General Assemblies
GA Committees for CMUNC 2016 are below. Background guides will be released in due time!
DISEC
Chair: Varun Hegde
Vice Chair: Jason Gallant
The First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, deals with matters related to disarmament and security in a setting that fosters equality and promotes diplomacy that accounts for national sovereignty. DISEC advocates for measures necessary for the prevention and reduction of international hostilities on matters that have not been discussed in the United Nations Security Council. Unlike the UNSC, DISEC does not have the power to authorize armed intervention, or to do anything more than propose resolutions. These resolutions function as recommendations to the Secretariat, UNSC, regional bodies, NGOs, and individual nation states. DISEC is comprised of all member states of the United Nations, with each member state allotted one vote, with no nation entitled to veto powers. At this years’ CMUNC, the committee will discuss issues like international responses to civil war and setting precedents for secure development of new political regions. For example, the potential for development of a Turkish State. We will also analyze the efficacy of international collaboration on international nuclear policy, specifically with regards to precedents set after the most recent set of nuclear deals with Iran. These two are examples of topics that will show up on the docket, but the full listing of topics in the background guide will be more extensive.
ECONFIN
Chair: Cole Stefan
Vice Chair: Jieer Huang
The second committee of the United Nations General Assembly, also known as the Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN), is tasked with examining macroeconomic issues pertinent to the international community ranging from trade policy to poverty eradication. In this meeting, the committee will attempt to bring forth measures to prevent future global financial crises. In addition, delegates will focus specifically on the developing world with regards to income inequality and climate change. Given the interconnectivity of the world economy in this day and age, virtually any event that occurs in any corner of the globe can have major economic ramifications, making international cooperation more important than ever.
SOCHUM
Chair: Jennifer Kim
Vice Chair: Soobin Ahn
The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee, most frequently known as SOCHUM, is the third committee of the United Nations General Assembly. While it is tasked with handling a range of social and humanitarian issues around the world, it most importantly focuses on investigations into human rights infringements. Although nations may, at first glance, appear to almost unanimously agree in matters of peace and justice, oftentimes national interests have led countries to turn their backs on each other when it comes to aiding suffering populations. It is now the task of delegates to not only truthfully represent their respective nations, but to also work with each other to compromise on issues that affect the lives of millions of people. In this committee, delegates will address two major global concerns-- one of which is spread across headlines all over the globe, and one of which has been quietly shoved out of the spotlight. The first will deal with human trafficking, estimated to affect over 20 million people around the world-- including 5.5 million children. While the UN explicitly denounces all forms of human trafficking, the limitations of the international community's ability to take action in specific nations will force delegates to present creative solutions to solve this global crisis. The second topic will cover the plight of the Roma people in Europe, most frequently and degradingly known as "gypsies". The cyclical nature of their predicament presents a puzzling dilemma: unable to get citizenship in the nations they reside in, the Roma people have mostly continued a nomadic existence that has only stemmed further opposition amongst Europeans against their right to citizenship, ultimately resulting in a battle for citizenship and rights with no end in sight.
Specialized Committees
Specialized Committees for CMUNC 2016 are below. Background guides will be released in due time!
International Criminal Court
Chair: Ryan Norton
Vice Chair: Kristen Reichenbach
It is May 2017. The Third Intifada is a reality and the pattern of violence shows no sign of waning down. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has chosen this, the 70th anniversary of the 1947 UN Partition Plan and 50th anniversary of the Six-Day War, to finally make good on his threats to sue Israel in the International Criminal Court. Israel responds in turn with their own suit. The ICC has decided to combine the cases and rule on war crimes committed by both Israel and the Palestinians. This committee is tasked with considering the culpability, on both sides, of crimes committed. The crimes in question will mainly revolve around the recent Israel-Gaza war of 2014. Did Hamas violate international law with its tunnel construction, firing of rockets in urban areas, or violations of multiple ceasefires? Did Israel violate international law by destroying hospitals and schools, media facilities, shelters and civilian homes? The delegates will have to think critically about the situation and utilize legal pragmatism over personal biases in order to compromise and deliver justice.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Chair: Robin Zhang
Vice Chair: Dhruv Kumar
The UN High Commissioner on Refugees was initially established in 1950 by a three-year mandate to aid the influx of European refugees in the wake of World War II; however, soon after, its mandate was extended indefinitely. The UNHCR has since won two Nobel Peace Prizes for its accomplishments in safeguarding the rights and well-being of refugees. In particular, it strives to ensure that all people can exercise the right to seek asylum in another state, while granting them the option of returning home voluntarily, integrating locally, or resettling in a third state. In light of the refugee crisis stemming from the Syrian civil war, ISIS's advance, and continued violence in Libya, Afghanistan, and Somalia among other reasons, the UNHCR is more relevant than ever. Will delegates be able to work together to find desperately-needed solutions?
