The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee is the third General Assembly of the United Nations, founded in 1945 after the institution of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its principle task lies in analyzing the scope of social, humanitarian, and human rights inequalities—from global literacy to the elimination of racism—and designing policy to bridge such divides.
This committee is designed for both beginners and experienced delegates alike. Position papers, although strongly recommended, are not required. However, delegates who wish to be considered for an award must submit their position papers by January 12, 2026, at 23:59 PST. More information about position papers can be found in the Position Paper Guide, on the Delegate Resources Page.
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Topic A: Climate Refugees (Click to show summary)
The storm of the climate crisis has displaced millions of people worldwide. These drifters, referred to as climate refugees, are often displaced across borders or within their own nations due to climate events that have made their homelands uninhabitable. Deserts are expanding and creating unlivable zones, sea levels are rising and threatening to submerge major cities, while natural disasters, increasing in intensity and frequency, are forcing people out of their habitats. This displacement causes cultural erosion, threatens human rights, and tears society apart. Despite this severity, current international law does not formally recognize climate refugees, the majority of whom are from developing nations. SOCHUM must break past conventional borders and develop solutions that protect the dignity and human rights of individuals.
Topic B: Mass Incarceration and Prison Overpopulation (Click to show summary)
Society’s prioritization of punishment over reintegration has led to the recent trends of harsh, punitive measures transforming prisons into institutions extending well beyond their original purposes of isolation and rehabilitation. Mass incarceration, the high and disproportionate rate of imprisonment in minority populations, surged in the late 19th century due to shifts from corporal punishment to imprisonment, colonial repression, and political as well as economic motives. Globally, prisons are also operating well beyond their capacity, creating unsafe and inhumane conditions. Financial and social costs strain governments as resources are diverted from social services. Further, factors such as excessive pretrial detention and inadequate legal representation, especially for marginalized groups, complicate the issue. SOCHUM must advocate for alternatives and reforms in frameworks and policies that better serve societies worldwide.
Jasreen Kaur Johal | Director
As a Grade 11 student at Aldergrove Community Secondary School, Jasreen is excited to be serving as the Director of SOCHUM at VMUN 2026. Having begun her journey in MUN in Grade 6 with a simple curiosity, Jasreen soon grew a passion for diplomacy, debate and the elusive art of drafting the perfect resolution. From founding her school’s MUN club to leading its maiden voyage to VMUN, she has traded nervous first speeches for passionate, fierce discussions and late-night edits. Beyond the rooms filled with placards, Jasreen can be found going headfirst into half-marathons with less training than is wise, on the tennis court under the summer sun or spending hours taking public transport into Downtown Vancouver for no particular reason. Jasreen wishes all delegates the best in their preparations and looks forward to facilitating a welcoming, inspiring experience.
Vanessa Chen | Chair
A Grade 12 student at Crofton House School, Vanessa is delighted to serve as the Chair of SOCHUM at VMUN 2026! Her passion for Model United Nations began at her first conference—where an inelegant stumble on the way to the podium unexpectedly sparked a lasting fascination with global policy. Since then, she has come to value MUN not only for its rigorous debate but also for the enduring friendships and unforgettable experiences it cultivates, from climbing thirty-four flights of stairs to watching North and South Korea form a bloc—only to dissolve within minutes. Outside the committee room, Vanessa can often be found indulging her fondness for smoked Gouda, violently sneezing, or embarking on long, aimless walks. She looks forward to welcoming all delegates to a weekend of spirited debate!
Purab Cheema | Assistant Director
As a Grade 11 student at St. John’s School, Purab is delighted to be serving as the Assistant Director of SOCHUM at VMUN 2026. Through countless conferences, Purab is left with one of the best fruits of the Model United Nations experience: deep-rooted memories. From participating in debates over conference room temperatures to causally assassinating delegates in morning crises, these last three years of MUN have accumulated numerous fruitful, cherished memories. Purab has VMUN to thank for broadening his horizons, fostering his greatest friendships, and giving him mild hearing loss. Beyond the conference room Purab enjoys binging the latest A24 films, listening to Don Tolliver on repeat, juggling a soccer ball, obsessing over his favourite novel Sythe, or simply sketching late into the evenings. Now, in his role as Assistant Director Purab looks forward to another iteration full of memories and wishes everyone the best of luck for VMUN 2026!
Thomas Chen | Assistant Director
Entering Grade 10 at St. George’s School, Thomas is thrilled to serve as the Assistant Director of SOCHUM at VMUN 2026. Ever since attending his first conference, he has been captivated by the uniquely calm yet intense atmosphere that Model UN creates. What began as an intimidating experience quickly became a passion, from spending hours researching the most obscure details to crafting lackluster speeches that steadily improved over time. Along the way, he has made some of his fondest memories in this one-of-a-kind, non-spectator sport. Outside the committee room, Thomas can be found solving Rubik’s cubes, listening to his favorite classical composers, or scrolling through various news apps. He looks forward to an action-packed weekend of debate at VMUN 2026.
You can contact the Director at sochum@vmun.com. Any questions regarding the committee or its debate procedures will be answered by email. Position papers must also be submitted to this address.