UMUN23

SOCHUM
STUDY GUIDE
SOCHUM
Table of Contents:
1. Message from the Executive Board Members ........................................................... 1
2. About United Nations .................................................................................................. 2
3. About Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee ........................................... 2
4. Committee Mandate .................................................................................................... 3
5. Core Procedure of the Committee .............................................................................. 4
6. Agenda Overview ......................................................................................................... 4
7. Impacts of Stigma on People with Disabilities .......................................................... 5
a. Limited Allocation of Resources: ...................................................................... 5
b. Negative Attitudes Among Service Providers: .................................................. 6
c. Employment and Educational Limitations: ....................................................... 6
d. Discrimination and Social Marginalization: ...................................................... 7
e. Limited Participation in Decision-Making: ....................................................... 7
f. Underreporting and Underutilization of Services: ............................................. 8
g. Inadequate Policy Design: ................................................................................. 8
8. UN Initiatives for Disabled People ............................................................................. 9
a. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): ...................... 9
b. The Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS): ................................................... 10
9. Stances of Some Nations ............................................................................................ 11
a. United States: ................................................................................................... 11
b. Russia: .............................................................................................................. 11
c. Japan: ............................................................................................................... 11
10. QARMA(s) .................................................................................................................. 12
11. Further Research ....................................................................................................... 13
 Message from the Executive Board Members

Dear Delegates,

We, the Executive Board members, are eagerly waiting to meet you all in the first session of
Udayan Model United Nations 2023. We hope that all of you are preparing rigorously for the
conference. We hope all of you can showcase your diplomacy skills blended with your
knowledge and skills. We expect you to have your thoughtful arguments and conclusions
rehearsed and revised well before presenting them to us.

We encourage you to review this study guide and familiarize yourself with the agenda, its
background, the stances of major nations, and the potential solutions to the issue at hand.
Furthermore, we want to remind all delegates of the importance of ethical conduct throughout
the conference. We expect all delegates to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, and respect
towards the opinions of fellow delegates while engaging in diplomacy and negotiation.

We wish you all the best for UMUN 2023. We will try our level best to provide any kind of
assistance and utmost guidance to all of you. If you have any queries, feel free to reach out to
any of the Executive Board members.

Warm regards,

Mohtasim Bin Habib, Sehazad Siam, Vice- Mohammed Farhan Arbab

Chairperson Chairperson Khan, Director

Email: sochum.umun2023@gmail.com

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 About United Nations

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945. Currently made up of 193
Member States, the UN, and its work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in
its founding Charter. The UN has evolved to keep pace with a rapidly changing world over the
years. But one thing has stayed the same: it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s
nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit
all of humanity.

About Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian

Committee

The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM) is the third committee of the
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This committee focuses on issues dealing with
fundamental human rights, social, and humanitarian issues that have an impact on the
international community. SOCHUM was founded in 1947 along with the other five committees
of the UN General Assembly. SOCHUM operates to create peaceful solutions for problems
within the broad spectrum of social, humanitarian, and cultural complications in the
international community. It derives its legitimacy from the original United Nations Charter. All
193 member states of the UN are represented under SOCHUM's affiliation. Non-member states
and other organizations that the UN recognizes as permanent observers may also attend and
take part in meetings, but they are not allowed to cast votes. SOCHUM is among the major
bodies within the UN, as demonstrated by the vast number of issues it is designed to address.
Two significant events have shaped the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Affairs Committee's
(SOCHUM) history. A precedent for addressing human rights and children's welfare was
established with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. These milestones show how crucial a part
SOCHUM has played in influencing discourse and action around the world in these areas.

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 Committee Mandate

The mandate of SOCHUM is to promote and protect human rights, ensure gender equality,
combat discrimination, address the needs of refugees and displaced persons, and promote
sustainable development.

The UN Charter states that SOCHUM's purpose is to address issues pertaining to social,
humanitarian, and cultural affairs. This includes fostering social development, upholding
human rights, and maintaining cultural diversity. The specific duties of SOCHUM are outlined
in Articles 55 and 56 of the UN Charter.

The Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee is mandated to:

● Promote human rights worldwide.

● Foster the basic rights protected by international law.
● Address humanitarian crises, focusing on assistance, disaster response, and
international coordination.
● Promote social development, poverty eradication, healthcare, education, and
employment to improve global well-being.
● Promote cultural diversity, heritage preservation, and intercultural dialogue for
harmonious coexistence.
● Address indigenous community issues focusing on cultural preservation, land rights,
and self-determination.
● Advocate for disabled rights and remove barriers that hinder their inclusion.
● Promote policies, initiatives, and measures that eliminate gender discrimination.
● Prevent crime, enhance criminal justice systems, and ensure everyone receives fair and
just treatment.
● Address international drug trafficking challenges through collaboration and
comprehensive strategies.

