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 principal 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 22, 2027, 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: Trafficking of Cultural Property (Click to show summary)
Cultural property reflects the history and identity of communities worldwide. However, the illicit trafficking of these objects is a multibillion-dollar global trade, estimated to be worth $1.2 to $1.6 billion. Antiquities are often looted before being smuggled across borders and sold on international markets. Countries experiencing political instability are especially vulnerable, as cultural sites can be left exposed to looting and destruction. More recently, online marketplaces have provided traffickers new avenues to sell stolen artifacts. International frameworks exist to combat this trade, but weak enforcement, limited cooperation between countries, and gaps in ownership records allow trafficking to continue. SOCHUM must address the human and cultural toll of this transnational crime.
Topic B: Digital Safety and Combating Online Exploitation (Click to show summary)
As the Internet now connects six billion people worldwide, its dangers have grown alongside its benefits. Online exploitation is the use of digital technologies to manipulate, abuse, or harm others, and young people are especially vulnerable. Threats include cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, data breaches, fraud, and online sexual abuse. The spread of generative artificial intelligence has intensified these threats, reducing the cost and expertise required to produce deceptive material. Holding perpetrators accountable is difficult, however, as many operate across different countries. Differences in national laws and safety standards further complicate the regulation of digital platforms. SOCHUM’s work in this area should prioritize platform accountability, digital literacy, and cross-border investigations while safeguarding freedom of expression.
Emily Qian | Director
As a junior at Crofton House School, Emily is honoured to serve as the Director of the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee at VMUN 2027. Over the past years, she has ticked all the boxes: surviving on four hours of sleep, writing resolutions minutes before committee, and rapping or cartwheeling (sometimes both) during crises. Along the way, she has discovered a passion for global affairs among lifelong friends. If she’s not writing backgrounders, Emily can be found rehearsing speeches to the wall, walking her poodle in what inevitably becomes a series of circles, or café-hopping in pursuit of a caffeinated beverage (hint: chai lattes). As VMUN approaches, she looks forward to a weekend of spirited, lively, and fruitful debate!
Marie Harmsworth | Chair
A (somewhat) suffering senior at Lord Byng Secondary in Vancouver, Marie is enthralled to be serving as the chair or the Social and Humanitarian Committee at VMUN 2027. While Marie has been partaking in MUN for over 4 years, now, she is thrilled to be attending her first and only iteration of VMUN before she soon retires from this invigorating activity; she is also particularily excited to officially have earned a VMUN sticker after 4 years eyeing it on delegate laptops. Aside from VMUN, Marie has attended more conferences than she can count, spending countless more in research, writing, and conference preparation. She hopes as she enters her final year in MUN that she will be able to help foster an invigorating experience for all delegates — whtether it is their first conference or their last. Beyond MUN, Marie can be found collecting overpriced jellycats, drinking water, and blowing bubbles.
Anria Li | Assistant Director
As a Grade 11 student at Crofton House School, Anria is delighted to be serving as the Assistant Director of SOCHUM at VMUN 2027. Ever since stepping into her very first committee room as a terrified 9th grader, wondering what she had gotten herself into, she has come to love the uniquely fast-paced and rewarding nature of Model UN. What started as an intimidating experience quickly grew into a true passion for collaboration and diplomatic problem-solving. Beyond the committee room, Anria can usually be found either on the soccer field with her friends, spending way too much money on photobooth pictures, or blasting indie rock bands like The Strokes on loop. Anria looks forward to welcoming delegates to an awesome, memorable, and action-packed weekend at VMUN 2027!
Kyle Biemold | Assistant Director
Entering Grade 11 at St. George’s School, Kyle is excited to serve as the Assistant Director of SOCHUM at VMUN 2027. After attending his first conference in Grade 8, Kyle quickly became interested in the debate and research that MUN brings together. What started as a weekend where he was too nervous to raise his placard has since become something he looks forward to at every conference, whether it’s debating, working on resolutions, or spending time with newly made friends. Outside of committee, Kyle can usually be found playing soccer, snowboarding in Whistler, or hanging out with friends. He looks forward to an action-packed weekend of debate at VMUN 2027.
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.