Debate Topics '26

🌐 HUMAN RIGHTS

1 . Protecting the Rights of Marginalized Communities in Conflict Zones

• Define ‘marginalized communities’ (ethnic minorities, displaced peoples, indigenous groups)
  
  

• Examine legal protections under the Geneva Conventions and Universal Declaration of Human Rights
  
  

• Case studies: Rohingya in Myanmar, Yazidis in Iraq, Tigrayans in Ethiopia
  
  

• Role of international humanitarian law and NGOs

2. Addressing Systemic Discrimination Against Indigenous Peoples

• Define systemic discrimination and indigenous status (UNDRIP)
  
  

• Impacts on land rights, healthcare, education, political representation
  
  

• Case studies: Brazil’s Amazon communities, Australia’s Aboriginal peoples, Canada’s First Nations
  
  

• International frameworks and reparations mechanisms
  
  

3. Ensuring Equal Rights for LGBTQ+ Individuals Globally

• Map legal protections/discriminations globally
  
  

• Case studies: anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Uganda, marriage equality in Taiwan, pride bans in Russia
  
  

• International human rights treaties and Yogyakarta Principles
  
  

• Debates on cultural relativism vs. universal rights

🌍 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

1. Reducing Global Wealth Inequality Through Taxation and Fiscal Policies

• Data on global income and wealth disparities (Oxfam, IMF)
  
  

• Progressive taxation, wealth taxes, digital services taxes
  
  

• Debate: tax havens, illicit financial flows
  
  

• Role of IMF, World Bank, G20, and OECD
  
  

2. Promoting Economic Empowerment for Women and Minority Groups

• Gender pay gap statistics, minority unemployment rates
  
  

• Microfinance, affirmative action, education initiatives
  
  

• Case studies: UN Women programs in Africa, US affirmative action debates
  
  

• SDG 5 & 10 intersections
  
  

3. Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Equal Access to Digital Infrastructure

• Definition of digital divide (urban-rural, gendered, North-South)
  
  

• Impacts on education, health, employment
  
  

• Case studies: India’s Digital India initiative, African mobile internet access
  
  

• Role of international organizations and private sector (ITU, World Bank)
  
  

🛡️ Security Council (SC)

1. Addressing the Security Implications of Ethnic and Religious Inequalities

• How inequalities trigger conflict: social exclusion, political underrepresentation
  
  

• Case studies: South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Northern Nigeria
  
  

• UN peacekeeping mandates and limitations
  
  

2. The Role of the UN in Preventing Conflict Related to Resource Inequality

• Scarcity conflicts: water, food, minerals
  
  

• Case studies: Nile Basin dispute, Lake Chad Basin, DRC conflict minerals
  
  

• Existing UN mediation frameworks
  
  

3. Combating Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery

• Definitions under UNTOC Palermo Protocol
  
  

• Routes: forced labor, sexual exploitation, child soldiers
  
  

• Case studies: Libya’s migrant markets, bonded labor in South Asia
  
  

• UNODC, INTERPOL, and regional task forces
  
  

🌱 Environmental Commission (ENV)

1. Ensuring Environmental Justice for Low-Income and Vulnerable Populations

• Define environmental justice
  
  

• Examples: toxic waste dumping, industrial zoning, disaster resilience
  
  

• Case studies: Flint water crisis, Niger Delta pollution, Jakarta floods
  
  

2. Addressing the Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change on Developing Nations

• Sea level rise, droughts, food insecurity
  
  

• Case studies: Bangladesh, Pacific island nations, Horn of Africa
  
  

• COP agreements, Green Climate Fund
  
  

3. Promoting Equal Access to Clean Water, Sanitation, and Sustainable Energy

• Global access disparities (UN Water, WHO data)
  
  

• Case studies: Cape Town water crisis, India’s clean energy schemes
  
  

• SDG 6 and SDG 7 frameworks
  
  

🩺 World Health Organization (WHO)

1. Reducing Health Disparities Among Marginalized and Minority Populations

• Data: life expectancy gaps, maternal mortality rates
  
  

• Case studies: US Black maternal health, Roma health in Europe
  
  

• Role of WHO and national public health systems
  
  

2. Ensuring Equitable Access to Vaccinations and Essential Medicines

• Vaccine nationalism, patent waivers (COVID-19, HPV, malaria)
  
  

• COVAX initiative outcomes
  
  

• Debates over IP vs. public health
  
  

3. Addressing Gender and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Mental Health Care

• Mental health stigma and access gaps
  
  

• Case studies: post-conflict trauma care, refugee camps
  
  

• WHO’s Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2030