Crisis-Brazil-NHSMUN-2025-Background-Guide

NHSMUN Overview

Introduction to NHSMUN

• The National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) is the largest Model UN conference for secondary school students, organized annually in New York City. It focuses on fostering collaboration, consensus, and compromise among students to prepare them to become future leaders.

• The conference emphasizes educational simulations that educate students about how the UN and its various committees operate.

Conference Leadership

• Secretary-General: Terry Wang

• Director-General: Jordan Baker

• Delegate Experience Team: Nastasja Vásquez, Daniela Maciel, Sebastian Jimenez

• Under-Secretaries-General: A diverse team led by individuals like Nachiketh Anand, Alina Castillo, and others, responsible for a range of conference operations.

Brazilian Cabinet Crisis Background Guide

OpeningRemarks

• The Brazilian Cabinet Crisis Committee, directed by Walker Blackwell and Keshav Badri, aims to mimic the dynamics of real-world decision-making processes in a crisis context, specifically focusing on issues related to the Amazon rainforest.

• Walker Blackwell expresses his enthusiasm for engaging with delegates and the innovative nature of crisis committees that allow for real-time responses and debates.

Issues to Address

• The committee will focus on addressing significant concerns regarding the sustainability and protection of the Amazon rainforest against threats such as illegal logging, deforestation, and climate change, coupled with recognizing Indigenous rights and the socio-political complexities in Brazil.

Educational Strategies

Research and Preparation

• Delegates are advised to explore their assigned topics in-depth, utilizing guides like the Beginner Delegate Guide and Advanced Delegate Guide.

• Each delegation is required to submit a Position Paper outlining:

  • Topic Background

  • Character Policy

  • Proposed Solutions

Position Papers

• Position papers should not exceed 10 pages, with recommended lengths of 3–5 pages per topic.

• Papers must be submitted before deadlines for feedback from the dais.

Committee History

Structure of Brazil's Government

• The Cabinet of Brazil, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, addresses the ongoing need for policy reform to combat environmental degradation initiated under previous administrations.

• Emphasis is placed on restoring rights to Indigenous populations and revising environmental policies.

Major Challenges

• Issues like the surge in Amazonian deforestation (59.5% increase under former President Bolsonaro) need more legislative support and innovative solutions.

• The necessity for the current government to engage with both grassroots movements and international stakeholders as environmental policies evolve.

The Amazon Rainforest: A Global Concerns

Biodiversity

• The Amazon is a vital carbon sink, impacting global climate patterns, biodiversity, and Indigenous cultures.

• Immediate threats include illegal mining, logging activities, and climate change-induced transformations.

Global Responsibility

• The current global landscape highlights a collective responsibility to preserve the Amazon, considering its implications on climate change and biodiversity.

Committee Dynamics

Crisis Simulation Overview

• The committee employs modified procedural rules, reduced emphasis on formal debate, and a focus on rapid responses to emergent crises to mimic real governmental action.

• Different forms of debate (e.g., round robin, moderated caucus) are required to adapt to the urgent nature of the topics at hand, emphasizing delegate preparedness and the necessity to respond quickly and effectively to updates.

Actions and Documents

Types of Outputs

• Instead of resolutions, the committee will create documents including press releases, communiqués, and directives to manage and communicate their decisions effectively.

Positioning of Counterparts

• Delegates must navigate their assigned roles, understand the nuanced implications of their actions, and maintain adherence to their assigned character’s policies throughout crisis deliberations.

Current Status and Future Directions

International Cooperation

• The state of Brazil has entered into partnerships aimed at sustainable economic development without compromising environmental integrity, utilizing restoration programs and international funds (such as the Amazon Fund) for urgent conservation initiatives.

The Road Ahead

• The committee will shape its discussions around newly emerging issues and historical contexts, seeking innovative, multi-faceted approaches to foster a sustainable and politically sound future for the Amazon rainforest.

• Collaborations between ministries need to focus on integrating conservation efforts with economic and social imperatives, creating a balanced approach to managing Brazil's rich natural resources.