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For this topic, delegates will be tasked with brainstorming innovative solutions to tackle a problem that currently affects hundreds of millions of people across Latin America and the Caribbean.
COLOMBIA LEGISLATURE
Topic 1: A tax reform bill proposed by President Iván Duque in 2021 sparked months of rioting in Colombia. The riots resulted in numerous deaths, and disappearances as well as damage to public infrastructures. This committee will focus on the associated domestic issues the bill and ensuing unrest have precipitated and simulate the legislative process that the legislature of Colombia is/would undergo.
Topic 2: The digital divide in Colombia has widened the achievement gap, and the overall educational inequities for low-income and minority students. The Colombian Chamber of Representatives needs to shift their legislative focus toward financially investing in education in its highest-need communities, especially those serving impoverished minority populations.
INTER-AMERICAN COURT
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS (SINGLE)
Topic 1: In the case of Maya Kaqchikel Indigenous Peoples of Sumpango et al. v. Guatemala, the inter-American court of Human Rights was responsible in deciding whether the state had violated the freedom of expression and the right to culture of many indigenous communities. The Guatemalan government, whose in charge of the distribution of radio frequencies, organizing a monetary auction in order to distribute radio waves and after indigenous communities were unable to compete in these auctions decided to set up their own communal radio stations, illegally according to the state.
Topic 2: Latin America has long struggled with ensuring protection of human rights defenders as they work to advocate for victims and expose human rights violations. The case José Alvéar Restrepo Lawyer’s Collective (CCAJAR) v. Colombia sheds light on multiple instances of attacks, threats and harassment against human rights lawyers followed by a lack of action by the Colombian State. By exploring the extent and reach of violence against human rights activists we will seek to develop potential solutions to this ongoing human rights issue.
OAS SPECIAL MISSION (DOUBLE DELEGATION)
This year’s special mission will turn its focus on Venezuela to address the hyperinflation crisis that has left the country’s national currency virtually worthless, and has spurred millions of Venezuelans to flee their country in search of basic necessities that have become impossible to find in recent years. This committee will work together to understand the economic and political factors that led to this crisis in order to pave a way towards economic stability through democratic leadership.
THE COMMUNITY OF LATIN AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN STATES (CELAC)
In the past century, informal settlements have been developing at exponential rates throughout Latin America. This has led to heightened debates surrounding decisions to integrate these autonomous communities. CELAC delegates will draft a resolution reflecting their nations’ views on the most ethical and appropriate manner treatment of these communities.