Distinguished Delegates,

Hello and welcome to the amazing New York City, also known as The Big Apple! The Dais and
I would like to welcome you to the fifth annual Change the World Model United Nations
(CWMUN) Conference and more specifically to the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR) Committee, for what promises to be another exciting and enriching event.
My name is Scotty David and I am honored to be your Director for the UNHCR committee for
this conference. I am currently a senior attending Rollins College in Orlando, Florida studying
Economics. I have been involved with Model UN both domestically and internationally for the
past three years and have had the opportunity to attend the CWMUN NYC conference for the
past two years as a delegate. With the help of my fellow Dais members, our role is to provide
you with a smooth and successful conference experience, engaging in substantive debate while
simultaneously guiding the group discussions in both a positive and productive direction. Due to
recent global events, the three topics we will be focusing on have significant relevance in terms
of finding concrete solutions to benefit the global landscape.
This annual conference takes place entirely within the renowned United Nations Headquarters
located in New York City, which is an opportunity to walk amongst the footsteps of countless
leaders who have defined the political, economic, and social aspects of our world. Coming to
CWMUN is a tremendous opportunity for you to hone your model UN skills, meet lifelong
friends, and have amazing experiences. The CWMUN conference is so unique because of the
magnitude of international delegates coming from various countries around the world. The need
to overcome language barriers, and the need to understand cultural differences, all stem from a
mutual understanding to fulfill the mission of the United Nations. The overall mission of the
United Nations is simulated in a perfect blend here at the Change the World Model United
Nations conference.
I look forward to seeing what you all have to offer to debate and expect each and every one of
you to be well read, going beyond the background guide and doing extensive preparation.
Accordingly, a profound knowledge of current events, international development, international
legislation, and your particular countrys state of development will be critical. This committee, in
particular, will be exciting but at the same time I am confident you will all have an amazing
experience by ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING both in and outside of debate. Our aim is to create
an environment where delegates can push themselves outside their comfort zone and challenge
their preexisting knowledge by taking risks and challenging the status quo as we attempt to
formulate solutions regarding pressing issues that face our world. We are counting down the
days until were all in the Big Apple engaging in this unique experience together!

Yours Truly,
Scotty David
Director of UNHCR

unhcr@cwmun.org

UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR)

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was
established on December 14, 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. The agency is
mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve
refugee problems worldwide.
Some relevant dates in the history of the UNHCR
December 14, 1950
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established by the
United Nations General Assembly with a three-year mandate to complete its work and then
disband
July 28, 1951
The United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees the legal foundation of
helping refugees and the basic statute guiding UNHCRs work was adopted
April 22, 1954
The United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees that defined who is and who is
not a refugee entered into effect for protecting European refugees in the aftermath of World War
II
October 4, 1967
The 1967 Protocol broadens the applicability of the 1951 Convention. The 1967 Protocol
removed the geographical and time limits that were part of the 1951 Convention
June 15, 2005
Antnio Guterres was elected by the UN General Assembly to become the 10th United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees
July 9, 2015
Antnio Guterres states the total number of refugees fleeing Syria due to the Daesh crisis
exceeds 4 million people

Current Members:
There are currently 98 members. For more information on the functions and capacities that entail
the UNHCR, please refer to the links provided after the topics.

unhcr@cwmun.org

I. Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts

The United Nations (UN) is tasked with addressing challenges on a global scale, and one
particular challenge includes its role in acting as a peacekeeping body. The UN works to
maintain international peace and security in a world where security threats have become more
complex. Globally, terrorism has consistently impacted peace and security. Whether this refers to
the Charlie Hebdo attacks in France, the suicide bombings perpetrated by Boko Haram militants
in Nigeria, countless individuals fall victim to the grave terrorist attacks each year. Transnational
threats create roots for the development of both regional and global tensions. International
terrorism poses a very significant threat to peace and security worldwide. On September 14,
2014 all fifteen UN Security Council member states passed a resolution that prevents suspected
foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) from traveling to member states and creates legislation to
prosecute FTFs. The resolution defines foreign terrorist fighters as individuals who travel to a
State other than their States of residence or nationality for the purpose of the perpetration,
planning, or preparation of, or participation in, terrorist acts or the providing or receiving of
terrorist training, including in connection with armed conflict. Transnational threats create roots
for the development of regional and global tensions by undermining the authority of states,
spread corruption, and weaken economic development.
A comprehensive approach in combating the global threat posed by terrorism is needed, which
requires action - not only in strengthening security and law enforcement - but also in addressing
its root causes and the conditions which are conducive to the spread of terrorism. There must be
an international effort to eradicate poverty and promote sustained economic growth, sustainable
development and global prosperity for all, which in fact will end up creating better conditions for
developing peace in the minds of individuals. A humanitarian response is necessary by sending a
clear political message from the international community to condemn the Daesh attacks. The
extremist group poses an unprecedented threat to nations around the world.
With the mounting complexity and growing costs of addressing crisis situations, the imperative
of conflict prevention is higher than ever before. The United Nations continues to face
challenges regarding how best to engage with extremist groups. With the use of a holistic
approach, the United Nations has strengthened its relationships with regional and sub-regional
organizations, which play a significant role in fostering conflict prevention, in addition to rapid
responses to regional crises. Continued interest in using peacekeeping used to recognize as an
effective tool, without which the human and material costs of conflict and relapse into conflict
would be significantly higher. New and more sophisticated types of security threats require new
approaches and strategies for combating these terrorist organizations. Peacekeeping operations
are being increasingly being deployed earlier in the conflict continuum, before any peace or
ceasefire agreement. The creation of political and security space necessary for successful
negotiation are crucial for peacekeeping efforts. Collaboration efforts between the different
United Nations entities are the best way to collectively address the international peace and
security challenges we face now, and in the coming years from terrorism.

