Governments worldwide are launching automated systems to administer welfare benefits, detect fraud, and assess social service eligibility. With the goal of efficiency and reduced spending, government agencies have adopted these systems with little regard for the consequences for the individuals subject to them. Examples are seen in Denmark’s social benefits fraud investigations, France’s residence permit application system, and the Netherlands’ social fraud detection system. The risk of algorithmic errors or of tracked variables serving as proxies for race or socioeconomic status makes these automated systems potential sources of discrimination. Australia’s Robodebt scheme imposed hundreds of thousands of illegitimate debts on welfare recipients, affecting over half a million Australians and causing documented suicides. These systems interfere with the rights to privacy and social security, and raise obligations on states to guarantee those rights without discrimination. The committee is tasked with developing enforceable standards for transparency, human oversight, and redress in automated government systems.

In recent years, trades in American markets at suspiciously timed intervals have been scrutinized by regulators, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, media, and the public. Allegations of insider trading, the use of nonpublic, confidential information for private and personal financial gain, have implicated officials and employees across the financial industry and raised questions about insider trading within the US Government itself. Subsequently, the United States Senate convenes the Senate Investigative Committee to examine insider trading in the government and private sectors, evaluate the efficacy of current legislation, and determine whether reform is warranted and, if so, the extent of the reform to be undertaken. Members of the committee will review evidence and confront difficult questions and situations about enforcement, accountability, and the boundary between legitimate financial strategies and criminal manipulation of information. The committee’s work carries real effects: its findings may shape future legislation and public trust in American markets.

The year is 1960; across the continent, colonial empires erode, independence movements gain momentum, and newly sovereign nations enter international affairs. While the vow of self-determination is near, the path forward remains uncertain. Hovering over Africa are questions about economic development, political stability, and national borders, among others. As colonial empires aim to preserve their influence, and nations vying for independence demand full sovereignty, the contrast becomes as clear as ever. Delegates to this committee will be asked to consider how the world should manage the transitions from empire to independence and to represent nations as they existed at this time. Decisions made in this committee will affect an entire continent and possibly the very definition of self-determination in an ever-evolving world. 

Throughout the world, there is a vast number of conventional weapons that are held in military installations and in government armories and stockpiled due to war aftermath. With poor supervision and control mechanisms, weapons can find their way to terrorists and organized crime syndicates. Improperly maintained or aging ammunition depots are another leading issue behind weapon stockpiling, as they can cause accidental explosions.

This committee will discuss reasons and impacts of excessive stockpiling of conventional weapons, evaluate the existing international framework in the field, as well as ways to make management more effective, enhance accountability, improve security, and cooperate between countries. Delegates will be charged with the task of creating pragmatic and realistic recommendations for reducing dangers connected with weapons stockpiling while taking into consideration the security needs of member states.