Striking a balance between cohesion and divergence has been one of humanity’s greatest challenges throughout history. Without cohesion, how can we have unity? Yet without divergence, how can we celebrate our inherent diversity? Perplexingly, while both of these ideas oppose each other, they both are essential. It is therefore important to examine the nature of how Cohesion and Divergence manifest themselves in our daily lives — how can we, as a society, employ these concepts to find peace and harmony? 

Globally, it is not hard to find forms of social inequality. But is it a result of cohesion, or divergence? Whether it be through gender, ethnicity, race, or sexual orientation, divergence among groups is certainly used as ammunition to discriminate. Equally, however, one may argue that the cohesion within groups of power and adherence to social hierarchies is the factor that creates division and sustains oppression. Nonetheless, while both of these concepts work to perpetuate inequality, they both are crucial in attaining social justice. As opposed to a means to discriminate, the way in which groups diverge must be celebrated and appreciated. Instead of limiting cohesion to portions of the population, if cooperation existed in a more universal sense, we may arrive at a state of social equity. 

The effects of this theme are not limited to social inequality, however. With technology, innovation globalizes and connects our communities, creating cohesion, and yet the differing levels of access to this technology create a divide. This perpetuates wealth inequality: as upper economic classes obtain more and more technology, the gap between them and the poor, who may not have as advanced technology, steepens. Evidently, technology intensifies divergence and cohesion, in ways good and bad. 

Beyond inequality, this theme additionally materializes itself within political conflict. Boundaries, religion, and national divisions, forms of divergence, often contribute to wars and disputes, for instance. Yet without these distinctions, without divergence, it's likely we would lose the cultural identities of many communities. On the other hand, cohesion within groups of nations creates alliances, potentially escalating conflict to greater scales as seen with World War 2: agreements among the Allies and the Axis powers expanded the scope of the war. But if cohesion existed in a more global sense, where nations continually worked with one another and for one another, such a conflict would cease to exist. 

Thus, it is not about if we are together or apart, but rather, it is about how. How are we divergent? How are we cohesive? And most importantly, how can we work together, as united nations, to employ these ideas to find peace? 

Contemplating these questions and others, at CHEMUN XVI, delegates and student officers enjoy an opportunity to undergo debate and discourse on imperative issues. It is our hope that this conference inspires its participants to make a mark on their communities, today’s global issues, and ultimately, our future.