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Committee Summary
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the United Nations’ first specialized agency; in fact, the organization actually predates the UN! Uniting governments, employers and workers through its unique tripartite framework, the ILO and its 187 member states work towards achieving lasting, global peace through social justice.
In committee, delegates will face some of the most urgent questions shaping the future of work.
Billions of people’s livelihoods hang in the balance, from the factory floor to the fields or from the formal contracts to the informal hustles. While discussing the safety and health standards in the workplace, delegates will have to invent creative solutions to modern day psychosocial risks and the ever changing workplace environment. Once they invent such solutions, they will need to use their problem solving skills to ensure the implementation of the newfound regulations. Delegates will tackle the task of bringing the large portion of the work force operating in the informal economy into the formal sector. This will require extreme tact and compromise to ensure that social protection is increased and the path from informal to formal doesn’t simply punish the world’s most vulnerable earners. Through discussion, innovation, and perseverance delegates will create policy that has a global and lasting effect for generations to come.
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, The United States Senate | BruinMUN 34