United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO

Established in 1945, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) serves as the primary international body dedicated to the promotion of culture, education, and the preservation of heritage across the globe. UNESCO provides a platform for Member States to collaborate on safeguarding both tangible and intangible cultural assets, ensuring that cultural diversity is protected while adapting to an increasingly interconnected world. In this committee, delegates will engage with pressing challenges at the intersection of technology and environmental sustainability through the topics of Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage in a Digitized World and Preserving the Ocean.

TOPIC A: Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage in a Digitized World

As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the preservation of intangible cultural heritage (such as languages, oral traditions, rituals, and cultural practices) faces both new opportunities and significant risks. Technological advancements have enabled the documentation and dissemination of cultural expressions at an unprecedented scale, offering tools for preservation. However, these same technologies can contribute to the erosion of culture, particularly when indigenous practices are commercialized or removed from their original contexts.

The decline of minority languages, the disappearance of oral traditions, and the impact of migration on cultural identity are further exacerbated by digital environments that often privilege dominant languages and narratives. Algorithmic bias can marginalize already vulnerable communities, raising questions about equity in the digital sphere. In this topic, delegates will consider how UNESCO and Member States can balance the benefits of digital preservation with the need to protect cultural authenticity in an increasingly globalized and technological world.

TOPIC B: Preserving the Ocean

The world’s oceans are vital to ecological stability, yet they face unprecedented threats from climate change and unsustainable resource exploitation. Rising sea levels and biodiversity loss not only endanger marine ecosystems but also disproportionately impact indigenous communities whose cultural practices are deeply tied to the ocean.

At the same time, the ocean plays a critical role in global heritage, from traditional maritime knowledge to cultural relationships with marine environments. Preserving the ocean, therefore, extends beyond environmental protection to include safeguarding cultural heritage. In this topic, delegates will explore how UNESCO and the international community can protect marine biodiversity and preserve the cultural significance of oceanic spaces in the face of growing environmental challenges.