unhcr@cwmun.org

II. The Impact of Social Media on Democracy

The explosive growth of social media in the 21st century has made a significant impact
worldwide. Social media constitutes a group of Internet-based applications that build on the
ideological and technological foundations that allow the creation and exchange of user-generated
content. Democracy, and democratic governance in particular, means that peoples human rights
and fundamental freedoms are respected, promoted and fulfilled, allowing them to live with
dignity in a government for the people, by the people. Although in theory this idea of democracy
is desirable, this does not necessarily depict the reality in many countries throughout the world
due to censorship from the government, violence, political imprisonment, among others.
Although the United Nations Charter does not mention the word democracy, the opening
words of the Charter, We the Peoples, reflect the fundamental principle of democracy, that the
will of the people is the source of legitimacy of sovereign states and therefore of the United
Nations as a whole.

This chart provides a visual depiction that 1 out of 4 people use some form of social media. In
recent social movements, social networks have become mass communication tools and vehicles
for mobilization. Websites such as Facebook and Twitter are being widely used by activists and
citizens to relay information that is not always accessible through traditional media, as well as to
bypass censorship. Consider the situation involving the internal conflict of Tunisia. One can
argue that the power of social media shed light to the uprising of the Tunisian revolution in the
winter of 2010. The Revolution unfolded in three basic stages consisting of initial awareness,
organization amongst groups, to mass chaos and violence. The presence of social media created a
world-wide audience which created growing pressure on the government eventually leading to a
thorough democratization of the country with democratic elections. The overall effectiveness of

Social Media Today: http://wearesocial.com/uk/special-reports/digital-social-mobile-worldwide-2015

unhcr@cwmun.org

social media as a political weapon has been due to their ability to marshal the support of large
numbers of people for specific goals, such as removing a tyrant or electing a specific candidate.
Since taking power in 2000, Syrias President Bashar al-Assads government has sought to stifle
dissent by banning websites like Facebook, where users can interact with other members. But
unlike the Tunisian crisis where groups garnered support to organize a revolution, many
individuals in Syria are fearful of the possible repercussions if they were caught using social
media to voice their opinions and speak ill of the government, or even members of Daesh
persecuting them. Another belief is that the government is tracking the anti-Assad revolution on
social media and keeping tabs on which of these people is involved, generating even more fear of
possible punishment. These two countries present very different situations and outcomes of
social media as a facilitator for political revolutionary movements.
From Twitter hashtags to Facebook posts that have gone viral, social media has the ability to
raise awareness and empathy for the plight of refugees. The power of social media is being
harnessed by refugees to create a voice for the voiceless. In 2014, the UNHCR, along with the
IKEA Foundation, launched a Social Media Campaign called Brighter Lives for Refugees.
This campaign has raised over 10 million dollars in order to provide sustainable lighting for
refugees. This is a concrete example of how different organizations and nonprofits have come
together to create change and support the lives of refugees by using the power of social media

This useful NPR podcast shares alternative ways individuals around the world are attempting to
use social media to create conversation among the general population about important issues in a
democratic manner with the intention of having their voice heard by political leaders.
2

NPR. Could We Open Source Democracy:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=449200409&m=451113391&live=
1

unhcr@cwmun.org

III. Media Effects during Violent Conflict:

Evaluating Media Contributions to Peace Building
Media can be defined as the main means of mass communication through various outlets such as
television, radio, newspaper, and the Internet. The media plays a powerful role in situations
regarding violence. History has shown that the media can incite people towards violence.
International media sources such as the BBC, NPR, CNN, al-Arabiya, and al-Jazeera have the
potential to influence governments and international organizations. These sources can have an
agenda-setting effect on a global scale. This effect revolves around the ideological components
of political disagreements, and more specifically the way key individuals in conflict seek to
manipulate public perceptions of the disagreement. The medias impact on peacebuilding must
be significant given its powerful impact on conflict. Although media companies would suggest
the importance of exposing the truth in their news as the most important mission, they are
corporate-focused entities that must get citizens to watch and read their content. The media rests
in a powerful position to manipulate what we see and hear about conflict.

