PLISMUN 2026

Topics

1. Reevaluating rehabilitation centres in order to protect vulnerable groups heavily impacted by illicit substances.
2. Considering methods of mitigating the dangerous impacts of gambling on mental wellbeing

About the committee

Topic 1: Many rehabilitation centres worldwide are chronically underfunded and function with out of date methodology, focusing on abstinence only models. This leads to ineffective rehabilitation, only worsened by the fragmentation of related services such as housing, mental health, medical care and addiction clinics. This makes clients unable or unwilling to adhere to program requirements, leading to low client retention. In this committee, not only budgetary issues should be addressed, but also solutions to the increased fear around seeking help due to the criminalisation of drug usage. This stigma is even greater for members of discriminated groups. Coloured people and LGBTQ individuals are overlooked and undercared for. Furthermore, clients facing fiscal insecurity, such as unhoused people and people with disapproved jobs like sex workers are largely mistrusted by providers. Stigma has also been attached to non-mainstream drugs such as inhalants, with those addicted being poorly treated in a clinical setting, especially if they are women or mothers due to the unique expectations attached to them. Topic 2: In recent years gambling has skyrocketed in popularity, now being seen by many as an opportunity to reach economic prosperity, with increasing numbers of people growing financially dependent on the risky side hustle. Many blame this increase in popularity on the introduction of online gambling and the widespread advertisements of sports betting. The legalisation of sports betting in countries such as the USA has caused the revenue of the global gambling market to soar as well. Such monetary opportunity incentivises the exploitation of vulnerable consumers by sports betting companies, especially as advertisements are industry self-regulated. This has prompted the need for updated regulations. Online gambling platforms not only tempt consumers from their own homes, but help normalise gambling as a hobby. This branding of gambling trivialises the danger and the potential harm a person could inflict on themselves as well as their family. According to the WHO, for every person who gambles at high-risk levels, an average of six others are harmed. Furthermore, gambling addicts are more likely to commit suicide due to depression, indebtedness, or to the stress and anxiety caused by gambling and financial insecurity. There is still real life stigma surrounding gambling addiction, leaving victims to struggle with no support system. The improvement of education and help networks is essential to mitigate the damage done by gambling.

Chairs

• Jan Pohl
• Jakub Kratochvíl

Countries

Topics

1. Ensuring equal opportunities for Roma communities
2. Protecting the right to protest in democracies

About the committee

Topic 1: With a population of over 10 million, the Roma community is Europe’s largest ethnic minority. However, despite previous efforts to integrate this community, it still faces heavy social exclusion, poverty and lack of access to basic necessities such as education and healthcare in several countries across the world. These inequalities hinder Roma integration and violate the key principles of the Human Rights Council. The aim of this committee is to create effective, long-term policies that ensure equal opportunities for Roma communities in healthcare, education and housing. Delegates should work on strengthening existing initiatives, as well as creating new guidelines and organisations to help tackle this ongoing issue. To achieve this, challenges which prevent Roma inclusion must be identified and delegates should consider increasing Roma representation in the policymaking processes and ensuring legal recognition of Roma settlements. Topic 2: The right to protest is a fundamental human right and a key aspect of a successful democracy. It refers to the freedom of individuals to assemble and express their views publicly, often to persuade the government to introduce a certain change or to voice dissent. The right to peaceful protest is protected under Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, yet this right is still contested by many democracies around the world. An example of this is the response to current protests in the USA, where tear gas and other harmful techniques are used to repel protesters often disproportionately targeting marginalised communities. The aim of this committee is to tackle this clear violation by democracies of basic human rights. This can be done by creating international guidelines for protesters around the world, ensuring the protection of peaceful assembly, and establishing repercussions for governments that violate these rights, while maintaining public order and democratic accountability.

Chairs

• Nina Marianna Gawlasova
• Lilly Ann Hohmann

Countries

Topics

1. Discussing methods of securing peace in western sahara
2. Debating the reclaim of stolen artifacts from former colonial powers

