United Nations Children's Fund

Specialized

Topic A

Proliferation of Child Smugglers in Southeastern Asia

Originated in the 1400s in Europe, child smuggling is depicted as the recruitment and transportation to be exploited, then forced to work. This includes the acts of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced labour in factories and forced criminal affiliation. For example, children are sold to brothels to become sex workers, or to local factories that force them into intense underpaid labour. These horrors are lasting and often follow every child for life.

A recent International Labour Organization (ILO) report shows that around 1.2 million children may be trafficked every year, and across more than 100 countries. No country is immune to child trafficking. In many cases, desperate migrants hire smugglers for passage into foreign nations or regions, but are tricked into sex trade or marriage. The reason behind child smuggling is quite basic; child trafficking generates billions of dollars for the perpetrators, at the cost of devastating lives around the world.

Backgrounder
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Topic B

Reformation of Educational Curriculums to Reduce Student Absenteeism

Student absenteeism has multifaceted links, mechanisms, and impacts. There are several categories of people who are most affected by the curriculum and thus do not attend school, and their are various outcomes – some quit school indefinitely, while others suffer from ‘chronic absenteeism’ (Chronic absenteeism is typically defined as missing 10 percent or more of a school year – approximately 18 days a year, or just two days every month).

On a global average, around 84 percent of children attend secondary school. In lower income countries, that average drops to around 70 percent. In the span of just five years until 2015, out-of-school children’s population in lower secondary school age decreased from 97 million to 62 million, but progress has slowed since 2007.

Backgrounder
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unicef@pacificmun.org

Dais team

Ellen Li

Director

Megan Syho

Chair

Tony Zhang

Chair

About

UNICEF

Composed of an elected 36 member states, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund is an international program devoted to protecting the wellbeing of children all around the globe. At this iteration of PacificMUN, the committee will consist of a maximum of 50 delegates. Under the mechanism of global efforts, UNICEF ensures that the most vulnerable and powerless global citizens, being children, received the assistance their marginalization necessitates.

Food, healthcare, protection and education are only the beginning of what UNICEF as an organisation aims to provide for children all around the globe – through the systems of United Nations subsidiaries and donors. UNICEF acts not only as a monetarily aiding charity, but also oversees intrinsic humanitarian aid to families caught in conflicts. UNICEF works as an organ under the General Assembly, and the Convention of the Rights of the Child functions as the underlying building block of all their goals. Such documents prioritize the quintessential development of our future generations. By granting access to underprivileged youth across nations, UNICEF ensures that teachings such as gender and racial equality, and the ability to work self-sufficiently. The United Nations Children Emergency Fund will provide a impactful, far reaching, and absolutely unforgettable debate – branching from life-threatening crises and systemic forms of disenfranchisement.

Director

Ellen Li

Ellen Li is currently attending Grade 10 at Crofton House School and has been a student there for 6 years. In her spare time, she is often found walking her dog, painting, and purchasing various Asian food items. Ellen has been involved in the Model United Nations world for 2 years now, and debate for around the same time; political public speaking has been a passion for a while! She welcomes you to contact her at any time to divulge any views on any political subjects (western propaganda is a favoured topic), and invites you all to join her committee! Godspeed.

Chair

Megan Syho

Currently in her senior at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, Megan is absolutely thrilled to be serving as the Chair of UNICEF at PacificMUN 2019. Ever since her first conference, Megan has fallen in love with the professionalism and unique environment that Model UN provides. From the heated debate to the numerous friendships made, she has overcome her fear of public speaking and is hoping to aid delegates in forging new perspectives and in opening dialogue to constructive solutions concerning global issues. When not dressed in western business attire, Megan can probably be found listening to generic radio music, running track & field, sneaking another purchase of bubble tea, or simply scrolling through the internet. Megan looks forward to creating a memorable experience for all delegates at PacificMUN 2019!

Chair

Tony Zhang

Tony is a Junior at St. George’s School. He has been involved extensively in activities both inside and outside Saints. In school, you can find him running on the track, participating in student government and fundraising, designing 3D media art projects, and, most enjoyably, inspiring students with motivational speeches. Outside of class, Tony enjoys rowing on the school team, as well as participating in charity events and volunteer works for multiple organizations. With his care for his fellow students and others, Tony hopes that he can use his words and humour to make a positive difference in his community. Most importantly, Tony finds the most of himself during Model United Nation conferences. MUN has allowed him to reach beyond his comfort zone and seek out new challenges. After 3 years of participating in MUN conferences, Tony changed from a reticent and immature Grade 8 student to a gregarious and optimistic young man. As the Chair of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) at PacificMUN 2019, Tony is excited to meet other passionate young leaders of tomorrow, while working and learning along with them in order to spread the influence of Model United Nations throughout the community.