United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Background Guide coming soon!
Across the globe, food has long served as a dish for cultural identity, preserving the histories, traditions, and values of communities across generations. From traditional recipes to Indigenous agricultural practices, food represents far more than a means of sustenance. Yet, amidst the rapid expansion of globalization and industrialization, culinary heritage and traditional food systems face growing threats. The standardization of food production, commercialization of cultural practices, and withstanding legacies of colonization have contributed to the erosion of ancestral knowledge, raising questions about cultural ownership, sovereignty, and preservation. The disappearance of traditional food systems threatens not only cultural identity but also environmental sustainability and the transmission of knowledge across generations. Culinary traditions and Indigenous farming practices reflect communities' relationships with their histories, ancestral lands, and natural environments. However, industrial agriculture, cultural appropriation, and the displacement of Indigenous communities increasingly jeopardize these practices. While globalization facilitates cultural exchange and technological advancement, it also raises concerns about whether economic development can coexist with the preservation of cultural heritage. The goal of the UNESCO committee is to develop international frameworks that safeguard culinary heritage and traditional food systems. How can the international community protect traditional culinary and agricultural practices without restricting their economic and social evolution? What measures can prevent the exploitation of Indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions? How can UNESCO promote education, international cooperation, and sustainable development to ensure that these practices are preserved for future generations?
Stefan Caiazzo
ChairHi all!
My name is Steve Caiazzo and I am a third-year studying chemical engineering and history at UC Berkeley. Hailing from Long Island, New York, I was in high school MUN and continued in university. As someone enamored with history, I throughly enjoy the debates and the discussions that emerge from the culmination of unique perspectives; thus, I am incredibly excited to be your chair for UNESCO. I cannot wait to oversee minds coming together to discuss one of the most beautiful things in the world: culture.
From a young age, I have spent countless hours in the kitchen with my family, embracing my Neapolitan heritage through learning the art of traditional Easter pies and Christmas confectioneries. To me, food is a means of transmitting identity and heritage across generations, which is precisely why i cherish it. The techniques and ingredients tell stories of stories of their own, revealing a history that extends far beyond the simple fact that my grandfather came from a small town in rural Campania. While idle from MUN or cooking, I enjoy collecting effigies and souvenirs, speaking Italian to myself, and compiling long playlists of fun pop music. With my overattentive eye, you can find me fabricating elaborate blue compositions through photography or also drawing cartoons.
I hope to explore how culture preserves the stories, traditions, and identities that connect us across generations. I look forward to hearing your perspectives and sharing a fun weekend of debate with you all!!
Best,Stefan Caiazzo
Chair, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Dhriti Somas
ChairHi everyone!
My name is Dhriti Somas, and I’m a third-year student at UC Berkeley studying English and Public Policy! I am originally from northern New Jersey, and I've been involved in UCBMUN since the spring of my freshman year. While I absolutely love a good debate, I find just as much joy in facilitating one, especially when it means watching passionate, creative, and like-minded peers come together to navigate challenges and exchange ideas. That's why I'm so incredibly excited to serve as your Chair for the UNESCO committee!
Outside of MUN and debate, I love the visual arts, such as creating graphics, designing clothing, or embarking on a knitting project. I also love experimenting in the kitchen, particularly when cupcakes are involved! In many ways, I was practically raised by the Food Network. Between Giada De Laurentiis' home cooking, Bobby Flay, and the eternally entertaining ""Chopped"", my childhood was filled with the sound of bustling kitchens, the sight of delicious food, and culinary chaos. And so, a lifelong love for food emerged, regarding (obviously) its taste, but for the histories and memories tucked away into every dish.
It is this very relationship between food and culture that I hope we'll explore together in UNESCO! I cannot wait to hear your perspectives in a delicious weekend of debate. I'm so excited to meet you all! :)
Best,Dhriti Somas
Chair, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization