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Committee Summary
The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) is a subsidiary body of ECOSOC that serves as the UN's principal forum for analyzing and providing policy guidance on the role of science, technology, and innovation in advancing sustainable development. As the digital revolution accelerates, the Commission is charged with tackling two pressing concerns in technological governance.
Topic A centers on the accelerating use of artificial intelligence in public surveillance such as facial recognition, predictive policing, and biometric identification systems now deployed by governments and private contractors alike.
These tools are frequently justified as counterterrorism and crime-prevention measures, despite mounting evidence pointing to disproportionate targeting of minority communities and the absence of meaningful consent or oversight. The regulatory patchwork governing AI surveillance varies drastically by region, leaving significant gaps in international accountability even as the underlying technology becomes cheaper and more widely exported.
Topic B examines a related but distinct dynamic: the extraction of data, digital labor, and infrastructure value from developing nations by foreign tech conglomerates and governments.
Often described as digital colonialism, this pattern manifests through undersea cable ownership, cloud infrastructure dependency, exploitative content moderation labor, and data harvesting with little local benefit or legal recourse. Many developing states lack the regulatory capacity or negotiating leverage to assert data sovereignty, leaving them structurally dependent on foreign platforms even as those platforms profit from local data and markets.
MEET THE CHAIR
MICHELLE PHAN
Dear Delegates,
My name is Michelle Phan (she/her) and it is my honor to serve as this year’s CSTD chair. As someone who loves binge-watching "Suits," it is no surprise that I am double majoring in Political Science and International Development Studies on the pre-law track. In my free time, I enjoy dissecting rap diss tracks, trying TikTok recipes and finding the best matcha spot in town.
Like many others, I competed on the Southern California circuit all four years of high school. During my senior year, I had the privilege of serving as Secretary General of Huntington Beach High School’s MUN Program, where I helped shape the culture and vision of the organization. Engaging with people from diverse backgrounds has been incredibly fulfilling and humbling. From my conference experiences, I've learned not only to articulate my arguments more effectively but also to approach complex issues with humility and open-mindedness. More importantly, the lessons learned in MUN continue to shape my worldview as I navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
This year marks my fourth and final year staffing BruinMUN. Throughout that journey, I have come to appreciate that the world's most pressing challenges rarely fit neatly within national borders. The Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) exemplifies this reality. Whether addressing the digital divide, artificial intelligence or access to information, the committee sits at the intersection of innovation and human well-being. As delegates, I encourage you to move beyond asking what technology can do and instead ask who benefits, who is left behind, and what responsibilities accompany progress. The most effective solutions are not necessarily the most technologically sophisticated, but those that thoughtfully consider equity, accessibility, and long-term impact. I hope to see you a engage critically with these questions and develop creative solutions that recognize both the promise and limitations of technological development.
It is my mission to facilitate a warm learning environment where you all feel comfortable collaborating and at times, expressing differing viewpoints with one another. Above all, I hope you enjoy your time in committee and create lasting memories along the way. Please reach out with any questions or concerns - I am always happy to help :)
Best,
Michelle Phan | Chair, CTSD | BruinMUN 34