Topics
Preventing new pandemic outbreaks
Throughout history, humankind has faced several pandemics; from the small pox, cholera, Spanish flu, SARS, MERS, etc. However, due to the most recent COVID-19 pandemic, we were made aware that even with the development of medicine and technology, we are still vulnerable to possible future health crises. The WHO described a pattern of “panic-then-forget”, a cycle which had us struggling in eradicating existing pandemics. With this topic, we are looking forward to ideas on how we could cope with future pandemics, possibly preventing, while also dealing with the current ones we’re facing.
Addressing the Question of a Universal Access to Contraception and Legal Abortion
Next to their role in preventing the transmission of STDs, the use of contraception has shown to positively impact economic development, maternal health, women’s empowerment, etc. As of 2017 more than half of the female population were using one of the many forms of contraception and as a result prevented more than 300 million unintended pregnancies, which are still a challenge for a lot of people. The WHO emphasizes the importance of universal access to safe, legal and comprehensive abortion and sees it as essential in attaining the appropriate standard of sexual and reproductive health. In order for us to achieve it, legal grounds for safe abortions need to be established. It should be mentioned that a large percentage of unsafe abortions take place in developing countries. However, the widespread economic and social impacts make this an issue that should truly be discussed on a universal scale.
The chairs:
