By: Juana Sanchez Castillo

For many Member States, there are pressing concerns about the risks revolving around self-determination. Concerns exist around the varying interpretations revolving around the term and the process behind self-determination.

Ethnic groups, such as indigenous groups, often rely upon United Nations aid in order to effectively move towards achieving self-determination. When Member States use those funds to control rather than elevate those groups, aid rapidly dries up.

Representative Manal Dafelseed of Austria communicated that Austria remains firm in supporting, through funding and humanitarian aid, Member States who need it. However, they expressed concern for these ethnic groups. Representative Dafelseed said, “There have been times in history where foreign aid has been given as an alleyway for stronger foreign nations to kind of take control of the state under the guise of trying to assist it and this can be seen as an infringement on their sovereignty.” Representative Nes Arenas-Rubio of Austria following up, said, “We would like to come together in unity to a neutral space where we can peacefully negotiate (…) to one definition for self-determination (…) If we can’t agree into one concise definition, how can we move forward?”

In addition, Representative Trinity McCarrol of Panama notes that they are in support of ethnic groups who wish self-determination, believing that recognition is the first step towards this process. At the same time, they believe that a drawback to self-determination includes a State’s government taking advantage of the ethnic groups by using funds to expand their own plans, rather than prioritizing the groups.

Both Representatives see the benefits of humanitarian aid, but they also note the risks that come with this process, and are concerned about the effects on the marginalized groups.