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Core Procedure of the Committee

As a part of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural
Committee (SOCHUM) is in session simultaneously with the General Assembly. It accepts
reports from Special Rapporteurs, Special Representatives, Working Groups, and other Special
Procedures and from the Human Rights Council.

The General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policymaking, and
representative organ of the United Nations. Composed of all 193 Members of the United
Nations, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of
international issues covered by the Charter. It also plays a central role in the process of
standard-setting and the codification of international law.

A United Nations General Assembly resolution is a decision or declaration voted on by all

member states of the United Nations in the General Assembly. General Assembly resolutions
usually require a simple majority (50% of all votes plus one) to pass. However, if the General
Assembly determines that the issue is an "important question" by a simple majority vote, then
a two-thirds majority is required.

Agenda Overview
Reviewing Stigma as the Barrier to Implementing Social Development
Policies and Programs for People with Disabilities Worldwide

One of the most persistent challenges in global social development is the effective
implementation of policies and programs aimed at improving the lives of people with
disabilities. Despite significant progress in recognizing this population's rights and needs,
stigma remains a persistent barrier to their full inclusion and empowerment. Stigma, which
includes negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes, is a formidable barrier that undermines the
effectiveness of social development initiatives aimed at people with disabilities around the
world.

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On a global scale, stigma is a formidable impediment to the successful implementation of social
development policies and programs for people with disabilities. Stigma manifests in a variety
of ways, has far-reaching effects on numerous facets of life, and limits the effectiveness of
efforts to improve the well-being and participation of disabled people in society.

People with disabilities are frequently marginalized and excluded as a result of stigma, which
is rooted in societal misconceptions and discriminatory attitudes. This exclusion perpetuates a
cycle of disadvantage, making it challenging for them to access education, healthcare,
employment, and social participation. As a result, the potential positive outcomes of
development policies aimed at addressing these disparities are severely jeopardized.

Stigma has a significant impact on the psychological and emotional well-being of disabled
people, leading to self-doubt, shame, and internalized ableism. This emotional turmoil
undermines self-esteem, aspirations, and personal development, perpetuating the stigma that
caused it. The cycle of discrimination and personal growth is further exacerbated by the cycle
of negative attitudes.

Impacts of Stigma on People with Disabilities

Stigma refers to society's negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes about certain groups or
individuals. Stigmatization of people with disabilities can have a significant impact on policy
and program implementation. These consequences can have an impact on various aspects of
support, inclusion, and quality of life for people with disabilities. Here are a few examples of
how stigma can impact people with disabilities:

Limited Allocation of Resources:

The widespread stigma associated with disabilities frequently leads to an unfair allocation of
resources within society. Policies and programs that help people with disabilities may be
unfairly given lower priority status compared to other matters. As a result, these programs
frequently struggle with insufficient funding and inadequate staffing. The consequences of this
unequal distribution of resources can be severe, reducing the effectiveness and scope of
initiatives aimed at assisting those with disabilities. The propensity to undervalue disabilities
can result in a vicious cycle of underfunding, understaffing, and constrained program

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development. The potential for such programs to promote inclusivity and empowerment is
hampered as a result. Minimizing the significance of issues related to disabilities impedes
efforts to create a society that is fair and equitable and adds to systemic disparities.

Negative Attitudes Among Service Providers:

Stigmatizing attitudes in service providers, such as healthcare practitioners, educators, and

social workers, can have a broad spectrum of adverse outcomes. Preconceived ideas held by
these experts frequently result in lowered expectations and unfair treatment. Unfortunately,
people with disabilities usually experience subpar treatment, little attention, and limited
opportunities as a result of these discriminatory attitudes. Due to these prejudices, medical
professionals may give people with disabilities lower-quality care while unintentionally
ignoring their needs for holistic healthcare. Similar to this, teachers may undervalue the
academic ability of children with disabilities, which leaves them lacking the necessary
resources and assistance. Social workers may unintentionally encourage social exclusion by
denying equal opportunities for social engagement and participation. This cycle of
discrimination can have a significant effect on the overall quality of life for persons with
disabilities. The fundamental issue is the deeply ingrained stigmatization, which results in
unfair treatment and fewer opportunities for success.

Employment and Educational Limitations:

Stigma's ramifications reverberate through the realms of education and employment, erecting
formidable barriers. Educational institutions and employers, influenced by societal bias,
frequently question the abilities of people with disabilities. This widespread scepticism leads
to limited access to inclusive educational settings and appropriate employment opportunities,
resulting in a frustrating cycle of exclusion that restricts personal and professional
growth. Preconceived notions may cause educational institutions to overlook the potential of
students with disabilities, denying them the inclusive learning environments they require to
thrive. This denies them the opportunity to develop the necessary skills and knowledge, thereby
shortening their educational journey. Similarly, employers may be hesitant to offer suitable job
opportunities to people with disabilities, erroneously assuming their inability to excel in a
variety of roles. As a result, these individuals find their ambitions thwarted and their skills

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underutilized. This continuing exclusion impedes personal development and deprives society
of diverse viewpoints and abilities. It perpetuates a cycle in which people with disabilities are
prevented from reaching their full potential due to a lack of access to meaningful employment
and high-quality education.

