Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN)
Director: Ved Pant
Topic A: Augmenting Human Capital to Reduce the Skills Gap
With the speed of technological advancement that our world experiences today, developing and developed nations alike face a shared dilemma: the lack of workers educated with the necessary skills to fill available jobs. In more developed nations, this comes from the fact that people simply cannot keep up with the fast-paced world of technology and the impacts it has on different career sectors. In other nations, it stems from generations without higher education and the repercussions this may have for roles in the economy that would benefit from additional formal teaching. From all of this and more, the global skills gap arises. This gap is not a short-term phenomenon or small fluctuation, but rather a long-term force caused by structural features of the economy. From global policies, to governmental priorities, to the availability of educational institutions, a number of factors come into play when considering the skills gap in the workforce. If Topic A were chosen, delegates would therefore be targeting these areas and more, discussing specific solutions while recognizing the differences in capacities between different countries, to reconcile the skills gap.
TOPIC B: The Economic Future of Green Energy Development
For more than a quarter of a century, the United Nations has been working towards fighting the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions, nonrenewable energy consumption, and climate change on our planet. With the establishment of the Green Climate Fund in 2010, the UN has been able to support projects building towards this goal, especially those promoting the use of renewable energy in different regions of the word. Technological advancement has made it easier than ever to transition towards green energy, but there are a number of other factors at play, especially for private institutions that may not be as incentivized to pursue sustainable goals. Previous solutions, such as instating a carbon tax or providing returns on investment into renewable energy, have worked to certain degrees; however, this is not enough. Furthermore, these have varying impacts on the economy as infrastructure production, labor, and research around sustainable solutions become prominent. For this topic, delegates are encouraged to dive into what public and private institutions, along with individuals, prioritize and think creatively about how to incentivize the shift towards renewable energy sources. How can a combination of policy, education, technological advancement, and other factors help reduce fossil fuel emissions and protect the planet?
Ved Pant
Ved is a sophomore at Harvard studying Applied Math. He grew up in Mumbai, India, where he first got into Model UN towards the end of middle school. He competed at conferences nationally, staffing HMUN India as an Assistant Director in high school, before going on to attend Harvard and joining its competitive Model UN team and organizing staff. He currently serves as a Training Director of Harvard’s intercollegiate Model UN Team, as well as a Director at Harvard’s Boston conferences (HMUN and HNMUN) and HMUN India. Ved is also a part of Harvard’s consulting group and Student Agencies, as well as a member of the Kennedy Cricket Club.