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IIT Bombay Techfest: Asia's Premier Tech Event

Techfest, hosted by IIT Bombay, is Asia's largest science and technology event with over 175,000 attendees and participation from numerous colleges globally. This year's theme, 'Tides of Time,' emphasizes collective progress and addressing historical injustices. The event also features the IITB Techfest World Model United Nations (TWMUN), focusing on global diplomacy and pressing issues such as refugee inclusion, women's political participation, and the impact of foreign aid on African sovereignty.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
80 views16 pages

IIT Bombay Techfest: Asia's Premier Tech Event

Techfest, hosted by IIT Bombay, is Asia's largest science and technology event with over 175,000 attendees and participation from numerous colleges globally. This year's theme, 'Tides of Time,' emphasizes collective progress and addressing historical injustices. The event also features the IITB Techfest World Model United Nations (TWMUN), focusing on global diplomacy and pressing issues such as refugee inclusion, women's political participation, and the impact of foreign aid on African sovereignty.

Uploaded by

2006chatterbox
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

WHAT IS TECHFEST?

Techfest, hosted by IIT Bombay, stands as the


largest science and technology event in Asia,
boasting over 175,000 attendees, a Facebook
following of over 3.1 million, and active participation
from more than 2,500 Indian colleges and over 500
international institutions. Over its 25-year history,
Techfest has evolved into a remarkable fusion of
science and boundless enthusiasm. It has become
the ultimate destination for individuals seeking to
explore, experiment, and draw inspiration from the
latest technological advancements. In addition to its
international outreach and competitions, Techfest
has diversified its activities, extending its impact
beyond showcasing cutting-edge innovation.

Techfest now encompasses a range of social


initiatives designed to make a positive impact on the
world. These initiatives include setting a Guinness
World Record for a campaign promoting solar
energy adoption across all of India's states and union
territories. It serves as a beacon, where innovation
meets impact, and where attendees are inspired not
only by cutting-edge technology but by the vision of
a better, more inclusive world.

01
THEME -
TIDES OF TIME
The phrase ‘time and tide wait for no man’ is a befitting
one to describe the current political landscape. The
theme signifies the importance of moving forward,
away from past grievances and politics, towards
collective progress. The passage of time is inevitable,
but our decision to regress with it is not.

The best way to predict the future is to create it, to


honour the past and engineer the legacy. Embracing
this theme encourages problem solvers to live in the
present and look towards the future for the greater
good of humanity, striving towards pragmatic solutions
to problems.

We may not acknowledge it enough, but with every


passing second a new chapter of history is written. Far
too often the pages of history include injustice and
inequality that is worsening over time, and it is our
responsibility to tackle this issue.

Nations, individuals, and organisations have the power


to craft their own timelines. History has its eyes on you.

02
WHAT IS TWMUN?
Step into the world of intellectual diplomacy and global
discourse as the prestigious Indian Institute of
Technology Bombay proudly presents the IITB Techfest
World Model United Nations (TWMUN). This unparalleled
gathering of visionary minds transcends boundaries,
weaving a tapestry of innovation, diplomacy, and global
awareness with 700+ national and international
delegates.

Amidst the hallowed halls of IIT Bombay, this dynamic


event showcases the epitome of intellectual prowess,
where delegates from around the world converge to
engage in spirited debates, negotiate intricate
solutions, and foster connections that will shape our
shared future.

Experience the convergence of brilliance, the synergy


of diverse perspectives, and the art of diplomacy at its
zenith. Techfest World MUN is more than just a
conference; it's a symphony of intellect, a canvas of
diplomacy, and a gateway to a world of limitless
possibilities. Join us on this extraordinary journey where
resolutions are forged, alliances are formed, and the
world's most pressing issues are met with innovative
solutions. Welcome to a new era of global leadership
and transformation – welcome to Techfest World MUN.

