GA2 – Globalisation’s Spillover on Culture.

The General Assembly 2 committee focuses on global economic and financial issues that affect development, equity and sustainability. This year, the committee addressed the impacts of globalization on local cultures and traditional economic systems, an issue that sits at the intersection of this year’s theme, Culture and Heritage.

The session commenced as delegates examined how increased global trade, digitalization and cross border investment have transformed local markets. While globalization has created new economic opportunities and enabled cultural exchange, it has arguably placed significant pressure on traditional livelihoods such as small-scale agriculture, indigenous crafts and community based trade. Many speakers highlighted that economic displacement often leads to cultural erosion as traditional knowledge and practices lose relevance in rapidly modernizing markets.

The committee paid particular attention to the role of international organizations. UNESCO and the United Nations were frequently referenced for their work in protecting intangible cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development frameworks. Delegates discussed how existing mechanisms, including the Sustainable Development Goals, could be better used to balance economic integration with the protection of cultural diversity.

A recurring theme in the debate was the gap between the speed of global economic change and the slower development of protective policies. Delegates stressed the need for stronger international cooperation, improved funding for cultural preservation and legal safeguards to protect traditional knowledge from exploitation. Economic solutions that empower local communities, rather than replace them, were widely supported.

Overall, GA2 ECOFIN highlighted that globalization is neither wholly harmful nor entirely beneficial. The challenge lies in shaping economic systems that allow local cultures and traditional economies to adapt, survive and remain central to global development.