About the committee

Topic 1: The conflict in Western Sahara is a decades-long territorial dispute between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, represented by the Polisario Front. After Spain’s withdrawal in 1975, the region has remained in a state of political uncertainty and unrest. Although a ceasefire was agreed in 1991, tensions have persisted due to demonstrations, protests and riots. Today the conflict is dominated by unarmed civil campaigns of the Polisario Front and their self-proclaimed SADR state to gain fully recognised independence for Western Sahara. Frequent clashes, displacement of people, and human rights concerns continue to threaten peace in the region. SPECPOL is responsible for addressing such unresolved decolonisation issues and will examine the historical, political, and humanitarian aspects of the conflict. Topic 2: While major colonial powers thrived, many nations had their artistic heritage swept away, taken as gifts or looted. Only recently have people started to support the return of artifacts to their countries of origin. Museums and archaeological institutions founded by former colonial powers have been accused of acquiring artifacts through questionable means. Due to the popularised goal of restoring cultural heritage in enfranchised nations, the idea of the repatriation of artifacts has arisen. Many nations in Africa, Asia and Latin America consider themselves victims of past European colonies, notably the UK and France. Although some former colonial powers have returned artifacts voluntarily, many argue that they legally own these relics and that these items are better preserved in their care. Examples of such artifacts are the Koh-i-noor diamond, the Elgin marbles and the Rosetta Stone, which are often praised for their pristine conditions. Furthermore, the exposure given to artifacts displayed in famous museums like the British Museum allows more people to discover that culture. Despite this, nations are still determined to retrieve what they believe to be theirs. This committee must not solely discuss the issue from a legislative perspective, but delegates must focus on related ethical dilemmas. What evidence is sufficient to prove whether or not a specific artifact has been stolen? If an artifact is stolen by the host country, should the host’s permission be required to return to its country of origin?

Chairs

• Thomas Michael Hill
• Aoife McCormick

Countries

Topics

1. Ensuring the safety of previous nuclear disposal sites and neighbouring communities
2. Setting restrictions on the possible militarisation of space

About the committee

Topic 1: With nuclear power technology expanding over the past century, numerous sites have been designated and used for the disposal of nuclear waste. Many of these sites, particularly ones that have been decommissioned, have posed ongoing environmental, health, and security risks. With nuclear power being one of the best sources of clean energy, addressing these issues is crucial for its further development. An example of this is the Hanford site, located in Washington, United States. Although not originally intended for nuclear waste disposal, the now decommissioned site was home to the first plutonium production reactor in the world, and was established as part of the Manhattan Project in 1943. The site later became used for nuclear waste disposal, which caused the release of radioactive materials into the air and the Columbia River, due to bad disposal practices. Such leakage has resulted in higher cancer rates in the area, among other environmental issues. The fish in the Columbia River became contaminated, which impacted Native American communities who depended on it as a source of food. Cleanup of the site is ongoing to this day, with as many as 10,000 workers participating in the operation. This is just one example of such disposal sites, and with many of these sites located around the world, ensuring the safety of the neighbouring communities and the environment around these sites is incredibly important for future nuclear energy development. Topic 2: As outer space becomes increasingly accessible with the rapid improvements in aerospace technology, the potential for its use for military purposes raises concerns among the international community. Although existing agreements, such as the 1967 Outer Space Treaty prohibit placement of weapons of mass destruction in orbit or on celestial bodies, the deployment of other types of weapon technology is not as regulated. In particular, the development of anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons, designed to destroy or incapacitate satellites for strategic or tactical purposes, has presented the possibility of military conflicts extending beyond Earth. An example of such a system is Russia’s A-235 PL-19 “Nudol”, a hypersonic ground launched anti-ballistic and anti-satellite weapon system, which was tested in November 2021 by Russia. The test involved shooting down Russia’s defunct Kosmos 1408 satellite, the destruction of which caused debris that threatened the safety of the International Space Station. This test demonstrated the dangerous capabilities of such weapons systems. As major military powers such as the US, China and Russia continue the arms race to secure a dominant position in this new environment, the development of such space weaponry is unlikely to stop or slow down. The implementation of further regulations and restrictions on space weaponry and military development may be necessary in order to prevent the potential militarisation of space that may come in the near future.

Chairs

• Vojtěch Kalina
• julie skladalova

Countries

Topics

1. Reevaluation of international safety standards for commercial aircrafts and airports
2. The enforcement and reassessment of quality control regulations in the manufacture of airplanes

