• The question of gender equality laws including domestic violence 

• The question of the expansion of maternity and paternity leave

• The question of legalizing youth gender-affirming care

Ms. Laura Fernàndez Abad is the current Deputy Head of Mission (DHoM) of Spain to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. With her experience in coordinating objectives relating to Political Affairs, Human Rights, Trade and Economy, Defense, Tourism, Environment & Agriculture, and education and culture Ms. Abad has been working in Vietnam for 2 years. As the DHoM, Ms. Abad helps in the coordination and the implementation of political guidance and advisory on Spain’s and EU relations with Vietnam and ASEAN. 

Before coming to Vietnam, Ms. Abad has taken many other significant positions to represent her country. These include the Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Spain to the United Nations in Vienna, Deputy Head of Mission of Spain to the Republic of Bulgaria, and many more positions.

Regarding Ms. Abad’s education and training, she studied Political Sciences for 5 years at the Universidad Complutense and furthered such studies at the Université Catholique de Louvain for 1 year. 

Ms. Jane McGee is currently the Head of School for the United Nations International School (UNIS) Hanoi. 

When Ms. McGee was leaving high school to go to university, she was interested in pursuing education. By doing so, she started out majoring in mathematics and minoring in chemistry in a combined education program. However, in Ms. In McGee's fourth year, she began to pursue her passion further when she learned about international schools. While working in Rome, Ms. McGee described how seeing students with different backgrounds was fascinating as every one of her students approached things from a different perspective. 

Regarding Ms. McGee’s mentorship background, she stated how she has supported students by informing them her experience as a woman in education. In the university she studied in Canada, Ms. McGee illustrated how there were only four women in a class of 70 individuals. Accordingly, with her experience, she has spoken to students about that journey and navigating it as a woman. 

Ms. McGee’s perspective on our theme “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?,” she discussed the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Fundamentally, she sees AI as a game changer as a tool to support students' learning. Additionally, she believes it will diversify the way we approach pedagogical practices to support all learners. Fundamentally, she believes that effectively embracing this change will depend on all of us. 

As the head chair of SDG 5 (Gender equality), I felt extremely honored to represent and interview our chair mentor Ms. Dobroski with my deputy chair, Junsuk Kim. With her passion in supporting others to achieve new heights, Ms. Dobroski is currently the MSHS Learning Support Teacher.  

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Ms. Morgan came from Thailand to UNIS, and has actually witnessed, right before their departure from Thalian, the rise of a MUN organization after the COVID-19 pandemic in her previous school. While she wasn’t able to properly see the MUN of her previous school flourish, she has expressed great compliments on the organized and nuanced nature of UNISMUN. Ms. Morgan has expressed her appreciation of the strong bond all communities share in UNIS, being united on building a safe and secure community, while holding the relevance of global society and global goals such as SDGs. 

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When asked about her thoughts on the theme of this conference, “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?”, she replied by saying that overcoming challenges of such scale require trust and empathy on an international scale. As rapid societal change impacts all globally in methods often never predicted, connecting with one another in deep human bond enables a type of cooperation and unity large enough to surmount such an unprecedented change.

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Committee wise, when asked about her opinion on SDG 5 and its questions of this conference, Ms. Dobroski replied that SDG 5 is an imperative council as it impacts the lives of more than half of the global population, as well as a council that maintains a component of everyday society, equality amongst all. Finally, Ms. Dobroski has shown great interest in the questions of SDG 5 for this March conference, replying that the questions address a complex side of gender equality which require a deeper insight into the intricacies of international relations than the majority of students are usually familiar with.

Honorable directors, distinguished delegates, fellow chairs and most esteemed guests,

My name is Seunghun (Tony) Lee, a sophomore at the United Nations International School of Hanoi, and it is of my utmost pleasure and honor to be the head chair for the SDG 5 council in the International March 2024 conference. This marks my 4th conference and second time as a chair, and I am fully committed to molding the committee to an environment where fruitful discussions and debates can blossom. 

The theme of this conference, “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?” can also be declared the question of the modern era. For in an age where growth across society consequently begets challenges never thought of, the utilization of multilateral diplomacy stands as the only way to surmount these challenges in the most effective and absolute manner. 

