• The question of regional burden sharing for migrants and asylum seekers

• The question of undocumented populations and legal identity

Mr. Davis, the Middle School Design teacher at UNIS Hanoi, has a broad professional background in design, multimedia, and education. Before becoming a teacher, he worked internationally as a front-end and back-end web designer, with jobs in Australia, Ireland, and the United States, including Hershey’s Chocolate as a web designer. After recognising how platforms like Wix and WordPress were transforming the design industry, he transitioned to teaching, earning his teaching certificate, master’s degree, and a leadership certificate from Harvard. His experience living in 10 different countries and working with highly diverse student populations has given him a strong appreciation for international perspectives, service learning, and preparing students for a rapidly changing world.

During our interview, Mr. Davis shared his perspective on the November 2025 UNISMUN Conference theme: “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility.” He emphasised that sovereignty remains one of the most urgent and controversial issues in global politics, referencing current conflicts such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where borders are being violated and NATO’s Article 4 has been triggered as a response. He also discussed the recognition of Palestine by many countries as an attempt to strengthen sovereignty and give more international visibility to their struggles. For Mr. Davis, sovereignty is central to diplomacy because respecting or violating it has immediate consequences for international responsibility, collective security, and humanitarian stability.

In relation to the Population Movement Council topics, Mr. Davis provided some strong insights rooted in both personal and global perspectives.

The question of regional burden sharing for migrants and asylum seekers: Drawing from his time living in Istanbul during the Syrian refugee crisis, Mr. Davis described how Turkey acted as a gatekeeper for Europe, reaching agreements to contain migration flows in exchange for economic and political exceptions. He emphasised that such arrangements often leave refugees in poor conditions while governments use them as bargaining chips. Looking ahead, he stated that climate change will accelerate migration even more, talking about Bangladesh’s sea level rise, Cape Town and Mexico City’s water scarcity, and broader “Day Zero” scenarios. He highlighted that this will force countries into regional burden-sharing agreements, whether willingly or through necessity, and delegates should consider how to equitably share responsibilities.

The question of undocumented populations and legal identity: Mr. Davis stated that migration often sparks political backlash, with far-right and nationalist parties gaining traction as a response to large influences of migrants. He gave the example of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) movement, which has grown in popularity nearly a decade after accepting many Syrian refugees. Similarly, in the U.S., leaders like Donald Trump used undocumented migration as a rallying point for stricter, more nationalistic policies. He underscored that this “pendulum swing” is a recurring pattern - liberal migration policies often trigger strong populist reactions, which then lead to stricter border controls and reduced protections. He encouraged delegates to examine the timelines of migration policies and their long-term political consequences when drafting their resolutions.

In our discussion, Mr. Davis also offered a futurist perspective, connecting AI and technological disruption to the future of migration and employment. He suggested that many white-collar professions - law, medicine, finance - may face reduced value due to AI’s diagnostic capabilities improving, which could reshape the global labour markets. This could strongly indirectly affect migration trends, as populations seek stability in regions that can adapt to technological change in good ways.

What stood out most in our conversation was Mr. Davis’s belief in connecting theory to real-world action. As the design curriculum lead, he ensures that service learning is incorporated in every year of the design program. For example, Grade 7 students at UNIS are currently creating apps tied to the SDGs to present at the GAIA conference and design tools or toys for visually impaired students, hearing impaired schools, rescued animal shelters, and orphanages. He explained that design thinking - understanding clients and solving problems, and creating impactful solutions - is a skillset that every student will require in a volatile and uncertain (VUCA) future.

Mr. Davis’s insights highlighted the interconnectedness between sovereignty, migration, politics, and future technologies. His case studies on Turkey, Germany, the U.S., and climate-induced migration are highly relevant for delegates preparing for the Population Movement Council. His futuristic outlook also challenged me to think about how diplomacy and migration policies must adapt not only to present conflicts, but also to disruptive global changes in the near future.

Greetings, honourable chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,

My name is  Jihoo Park, a junior from St. Paul Hanoi American School. This year is my third year enrolling in the MUN program, and this will be my second time chairing, with this being my 7th conference. I determined to be a part of MUN in search of building new relationships with other people and having the freedom to express my thoughts. It is an honor to serve as the head chair for the Population Movement Council(PMC) for this upcoming UNISMUN November 2025 Conference.

This conference’s theme, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility” represents the mission of PMC for as the intersection of state authority, diplomatic responsibilities in terms of undocumented population, followed by humanitarian concerns, are deeply rooted issues regarding this conference’s theme. Thus, I would like to encourage all delegates to consider how sovereignty in diplomacy could involve including responsibilities towards the international community, and tie the implications of the theme to the topics being discussed in our committee.

