Historic Economic and Social Council, The Berlin Conference of 1884

Topic: The Scramble for Africa: Sovereignty and the Price of Empire

In June of 1946, a United States diplomat, Bernard Baruch, presented a groundbreaking proposal to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission: the Baruch Plan. The Baruch Plan aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear and atomic weapons by establishing an international authority with ownership of all nuclear materials, facilities, and research. The plan also called for the dismantling of existing weapon stockpiles. Because of its ambition, the plan sparked immense international attention and debate, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union. This topic invites the delegates to debate the feasibility of implementing the Baruch Plan in the given era. More generally, delegates should be challenged to think about subtopics such as nuclear material ownership, technological advancements, transparency between countries, and the logistics of establishing an oversight agency. 

As the world begins to explore the uses of atomic energy, concerns emerge over the environmental risks posed to both ecosystems and public health. These risks include radiation exposure, mining, and radioactive waste mismanagement which could lead to cancer in nearby communities, contamination of water and soil, and long-term ecological harm. The rise in emerging atomic applications parallel the rise in dangers, raising questions about the safe development of these technologies. At this point, the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had already revealed the devastating consequences of radiation exposure, while early uranium mining operations such as the U.S. military’s Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll revealed the potential for environmental damage. In this committee, the delegates must develop safeguard measures for existing and future developments in the field. The key objectives should focus on radioactive waste management, international enforcement, and more.