03
SCHOOL COMMITTEES
Open to students till 12th grade.

Students looking to participate in beginner and


intermediate levels of agendas should join these
committees.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees


(UNHCR): Social Development and Economic
Inclusion of Refugees

United Nations Commission on the Status of


Women (UNCSW): Enhancing Political
Participation of Women for Gender-Responsive
Policies

Disarmament & International Security


Committee (DISEC): Discussing the impact of AI-
enabled and cyber extremism

04
COLLEGE COMMITTEES
Open to all age groups.

Students looking to participate in intermediate and


advanced levels of agendas should join these
committees.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) [Double


Delegation]: Resolving Gaza crisis with special
emphasis on prevention of spread of conflict.

Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN):


Assessing IMF's policy interventions in LEDCs.

Historical Special Political and Decolonization


Committee (HSPECPOL) : Impact of Foreign Aid
on African Sovereignty (1970s).

Lok Sabha: Review of Delimitations Act 2002.

05
FLAGSHIP COMMITTEE
Open to all age groups.

Students looking to participate in advanced levels of


discussion should join these committee.

Ad-hoc Committee - As our flagship committee,


this is a competitive committee where the
agenda is revealed closer to the conference,
making the ad-hoc committee one of the most
challenging formats for a Model UN.

06
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY
COUNCIL (UNSC)
Resolving Gaza crisis with special emphasis on
prevention of spread of conflict
The UNSC, comprising permanent and rotating member
states, is the chief UN body safeguarding global peace
and security. It holds authority for sanctions, military
intervention, and peacekeeping missions to respond to
crises and conflicts, aiming for stability and peace.

The Gaza crisis requires a multifaceted approach to de-


escalate violence and prevent the spread of conflict
across the region. Key efforts must consist of
establishing ceasefires, ensuring humanitarian aid
access, and initiation of dialogue between the leaders
of Israel and Palestine. The United Nations must
facilitate peace talks while addressing underlying
grievances, including settlement disputes, blockade
restrictions, and human rights violations. Preventing the
spillover of conflict into neighboring countries requires
regional cooperation, particularly with Egypt, Jordan,
and Lebanon, to mediate tensions and reinforce
diplomatic resolutions. A comprehensive strategy
prioritizing peace-building and civilian protection is
crucial to avoid further destabilization.

07
UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSIONER FOR
REFUGEES (UNHCR)
Social Development and Economic Inclusion of
Refugees
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) is a dedicated UN agency established in 1950,
committed to protecting and assisting refugees and
displaced persons globally. UNHCR provides
humanitarian aid, essential services, and advocates for
durable solutions to address the challenges faced by
displaced populations.

The socio-economic development and inclusion of


refugees is crucial for both the host communities and
displaced populations themselves. Factors such as
access to education, vocational training and employment
opportunities must be considered to integrate refugees
into local economies. These measures promote self-
reliance and reduce long-term dependence on aid. It also
fosters social cohesion, minimizing tensions and
unlocking refugees’ potential as contributors to society.
Policies must focus on inclusive healthcare, housing, legal
rights and overall development, ensuring refugees can be
free of discrimination. International cooperation,
investment, and equitable frameworks are crucial for
building sustainable solutions.

08
HISTORICAL SPECIAL POLITICAL
AND DECOLONIZATION
COMMITTEE (HSPECPOL)
Impact of Foreign Aid on African Sovereignty (1970s)

The Historical Special Political and Decolonization


Committee (Fourth Committee) considers a broad
range of issues covering five decolonization-related
agenda items, the effects of atomic radiation,
questions relating to information, a comprehensive
review of the question of peacekeeping operations as
well as a review of special political missions and
international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer
space.

Foreign aid given to African nations in the 1970s sparked


significant controversy, as it often undermined their
sovereignty and fostered dependency. Aid from
Western powers and the Soviet Union was often tied to
political agendas, forcing African governments to align
with Cold War ideologies—capitalism or socialism—at
the expense of their own national interests. This
external intervention stoked internal divisions as well as
fueled authoritarian regimes. Furthermore, leaders who
supported true self-determination and independence
opposed aid conditionalities since they were perceived
as neocolonial instruments that continued Africa's
economic enslavement.

