YMUN – EUROPIAN UNION

Topic 1: Immigration and passport policy

Topic 2: Sustainabilty standards
 TOPIC 1.

• Topic 1: Immigration and passport policy

• Immigration and passport policy is a topic that is hotly debated in many governments around
the EU. There have been changes in immigration as a result of war, environmental disasters,
and additional push and pull factors. Countries across the European Union are changing their
eligibility requirements to receive visas or passports as the needs of their peoples change. In
Germany, for example, the salary threshold required to obtain a visa has been reduced. A
passport from a member nation of the European Union is a very high value passport - holders
can freely travel amongst EU member nations and are granted access to many countries around
the world, but the requirements to get a passport are different across countries. Immigration
and passport policy is something that will continue to be discussed for years to come and
includes other aspects of the country like infrastructure, economy, history, values, and the
judiciary system. The committee will discuss the topics of immigration and passport policy,
including: Who should be given a passport? Should the regulations for obtaining an EU
passport or the passport of a specific country be standardized? What is the best immigration
policy for your country and the goals of your country? How should the European Union react
to fluctuations in immigration?
 TOPIC ONE – ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

• Schengen Area: The Schengen Area is a group of 27 European countries that have abolished
passport control at their mutual borders. This allows for the free movement of people
within the area. Non-EU nationals may require a Schengen visa to enter this zone.
• EU Blue Card: The EU Blue Card is a work and residence permit for highly skilled non-EU nationals who want to work in an EU
country. It is designed to make it easier for skilled workers to live and work in the EU.
• Freedom of Movement: EU citizens have the right to live and work in any EU country without needing a work permit. This
principle is a fundamental part of the EU's commitment to creating a single market.
• Residence Permits: Non-EU nationals wishing to stay in an EU country for an extended period usually need to obtain a residence
permit. The specific requirements and procedures vary from country to country.
• Asylum Policies: The EU has a Common European Asylum System (CEAS) aimed at providing a unified approach to asylum
policies among member states. However, the implementation and effectiveness of this system have faced challenges, and individual
countries still have some discretion in processing asylum applications.
 TOPIC 2

Environmental issues have been a topic greatly increasing in importance. It is a topic that
affects other aspects of a country’s well being, for example their infrastructure or agricultural
output, in addition to impacting the world as a whole with the repercussions of a changing
climate. Corporations, individuals, and more are at fault and at risk. As such, this committee
will discuss climate problems facing the world and solutions that can be implemented on a
global scale, as well as what standards should be implemented in the European Union. As an
advanced regional government, the EU must set a strong example for governments around the
world to follow suit and make changes for the better. These solutions can be innovative and
new, solutions that have already been implemented, or solutions that were attempted but did
not yield the desired results. What is your country already doing? What could it continue to
do? What are your country’s goals in relation to climate change and the efforts other countries
are already making? What expectations should be set for all countries in the Union?
 TOPIC 2 ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

• What the EU is doing and why

- EU law requires all large companies and all listed companies (except listed micro-
enterprises) to disclose information on what they see as the risks and opportunities
arising from social and environmental issues, and on the impact of their activities on
people and the environment.
- This helps investors, civil society organisations, consumers and other stakeholders to
evaluate the sustainability performance of companies, as part of the
European green deal.
• What are the EU sustainability reporting standards?
EU rules require large companies and listed companies to publish regular reports on the social
and environmental risks they face, and on how their activities impact people and the environment.
 MORE…

• Rules introduced by the Non-Financial Reporting Directive

• The rules introduced by the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD) remain in force until companies have to
apply the new rules of the CSRD. Under the NFRD, large companies have to publish information related to
• environmental matters
• social matters and treatment of employees
• respect for human rights
• anti-corruption and bribery
• diversity on company boards (in terms of age, gender, educational and professional background)
• These reporting rules apply to large public-interest companies with more than 500 employees. This covers
approximately 11 700 large companies and groups across the EU, including
• listed companies
• banks
• insurance companies
• other companies designated by national authorities as public-interest entities