ADAPTATION IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY "
- EagleMUNC VI Theme
The theme for this year's conference will task delegates with the concept of change during major turning points in modern and ancient history. In a variety of settings and time-periods, the committees challenge delegates to decide between seeking tradition, revolution, and evolution.
Click on each tab to read the committee descriptions. (*Application-based committees)
Click on each tab to read the committee descriptions. (*Application-based committees)
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Adversity Among Adapting Nations:
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Triple Joint Crisis
The Kalmar Union was a triple monarchy in Scandinavia formed in 1397 with the goal of politically unifying the region; the three crowns of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden were united under one monarch, but each kingdom maintained its own internal political institutions. Among these institutions was the Council of the Realm, a body of ecclesiastical and secular nobles that ruled alongside and oftentimes above the king in Copenhagen. Delegates will act as members of the three councils in 1497, 100 years after the founding of the union and just after its successful restoration through King Hans’ re-subjugation of Sweden following years of non-compliance from Stockholm. This committee, as a triple joint crisis, will challenge delegates to work directly and indirectly with and against one another across committee rooms. Every action taken in each committee room will affect the other two committees and the world at large.
Kingdom of Denmark
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Delegates in this committee will act as members of Denmark’s council, called the “rigsraad” in Danish. Denmark has long been the senior member of the Kalmar Union; when the treaty of Kalmar was signed, Denmark had more population than Sweden and Norway combined. Over the course of the century, however, Sweden’s power has grown steadily and the Swedes have fought repeated wars against Copenhagen for their autonomy and independence. With the most recent Swedish defeat and re-entry into the Union, the Danes have emerged victorious and asserted their power in Scandinavia but it is unclear if the current situation is sustainable. Delegates will pursue the personal interests of their characters, work towards the national interests of the Kingdom of Denmark, and administrate the increasingly troubled and conflict-ridden union as a whole.
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Kingdom of norway
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Delegates in this committee will act as members of Norway’s council, called the “riksraad” in Norwegian. For centuries Norway was a very powerful state that dominated the North Sea, but much has changed since the Viking Age which ended nearly 500 years ago in 1066. Norway was ravaged by the Black Death in 1349, killing half of its population and allowing the Kingdom to fall under mostly Danish but also Swedish influence. In this uncertain age, the Norwegian council is divided among pro-Danish, pro-Swedish, pro-Independence, and apathetic elements. While Oslo lacks the sheer military power of Copenhagen and Stockholm, it rules over easily defensible terrain and strong fortresses to ward off potential threats from either side. Additionally, news of recent Spanish expeditions across the Atlantic raises questions about Norwegian tales from centuries’ past and new possibilities for the future. Delegates will pursue the personal interests of their characters, work towards the national interests of the Kingdom of Norway, and administrate the increasingly troubled and conflict-ridden union as a whole.
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kingdom of sweden
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Delegates in this committee will act as members of Sweden’s council, called the “riksraad” in Swedish. Sweden’s relationships with Denmark and Norway have been strained by power struggles within the Union for some time now. In 1397 when Sweden accepted the Danish and Norwegian king as their own, Denmark had more population than Sweden and Norway combined so Danish dominance was to be expected. Over the course of the century since, Sweden’s power has grown to the point where it is able to challenge Copenhagen’s level of authority and often its rule altogether. This has resulted in frequent Dano-Swedish wars over the issue of independence, but these have been thus far unsuccessful for Stockholm. The most recent defeat was not even a year ago, when King Hans overthrew the regent of Sweden after gaining the favor the rest of the Swedish Council of the Realm. Now back in the Union, albeit somewhat unwillingly, the Swedes will have to decide how best to proceed into an unclear future. Delegates will pursue the personal interests of their characters, work towards the national interests of the Kingdom of Sweden, and administrate the increasingly troubled and conflict-ridden union as a whole.
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Committees of Change, Called For In Crisis:
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the anasazi in crisis: 1100
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The year is 1100 AD. Just as the first crusade was reaching its end, and 70 years before the foundation of Oxford University, the Anasazi Empire has reached the height of its power. Made up of five distinct cultures, and spanning 500,000 square miles of contiguous territory, the anasazi built a civilization whose cave cities, plateau forts, and extensive roads would last for centuries. But just as this culture begins to make its mark, disaster strikes. With foreign religions arriving from mesoamerica, decades of drought making agriculture nigh impossible, and Navajo raids becoming more common by the day, the foundations of the ancient Anasazi Empire are crumbling. This crisis committee will face the collapse of a civilization, and tell the story of a forgotten culture. Through innovative maps, immersive debates, and engaging crises, delegates on this committee will be given a chance to help the Anasazi stand the test of time.