BRICS Alliance
Chair: Tayyaba Arshad
Vice Chair: James Stoyell
The BRICS Alliance was officially formed in 2010 and currently represents over 3 billion people, or over 42% of the world’s population. In this committee, representatives from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will come together to attend the 8th annual BRICS summit in New Delhi, India. These rapidly growing countries will work towards gaining more political and economic foothold in a highly Westernized world. Members of this committee will debate on topics ranging from developing a currency and overtaking the dollar to the implementation of the just-formed New Development Bank.
Community of Latin American Caribbean States
Chair: Hebani Duggal
Vice Chair: Hunter Moskowitz
To the members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, unifying the region and advancing their respective countries has always been a common rallying cry. Now, that unity is being tested by the differing views and relations between CELAC countries and their northern neighbor, the United States. To some, the US is a key trading partner and protector. To others, it is an imperialist and a disruptive force on the geopolitical landscape. At this meeting of CELAC, ties with the United States, mainly with regards to Cuba and the status of Puerto Rico, will rise to the forefront. That said, pervasive issues including the narcotics trade and rampant corruption are always lurking in the wings of these meetings.
UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
Chair: Holly Grace
Vice Chair: Michele Pothen
UNESCO is a highly specialized committee within the United Nations, responsible for promoting important concerns regarding culture, science, and society. Created in order to uphold peace on the basis of humanity's moral and intellectual solidarity, the committee focuses on providing education as a fundamental human right, protecting heritage and supporting cultural diversity, pursuing scientific cooperation, and protecting freedom of expression. Topics that have been discussed by UNESCO include bioethics, world heritage sites, access to information, water security, and more. This wide range of tasks allows the committee to focus on interesting and current issues around the world. By working to improve education, science, and culture, UNESCO has the power to promote peace internationally.
UN Office on Drugs and Crime
Chair: Yashvi Gattani
Vice Chair: Jessica Francis
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Recently, the UNODC have been responsible for implementing the United Nations lead program on terrorism. One of the main aims of the UNODC is to monitor and seize the global flows of heroin and cocaine. In this dynamic era, the world faces many issues on violence, drug trafficking, and terrorism that call on the UNODC and member states for protection and providing solutions. The justice system relies on the strong stances of the UNODC to control major threats and their consequences. With a committee full of massive threats, global disasters, and crucial crises, the role of the UNODC will unite leaders in the mission to prevent criminal activity!
Munich Conference
Chair: Alex Maisel
Vice Chair: Bo Yang
It is September 28, 1938. The Munich Conference, after a long series of negotiations, is set to take place. The leaders of Great Britain, France, and Italy have gathered as a result of Adolf Hitler’s demands to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, despite British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain attempts to talk him out of his demands. Now, Chamberlain, French leader Eduard Daladier, and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini are meeting in Munich with Hitler. It is up to you to decide what occurs at this meeting. Will the term “Munich” become the symbol of appeasement it stands for today? Or will it come to represent a strong stand against a regional bully?!