Discrimination and Social Marginalization:

Stigma is a pernicious force that creates a distressing landscape of social isolation and
discrimination. Individuals with disabilities face exclusion, targeted harassment, and subtle
slights known as microaggressions, which all combine to create formidable barriers to their
integration. This disheartening cycle of social isolation, fueled by these prejudiced attitudes,
limits their participation in communal endeavours and stymies the formation of genuine
connections. People with disabilities may find themselves excluded from community events
due to the exclusionary nature of stigma, which exacerbates their feelings of disconnection.
The agony of marginalization becomes worse by the pervasiveness of bullying and
microaggressions, which perpetuate a hostile environment that limits their sense of belonging.
Discrimination of this kind denies them the fundamental right to engage and interact with their
surroundings on an equal footing. While this isolation is extremely harmful on an individual
level, it also has societal consequences. People with disabilities' potential contributions and
unique perspectives go undiscovered, limiting community enrichment and collective growth.

Limited Participation in Decision-Making:

Even in the area of decision-making, the stigmatization of people with disabilities has a
pervasive effect. Because of this marginalization, their voices are effectively silenced in the
very processes that have a direct impact on their lives. Their distinctive viewpoints and first-
hand experiences, which are invaluable in forming receptive policies and programs, are
frequently ignored. This disregard results in initiatives being implemented that are not in line
with their actual needs, preferences, and aspirations. The influence of stigma on decision-
making feeds a downward spiral of exclusion, depriving individuals with disabilities of agency
and rendering their insights inconsequential. The development of policies that could genuinely
empower and support them is hampered by this discrepancy. By excluding them from decisions
that directly affect them, society feeds a cycle of dependency and inadequacy. The costs of

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exclusion are borne not only by those with disabilities but also by society as a whole. A truly
inclusive and equitable society requires that all of its members' voices, regardless of ability, be
heard and heeded.

Underreporting and Underutilization of Services:

The ubiquitous force of stigma often forces people with disabilities to avoid seeking help out
of fear of being judged or labelled. This avoidance leads to a troubling trend of underreporting
disabilities and underutilization of available services. As a result, the data required for informed
policy planning and resource allocation becomes skewed and untrustworthy. Fear of being
labelled as "different" or "inadequate" can contribute to a climate of secrecy surrounding
disabilities. People's reluctance to disclose their needs prevents them from gaining access to
critical support systems that could improve their quality of life. As a result, the data collected
and used for policymaking is inaccurate, resulting in ill-informed and ineffective policies and
resource distribution strategies. Underreporting and underutilization not only perpetuate an
endless cycle of disadvantage for individuals with disabilities but also impede societal
progress. A thorough understanding of the issues confronting this demographic is essential for
creating inclusive environments and developing targeted interventions.

Inadequate Policy Design:

The rampant impact of stigma is visible in policy formulation, which frequently fails to align
with the genuine needs and preferences of people with disabilities. Decision-makers with
biased perspectives may inadvertently craft policies that are either patronizing or overly
restrictive. This well-intentioned but misguided approach undermines individuals with
disabilities' autonomy and independence, creating an atmosphere of disempowerment. The
influence of stigma on policy development is visible in the paternalistic tendencies that can
emerge. Policies influenced by such attitudes may unintentionally treat people with disabilities
as passive recipients of care, ignoring their ability to make choices and decisions. This approach
promotes a culture of dependence rather than independence and self-determination.
Additionally, stigma-influenced policies may be overly restrictive, limiting opportunities and
suffocating growth. These policies frequently fail to take into account the diverse capabilities

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and aspirations of people with disabilities, limiting their ability to make meaningful
contributions to society.

UN Initiatives for Disabled People

The United Nations (UN) has taken an active role in promoting the rights and well-being of
disabled people all over the world. The United Nations' efforts in this area are primarily guided
by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a human rights treaty
that was adopted in 2006 and went into effect in 2008. They are also developing a Disability
Inclusion strategy.

Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD):

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international human rights
treaty of the United Nations intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with
disabilities. Parties to the convention are required to promote, protect, and ensure the full
enjoyment of human rights by persons with disabilities and ensure that persons with disabilities
enjoy full equality under the law.

