Topic Summary

It is mountain effluvia Moving to valleys And from nation to nation Crossing borders and mixing. Languages die like rivers.” - Carl Sandburg. Language is a repository for cultural knowledge, identity, and history, and yet, over 40% of languages around the world are endangered, and many have fewer than 1000 speakers. To prevent this erosion of linguistic diversity is paramount, because it is synonymous with maintenance of cultural heritage and, even, human rights. This committee will explore multilingual education as a conservation measure. Between debates of universalism and relativism, inclusivity and social cohesion, and the role of states and NSAs among it all, delegates will explore questions of quality language learning programs. Multilingual education must also be examined through the lens of preservation and the promotion of intercultural understanding. How can multilateral collaboration aid in the implementation of multilingual education? How can member states ensure that languages, like rivers, flow revitalised?

Director’s Letter

Dear Delegates,

I am so excited to welcome you to the UNESCO committee for this year’s version of Harvard National Model United Nations.

My name is Ana Marcela, and I am a sophomore at Harvard studying neuroscience on a biological track and philosophy. Born and raised in Cali, Colombia, I carry my city’s quintessential, sun-soaked passion in all of my endeavours. It is this spirited devotion that first led me to get involved in Model United Nations when I was 12 years old, and I have not stopped participating in conferences since.

At Harvard, I not only direct for our conferences, but I am also part of ICMUN, our competitive debate team. Furthermore, I am involved in projects such as the Harvard Organisation for Latin America, Harvard Modern Dance Company, Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative, and, First-Year International Programme, and the Harvard Undergraduate Photography Club.

This committee will be an opportunity to discuss the intricacies of language and education. I encourage you to be innovative and include history and culture in the debate. I look forward to the arguments and solutions you bring forth, in order to create a comfortable but rigorous intellectual environment. Feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns — as someone who received a multilingual and multicultural education myself, I am personally invested in this committee.

Sincerely,

Ana Marcela

Director, UNESCO