FIFA
Chair: Jesse Van Genugten
Vice Chair: Brandon Senzer
Plagued by corruption allegations and a prohibitive bureaucratic structure, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, faces increasing global pressure to adopt a different structure of governance and expand oversight. Several FIFA officials were arrested by Swiss Authorities at the FIFA Congress in May 2015 on corruption charges, and newly elected President Sepp Blatter stepped down a mere 4 days later amid charges of his own connection to the controversies. Even without Blatter’s involvement in the organization, however, FIFA is at a crossroads. Progress, though hindered by an administration whose power rests on the status quo, is possible and will be vital to the conversations at the 66th FIFA Congress. Set to be held in Mexico City, the Congress will discuss the logistics and viability of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and changes to the constitution of the world’s soccer governing body.
NGO Forum
Chair: Shaan Franchi
Vice Chair: Abigail Cutler
The NGO Forum committee is a collection of the most powerful non-governmental organizations that while not in charge of national policy or militaries, still greatly affect political, economic, and social change around the world. In this traveling committee, delegates will represent various NGOs and engage with other committees at the conference. Through visits to other committees, committee social media updates, online articles published by delegates pertaining to CMUNC topics, considerable debate, and other unique activities, the NGO Forum is sure to be the most exciting committee at CMUNC.
Crisis Committees
Crisis committees for CMUNC 2016 are below. Background guides will be released in due time!
Ancient Greek Council
Chair: Dara Canchester
Vice Chair: Leor Ginzburg
Crisis Director: Wyatt Nelson
The most powerful people sit before you: these are the people of Ancient Greece. Every kingdom of Ancient Greece is represented, from Sparta to Athens to Macedonia; every kingdom is willing to do anything to maintain their sovereignty. This council will deal with the ever-changing climate of power here in the birthplace of democracy as well as the inevitable crises that will ensue. What will happen to Greece? Who will be victorious?
2025 KOREA
Chair: Alison Schonberg
Vice Chair: Joey Binder
Crisis Director: Matt Steffanetta
The year is 2025. North Korea has fallen to joint US-ROK forces, and the DPRK's formerly unified insurgency is battered, beaten, and divided. A post-war committee of former DPRK belligerents, ROK reps, and US arbiters is tasked with the formation of a new state, the control of insurgent factions, and the transition from counterinsurgency to stability. A US-ROK victory is far from permanent, and the fallout is far from manageable: a humanitarian/migrant crisis, armed splinter groups, a suddenly expansive China, and a rogue Kim Jong-un. Do you have what it takes to pick up the pieces?
Europe in Crisis
Chair: Grace Shih
Vice Chair: Marc Masson
Crisis Director: TJ James
Although mounting debt has been a concern throughout the Western World, particularly the Euro Zone, nowhere has this issue been more pressing, more controversial or more shattering than in Greece. The battle lines between the stewards of the Euro and the preservers of Greek interests have been drawn with the stability of Europe hanging in the balance. Can these groups come together in European solidarity or will the ‘indissolvable union’ evaporate?
United Nations Security Council
Chair: Malika Sharapova
Vice Chair: Ann Balzer
Crisis Director: Cris Lee
Under the charter, the United Nations Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of peace and security throughout the international community. The UNSC is historically one of the most influential, politicized, and thus controversial committees of the United Nations and within the Model UN sphere and this conference, its role will be no different and no less important. One of the most unique and exciting aspects of the Security Council as a Model UN committee is its sensitivity to the prevailing geo-political climate at the time or near future. Given this distinction, the topics of the Security Council committee will reflect pertinent international issues/conflicts at the time of CMUNC 2016. Delegates will represent a variety of permanent and non-permanent members, and will be pushed to produce comprehensive documents and realistic, pragmatic and diplomatically accurate solutions to combat issues plaguing the international community. The world is in your hands, what will you do with it?
Joint Crisis: Democrats vs. Republicans
Chair: Zhun Che, Nicholas Akrawi
Vice Chair: Chris Arce, Abigail Chen
Crisis Director: Taylor MacBain, Suhas Bobba, Sarah Cutler
The year is 2016, and the citizens of the United States of America are preparing to vote for the next President of the United States, who is undoubtedly the strongest man, or woman, of the free world. It is your job and duty to your country to advise the presidential candidate in their campaign. Can you step up to the plate? Or will you swing and miss? By the end of the campaign, a new president will be sworn in, make sure you are on the right side!