SOCHUM
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM) is the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. Created in 1945, it plays a central role in addressing human rights issues and promoting humanitarian cooperation. SOCHUM focuses on fundamental rights that all people should enjoy, including the right to life, cultural expression, political participation, protection of children, and broader social development. It also examines the rights and concerns of specific groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, victims of crime, and those impacted by drugs. The committee works to develop peaceful solutions to social, humanitarian, and cultural challenges worldwide. To achieve this, SOCHUM studies human rights questions, consults experts, and collaborates with other UN agencies to draft resolutions that influence member state policies. It also undertakes studies that generate recommendations for strengthening international cooperation and advancing fundamental freedoms for all.
Topic: Addressing the Surveillance and Privacy Infringements in the Digital Era
The rapid development of digital technologies has raised new concerns about surveillance and the right to privacy. Governments and private corporations alike now collect vast amounts of personal data, sometimes in ways that compromise individual freedoms. At the same time, surveillance is often justified as a tool for national security, counterterrorism, and public safety. Delegates must consider how to strike a balance between protecting citizens’ rights to privacy and enabling states to safeguard security. Questions of international law, differing cultural standards of privacy, and the role of technology companies will all be central to this debate.