About the committee

Topic 1: Commercial airports are centres of mass activity and statistically are the most common locations for plane crashes to occur. This means that it is vital for the infrastructure at these structures to be heavily prepared in the instance that a plane happens to have a hazardous landing as well as for the aircraft passing through these airports to be adapted to sustain extremely rigorous landings so that the casualty count can be kept as low as possible. A notable recent event which portrayed the current issues with the design of commercial airports and airplanes was the Jeju Air Flight incident which resulted in a crash killing dozens because of the non-frangible infrastructure of the airport in South Korea and also the Boeing vessel’s inability to deploy its landing gear due to hydraulic failure caused by a bird strike. Non-frangible infrastructure refers to elements located in the vicinity of the runway which are unable to collapse in the event of a plane veering off the runway. Structures such as these are still found in many airports around the globe and they and other common airport hazards like poor signage and lighting have been giving aircraft manufacturing companies such as Airbus and Boeing a bad name for years now even though their vessels are not usually the issue in these incidents. This is not to say that there are no issues with the planes passing through these junctions yet many believe the main root of the issue lies within the airports. Because of this, companies are pushing for improved coordination between airplane companies and airport designers and architects so that Airbus and others can stop receiving bad press and that fatal accidents like the Jeju Flight incident can be avoided to the fullest extent. Topic 2: Coinciding with the sudden strike of the COVID-19 pandemic almost six years ago, the manufacture of aircraft dropped to an all-time low and ever since companies have been attempting to bridge the gap between the demand every year and the annual output. This has led to many senior employees working at Boeing, Airbus and other companies to prioritise a rapid production time over ensuring that the safety mechanisms aboard their planes are all effective and that their workers are adequately trained enough. This has caused mass repercussions, as in January 2024, the passengers of one of Boeing’s aircraft, a 737 model, almost lost their lives due to the absence of a number of integral elements in the plane’s structure. Later in June 2025, another plane crash occurred in India, this time a 787 Boeing model. This showcased to the world that it has become increasingly common for high-profile aircraft companies to utilise under-experienced workers so that they can more efficiently meet the demand. Many are at a loss with how to resolve the issue, as a steadily increasing production of aircraft benefits many nations around the world yet the means which companies are using to achieve this goal are heavily believed and in some cases have been proved to break ICAO law. This incident has also led to many criticising the FAA, an agency responsible for the oversight of the manufacture of aircraft at Boeing as well as at many other companies whose headquarters lie outside America’s borders. Many fear that even more tragic events await fliers in the future if standards continue to remain as they are yet several powers are unsure if the inevitable slowing down of production which will assist heavy reevaluation of safety standards and an increase in inspections make these revisions truly necessary.

Chair

• Klaudie Klečková

Countries

Topic

Resolving the India-Pakistan conflict with the aim of achieving permanent peace

About the committee

Topic 1: The India-Pakistan conflict remains one of the longest-running conflicts in modern history. Since the Partition of British India in 1947, both nations have fought multiple wars over the region of Jammu and Kashmir. Today, both nations possess nuclear weapons, making any escalation catastrophic for the whole world. Efforts at peace have been led by bilateral talks and ceasefire agreements, but none have led to lasting, permanent peace. Events like the Kargil War, the Mumbai attacks, the Pulwama bombing and even recently the shooting in Pahalgam continue to fuel tensions between the two countries. The Line of Control (LoC), which separates Indian-administered Kashmir and Pakistani-administered Kashmir, remains one of the most heavily militarised borders in the world, with frequent skirmishes and shelling. In addition to direct military clashes, there have been years of low-intensity fighting, infiltration, support for armed groups, and cross-border raids. Thousands of lives have been lost over the decades, including soldiers, civilians, and victims of terrorist attacks. Mistrust from both sides has also resulted in them arming themselves with nuclear weapons. The Security Council must now consider the path that must be taken to achieve permanent peace beyond temporary ceasefires. This involves building trust, combating terrorism, and encouraging economic and cultural co-operation. The goal is not just to stop violence but to create a stable and peaceful future where both nations can coexist without fear or hostility.

Chairs

• Simon Donovan
• Sára Karešová

Countries

Topic

To be announced at the conference

About the committee

The Crisis Committee allows experienced delegates to challenge themselves by tackling a developing conflict, where their decisions will impact the flow of debate. Delegates are unaware of the topic until the opening ceremony, leaving them limited time to prepare. This creates a unique debate, ideal for delegates who want a change of pace.

Chairs

• Henry Bowdler
• Alexandr Jiroušek

Countries

Topic

Discussing the nature of the Black Death and how it can be contained (1350)

About the committee

Topic 1: The year is 1350, and a new disease is now widespread across a large portion of Europe. Many are in disagreement about the origin and the nature of this plague, with some believing it has ties to their respective religions. It has been interpreted as a divine reckoning by some, and others believe it is taking place due to the heresy practised by other religions. A handful of countries such as Poland and Lithuania have not yet been affected by this plague and are pressing for its containment. However, others are of the opinion that the primary focus should be reducing the casualties caused by this disease and think leaders around the continent should prioritise attempting to discover a cure. Notable figures excluding the leaders of religious orders include the rulers of Europe’s most respected powers, Charles, John and Edward, as well as the Emperor of the Golden Horde, Jani Beg Khan. All are in disagreement about the origin of the plague and what can be done to decrease its ever-growing strength. An agreement must be reached despite rising tensions between states within the continent, for example, between Castille and Aragon. Many have provided radical theories on the origin of the plague, with one scientist, Ibn al-Khatib, suggesting that the disease could be transmitted person-to-person. The continent is in a state of distress, and it remains unclear what lies in store. However, many hope that what will be discussed in this council will benefit the majority of Europe.

Chairs

• Dominik Srdinko
• Tomáš Stoklásek

Countries