The SDG 5 (Gender equality) council is a special MUN committee with an area of operation focused on questions and topics regrading women’s rights, with the objective of achieving gender equality through empowerment and protection of the rights of women and girls. In a delegate aspect, the SDG 5 council is a council of delegates of moderate professionalism, and a committee where delegates can hone their skills to debate in preparation for advanced and prestigious councils such as the SC and RSC. 

The three topics of discussion will be: ‘the question of gender equality laws including domestic violence’, ‘The question of the expansion of maternity and paternity leave’ and ‘The question of legalizing youth gender-affirming care’. These questions will address complex issues involving judicial and legislative component of achieving gender equality as well as addressing the most prominent and sensitive components of achieving gender equality in the midst of a society where societal changes occur in a accelerating rate. 

With all said, I am extremely honored to be the head chair of the SDG 5 council and excited to witness delegates from across the world engage in fruitful debate. 

Greetings fellow chairs, distinguished delegates, and honorable guests,

I am Junsuk Kim, currently a sophomore in UNIS Hanoi. I am honored to serve as the Deputy Chair of SDG 5 committee in the 2024 UNISMUN March Conference. This conference will be my first time serving as chair and third experience in UNISMUN. 

The theme of the UNISMUN March Conference is “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?” This theme is relevant because in an era of rapid societal change, utilizing multilateral diplomacy is key. Global challenges such as climate change, technological advancements, and pandemics transcend borders, and these issues highly require collaborative efforts from all nations. Moreover, environmental sustainability, human rights, and social justice require multilateral platforms to foster shared solutions by enabling nations to address a variety of issues. 

SDG 5 committee focuses on ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere. Also, focuses on eliminating all harmful practices, such as early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. In other words, achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls with reasonable and enforceable resolutions is the purpose of the SDG 5 committee. 

The first topic debated in SDG 5 is: “The question of gender equality laws including domestic violence”. This topic is about gender equality laws particularly in the context of domestic violence. Which examines the legal societal structures and efforts to ratify gender inequality and ensure the rights and combating violence within home, communities, and workplace.

The second topic debated in SDG 5 is: “The question of the expansion of maternity and paternity leave”. This topic mainly focuses on the reevaluation of workplace policies by acknowledging gender equality and balance between work and family responsibilities.

The last topic debated in SDG 5 is: “The question of legalizing youth gender-affirming care”. This topic revolves around ethical, medical, and legal considerations. It focuses on providing gender-related medical interventions to minors by addressing concerns related to autonomy, informed consent, and societal acceptance.

With all that said, good luck on your preparation and I am looking forward to seeing all SDG 5 delegates in 2024 March!

Greetings honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, directors, and guests,

I’m Tue Minh, currently a junior at Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, and I extend my warmest welcomes to you as your procedural chair for SDG 5 - Gender Equality for the upcoming March conference 2024. This is my first time serving as chair for Model UN and I am with utmost excitement to meet all of our esteemed delegates.

The conference’s overarching theme, “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?” strikes a chord with the mission of SDG 5. I’m glad that this will be our theme for UNISMUN’24 as it embodies SDG5’s goal to harness diplomacy’s power in tackling the swift changes in our society. 

I believe that SDG5, with its focus on promoting equal rights for all genders while combating gender discrimination, plays a crucial role in the UN and our world. In a status quo impaired with inequality, establishing unity among all members of society becomes important. Our committee’s topics: “The question of gender equality laws including domestic violence”, “The question of the expansion of maternity and paternity leave”, and “The question of legalizing youth gender-affirming care” all represent pivotal steps towards an equitable world. Each of the topics in SDG5 resonates with me deeply because they signify not just personal connections but a global need for inclusivity and respect for all identities.

With millions of lives affected by these pressing issues, I eagerly anticipate the fruitful discussions and collaborative efforts that will unfold during our conference. To be able to achieve this, it is highly recommended that delegates will make use of the chair reports and resources available. I look forward to meeting everyone in the SDG5 committee and seeing everyone have memorable experiences with new lessons learnt and connections made!