Councils 2025

UNHRC 
Beginner Level 
Topic A — The Role of States in Regulating Free Speech: Combating Hate Speech and Misinformation
With the rapid expansion of digital technology, social media platforms have become a powerful tool for communication, political discourse and activism. However, they have also facilitated the spread of misinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence, posing a significant threat to human rights, democratic stability and the international community. In response, some national and regional governments have passed regulations to monitor online content, such as the EU’s Digital Service Act and India’s IT Rules, while others use this as an opportunity to spread their own propaganda, influencing national elections and interfering in the national affairs of other states. Due to the wide variety of approaches and the transboundary nature of the internet, it becomes increasingly important for states to consider a unified response to the threats social media poses and reconsider the role of governments in regulating speech-expressed platforms owned by private corporations overall.
Topic B — Using Technology to Prevent Human Rights Violations and Enhance Humanitarian Aid Delivery in the Yemen Conflict
The Yemen conflict has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis, with many civilians displaced and suffering from violence and severe health crises. Human rights violations have become widespread, and humanitarian aid is hindered by blockades and logistical barriers. In order to address these issues, technologies such as drones and satellite communication systems are being explored to prevent violations and improve aid delivery. Drones help reach remote areas, and satellite communication ensures better coordination and real-time tracking of aid. However, these technologies raise concerns about misuse, privacy, and unequal access.

Alicja Kowalczyk – Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Council

UNOOSA
Beginner Level
Topic A — Maintaining the Peaceful Character of Space: Preventing the Militarisation of Space-Faring Nations
With the advancement of space-related technology, the line between peaceful exploration and military expansion tends to become more and more blurred. With countries having a clear advantage in the race for outer space, the absence of proper regulations makes it only a matter of time before outer space becomes a battleground.
As of now, several countries have invested in the development of space-based military assets. Despite generally serving defensive purposes, the possibility of usage with malicious intent cannot be ignored, as concerns about weaponisation are raised. With the deployment of more and more anti-satellite weapons and other space-based missile defence systems with offensive potential, tensions could escalate or even fuel an arms race beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Considering the current lack of an up-to-date international framework to prevent catastrophic outcomes, certain nations can exploit the loopholes of the Outer Space Treaty.
With more and more national actors starting to engage in space-related activities, the risk of such weapons being used grows as well. Consequences of such outcomes include the jeopardising of global communication, navigation, and weather forecasting systems, leading to effects on both regular day-to-day activities as well as military operations. Having the potential to impact global supply chains and emergency response mechanisms or even cripple financial markets, urgent international cooperation is required to reinforce existing treaties and amend outdated agreements to promote the safe use of outer space. Matters such as the establishment of comprehensive arms control agreements and the regulation of dual-use space technologies need to be considered crucial in preventing the militarisation of outer space. Failing to act now may result in space becoming the next battlefield, with the risk of consequences that extend beyond Earth’s atmosphere, threatening global security and stability.
Topic B — Safe Usage of Outer Space: The Issue of Space Debris
Since the 1960s, we have been sending more satellites into space than ever, for scientific purposes but also commercial and military ones. This has brought many advances to our society and enabled several technologies we could not live without today, most notably GPS, but also telecommunication, climatological and meteorological monitoring, and space navigation. However, the vast number of satellites in space now brings significant risks with them.
Today, we have launched thousands of spacecraft into orbit, and 56,000 objects in orbit are currently being tracked. Only about 4,000 of these objects are intact, active satellites and the remaining objects—usually dead satellites, space fragments or even remains of satellite collisions—could be as small as a few centimetres! This means that not only has the chance of a collision between two active satellites risen, but other debris in space poses major risks for all operations. Many of the miniature objects are particularly dangerous, given how difficult they are to track and how devastating they are to unsuspecting satellites. A single incident of a weather satellite’s destruction in 2007 resulted in a 25% increase in space objects that could lead to more collisions.
Furthermore, in a ‘business as usual’ scenario, it has been predicted that collisions will increase exponentially, leading to an environment entirely hostile for satellites. Known as the Kessler Syndrome, it posits and predicts an end to the space age, leaving us locked up on Earth. Currently, a good amount of effort is being put into developing technologies that will clean up space and monitor all possibly visible debris, such as ESA’s space debris office in Darmstadt.
Nevertheless, much is still left to be done, and no international treaty actually addresses the issue. This committee will attempt to find such solutions and reach a consensus on international regulations.