Over the years, the fact that the press has become a target in the Afghan conflict, stresses the
importance of the media as an instrument of warfare and power. The ability of the media to spur
ethnic hatred and promote violence has been notoriously witnessed in the past decades. Despite
the criticism the media recieves, its important to recognize the medias reach is but a first step in
harnessing its power as a potential peacebuilder. The media is a double-edged sword. The
other edge, opposite of the criticism, the ability to reconcile communities after civil conflict and
contribute to peacebuilding, has been less widely recognized. The mass media entail much more
than news and current affairs. The possibilities with radio, TV, print, mobile phones, and the
internet are almost endless. All of these different formats could be used towards peacebuilding,
which has the overarching goal to develop local capacity resolve conflict without violence, in
order to improve human security.
Peacebuilding involves a multitiude of activities all aimed at decreasing the probability of violent
conflict. The United Nations classified the development of local media as a cross-cutting
peacebuilding concern, transcending all types of activities. The media can be used in a more proactive manner to promote peacebuilding
3

Media Focus: http://www.slideshare.net/hifzakiyani5/media-discourse

unhcr@cwmun.org

This TED Talk provides a good analysis observing how screens affect the overall landscape of
war. The rapid advancement of technology has altered our perception of what entails various
conflicts and wars around the world.
Media may not be able to solve conflicts, but there is certainly an important role for them in
reconciling communities, spurring debate, and changing the overall behavior towards
peacebuilding. The media intervention regarding peacebuilding requires systemic change that
cannot be fixed overnight. Overall contributions to promote peacebuilding can be solved through
facilitating dialogue and negotiations between conflicted groups. By incorporating media
strategies, this allows these programs to reach and potentially influence a far larger audience in a
positive direction. Media must be prepared accordingly for the different roles it can play as
information providers, mobilizers, and promoters. This is accomplished currently in a haphazard
manner, with peacebuilding media consultants and policymakers often working independently
from one another with disregard the outcome and public perception from past experiences.
The framework on media and peacebuilding is a powerful resource that must be addressed as to
how best to prevent overall public hysteria when violent conflicts inevitably arise during the
coming years around the world.

war

TED Radio Hour: http://www.npr.org/2015/09/11/439195298/how-are-screens-changing-the-face-of-

unhcr@cwmun.org

Works Cited and Further Reference

History:
Unknown. "About Us." UNHCR News. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, n.d.
Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
Guterres, Antonio. "The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and Its 1967
Protocol." UNHCR News. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Sept. 2011. Web.
22 Dec. 2015.
Guterres, Antnio. "Convention and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees." UNHCR News.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Dec. 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
I. Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Acts
"Global Response to Terrorism Vital for Solving Refugee Crisis, European Leaders Tell UN."
UN News Center. United Nations, 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
"UN Security Council Resolution 2178 on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by
Terrorist Acts." Council on Foreign Relations. Council on Foreign Relations, 24 Sept. 2014.
Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
II. The Impact of Social Media on Democracy
Baldwin, Clare. "Rights Group Demands Chinese Supporters of HK Democracy Be Freed."
Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 27 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
"Global Issues at the United Nations." UN News Center. United Nations, Fall 2015. Web. 22
Dec. 2015.
"Digital, Social & Mobile Worldwide in 2015." We Are Social UK. We Are Social, 2015. Web.
22 Dec. 2015.
"Free Flow of Information and Social Networks: A Role for Democracy and Social Participation
| United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization." UNESCO and WSIS.
UNESCO, 2011. Web. 29 Dec. 2015.
"Social Media: A Double-edged Sword in Syria." Reuters. Thomson Reuters, 13 July 2011. Web.
22 Dec. 2015.
Press Release. "The IKEA Brighter Lives for Refugees Campaign Raises 10.8 Million for
UNHCR." UNHCR News. The UN Refugee Agency, 10 Apr. 2015. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.

unhcr@cwmun.org

III. Media Effects During Violent Conflict:

Evaluating Media Contributions to Peace Building
How Are Screens Changing The Face of War. Dir. P.W. Singer. National Public Radio. TED
Radio Hour, 12 Sept. 2015. Web. 22 Dec. 2015.
"International Peace and Security | United Nations." UN News Center. United Nations, 2015.
Web. 22 Dec. 2015.

unhcr@cwmun.org