Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Double Delegation
Topic A: Human Trafficking Among Refugees, Migrants, and Displaced People
Topic B: Strategies for Addressing Indigenous Rights, Culture, and Knowledge
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors by accelerating drug discovery, improving vaccine development, and enhancing diagnostic capabilities. AI algorithms can analyze massive datasets to identify drug targets, predict clinical trial outcomes, and optimize supply chains. This technology has the potential to reduce costs and timelines, making life-saving treatments more accessible. However, questions of equity persist: who benefits from these innovations, and are they distributed fairly across the globe?
Currently, access to essential medicines like antibiotics and vaccines remains deeply unequal. Low and middle income countries (LMICs) often experience shortages due to high prices, inadequate infrastructure, and intellectual property barriers. AI-driven efficiencies could help address these challenges, but without international cooperation, they risk reinforcing existing disparities by centralizing resources in wealthier nations. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this issue through vaccine nationalism and uneven distribution of medical supplies, including surgical equipment.
Beyond drugs and equipment, equitable healthcare also involves education and addressing gender-specific needs. Women in many regions face barriers to menstrual health resources and education, impacting overall well-being and economic participation. AI-enabled telemedicine platforms and health education tools could bridge these gaps, but require investment in digital infrastructure and local adaptation.
The international community must consider frameworks for ethical AI use, fair pricing models, technology transfer, and capacity building in underserved regions. Key questions include: How can AI-driven drug development be leveraged to ensure equitable access? Should intellectual property laws be restructured during health crises? How can education and gender health equity be integrated into global health strategies?
This issue challenges delegates to balance technological innovation with fairness, ensuring that AI-driven healthcare advances benefit all populations rather than widening global health divides.
Dear Delegates,
My name is Aoi Nakata, and I am your Co-Director for the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee this year at HMUN 2027! Originally from Japan, I’ve lived all over – from Chicago to New York to Tokyo to Boston, the city life enthralls me each and every day. As a Sophomore in Quincy House, I study Government and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, though I occasionally dabble in Economics and Sociology. On campus, I can be seen debating with the Harvard College Debate Union, dancing with the Asian American Dance Troupe, or laughing with my friends in Women in Business.
During high school, I competed in both Japanese and English Model UN committees. My high school hosted the largest English student-run conference in Japan called JMMUN, where I directed DISEC, UNDP, and ECOSOC committees. I was also a delegate at HMUN 2023 myself. Therefore, it is very exciting to be able to come back to HMUN 2027 as a Director! Last year, for HMUN 2026, I was an Assistant Director for the Crisis Committees, and was an Assistant Director for HNMUN, the college conference, for INTERPOL. I am beyond excited to keep on being involved in the MUN community and to encounter the brightest, most innovative solutions for the future of international relations.
I cannot wait to meet everyone in January, where I imagine months of preparation will have presented you with hiccups along the way, just as real-world problems often do. However, as we come together for this conference, I hope everyone approaches the conference with passion, integrity, positivity, and respect, becoming a testament to the infinite possibilities of international politics. I am thrilled to see all of the amazing ideas and visions that you all have for the conference. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
Best Regards,
Aoi Nakata
Co-Director, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
sochum@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
Dear Delegates,
My name is Rahul Yates, and I am so excited to be your co-chair for the SOCHUM committee! I am a senior at Harvard studying Government, South Asian Studies, and Economics, and I am originally from Los Angeles, California.
At Harvard, I have been involved in MUN in many ways. I initially joined ICMUN, Harvard’s intercollegiate MUN team, and I have really enjoyed traveling and competing at various conferences. Since then, I have chaired at HMUN, HNMUN, and HMUN Canada and have been on the Secretariat for HMUN, HMUN India, HMUN Dubai, and HMUN Brazil. In fact, part of my inspiration for chairing SOCHUM this year is because my first time chairing a committee ever was HMUN 2025, where I chaired the Legal committee, and I want my last time chairing at HMUN to bring back memories of chairing an incredible double-del committee.
Outside of MUN, I have been involved with both pre-professional related to consulting and finance, as well as cultural clubs that help me connect to my South Asian identity, like Harvard Dharma and Harvard Undergraduate Bhangra. In my free time, I love listening to Bollywood music and going for runs.
I am excited to meet all of you soon!
Best Regards,
Rahul Yates
Co-Director, Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
sochum@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027