We are living in times of extreme uncertainty – the COVID-19 pandemic, among other factors, has shed a light on the shortcomings of the current international system, which we have been carpeting for many years. Our every day is ruled by shifts on the stage of international relations: complex political frictions and unresolved issues of the past, huge developmental differences, environmental meltdowns, health, and humanitarian crises, changing balances of power, and more. All these crises are shaping our lives and are key determinants of our future. They tend to be overwhelming and create a feeling of hopelessness and constant fear.

We want to change that – we believe that the future lies in our hands; young minds are also meant for high politics. Thus, at this year’s edition of Salient, we will focus on these political, humanitarian, environmental-developmental, and last but not least, health crises of the new world through the lenses of four United Nations committees. Model United Nations is all about giving young people the opportunity to “save the world” and make it a better place for future generations; firstly, in the premises of a simulation and eventually in real-life practice. In uncertain times like these, our voices have to be heard, and heads have to be put together for finding outstanding solutions for the Crises of the New World.

Format 1+3

Our Salient Youth Conference has been following the 1+3 format for years now - participants can in addition to the experience of an international conference gain in-depth knowledge on the actual topic, directly from professionals. This year we are offering four committees, one of which will be completely online. On the first day of the Conference, the spotlight is on our Salient Panels - various experts, policymakers, and representatives share their knowledge with those interested through round-table debates. The freshly gained insight can then be of a great addition to the delegates’ Committee simulation work in the following three days of the Conference. Nonetheless, the first-hand information can greatly benefit any visitors’ future career path and overall perception of international relations.

The United Nations Security Council is a key committee of the UN, tasked with preserving world peace. The current political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina represents the worst political crisis in the country (and in the region) since the end of the Bosnian war in the 1990s. The threat of secession of the Bosnian Serb political entity the Republic of Srpska which has also sparked many fears that the crisis could escalate into another armed conflict which would threaten the entire region and also diminish the efforts for Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the European Union, with the biggest destabilizing factor being the separation of the unitary armed force.

As a result of the reduction of an international presence following the Dayton Accords, opposing interests and unresolved issues have resurfaced among the three ethnic groups. The Republic of Srpska, led by Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik is pushing for secession of the Republic of Srpska. The first escalation of the crisis was when High Representative Valentin Inzko on 23 July introduced a law that made the denial of genocide a criminal offense. This resulted in backlash, culminating in the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska formally rejecting the law even though it had no legal power to do so. Following this, Dodik announced that the Serb republic is stepping away from the shared armed forces, top judiciary body, and tax administration.

This conflict also has an international dimension, receiving attention at the UN Security Council, with Russia and China supporting the dissolution of the Office of the high representative, which is supported by the United States and the European Union. After a bloody and tragic war in the 1990s, another conflict could push the country, and its people, to the brink of destitution.

Much more attention has been paid to the World Health Organization as the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and the guidance of the Organization was much needed. The WHO was founded in 1948 and it is a UN agency that strives to support governments to ensure everyone, everywhere has an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. It also provides on-the-ground planning, implementation, and monitoring of health programmes in member states.

The ongoing pandemic has posed many challenges to the organization, which required fast answers and solutions - the world stopped, while scientists of the world tried to find a solution to the unprecedented challenge of Covid-19. After two years, it seems like we can see the light at the end of the tunnel - but many warn, the phenomena of global health crises might become a part of our everyday lives sooner or later.

Does the international community have the capacities and mechanisms to react to such crises and systemic meltdowns? Do such events require isolationism or a common reaction? How to tackle the danger of future pandemics? We will take a look ahead and rethink the influence of global health crises on our future and how these could and should be managed.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development - UNCTAD is a crucial committee for tackling issues of unequal development and creating an environment for fair economic relations among countries. It strives for inclusive and sustainable development – the latter has been increasingly gaining importance due to the ever-escalating environmental crisis that shapes the future of humankind.

The right to development has been conflicted by green mercantilism, which presents an impediment for developing states in their endeavours for a better future. Green development is thus strongly encouraged, but there are many dilemmas concerning this topic: Do all developing and least developed countries have the means to invest in green technology? If not, can these “green” limitations to development make or break a country’s path to prosperity?

The topics of environmental change and development are crucial for the future of the whole international community - they resurface the faults of historical injustices, unequal opportunities, and current developmental and environmental trends.

The Human Rights Council replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2006. It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the protection and promotion of human rights It is also addressing human rights violations and thematic human rights issues and crises. One of the more pressing issues attracting the attention of the international community are current events in Afghanistan. It is not the first time that the issues in the country are on the agenda of the Council.

What we see in Afghanistan is a very complex state of affairs that exceeds several dimensions of human rights violation, and the crisis seems to be only deepening. The already unstable situation has worsened with the departure of American forces - it opened up many new problems, while the country is still plagued by a pandemic. Their existence is threatened by a possible collapse of their economy and health system. This multidimensional crisis also concerns severe hunger, as well as the problematic treatment of women and girls.

Will the uncertainties in Afghanistan ever see resolution and how should (or shouldn’t) the international community act to return stability to the region?

Follow us on
social media