Posts

Updates on Topic A

There are many steps that the World Health Organization has taken on in light of the pandemic and a lack of quality-assurance in international blood availability . One big step is the establishment of the Advisory Group on Blood Organization, Availability, and Stability in 2020, whose objective is to scale up the implementation of WHO policies and strategies in order to increase universal access to quality-assured blood.  In response to calls for action, as of 2020, the WHO has provided 6 specific guidelines for blood products from 2020-2024. These target countries with weak blood systems, with the objective to create systems for blood services that are; appropriately structured, regulated, efficiently managed, effectively surveilled, and partner oriented. At World blood donor day in June of 2023, the Pan American Health Organization highlights the need to increase plasma donations through blood extraction so that lower and middle income countries especially have adequate blood supply.
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Topic B Disucssion!

Hey delegates! I was reading a little bit more about the topic of "The Decline and Neglect of Adolescent Mental Health" and stumbled upon this article I think you would find interesting. Feel free to give it a quick read, or I’ll also summarize its main points below. I found this article interesting because it gives a deeper understanding of topics discussed in understanding what mental health is and insight into some of the more recent UN actions. I thought it brought up an interesting point about just how big of an impact Covid-19 had on mental health for so many young people. This article touches on many relevant points, but I think the most important things to acknowledge are how Covid-19 really changed the landscape when it came to mental health in youth and also how treating mental health, for many, goes further than just acknowledging that the issue is prevalent. In fact, the study mentioned in this article finds that "antidepressant use among young adults and te
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Tips for Solutions

 Hi delegates! As BMUN grows nearer, I wanted to offer some advice on your solutions and what our dais expects for committee! (LETS GOOOOO) Before diving into the different types of solutions we are hoping to see in committee, I wanted to take this opportunity to revisit our learning goals and expectations for research in hopes that your solutions end up addressing these key points: -Healthcare disparities in high income and low income countries -Systemic factors that have led to such a wide gap in healthcare accessibility  -Differences in culture and religion that lead to attitudes towards healthcare -Overall understanding of the various backgrounds, perspectives, and socioeconomic influences that lead to the creation of healthcare infrastructure  Please keep these learning goals in mind when forming solutions! They are key points we want you to address! (⏰❗❗HINT HINT HINT) Need stepping off points to start thinking about solutions? Start at the synopsis! As you read, highlight key is
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IMPORTANT: WHO Office Hours Announcement, Conference Policies + More! 🇺🇳💻🌎

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Image: a picture of Oski, (UC Berkeley mascot) holding a cupcake with a birthday candle. Happy 156th Birthday, UC Berkeley! Charter Day celebrates the official founding of the University, which took place March 23, 1868 — also known as the university’s birthday.
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Public Speaking Tips! 🗣️

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 Hi Delegates!  We are almost at our two-week countdown until BMUN 72! *yayy* As you all prepare for the conference, please know it's completely normal to feel excited, nervous, or feel any kind of way toward public speaking! Whether it is your first or last time attending a conference, please maintain full respect and understanding toward the progress of others and yourselves. BMUN is ultimately a learning conference more than anything, and we value your growth over all else.  As you prepare for Conference, here are some pointers for public speaking:  Know your country's position prior:   Before conference, research the country you'll be representing and familiarize yourself with its stance on the topics to be discussed. Be ready to present some of the issues raised in your position paper! This will allow you to speak with authority and conviction. Prepare an opening speech:  Write out a short speech that you can use to introduce yourself and your country's stance on t
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Procedure and Committee Flow

  Hi Delegates!!!:)))) I wanted to check in with you to provide some more insight to how our committee is going to work at BMUN 72. World Health Organization Committee(WHO) will be using Standard BMUN Procedure.  🎊 Our committee will begin by opening a running Speaker’s List (standard speaking time is 1 minute, 30 seconds) and those speeches will be followed by 2 30-second comments by other delegates. This is the default timing for the Speaker’s List and can be amended if agreed upon by the committee. The Speaker’s List can also be interrupted by Moderated Caucuses and Informal Caucuses that give delegates the opportunity to exchange opinions on policy, solutions, and more specific aspects of the topics at hand. In our committee, our dais plans on leaving the flow of committee up to you delegates, so we suggest you come prepared with specific subtopics and policies you hope to discuss! During Informal Caucus time, delegates are expected to draft and write Resolutions which will then
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Introduction -- Vice Chair: Nicola McDermott Catena

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Hello Delegates!  My name is Nicola McDermott Catena, I use the she series, and I'm so excited to be one of your WHO vice chairs this BMUN 72. I am a Freshman majoring in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and an intended minor in Human Rights. As a member of BMUN I have been able to stimulate my passion for international topics by learning about The Decline and Neglect of Adolescent Mental Health and International Blood Availability as a member of the WHO dais; but also about current events not in my committee like the Venezuelan Economic Crises, or Democratization of the Middle East in simulations.  As a student in Political Science at Berkeley with a concentration in International Relations, I am particularly interested in democratic backsliding, autocracies in the Middle East and South America, and human rights violations across the globe. Outside of BMUN, I am involved in Delta Phi Epsilon, Berkeley's International Relations Professional Frat
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