Disarmament and International Security Committee
The Proliferation of Drone Technology
Around the world, the proliferation of military drones is accelerating at an alarming rate as a result of mass exportation (by countries such as China) and the advancement of technology. While drone proliferation has its benefits, such as eliminating risks to pilots and delivering emergency supplies including medical equipment and food, increased usage of drones, which are also referred to as Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), raises several concerns regarding international security. Lack of regulation, coupled with an indifference regarding the utilization of drones, contributes to the fear that drone technology will be excessively used by nations who have access to or the financial means to obtain them.
Within this session, the Disarmament and International Security Committee will look at drone proliferation and how to best mitigate the spread of military drones and their violations of international law. Drones are aircraft that are guided via remote control or autonomously, often used for strategic and/or operational military observations. They also possess the ability to contribute to fighting efforts, as they can designate targets for munitions controlled by automated systems or drop munitions they carry. While drones were first used in World War II for training and as decoys for penetrating enemy defenses, they quickly became more sophisticated and now serve more complex purposes such as fully replacing pilot-controlled fighter bombers or performing long-term border patrol. Due to the advancements of drones and drone surveillance technology, however, there is a growing concern that privacy will be compromised and that the public will be monitored by the government. The drone’s ability to collect a plethora of data and images without being noticed only enables this behavior. Furthermore, legislation regarding unmanned aircraft is still ambiguous and has yet to clarify issues such as airspace property rights and aerial trespassing. Thus, delegates in DISEC will have to work together to create multifaceted resolutions, taking into consideration the economic and financial situations of each nation when discussing the usage of drone technology. Compromise is necessary to ensure that drones are used for their benefits without impeding on the rights of the people and the state. Delegates must be diplomatic and resourceful so that the needs and concerns of every country are acknowledged and addressed.
Director's Letter:
Hello Delegates!
Welcome to the Disarmament and International Security Committee of Harvard National Model United Nations 2022! My name is Angela Dela Cruz (she/her/hers) and I will be your DISEC Director for this year’s committee. I am eagerly looking forward to some rigorous and engaging debate and hope that the coming conference is full of growth and learning for each delegate, no matter the level of experience. I am excited to see what you all bring to the table in February!
A little bit about me—I currently live in Bay Shore, Long Island but was born and raised in the Philippines. I plan on pursuing a concentration in Human and Developmental Regenerative Biology with a secondary in Psychology, as well as a French citation.
I had my first experience with Model UN as a sophomore in high school and participated as a delegate in a variety of committees for the remainder of my high school career. I joined Model UN at Harvard because of my previous interest in the organization and came to find that the community is filled with kind, enthusiastic, and passionate individuals. After serving as an Assistant Director of DISEC at HNMUN and HMUN 2021, I decided to try my hand at directing DISEC 2022!
Aside from HNMUN, I am also involved in HMUN (HNMUN’s sister high school conference), Harvard Science Olympiad, Radcliffe Choral Society, the Harvard Crimson, and WHRB (our college’s radio station). I also look forward to joining the Harvard Taekwondo team, as martial arts has been one of my biggest passions since my youth.
As your director, I am excited to hear some engaging and rigorous debate! During conference, I look forward to seeing cooperative efforts from delegates in a diverse range of circumstances. It is imperative that resolutions are flexible, as well as comprehensive and cognizant of differences between countries. As your committee chair, I will aim to create an encouraging, collaborative, and most importantly, fun atmosphere. I hope you will join me in making this a conference to remember!
I look forward to meeting all of you and cannot wait to see DISEC 2022 in action. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out and send me an email!
Sincerely,
Angela Dela Cruz
Director of the Disarmament and International Security Committee
Harvard National Model United Nations 2022