ODU Model United Nations Conference (ODUMUNC)
Committees
Non-Governmental Organization Forum (NGO)
Topics:
- Pandemic disease preparedness in developing nations.
- Sharing science and green technology for sustainable development.
- Strengthening coordination of efforts to combat human trafficking.
Your Chairman: TBA
Background Material
International politics is about much more than states. Some of the most influential actors are not governments or corporations, but the dedicated experts of Non-Governmental Organization. NGOs are not members of the United Nations, but they are more and more important in every region and every issue. Sometimes they work in the field to end human suffering, other times they work in capitol cities to reshape global policy, some have strong ideas of their own. With more expertise and experience than most governments, countries had best listen.
In the NGO Forum, delegates represent a wide variety of non-governmental groups, such as Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders and Greenpeace. They debate resolutions and working papers circulating in ECOSOC, and passing resolutions of their own. NGOs provide critical analytical and logistical support to many UN operations. Whether they administer the refugee camps or distribute medical assistance, dig up landmines left after war or mediate between rival ethnic warriors, the NGOs know how and have something to say.
