United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
About
In a world where cities are rapidly expanding, the relationship between urban development and crime is critical to address. While urbanization has the potential to bring economic opportunity and innovation to countries, it can also increase social inequality, strain public infrastructure, and create environments where crime easily flourishes. Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and cities around the globe are faced with pressing issues such as organized crime, gang violence, inadequate housing, and limited access to essential services. These challenges tend to undermine public safety and hinder long-term urban stability.
Addressing the issues associated with urban development requires understanding not only crime itself, but also the social, economic, and structural conditions that allow it to persist in urban areas. As the CCPCJ works to develop effective strategies, delegates must carefully balance efforts of crime prevention with considerations of human rights, equitable urban planning, and sustainable development. This background guide will provide a foundation for analyzing the topic, but the complex challenges posed by crime in urban environments require nuanced solutions. Delegates must therefore work together to draft resolutions that promote safer, more equitable cities for the future.
Director
Sarina Harjani
Sarina Harjani is a rising sophomore at Harvard studying Government and Sociology, and she is originally from Chicago, Illinois. She will be directing the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) for the 2026 session of HMUN India. Model United Nations has been a significant part of her life since her freshman year of high school, and she is grateful to have the opportunity to continue this activity in college. At Harvard, she both competes on and serves as the Director of Affairs for the Intercollegiate Model United Nations team. This past year, she was also a Director at HMUN Boston, an Assistant Director at HNMUN Boston, and she will be a Director at HMUN Canada. Outside of Model United Nations, she is a member of Harvard’s Institute of Politics and Undergraduate Women in Law Association, and she enjoys playing tennis and pickleball in her free time.