Welcome to European Commission
Dear Delegates,
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the twenty-eighth session of the Ivy League Model United Nations Conference (ILMUNC). My name is Sachi Sobti and I will be this year's chair of the European Commissionn. I look forward to hosting a committee that not only has innovative topics, but will also prove to be an exciting challenge all of you! It will be quite an experience, and I hope that you join me in my enthusiasm.
Regarding my background, I originally hail from New Jersey but am delighted to have spent the past four years in the "city of brotherly love". I am studying Business and English at the University of Pennsylvania, and have had an avid interest in International Affairs for years. I began my Model U.N. career in high school and have really made it my passion while at UPenn. I have served as an Assistant Secretary-General, Under Secretary-General of ECOSOC and Specialized Committees, and most recently Secretary-General of UPMUNC (UPenn's college conference). I have been the chair of ILO and UNEP at ILMUNC in the past, and I hope to make my last chairing experience the best yet!
The entire CEU staff has been preparing for a unique committee. We hope that you speak without discouragement, think about the topic from a variety of standpoints, and above all, truly put yourself in your character's shoes. It will undoubtedly be a stimulating weekend; I keenly look forward to it. Best of luck with your research, and do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sachi Sobti
Chair, European Commission
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVIII
Topic Summaries
Topic A: European Agriculture Policy
Given the continent’s extensive history, delegates recognize the central role that agriculture has played in the lives of Europeans for centuries. To this day, agricultural questions concerning particular names of foods from specific regions or the regulation of dairy exports keep the Council of the European Union constantly debating. These matters, though they may seem trivial to some, hold the keys to the livelihood of millions of farmers, producers, and traders within Europe. Delegates to the Council of the European Union will work to craft policies that ensure the preservation of the economies and social fabric of rural communities while allowing for trade liberalization and overall economic growth for countries of the European Union.
Topic B: European Immigration Policy
The ministers on the Council of the European Union are highly concerned with the topic of immigration policy as well, as their respective countries are constantly affected by the influx and outflow of residents. Among most EU members, legal migration policies are very strict, as public opinion has been turning against immigration due to economic hardships and other factors. Along with these trends, the number of human trafficking rings in Europe has increased, and the level of illegal immigration has grown. This practice is disadvantageous for both national governments, which face the task of documenting residents and providing them with services, as well as illegal immigrants who may be vulnerable to dangerous living and working conditions and steep fees to traffickers. The Council must develop cohesive policies to govern immigration law that take into consideration the circumstances in every EU member state, in addition to helping the member states manage their economic and demographic concerns