Committee Description

The Forum for East Asia - Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) provides a unique opportunity for delegates to compete in a cross-regional body. Founded in 1999, FEALAC seeks to foster dialogue and coordination between East Asia and Latin America, regions that often face parallel issues. Recently, the organisation supported projects related to a sustainable pandemic response and the reduction of inequality in member countries. At SSUNS 2024, FEALAC will focus on organised crime and the protection of democratic institutions. Countries in Asia and Latin America often face high levels of criminality. Due to their size and influence, these criminal groups retain significant power over government officials and can hinder the role of government institutions. This committee will specifically address the following: formal involvement of criminal organisations in local institutions, challenges to upholding the rule of law and sustaining democratic institutions in states with a high presence of criminal organisations, and the usage of intimidation to hinder democratic governance. In many Asian and Latin American countries, criminal organisations have been able to formally enter local governments by forming or co-opting political parties, which allows them to shape national institutions into an exclusive, undemocratic form. Moreover, even if not officially part of the government, criminal organisations have the capacity to infiltrate institutions through informal methods including bribery and blackmail. Criminal groups can also impact the outcome of an election in various ways, either by being clearly associated with a candidate or by using violence to disrupt campaigning events or elections themselves. To prevent democratic institutions from being eroded by organised crime and violence, this committee prompts delegates to examine how legislative frameworks, law enforcement strategies, and the engagement of civil society can help states across Asia and Latin America strengthen and protect their institutions.