The Population Movement Council(PMC) in general deals with issues related to migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented populations, which emerged from various reasons, including political conflicts, religious persecution, or economic opportunities. In the context of an UN committee, PMC aims to understand population dynamics and identify the trends with development issues through international cooperation and statistical analysis. Though PMC may appear to be a committee that only deals with statistical information to address the developmental concerns, beneath the surface of that perception lies a tragic reality of dealing wth humankind’s survival.

The PMC will address the following topics: “The question of regional burden sharing for migrants and asylum seekers” and “The question of undocumented populations and legal identity”. The first topic could be addressed to alleviate pressure on heavily burdened states, further strengthening international solidarity, and protecting human rights. The second topic could be addressed to enhance data, rights protection, and integration, linking to human rights, SDGs, and inclusive governance.

I look forward to have a fruitful debate, and don’t hesitate to reach out for help, see you soon.

Warm Regards,

Jihoo Park

Greetings honourable delegates, fellow chairs, and esteemed guests,

My name is Tanvi Arora, currently a sophomore or a 10th grader at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. It is an honour to serve as a chair for the Population Movement Council (PMC) at this upcoming UNISMUN November 2025 Conference. I joined UNIS in January 2025, and have eagerly taken every opportunity offered by UNISMUN, including serving as an admin for both the March 2025 High School UNISMUN Conference and the first ever Middle School UNISMUN. This will be my first time chairing, and I am absolutely thrilled to guide you all while also learning alongside all of you throughout this exciting experience!

This conference’s theme, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility”, resonates deeply with our mission of the PMC. Our council addresses urgent global issues surrounding migrants, refugees, and displaced people - topics where national sovereignty and international responsibility often unite. Finding solutions that respect a nation’s right to self-govern while protecting its vulnerable populations, is at the core of meaningful diplomacy.

The PMC will debate about two critical topics: “The question of regional burden sharing for migrants and asylum seekers” and “The question of undocumented populations and legal identity.” The first topic examines how nations and regions can equitably share responsibility for migrants and asylum seekers, balancing compassion with practical policies. The second topic investigates how legal identity, or the lack of thereof, impacts people’s access to rights, services, and dignity worldwide. Both the topics remind us that behind every statistic, there are real human lives whose futures depend on international cooperation and creative solutions.

As you prepare, I encourage all delegates to approach these discussions with empathy, open-mindedness, and a willingness to collaborate across differences. Together, we can all craft several innovative solutions and proposals that uphold both sovereignty and shared responsibility. I look forward to witnessing everybody’s diplomacy in action and an engaging, productive debate. See you all in November at UNIS Hanoi!

Kind Regards,

Tanvi Arora

Greetings, honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,

My name is Seung Heon Ji, a sophomore attending UNIS Hanoi. I joined the UNIS MUN in grade 9, participated in 4 conferences as a delegate so far, and will be participating as a procedural chair in the Population Movement Council. The upcoming UNISMUN November 2025 Conference will be my 5th conference, but my first conference as a chair, and I am absolutely delighted and honored to serve as a chair. Though I may lack in chair experience, I will try my best to make this conference memorable for everyone and provide thoughtful guidance in making a fruitful debate. 

This conference’s theme, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility,” strongly resonates with me. In modern international relations, sovereignty remains one of the crucial stakeholders of the international system. As it no longer means isolation, but the nation’s capacity to be able to cooperate and also have control over the national integrity and order.  However, despite its cruciality, it is in urgent need of redefinition, which follows and harmonizes the international obligation. 

The Population Movement Council plays a crucial role in discussing this year’s theme. Our committee’s main goal is to address the movement and migration of people due to various reasons. This deeply relates to the issue of sovereignty, as it not only concerns the balance between the nation's sovereign rights and the authority to regulate the movement of people, but also upholding the humanitarian and legal obligations of individuals. As a result, PMC serves as a platform where delegates can discuss an issue that intersects sovereignty and international rights. 

The Population Movement Council will discuss two crucial issues regarding the theme of this conference: “The question of regional burden sharing for migrants and asylum seekers” and “The question of undocumented populations and legal identity.” These two topics emphasize the balance of sovereignty and humanitarian responsibility, urging nations to cooperate in regulating migrations but also ensure that individuals are recognized and protected. Both topics ask nations for international cooperation to strengthen diplomacy through empathy, equity, and most crucially, respect for human dignity and rights. 

Upon preparing and engaging in a discussion of these issues, I would strongly encourage all delegates to remain open-minded, collaborative, and perceive other nations’ perspectives. As the Population Movement Council addresses challenges that occur across national borders, success certainly depends on international cooperation. It is through empathy, understanding that accounts for sovereignty and responsibility, that we can work toward meaningful and lasting solutions to the issue. 

I am looking forward to a fruitful debate in November, 

Bests,

Seung Heon