Commission on Social Development

Topic Summary

From the Balkans’ ethnic wars, to the Tutsis massacred during the Rwandan Genocide, our world has suffered tremendous human casualties from wars in the past century. Often times, such conflicts, especially civil wars, leave an irreparable scar on the peoples of the country, consuming a nation into further cycles of violence and preventing meaningful development. Reconciliation is therefore not only about ending hostilities, but about rebuilding the social fabric necessary for lasting peace and development.

This committee, the Commission for Social Development, is therefore focused on the following: what policies should post-conflict nations and regions implement to prevent the outbreak of further conflicts, and what is the UN and other international agencies’ role in securing a peaceful society and sustainable development for such regions? As CSocD, we would especially focus on the social dimension of this question, including but not limited to: resolving tensions between warring groups, reforming for stable institutional governance, restoring justice, addressing social inequality, reintegrating displaced peoples and militants, and creating opportunities for inclusive growth that can sustain peace over the long term.

Delegates are encouraged to consider how to treat reconciliation and development for both civil wars and international conflicts, and consider any differences between the two. Delegates are also encouraged to think beyond military conflicts: how can countries and international actors such as the UN play a role in addressing long-standing societal tensions and discrimination (such as Apartheid in South Africa) and in fostering reconciliation between different ethnic and racial groups? Ultimately, delegates will be challenged to craft creative approaches that link reconciliation with development, designing frameworks that can secure peace, justice, and resilience for societies emerging from conflict.