The World Health Organization was established in 1948 and is composed of 193 member states. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the organization’s role is to serve as the “authority for health within the United Nations system,” and to provide “leadership on global health matters.” Current objectives of the WHO are laid out in a Six-Point Agenda aimed at responding to the challenges of an “increasingly complex and rapidly changing landscape” of global public health. The points on the agenda are: (1) promoting development; (2) fostering health security; (3) strengthening health systems; (4) harnessing research, information and evidence; (5) enhancing partnerships; and (6) improving performance.
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 21, 2025, at 23:59 PST. More information about position papers can be found in the Position Paper Guide.
Topic A: Public Health Impacts of Industrial Zones (Click to show summary)
Industrial zones are regions that host a variety of production and manufacturing-related business and are concentrated in developing countries. Although such zones can stimulate economic growth and productivity, they can also be incredibly harmful to the environment and public health through air pollution, noise pollution, waste, and heavy odours. In growing industrial zones, the lowest wages worldwide and job opportunities come hand in hand with chronic diseases, severe injuries, and climate destruction. To alleviate the public health in these zones, it is imperative for states to enforce policies and establish programs that balance the wellbeing of the residents and workers with their economic outcomes.
Topic B: Child Mortality in Developing Countries (Click to show summary)
In 2022, approximately 80 percent of five million children that lost their lives before five were born in developing countries. In these countries, child mortality is a significant health concern that can be prevented with targeted measures. The major causes of child mortality include infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malaria; malnutrition; and neonatal causes such as complications during birth, premature birth, and inadequate maternal health care. Child mortality is directly tied to the health and education of mothers, who are non neglectable when considering improvements in newborn health care. By making child and maternal health care more accessible and providing the necessary nutrients and medicine, the child mortality rate can be substantially reduced.
Bella Wang | Director
A Grade 12 at York House School, Bella is beyond adjectives such as thrilled, ecstatic, or honoured to serve as the Director of the World Health Organization at VMUN 2025. From wearing a borrowed pair of dress pants and blazer to owning a closet full of Western Business Attire, Bella has grown from feeling incompetent to being self-proclaimed overconfident. Since starting MUN in Grade 9, she has made life-changing memories at each conference, including climbing thirty-four flights of stairs, running back to the hotel halfway through dinner, and making unexpected friendships. During her harsh battles against the real world, she can be found drinking coffee at midnight, making revelations at 4am, and deciding to sleep at 7am. Bella wishes that each delegate has an unforgettable time at VMUN 2025 and looks forward to meeting everyone!
Angela Li | Chair
Currently a grade 12 student at Fraser Heights Secondary, Angela is thrilled to serve as the chair for the World Health Organization at VMUN 2025. Since shedding a few tears at her first conference just over two years ago, Angela has come to fully embrace the chaos, excitement, charismatic speeches, and sleepless weekends that characterize Model UN. Between deciphering her messy research and skedaddling to order an iced chai from Starbucks, she is forever grateful for the experiences Model UN has given her. Outside of the committee room, Angela can be found hair-spraying her bangs back before a dance competition, completing a Duolingo lesson at 11:57 pm to keep up her 1400+ day streak, or envisioning a future cosplay. Angela is elated to meet all delegates and is looking forward to a weekend of extraordinary debate!
Jason Chen | Assistant Director
Entering his Grade 11 year at St. George’s School, Jason is thrilled to serve as the Chair of the World Health Organization at VMUN 2025. Ever since his bazar experience in his first ever MUN conference listening to the older participants growl at each other. Jason knew what he was in for, from the quiet listening and nervous speeches to now not so nervous speeches and chaotic debates. Jason has truly embraced the MUN tradition. MUN enlightened Jason to thinking in different ways. Now pulling away from MUN Jason really enjoys playing with his stubby corgi, and lying together watching horror movies. Jason hopes in VMUN 2025 he is able to encourage speakers who just began or speakers who are shy to feel comfortable sharing and promoting their views and opinions. Hopefully making the conference as enjoyable and interesting as possible.
Kaiya Uppal | Assistant Director
Entering her Grade 10 year at Crofton House School, Kaiya is thrilled to serve as the Assistant Director of the World Health Organization at VMUN 2025. Ever since her very first MUN conference where she started her journey as a delegate, Kaiya has been swept away by the fast-paced and exciting environment of Model United Nations. Outside of the conference room, Kaiya can be found spending her time at competitive ice hockey games every weekend, talking her dog for multiple walks a day or hiking all across B.C. It is her hope that VMUN 2025 will be a productive, fun filled conference full of heated debates, intense discussions and unforgettable moments!
You can contact the Director at who@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.