During the Model African Union Bayreuth Conference 2026, the delegates will be able to discuss the following topics in one of the three Committees:
Specialised Technical Committees (STCs) are thematic Committees and are answerable to the Executive Council. Each STC is composed of Member States’ ministers and senior officials responsible for sectors falling within their respective areas of competence.
STC on Gender and Women’s Empowerment
This first STC includes advocating for: ratification and implementation of AU policies and instruments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s rights; promotion and protection of all human rights for women, including implementation of Member States’ obligations and commitments made under international, continental, regional and country-level human rights law; promotion of gender-responsive practices and realisation of commitments to the human rights of women.
The Chairs
Gábor Henry Raschberger
Chair
Gábor Henry Raschberger is a master’s student of anthropology at the University of Hamburg, specializing in economic anthropology, emerging markets, and alternative forms of governance.
His academic work focuses on political economy and development processes in West Africa. He conducted fieldwork in Kano, Nigeria, studying Hausa language and culture and working with young urban entrepreneurs.
His current research centers on economic dynamics, youth perspectives and social change in Hausa societies. In his academic work, Raschberger has contributed to research, teaching, and digital humanities projects, including African language standardization, qualitative research methods, and museum-based economic history.
He is committed to fostering deep cultural understanding as a basis for meaningful international cooperation and effective approaches to economic and political development.
STC on Public
Service, Local Government, Urban Development and Decentralisation
This STC’s powers and functions include: developing, promoting and implementing the AU integration agenda and vision; promoting Member States’ efforts for effective governance and development, and building capacity; preventing and combatting corruption; promoting post-conflict reconstruction of public services, decentralisation and local governance, and innovative approaches to service delivery including through information communications technology (ICT); and developing a mechanism for promoting sustainable human settlements.
The Chairs
Janet Fredekind
Chair
I am a change-making enthusiast, seeking impact creation and researcher for the University of Hamburg. My research is on the topics of maternal health and childbirth mortality rates with a particular focus on the inclusion of people with disabilities. Assessing what the structural and socio-economic inequalities might be and examining the roles and intersections of stakeholders and intersections. Additionally I work with people with disabilities for the Lebenshilfe Hamburg.
I hold a MA in International Business and Sustainability, with a strong focus on social sustainability, human rights, inclusive development and governance. I also have a double degree (BSc Hons. and BA) in International Business Management from the University of Wolverhampton and European Business Administration from the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences Helsinki.
Lauryn Makiese Vita
Chair
Lauryn Makiese Vita is an early-career professional specializing in public administration and policy. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration. Her academic work focuses on the implementation and evaluation of public policies, with a specific focus on the state, territory, and development in Africa. She is participating in her fifth modeling conference, and she brings a wealth of experience to this year’s conference, having previously received a Distinguished Delegate Award at a Model UN. Beyond her research, she is deeply engaged in EU-Africa relations and serves with the African Union Diaspora Youth Initiative. In this role, she works to mobilize and engage youth diaspora organizations to contribute actively to the AU’s Agenda 2063.
STC on Defence, Safety and Security
This STC powers and functions include: facilitating development of the African Standby Force (ASF) and African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises
(ACIRC) Revised Roadmap III; discussing recruitment of additional civilian personnel for the AUC Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD); and discussing Member State contributions for funding AU peace operations.