​Topic A- Antimicrobials

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Two centuries ago, infectious diseases accounted for the majority of deaths worldwide. The advent of antimicrobial medications, from antibiotics to antiparasitics, fundamentally transformed humanity's ability to combat these diseases. As time passed, however, development of new classes of antimicrobials has slowed drastically, while microbes evolved and developed resistance against humanity's treatments. The prevalence, and sometimes overuse, of antimicrobials have dramatically increased environmental exposure to antimicrobial compounds, further accelerating the development of antimicrobial resistance. As antimicrobial resistance increases, humankind's defense against disease weakens, and antimicrobial resistance is expected to cause millions of deaths within the next few decades.

 

While the issue of antimicrobial resistance is already widely acknowledged, current action is underwhelming. Thus, delegates in the World Health Organization will navigate the ideal courses of action to address the global health crisis. Delegates must balance the necessity of antimicrobials while addressing the ever-worsening problem of antimicrobial resistance. Microbes are constantly evolving—can you keep up?

 

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Topic B- Communication

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As the world continues to digitalize, misinformation spreads faster than ever before. Rumors, click-chasing headlines, and distrust in experts often muddle public perception of health crises. The World Health Organization holds a responsibility to not only provide proper information during health crises and disease outbreaks, but also ensure that the public receives and understands it. Underreaction to crises such as COVID can directly cause deaths, while overreaction to outbreaks such as monkeypox and hantavirus cause unnecessary panic and desensitization to more pressing emergencies. 

 

Delegates must consider how the WHO can guide Member States in communicating proportionate risk, combatting misinformation, and ensuring credibility. In a world of constant information, how will you stand out?

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CHAIR: Ryan Kim

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