Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues

Topic 1 - The Protection of Free Press & Journalists in Zones of Armed Conflict

War has always been prevalent between nations, and the rise of broadcast media has allowed people all around the world to remain tuned in to the latest news report. While there have been measures taken in an attempt to provide legitimate safety to these media workers and reporters who risk their lives to provide these updates in real time, the unfortunate truth is that it remains far too common for journalists to lose their lives while doing their jobs in areas of armed conflict. But without them lies a risk of the truth being withheld by one or more of the parties participating in the acts of conflict. What else can the UN do, if they should even do anything?

Topic 2 - The Question of States' Responsibility to Grant Asylum to Refugees

Refugee is a term often used to refer to those forced to flee their country as a result of violence or war, often having no other option but to seek asylum in another country. If they can provide substantial evidence which proves that there is a significant amount of danger or fear of returning to their home country, they can earn the legal status of a refugee which can provide them with legal protection and possible assistance from the government of the state they are staying in. But what ways are these refugees impacting the societies in which they have relocated to? What measures have these states taken to ensure the well-being of these refugees?