NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAMME

Topic Summary

The Covid-19 pandemic has created major obstacles towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The pandemic has exacerbated inequalities, disrupted supply chains, and created socio-economic instability. NGOs, as key players in the development sector, have a crucial role to play in responding to the impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs. However, they face several challenges, including limited resources, disrupted supply chains, and reduced funding opportunities. NGOs can play a critical role in responding to these challenges by providing aid and support to vulnerable communities, advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of inequality and poverty, and promoting sustainable development practices that prioritize the well-being of people and the planet. NGOs can adopt innovative strategies, such as leveraging technology to reach remote communities and mobilizing local communities to support development efforts.

In HNMUN 2024, we will be focusing on the ways in which NGOs can help the world build back better. This topic explores the impacts of the pandemic on the SDGs, the challenges faced by NGOs in responding to these impacts, and the strategies that they can employ to support the 2030 Agenda. We will also discuss how NGOs can collaborate with other stakeholders, such as governments, private sector, civil society, and international organizations, to achieve greater impact and scale. We encourage participants of the program to study some of the best practices and lessons learned from successful NGO initiatives across different regions and sectors and apply them during their in-committee work. Finally, we will identify some of the opportunities and gaps for future NGO action and innovation in advancing the SDGs in a post-pandemic world.

Director’s Letter

Dear Participants,

It is an honor for me to welcome you all to the latest iteration of the Harvard National Model United Nations. More specifically, I am excited to supervise and guide your work in the Non-Governmental Organizations Program (NGOs), a committee where borders are often secondary to the defense of ideals.

During my first year at Harvard, I reaffirmed my passion for Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science through my coursework. Yet, despite occupying a good part of my time, science is not everything for me: ever since I was little growing up in Mexico City, the interest in what lies beyond my borders led me to an interest in debate, international affairs (and Model UN!). From examination of these two facets, I discover what I hope will continue to guide me in my studies: a desire to use technical knowledge to help bring about solutions to global problems.

Having actively participated in Model UN since 2016, I am a faithful witness to the impact that the activity has on young people. In particular, I had the great honor of being appointed Secretary General of 75YAMUN, a Model UN conference co-organized by UN Mexico, the United Nations Information Center for Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, the United Nations Population Fund in Mexico and GlobalMUNers, a civil association that promotes the participation of youth in world affairs through Model UN Conferences. This conference commemorated the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Organization. There, I was able to hear first-hand the opinions – both favorable and critical – of more than 500 young Latin Americans about the United Nations system: its past, present and future. Likewise, since 2020 I have been doing an internship at the latter, in addition to being a member of the staff of the New York Model United Nations Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (NYMUNLAC).

Being an NGO representative is no small task: you can influence, shape, and inform delegates in matters that are concerning to your organization. NGOs offer an analysis that is not strictly bound to the malleable political decisions of governments, providing it with a lens of its own. This is my second year serving as director of the NGO Program for this conference and I cannot wait to see what you can do. 

In case of questions, please do not hesitate to use the official communication channels. My team and I are here to serve you.

Ricardo Skewes

Director, NGO Program