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Dear Delegates,

A warmth welcome to the committee of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). My name is Ayu Anastasya Rachman, I am in charge as your Chair along with Mrs.Mujahidah and Mrs.Frischa. I have just finished my bachelor degree at last October 2015, majoring International Relations. However, my school years of studies at Hasanuddin University were filled with enormous experiences pertaining Model United Nations. MUN is an amusement part of my life (who doesn’t? lol). I was particularly invited to join several MUN, as delegate or the Chairs. I started my MUN journey as Best Delegate in the Committee of UNSC, Celebes MUN 2011. I snatched the chance to join Harvard National MUN 2013 in my second year of school, and closed the college-year tourney by join Singapore MUN 2015, and it was all great.

 

                  This year UNESCO agenda will focus on the issue of “Facing the rise of homophobia and working toward equality”. The gender equality promotion which also entails the promotion of equality of rights (school, workplace, etc) for the gay community is one of the important issues on UNESCO agenda. Sexual orientation and gender equality are no longer sensitive issues. I am sure we will have great debates, as well as tremendous amounts of fun during the conference. We expect you to prepare thoroughly and bring all your skills and enthusiasm

 

Best wishes,

 

 

Director

 

Committee's Explanation

UNESCO

( United Nations Education, Scientific, and Culture Organization)

Topic Area : Facing The Rise of Homophobia and Working Toward Equality

 

             Homosexuality, understood as a sexual orientation, has been noted in each documented culture. Widely recorded in antiquity, the term “Homosexuality” in itself means “same sex”. Denounced throughout centuries, as morally corrupting and sinful, homosexuality remained forbidden under laws prohibiting sexual intercourse between males. Gaining public significance from 19th century onwards, the issue of homosexuality first emerged from medical journals and sociological discussions analyzing the possible influence of homosexuals on a society. Though well known in the past, the concept of homosexuality was only introduced in 1869 by a Hungarian doctor Karoly Maria Benkhert. In his book "What Is Sexual Orientation?" Benkhert argued that homosexuality is a sexual dysfunction manifested by same sex attraction. The growing awareness of homosexuality was followed by counter-reaction defining same sex attraction, as abnormal, unnatural and degenerating. European criminal codes reflected this trend with countries as Imperial Germany and Great Britain imposing severe penalties for so called “sodomy” or male anal penetration. Yet with prominent individuals being prosecuted, such as Oscar Wild or Prince of Eulenburg, first gay-rights organizations emerged.

 

              In 1897, German doctor Magnus Hirshfeld founded the Scientific Humanitarian Committee that aimed to promote homosexuals’ rights and law liberalization. In 1924 first American gay-rights organization located in Chicago was recognised. However it was only after World War 2 that gay rights became gradually accepted. With cultural liberation and notion of liberated sex, the argument of same sex abnormality started loosing its importance. In 1957 British report under John Wolfenden concluded that homosexuality cannot be regarded as a disease. This report met with wide-spread approval, even from spiritual circles, with Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Fisher arguing: “There is a sacred realm of privacy... into which the law, generally speaking, must not intrude. This is a principle of the utmost importance for the preservation of human freedom, self-respect, and responsibility". State inquiry regarding status of homosexuals occurred in other countries as well. Governmental investigation led by Senator Joseph McCarthy's raised awareness and fair treatment of gay presence in governmental institutions.

 

                  Another milestone for gay right-movements occurred in late 60’s with students in Italy and France calling for gay activism and with the Riots at the Stonewall Inn on June 28th 1968 that led to the formation of homosexual communities in each major American city. Shortly afterwards, United States witnessed first wave of Gay-Pride Parades to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In 1973, Homosexuality had been removed from American Psychiatric Association's, whereas

               

               Harvey Milk won 16,900 votes in Castro district opposing governmental interference in private sexual matters. Elected to San Francisco board of supervisors in 1977 Harvey Milk proved that homosexual communities are capable of direct participation in every-day politics. Finally, in early 80’s most of the western democracies started legalizing the status of homosexuals with Italy legalizing samesex sexual activity in 1980 and France granting protection of LGBT against discrimination in 1985. However with the growing acceptance and granted protection for homosexual communities, LGBT individuals became increasingly targeted by counter-reaction, becoming victims of social homophobia, hatred and direct violence. With the spread of AIDS in the early 80’s LGBT acceptance faced major setback. Homosexuals became targeted as those responsible for the spread of HIV. Increasingly isolated they became victims of ‘keeping AIDS out’. Nevertheless, it were LGBT communities located outsider western democracies that fell under the greatest discrimination and prosecution. In those countries homosexuals faced imprisonment, medical treatment, fines and social exclusion. It was only from early 90’s when World Health Organization declassified Homosexuality as a disease, that international status of LBGT slowly improved. Yet, even in 2003, Brazil’s motion for protection of international human rights for sexual minorities failed and it was only in 2011 that similar resolution has been passed. We are solemnly invite the delegates to be fully participated and working towards equality.

 

Welcoming Remark

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