BESTMUN'23

• International Labor Organisation (ILO)

  Under Secretary General: Elif Naz Alptekin

  
  

  Topic 1: Prevention And Elimination of Bonded Labor,

  Topic 2: Abolishment of Child labour,

  Information:

  Established in 1919, the International Labor Organization (ILO) is a specialized organization under the United Nations, whose mandate is to promote decent working conditions and advance social justice. ILO conventions and regulations create labor standards that are binding on all nations that ratify them. In order to support the implementation of these standards, the organization also offers technical assistance to governments, employers' associations, and workers' organizations. The ILO also conducts research, gathers statistics on labor issues, and acts as a platform for discussion and mediation among its member states, representatives of workers, and employers.

  
  

  Bonded labor, also known as debt bondage or debt slavery, is a form of modern slavery where an individual is forced to work in order to pay off a debt or other obligation. This practice is illegal in many countries, even in the ones where it is most prevalent. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 21 million people are currently in debt bondage globally. The ILO plays a key role in tackling bonded labor through its international conventions, technical help, and awareness-raising efforts. It is of critical importance to continue the efforts to combat this form of modern slavery. Hence, in BESTMUN23, the delegates of ILO will discuss how to prevent and eliminate bonded labor through a variety of means.

  
  

  Child labor is the employment of children under the age of 18 in work that is hazardous, exploitative, or interferes with their education. Although it is illegal in many countries, the practice still occurs in many parts of the world, especially in developing countries. The International Labour Organization estimates that around 152 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 are currently engaged in child labor globally. The ILO's efforts show that the elimination of child labor requires a multi-faceted approach, including addressing the underlying socio-economic factors that lead to child labor, and providing education and vocational training as an alternative for children. With our second agenda item, the delegates of ILO will be expected to come up with solutions to end child labour from a holistic perspective as this prevailing form of exploitation and abuse of children proves an urgent matter.

Under Secretary General: Yüksel Çağlar Baypınar

Academic Assistant: Melek Pektezel

Topic 1: Technology Facilitating Trafficking in Persons

Information:

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is an important intergovernmental body established in 1997, with a mandate to support Member States in their efforts to counter the world’s most pressing criminal justice and drug control challenges. The UNODC works to promote justice, prevent crime and corruption, and to promote and protect human rights. It provides Member States with the legal and technical assistance they need to effectively combat organized crime, trafficking in persons, and the illicit drug trade. Additionally, the UNODC is responsible for implementing international drug control and crime prevention treaties and for leading the development of global standards and norms in these areas.

The agenda item "Technology Facilitating Trafficking in Persons" highlights the dual role of technology in both aiding and hindering efforts to combat human trafficking. On one hand, technology can be used by traffickers to exploit vulnerable individuals, such as through online recruitment and exploitation. On the other hand, governments can use technology to enhance their efforts to combat trafficking, such as through the use of data analysis and improved information sharing. However, the increased usage of technology also creates new vulnerabilities in governments, such as the risk of cyberattacks on sensitive data and systems. The UNODC will therefore consider the challenges and opportunities presented by technology in the fight against human trafficking, and work to develop recommendations for Member States to effectively utilize technology in a manner that both protects vulnerable populations and safeguards against new risks.

International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

Under Secretary General: Aykut Küçükyıldız

Topic 1: Trial of Radovan Karadžić,

Information:

The International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia was a tribunal which was established to prosecute crimes committed during the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Many war crimes were committed in the conflicts during the dissolution, and prosecuted by the tribunal. In this case, the tribunal shall decide on if Radovan Karadžić, leader of Bosnian Serbs, was involved in the committed war crimes or not.

North Atlantic Council (NAC)

Under Secretary General: Bora Gedikli
 Academic Assistant: Selin Cengiz

Topic 1: Nuclear Deterrence and Energy Security

Topic 2: Political Consultation with the European Union (EU)

Information:
The North Atlantic Council (NAC) is the principal political decision-making body of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), consisting of the ambassadors of all member countries. It is responsible for setting NATO's overall political direction and for ensuring that all decisions are implemented.

NATO's perspective on Nuclear Deterrence is that it is a core component of the alliance's overall defense posture and strategy, serving as a deterrent against the use of weapons of mass destruction by potential adversaries. NATO's nuclear policy aims to maintain a safe, secure, and effective nuclear deterrent to protect the alliance and its member countries.

On Energy Security, NATO views it as a critical aspect of its overall security, recognizing the vulnerability of the alliance to energy supply disruptions and the potential for hostile actions to be taken against energy infrastructure. NATO seeks to enhance its member countries' energy security through political and military means, including through cooperation and coordination on energy security matters.

NATO considers political consultation and cooperation with the European Union (EU) as important for the security of the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO and the EU share a common vision for peace, stability and security and cooperate on a range of security challenges including counter-terrorism, crisis management, and cyber defense.

NATO and the EU have established regular dialogues and meetings at both the political and operational levels to enhance their cooperation and to ensure complementarity between their respective efforts. NATO recognizes the EU's role as a unique and important actor in promoting peace, stability and security in Europe and supports its efforts to develop its defense capabilities.

Under Secretary General: Umay Alçin Göllü

Topic 1: Peloponnesian War

Information:
The Peloponnesian War was a conflict between Athens and Sparta over the control of Greece. The war lasted from 431 to 404 BC, and involved many battles, sieges, and other engagements. It ended with an inconclusive truce that left the Greek world in a state of political disarray.

As a member of  JCC, delegates will be expected to solve crises that involve both diplomacy and war by influencing the politics of their cabinets by acting out in their respective roles.

Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth Committee)

Under Secretary General: Emir Kaan Ahioğlu
Academic Assistant: Meryem Genç

Topic 1: Peaceful Settlement of Territorial Disputes

Information
The United Nations Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Its primary mandate is to address a range of political and decolonization issues, including the granting of independence to trust and non-self-governing territories, the maintenance of international peace and security, and the promotion of friendly relations among nations. SPECPOL operates through the examination and discussion of reports and other relevant information submitted by Member States, specialized agencies, and other bodies of the United Nations system, as well as through consultations and negotiations among its members. Its purpose is to make recommendations and decisions on issues related to its mandate.

Peaceful settlement of territorial disputes is of utmost importance for the United Nations as it helps to maintain international peace and security, uphold the principles of international law, and promote cooperation and stability among nations. The peaceful resolution of territorial disputes also serves to prevent conflicts from escalating into more widespread and destructive conflicts, thereby avoiding the loss of life, property and resources. Furthermore, the peaceful resolution of territorial disputes enables the countries involved to focus their efforts on other important issues such as economic development and social progress, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of their citizens' quality of life. The United Nations plays a crucial role in this regard, through its various mechanisms, including the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL), which support the peaceful settlement of territorial disputes and promote respect for international law.