I. Empowering Youth through Access to Information and Communication Technology and Media II. Improving Water Security through Natural Resource Management III. Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage

UNESCO plays a unique role as a specialized agency tasked with promoting peace through collaboration in the fields of education, science, and culture. In addressing these issues, UNESCO may initiate studies, summon international conferences, coordinate international conventions, make recommendations to Member States, and provide expert research and consultation to the UN system through ECOSOC. With a broad network of partners from Member States, UN organs, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, UNESCO plays a vital role in implementing the most ambitious goals of the international system. At NMUNNY 2015, we are simulating the Executive Board of UNESCO in terms of composition and size; however, delegates are not limited to the strict mandate of the Executive Board, as a budgetary and administrative body, during the conference. On the contrary, for the purposes of NMUNNY 2015, and in line with the educational mission of the conference, the committee has the ability to make programmatic and policy decisions on issues within the mandate of UNESCO in line with the overall function of the organization. This background guide is not meant to replace further research and we highly encourage you to consider the background guide, Bibliography, and Annotated Bibliography as starting points as you explore in-depth your countries' policies regarding these topics. In preparation for the conference, each delegation will be submitting a position paper. Please take note of the NMUN policies on the website and in the Delegate Preparation Guide regarding plagiarism, codes of conduct/dress code/sexual harassment, awards philosophy/evaluation method, etc. Adherence to these guidelines is mandatory. The NMUN Rules of Procedure are available to download from the NMUN website. This document includes the long and short form of the rules, as well as an explanatory narrative and example script of the flow of procedure. It is thus an essential instrument in preparing for the conference, and a reference during committee. If you have any questions concerning your preparation for the committee or the Conference itself, feel free to contact the Under-Secretaries-General for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Andrea Wong (Conference A) and Rubai Aurora (Conference B). You can reach either USG at: usg.hr_ha@nmun.org. We wish you all the best with your preparation and look forward to seeing you at the Conference! Sincerely, Conference A