United Nations Development Programme
Single Delegate General Assembly
undp@uclamun.org
Committee Summary
Topic A: Decolonized Governance for Development
Topic B: Alternative Development Financing Models
Committee Summary: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s primary developmental agency, with its primary goal being to aid countries in achieving the sustainable development goals (I don’t think I have ever said “development” so many times in one sentence).
While UNDP debates traditionally center one particular issue, such as food security or environmental justice, LAMUN’s UNDP will instead focus on presumed root causes of developmental inequity: governance and financing.
These are often the first issues to be brought up when debating why certain nations fail in their developmental initiatives. Although terms like “good governance” and “poor financial management” often get thrown around, there is little understanding and consensus on exactly how governments should actually behave, or on methods of international financing which do not create debt cycles or major power imbalances.
This version of the UNDP will aim to fully understand the flaws of current development programs, placing an emphasis on traditionally unheard voices. This committee will allow for genuine discussions on anti-imperial and decolonized development, pushing for a stronger, standardized, and more inclusive understanding of what it means to be developed, and how such development can be achieved.
Meet The Staff
Chania Rene-Corail
Chair
Hello and welcome to LAMUN XXI!
My name is Chania Rene-Corail, and I will serve as your chair for the United Nations Development Programme. I am a second year International Development Studies and Political Science major, minoring in Education. After college, I hope to go into human rights advocacy, specifically focusing on children’s rights.
I went to high school in Palo Alto, California, where I first started MUN. Although the first few conferences were online and left much to be desired, I stuck with the activity, eventually getting to travel around the United States with my high school team.
One of the first things I did after moving into my UCLA dorm was trying out for the Model UN travel team. Joining this club and competing on the circuit has been an incredible experience, which I am ecstatic to continue by chairing at LAMUN XXI.
Being a second-year, this is my first time being on senior staff for LAMUN. I have, however, previously chaired for BruinMUN, our high school conference, along with serving as dais staff for the LAMUN United Nations Security Council last year. Chairing UNDP is particularly exciting to me, not just because it is a new experience, but because this specific committee has a strong tie to my career goals and was also the first GA I ever participated in on the collegiate circuit.
During LAMUN, I will expect delegates to dig deeper, truly addressing the root causes of developmental inequities. Governance and financing are two of the most discussed topics when it comes to development programmes and initiatives, and yet the conversation continues to center developed and wealthy nations. This committee is an opportunity to reshape how the international stage views development, empowering traditionally-overlooked nations to shape their own destinies.
I hope that you are as excited for this committee as I am! I look forward to meeting all of you during LAMUN weekend!
Chania Rene-Corail
Chair | United Nations Development Programme | LAMUN XXI