Karel Piets- Chairperson of the UNOOSA

IAEA
Intermediate Level
Topic A — Addressing Nuclear Safety in Conflict Zones
With over 400 nuclear power plants globally, nuclear energy provides around 4% of the world’s electricity. However, its origin as a weapon reminds us of its potential for destruction. While international frameworks like the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the doctrine of mutually assured destruction have curbed the use of nuclear weapons, nuclear facilities in conflict zones remain dangerously vulnerable.
History has shown us close calls—such as airstrikes on nuclear sites in Iraq, Iran, and Syria—raising fears of disasters akin to Chernobyl. Legal frameworks like the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, the 1980 Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material (CPPNM), and IAEA safeguards exist, but all fall short. They often apply only during peacetime or international conflicts, failing to cover internal unrest or provide enforcement mechanisms.
Research reactors, medical facilities, and radioactive waste sites are also often left out of the conversation despite being equally vulnerable. So what is the solution? Defending nuclear plants militarily contradicts the IAEA’s peaceful mission, while shutting them down during conflict would deprive civilians of vital energy.
One promising idea is the creation of Nuclear Safety Protection Zones, proposed by the IAEA, but this has yet to gain traction. Could the IAEA be given stronger legal powers? Should states face automatic sanctions for targeting nuclear facilities?
You will need to grapple with the gaps in current international law, the realities of modern conflict, and the political will (or lack thereof) to protect nuclear safety.
Topic B — Peaceful Nuclear Applications Beyond Energy Production
Nuclear technology is often associated with energy and weapons—but its peaceful applications tell a different story. From advancing medicine and agriculture to protecting the environment and improving water security, nuclear innovation plays a vital role in sustainable development.
In healthcare, nuclear techniques like PET and SPECT scans enable early and accurate diagnosis, while radiopharmaceuticals are used to treat diseases like cancer and hyperthyroidism. Radiation therapy remains a cornerstone of modern oncology.
In agriculture, nuclear science boosts food security. It helps detect and prevent diseases in animals, assesses soil health, improves crop resilience through plant mutation breeding, and combats pests using the sterile insect technique (SIT). Food safety also benefits from nuclear tools, like ionising radiation, to reduce spoilage and eliminate foodborne diseases.
For environmental protection, isotopic techniques trace pollutants, monitor climate impacts, and assess marine ecosystems. Nuclear desalination, pairing nuclear energy with water purification, could address global freshwater scarcity.
While energy production is the most known aspect of nuclear technology, this topic shines a light on its lesser-known yet powerful role in tackling global challenges. You will explore how international cooperation, regulation, and investment can unlock nuclear’s full peaceful potential—ensuring safety, accessibility, and sustainability for all.

Lucas Walravens – Chairperson of IAEA

CoEU
Intermediate Level Topic A — AI on the Horizon: Amending the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act
How many times have you used AI this week? Probably more than you think. AI tools are becoming part of our daily lives—but are we prepared for the legal and ethical challenges they bring?
Enter the EU Artificial Intelligence Act (2024/1689), the world’s first major legal framework for AI. It aims to regulate the development and use of AI in the EU, from real-time biometric surveillance to AI in schools, healthcare, and transport. At the heart of the Act is a risk-based approach: banning AI with unacceptable risks while placing strict rules on high-risk systems.
But AI is evolving faster than the law can keep up. Many parts of the AI Act remain deliberately vague, leaving room for interpretation, adaptation, and negotiation. That’s where you come in. Your task will be to shape the future of AI regulation in Europe. Should large-scale AI models like ChatGPT or Gemini be classified as high-risk? Do we need new categories for general-purpose AI? How can we ensure accountability for autonomous decisions made by machines? And where do we draw the line between public safety and personal privacy when it comes to AI surveillance?
This debate is not just about the future of tech—it is about the future of human rights, innovation, and governance. Are you ready to regulate the future?
Topic B — Building a Healthier Europe: Cross-Border E-Health Integration
From AI-powered diagnostics to digital health records, E-Health is transforming how healthcare is delivered across Europe. But how can we ensure that every EU citizen benefits from these innovations no matter where they are?
One example is the EU eHealth Network’s ePrescription system, which allows citizens to access their medication across borders through electronic data sharing. This kind of initiative is key to creating a more connected, efficient healthcare system in the EU.
However, health remains a supporting competence of the EU, meaning real progress depends on strong cooperation between Member States. Fragmentation, lack of standardisation, and concerns around data protection still hold back the full potential of E-Health.
Your challenge will be to draft a Council Recommendation setting goals for E-Health integration across the Union. What obstacles stand in the way of using AI in medical decision-making? How can we ensure the interoperability of digital health records while protecting patient privacy? What role should the EU play in supporting Member States?
A healthier, more resilient Europe depends on the successful digital transformation of healthcare. It’s your turn to shape that future.

Emelotte Roeloffs – Chairperson of the Council of the European Union

NATO
Expert Level
Topic — Addressing the Vulnerabilities of Underwater Infrastructure in the Baltics
Often referred to as “Europe’s unexpected Achilles’ heel”, critical underwater infrastructures (CUIs), such as communication cables, energy pipelines, and surveillance networks, are increasingly becoming weaponised, especially in the Baltic Sea, where it is highly vulnerable to covert operations like physical sabotage or cyberattacks. Recent examples include the rupture of the Balticconnector, a gas pipeline connecting Finland to the European gas network from Estonia, in October 2023 by the Chinese container ship Newnew Polar Bear, or the damage caused by the Russian oil tanker Eagle S in December 2024 to Estlink 2, an undersea electricity transmission cable between Finland and Estonia. Although NATO responded by expanding its maritime security initiatives, such as the Baltic Sentry, a clear strategy for deep-sea security is needed to prevent such incidents and enable the Alliance to respond effectively to undersea threats. How can cooperation with private energy and telecommunications companies to secure infrastructure be improved? Could the use of AI-powered detection systems and autonomous underwater drones be a viable solution? How could NATO react in cases of attacks on this critical underwater infrastructure?

Caroline Noack – Chairperson of NATO

Crisis
Expert Level
Topic — Peloponnesian War: Supremacy, sieges, and sunken ships
What is a greater driver of innovation than war? Do technological developments deter conflict? Or do they further escalate tensions? To answer these questions, let’s travel back to 432 B.C. …
The Greek world is engulfed in a brutal conflict between Athens, leading the Delian League, and Sparta, leading the Peloponnesian League. As the war drags on, shifting alliances, devastating plagues, biological warfare, and prolonged sieges push both sides to the brink. Even over two thousand years ago, this war highlighted how technological and strategic innovations can both drive conflict and shape efforts for peace. Much like in the modern world, military advancements, information warfare and propaganda, or economic resilience played a key role in the conflict, mirroring today’s developments in cybersecurity, digital diplomacy, and defence. It will be your role to navigate military strategies, political rivalries, and the economic strain of war while seeking a path forward for your territories and future.