The Convention follows decades of work by the United Nations to change attitudes and
approaches to persons with disabilities. It takes to a new height the movement from viewing
persons with disabilities as “objects” of charity, medical treatment, and social protection to
viewing persons with disabilities as “subjects” with rights, who are capable of claiming those
rights and making decisions for their lives based on their free and informed consent as well as
being active members of society. This Convention serves as a major catalyst in the global
disability rights movement enabling a shift from viewing persons with disabilities as objects of
charity, medical treatment, and social protection towards viewing them as full and equal
members of society, with human rights.

The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development
dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all
persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms. It

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clarifies and qualifies how all categories of rights apply to persons with disabilities and
identifies areas where adaptations have to be made for persons with disabilities to effectively
exercise their rights in areas where their rights have been violated, and where protection of
rights must be reinforced.

The Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS):

The UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), adopted by the Secretary-General in 2019,

provides the foundation for sustainable and transformative progress on disability inclusion
through all pillars of the work of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and
development.

The Strategy enables the UN system to support the implementation of the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international human rights instruments, as well as
the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, the Agenda for Humanity, and the
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Through the Strategy, the organizations of the United Nations system reaffirm that the complete
realization of the human rights of all persons with disabilities is an inalienable, integral, and
indivisible part of all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The policy establishes a vision
and commitment for the United Nations system on the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Mainstreaming a human rights-based approach to disability, in combination with targeted

measures, will make the concerns and experiences of persons with disabilities an integral
dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs
in all political, economic, and societal spheres so that persons with disabilities benefit equally.
The ultimate goal is to achieve equality of outcomes and foster an inclusive culture within the
United Nations system.

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 Stances of Some Nations
Addressing the stigma associated with disabilities is a critical challenge in the global pursuit of
inclusive social development. Countries approach this barrier by the implementation of policies
and programs for people with disabilities. Understanding the various positions taken by
different countries is critical for creating an environment where individuals of all abilities can
thrive and contribute to the advancement of society.

United States:
In the US, stigma remains a significant barrier to implementing social development policies
and programs for people with disabilities. Negative attitudes, stereotypes, and beliefs obstruct
access to education, employment, and healthcare, often leading to social isolation and a
negative self-image. These biases can be reinforced by media portrayal. While legislation like
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) addresses discrimination, the persistence of stigma
poses ongoing challenges to individuals with disabilities' full inclusion and well-being.

Russia:
Stigma as a barrier to implementing social development policies for people with disabilities in
Russia involves challenges rooted in negative attitudes, limited accessibility, and exclusion.
The law "On the Social Protection of Disabled People in the Russian Federation" is critical in
providing this community with rights and assistance. Negative stereotypes impede
employment, education, and social integration, despite legal safeguards. To combat stigma,
awareness campaigns, inclusive policies, and collaboration with non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) are essential. While progress has been made, more efforts are needed to
promote inclusivity, eliminate misconceptions, and foster an environment that allows for the
effective implementation of policies that benefit people with disabilities.

Japan:
Stigma has historically hampered the implementation of disability-related social development
policies in Japan. Discrimination and negative stereotypes have resulted in limited
opportunities and exclusion. Legal frameworks, awareness campaigns, inclusive employment
initiatives, and universal design concepts are all being used to combat these challenges. The
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics highlighted the abilities of people with disabilities and promoted
diversity. While progress has been made, creating an inclusive society is still a work in
progress.

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 QARMA(s)

QARMAs refer to ‘Questions A Resolution Must Answer’. These are areas of concern and
priority that the committee must address and discuss to reach a fruitful solution. For our
committee at this conference, the QARMAs are as follows:

1. How can member states develop and implement comprehensive anti-stigma campaigns
and awareness programs tailored to their specific cultural contexts to combat stigma
against people with disabilities effectively?
2. What measures can member states take to promote inclusivity and reduce stigma
towards people with disabilities in education, employment, and healthcare, and how
can these measures be enforced effectively?
3. What legal and policy reforms should member states prioritize to protect the rights and
promote the well-being of people with disabilities, and how can they ensure the
enforcement of these reforms?
4. What mechanisms can be established for monitoring and evaluating the progress made
in reducing stigma and implementing social development policies for people with
disabilities, and how can accountability be ensured at both the national and international
levels?

These questions will guide the committee toward practical solutions that can address stigma as
a barrier to implementing social development policies and programs for people with disabilities
worldwide. The delegates have to encompass awareness, access, collaboration, legal
frameworks, and accountability as crucial components of the solution.

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 Further Research

To aid your research process, here are some useful resource links that you should thoroughly
study to prepare for the conference:

● World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons | United Nations Enable.

● Reducing stigma and discrimination against children with disabilities | UNICEF
● Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) | Division for Inclusive
Social Development (DISD)
● Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons | OHCHR.
● UNICEF Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) 2022-2030
● United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy

Please note that this study guide is just a starting point for your research. To ace the committee,
you have to do further in-depth research to fully understand your country's stance, the scope of
the committee, and the agenda.

All the Best!

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