Committee Background Guide

Topic Description

Around the world, more than one billion people live with disabilities, yet millions continue to face barriers to healthcare, education, employment, and social inclusion. From limited access to specialized medical treatment and educational resources to persistent stigma and discrimination, individuals with special needs often encounter challenges that prevent them from reaching their full potential. While international organizations and governments have made significant progress in advancing disability rights, major inequalities remain—particularly in developing and underserved regions. Topic A encourages delegates to examine the complex social, economic, and healthcare issues surrounding special needs and disabilities, assess the effectiveness of existing policies and programs, and develop innovative solutions to expand access to care, promote inclusion, reduce poverty, and ensure that all individuals can participate fully and equally in society.

Few medical discoveries have transformed human history as dramatically as antibiotics. Once capable of curing infections that were previously fatal, these “miracle drugs” revolutionized healthcare and saved millions of lives around the world. Today, however, that progress is under threat. As bacteria evolve and develop resistance to antibiotics, diseases that were once easily treatable are becoming increasingly dangerous, creating a growing global health crisis. Drug-resistant infections now endanger healthcare systems, food security, economic development, and the effectiveness of modern medicine itself. Topic B forces delegates to explore the causes and consequences of antibiotic resistance, evaluate existing international efforts, and develop innovative solutions to promote responsible antibiotic use, strengthen healthcare infrastructure, support medical research, and prevent the world from entering a post-antibiotic era where common infections could once again become deadly.

Kaitlin Cascio - Director

Kaitlin Cascio is a junior in Eliot House studying Social Studies and Psychology. Kaitlin is originally from Alexandria, Virginia. 

Kaitlin did not join Model UN in high school, so her MUN journey began with joining Harvard’s competitive travel team her freshman year. She fell in love with the activity and community, and became involved in every MUN organization Harvard has! She has directed at HNMUN Boston 2026, HNMUN-LA 2026, serves as Under-Secretary-General of Committees for both HMUN Canada and HMUN India 2026, and holds the position of Under-Secretary-General of Finance for HMUN Boston 2027. She is extremely excited to direct at HMUN Dubai this year.

Outside of MUN, Kaitlin enjoys traveling, cooking food from different cuisines, reading thriller novels, painting, and is an avid New York Times-games player