United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF
GROUP: ECOSOC
- Topic A: Addressing the Status of Homeless Youth
- Topic B: Improvement of Access to Assistive Technology and Inclusive Products
TOPIC A Addressing the Status of Homeless Youth
TOPIC B Improvement of Access to Assistive Technology and Inclusive Products
DELEGATION SIZE Single
EXECUTIVES
- Meghan Derby (she/her)
- Ben O'Donnell (he/him)
UNICEF, founded in 1946 as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, is a branch of the UN dedicated to serving disadvantaged and vulnerable youth across the globe. For more than 78 years, UNICEF has undertaken this mission in a variety of ways, ranging from supporting youth in areas of crisis to expanding access to education. Today, UNICEF is a key organization supporting the long-term developmental, economic, and health outcomes of millions of children. This year, UNICEF will address two pressing international issues: the endemic state of youth homelessness and inequitable global access to technological support for disabled children.
Topic A: Addressing the Status of Homeless Youth
Youth homelessness is no longer a fringe issue. It is a growing crisis with profound social and economic repercussions. Homeless young people often face cascading disadvantages: interrupted education, chronic health issues, and barriers to employment that deepen cycles of poverty and exclusion. With long-term consequences for both individuals and societies, this committee will confront the root causes and enduring impacts of youth homelessness. Delegates will debate how UNICEF and its partners can address systemic inequalities, invest in preventative infrastructure, and secure the dignity and future of all youth—regardless of where they sleep at night.
Topic B: Improvement of Access to Assistive Technology and Inclusive Products
For millions of children with disabilities, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication devices can mean the difference between isolation and participation. Yet, access to assistive technology remains deeply unequal, obstructed by high costs, lack of infrastructure, and cultural stigma. In low and middle-income countries, these challenges are especially severe. This committee will grapple with the ethical and financial dilemmas UNICEF faces in prioritizing aid, will debate the merits of international patent laws, and will seek innovative, scalable solutions to empower disabled youth globally. Delegates must bring creativity, compassion, and political insight to bridge the gap between need and access.