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Ad Hoc Session of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology Ad Hoc Session of The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology Specialized Agency Queen’s National Model United Nations 2021 1 International Tech Summit 2018 From the Secretary-General Dear Delegates, It is my privilege to welcome you to Queen’s National Model United Nations 2021! My name is Samuel Tobert, and it is my honour to serve as your Secretary-General for QNMUN 2021. Originally from Vancouver, B.C. I study Biochemistry, Political Science and Business at Queen’s University. Model UN has been an integral part of my High School and University careers, and through it, I have met some of my closest friends, made some of my fondest memories, and learned valuable skills, becoming a more engaged global citizen. I am so glad that you have chosen to join us for this year’s iteration of QNMUN, held virtually for the first time in our history. COVID-19 has brought many challenges to our community and has presented new obstacles to Model UN; however, I can confidently say that our team has been working tirelessly to deliver a high quality and engaging conference for you. If there is anything we can do to make our conference more accessible in its online format, please do not hesitate to reach out. With this year marking my 8th on the Model UN circuit, I reflect upon the many experiences that I have had in MUN. I can confidently say that Model UN is one of the most fulfilling activities I have had the privilege to participate in. It has made me a better speaker, a better problem solver and taught me so much about myself and the world we live in. From a small Crisis Committee negotiating the denuclearization of the Koreas to a 400-person General Assembly on improving the education of Women and Girls, I have found my love for MUN at conferences across North America. I hope that QNMUN will inspire all of you to learn more about how you can make a difference in the communities you are a part of and will inspire you to further pursue Model UN in the future! This year I am excited to announce that we have many resources available to you to help you prepare for the conference. In addition to this background guide and the delegate handbook, we will be hosting a drop-in mentorship session for all delegates Thursday, February 4th, in the afternoon and evening. There you can gain tips and tricks on debate and research and speak to Model UN veterans – I highly encourage all of you to attend! I would also encourage you to talk to your sponsor teachers about having your team join the QNMUN Mentorship Program. This program, taught by experienced University Model UN delegates, can help guide your Model UN team throughout the school year with material and mentorship, preparing you for conferences and teaching you essential Model UN skills. This year we have an incredible set of committees that I cannot wait for all of you to experience. From local representatives discussing Canadian Dairy Farming to Women of the Naval Auxiliary discussing Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1942, I am sure the committees you will find this year at QNMUN are like no other. Whatever committee you are in, and whether this is your first Model UN conference or if you are a veteran in your final year of High School, I hope you will thoroughly enjoy your time at QNMUN 2021! Best regards, Smauel Tobert Samuel tobert Secretary-General, QNMUN 2021 2 International Tech Summit 2018 From your Committee Director Dear Delegates, Welcome to QNMUN 2021! My name is Nora Mangan, and I will be your committee director for the Ad Hoc Session of The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology: International Tech Summit 2018. Before I have the opportunity to meet you, I would love to introduce myself on paper. I am currently in my second year of Queen’s University, majoring in Geography and working toward a certificate in geographic information systems. This year marks my first time working with the QNMUN team, but I was very active in high school Model UN. My love for Model UN started in Grade 11 when being a late addition to our Model UN team, other delegates from my high school questioned my abilities. To prove them wrong, I spent every spare minute researching and drafting potential resolutions at my first conference, hosted by Dartmouth. I left that weekend with a Best Delegate gavel and an immense amount of pride. I was elected to the executive board of my high school chapter in Grade 12, finding purpose in teaching the tricks of the trade to new delegates. Outside of Model UN, you could probably find me playing pick-up soccer at Tindall Field or hunched over my computer working on a GIS lab at Mackintosh-Corry Hall. The topics covered by this committee were chosen due to their applicability to current events. Although you will be representing specific positions and their interests, it is important for everyone to explore and discuss the impact of big tech and social media use. Hopefully, this committee will allow you to understand better big tech’s role in our society and where you stand as a user. If you have any questions about the committee, opportunities at Queen’s University, or want to introduce yourself, feel free to email me at [email protected]. I am so excited to meet you all in February and bring this concept to life. Nora Mangan nora Mangan Committee Director 3 International Tech Summit 2018 Position Papers Position papers are an opportunity to gather your thoughts, prioritize issues, and begin planning for the committee before any debate begins. A position paper should be about one page in length, single-spaced in Times New Roman font. The format that will be easiest for you to write and the Dias to read will be in three paragraphs. In the first paragraph, you should outline what your delegation feels are the most pressing or significant issues facing the committee. Also, include facts that you have found in your research that you think will prove highly relevant. In the second, I would like to see a preview of what your delegation will be arguing in committee. How are the interests of the individual, organization, or nation you represent uniquely positioned to address the issues you identified? In the third paragraph, you can present solutions to the problems that will benefit your delegation and ideas you would want to see in a successful resolution. Please send position papers for The Ad Hoc Session of The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology to [email protected] by 23:59EST on February 4th. All position papers will be scanned for plagiarism, so be sure to cite your sources. For those representing individuals, you may use the first person when writing your position paper; for those representing the delegation of nations, you would use the third person. As an example, “the Delegation of the United Kingdom” believes as opposed to “I believe.” Delegates who would like guidance on writing their position papers are encouraged to get in touch with their committee Director via Email or attend our drop-in mentorship session taking place Thursday afternoon and evening on February 4th via Zoom. 4 International Tech Summit 2018 by member states alone. Social media and tech representatives will not only have the same voice Background Information as member states, but they will hold the same power in the voting process. Delegates include The United Nations Commission on representatives from the largest technology and Science and Technology for Development social networking companies. These delegates (CTSD) is a subsidiary body of the Economic and will not represent their residing member state Social Council. The commission was established but rather offer recommendations for resolutions to provide the General Assembly with analytical that would benefit their corporate interests. advice and policy recommendations pertaining There will also be delegates from major to challenges arising from rapid technology member states of the CTSD: politicians holding advancement. The CSTD recognizes that technology and developmental positions in science and technology have the power to shape their government. Similarly, these delegates the development of nations and societies; the will vie for their countries’ self-interests and commission provides a space where members ideologies. The relationship between member can discuss how this can be done ethically and states and technology companies is dependent sustainably. on the economic and governmental structure of the residing nation. Since this panel is an Besides the annual meeting of the international collaboration, these relationships CTSD, ad hoc panels meet between sessions will vary among delegates and will influence to examine specific issues on science and how blocs form. technology. These ad hoc panels are composed of experts and known participants in the field of study, so they can provide the CTSD with more specialized recommendations. This committee will function as one of the ad hoc panels.1 An ad hoc panel of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development has been called today to discuss the pressing issue of social media’s power in our society. With recent events, social media companies have been in the spotlight for negligence and fostering of misinformation campaigns and poor mental health. Governmental parties have been accused of abusing these platforms for personal gain and violating citizen’s fundamental freedoms in the process. For these reasons, this issue is a collaborative measure and cannot be handled 5 International Tech Summit 2018 problem.
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