09
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION
ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
(UNCSW)
Enhancing Political Participation of Women for
Gender-Responsive Policies

The United Nations Commission on the Status of


Women (UNCSW) is a crucial entity committed to global
gender equality and women's empowerment. Through
policy development, research, and advocacy, UNCSW
aims to eliminate gender-based discrimination,
fostering an inclusive world where women's rights and
opportunities are fully realized.

Women’s participation in politics is the key to


promoting gender-responsive policies that mitigate
years of deep-rooted systemic patriarchy. Active
participation of women in decision-making processes
results in inclusive governmental policies and laws that
support gender equality in areas including legal rights,
healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
Institutional obstacles, discriminatory laws, and
concerns like gender-based violence, maternity care,
and childcare support can be addressed. Gender
perspectives must be taken into account at all levels of
government, and more equal and just societies can be
achieved by empowering women through quotas,
political training, and financial support.

10
LOK SABHA
Review of Delimitations Act 2002

Lok Sabha, the lower house of India's parliament, serves


as a crucial forum where elected representatives
deliberate on legislative matters, shaping the nation's
policies. Comprising Members of Parliament, it reflects
the diverse voices and concerns of the Indian populace,
playing a pivotal role in the democratic governance of
the country.

The Delimitation Act of 2002 was enacted to ensure fair


representation by redrawing electoral boundaries
based on updated census data. Whilst it aimed to
balance population changes to ensure equitable
representation in the Lok Sabha and Legislative
Assemblies, it sparked debate about regional disparities
between northern and southern states. Southern
states, which had better family planning laws in place,
risked losing representation as the population of the
northern states increased quickly. Opponents contend
that the Act might lead to representational imbalances
and disadvantage states with slower population growth
since it freezes changes and was built on outdated
census data. The Act's assessment reveals persistent
conflicts between federal equality principles and
population-based representation.

11
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL
COMMITTEE (ECOFIN)
Assessing IMF's policy interventions in LEDCs

The Second Committee of the UN General Assembly is


known as the Economic and Financial Committee, or
ECOFIN. In addition to global macroeconomic policy,
sustainable development, globalization, and the
eradication of poverty, ECOFIN also addresses issues
related to economic growth and development.

IMF policy interventions in Less Economically Developed


Countries (LEDCs) have been subjected to both
appraisal and criticism. Whilst the IMF provides financial
assistance and technical support to countries in times
of need to avoid financial crises through structural
adjustment programs (SAPs) and fiscal reforms, these
interventions often come at a greater cost. Austerity
measures, privatisation, and trade liberalisation can
exacerbate poverty, weaken public services and
undermine social safety nets. This has led to long-term
debt dependency and diminished sovereignty of certain
less economically developed countries. Thus, the long-
term sustainability and intentions of IMF and its involved
countries must be addressed.

12
DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY
COUNCIL (DISEC)
Discussing the impact of AI-enabled and cyber
extremism

The Disarmament and International Security


Committee is the first committee of the United Nations
General Assembly. DISEC is responsible for addressing
issues related to disarmament, international security,
and threats to global peace. The committee's goal is to
ensure the protection of citizens while working toward
total disarmament.

AI-enabled and cyber extermism are emerging threats


in an increasingly technological world. Extremist groups
are now turning towards AI to enhance propaganda
dissemination, automate recruitment and target
vulnerable individuals with personalized content. The
boundary between reality and misinformation is
continually blurred, given the emergence of
technologies such as deepfakes. Cyber extremism, on
the other hand, utilises online platforms to radicalise
individuals, coordinate attacks and disrupt global
critical infrastructure. These threats transcend borders,
making effective response systems difficult to
implement. Tackling this issue will involve a combined
global effort inclusive of online security regulations and
AI-ethics frameworks.

13
DETAILS OF THE
CONFERENCE
Registration Link:
[Link]

Date: 18th and 19th December


Venue: IIT Bombay

Registration Fee: ₹2500

14
CONTACT DETAILS
In case you have any query, kindly contact:

Adam Mamode: +91 98202 12889


Khush Trivedi: +91 96999 78484
Neha Arwade: +91 98225 07434

Email: [Link]@[Link]

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