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The papal conclave of 1534
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With the death of Pope Clement VII, an already weakened Catholic Church faces a contentious election. With eleven cardinals declining to even attend the conclave, and every European power vying for influence, the decisions made here would shape Europe for centuries to come. Delegates on this council will wrestle with papal policy towards the English Reformation, the aftermath of promises made by the now late Pope Clement VII, and the growing sentiment for a more open and populist church. Facing factionalization, resentment, and theological disagreements, delegates will have to negotiate their own plan for the Catholic Church, and in doing so, change history.
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Committees of Change, Called For In Crisis:
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the sons of liberty
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The Sons of Liberty committee will focus on Boston’s civil disobedience in the colonial era. Beginning in 1765, the delegates will be tasked with taking on the roles of Boston’s most influential people. Samuel Adams and co. will be forced with responding to crises levied by the British government such as taxes, quartering of soldiers, and other acts of British Parliament. Delegates will be challenged throughout their 40 hours to use not only their knowledge of history in general, but the history of this great city they are staying in to their advantage in order to gain an upper hand against the British.
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chinese land reform: 1950
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As the Socialist Party in China took power, they passed a series of laws regarding Agrarian Land Reform that gave much of the farmland to peasants. This committee will focus on the recreation of village life in China during the 1950’s. Delegates will be challenged with local village interactions as well as constant government action in the rebirth of China’s political system, which is constantly muddled by factors such as religion, political party values, and family dynamic.
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the 1930's crime syndicate
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The Syndicate, the brainchild of Johnny Torino and a police department's worst nightmare, began in 1929 in Atlantic City. The mafia and the mobs were well represented with Capone, Luciano, Costello, and Siegel all in attendance. The Syndicate allows mob bosses to communicate, and avoid law enforcement accordingly. Delegates will be tasked with the upkeep of The Syndicate which consist of crimes such as racketeering, extortion, bribery, drug trafficking, illegal gambling, robbery, fraud, money laundering, fencing, and loan sharking.
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Overseeing Adaptive Policies:
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The international skating union
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The International Skating Union administers figure skating and speed-skating at the Winter Olympics, and governs the sports in between Olympic cycles. The ISU regulates the sports, a task which includes refining the International Judging System used in figure skating, and organizing international competitions for both sports. Through the ISU bodies including its Congress and Council, the organization incorporates feedback from athletes and officials to develop the worldwide presence of these sports, and adapt to the changing needs and expectations of the skating community. The ISU must develop solutions to issues pertaining to athlete health and development, managing organizational costs, and shaping the future of its sports.
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United nations security council
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The United Nations Security Council is an organization tasked with maintaining international peace and security. It contains fifteen member nations that recommend solutions to disputes, and implements them through peaceful or forceful means. The Security Council intervenes in situations which include military, political and social conflict, which jeopardize the stability and safety of countries. With disputes ranging from governmental corruption to human rights violations, the UNSC will develop comprehensive resolutions to restore and preserve world peace.
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Modern Calls for Change:
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the venezuelan national assembly
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The Venezuelan National Assembly is a legislative branch of the government, which is made up of members elected by state-based voting. The committee will begin in January 2016, thus reflecting the time before the current social, political, and cultural crisis reached its current peak. The delegates should expect to discuss issues such as the food shortage, free speech, and the conflict caused by the divide of those who support the current United Socialist Party, and those who do not. This committee will employ the parliamentary procedure of the assembly, giving the committee a unique approach to tradition Model United Nations debate.
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OPEC
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OPEC is an organization, which works to regulate and monitor the petroleum policies of its member countries, of which there are 13. These nations work together to ensure a stable and economically efficient oil market for both the producers and those investing in the industry. This committee will require delegates to think about strategies to increase the economic prosperity of the organization as a whole as well as for their individual nations. Other topics may include the backlash on the petroleum industry for its role in climate change, and how terrorist groups in various member countries affect the industry.
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UNICEF
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UNICEF is a worldwide UN council, which works in 192 countries to directly impact the lives of children. The committee has existed for 70 years and is counseled by a rotating executive board of 36 members, who serve for three year, and who represent five regional groups of United Nation’s member states. This committee will work together to talk about pertinent modern issues that affect the world’s youth, such as education and bullying. Delegates will be expected to advocate for the youth of their own nation, as well as the betterment of the climate for children around the world.
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WHO
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The World Health Organization, WHO, is a specialized United Nations committee with the goal of "the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health." In this general assembly delegates can expect to discuss relevant issues such as the rise of AMR (antimicrobial resistant) bacteria, environmental health, women's health and rights, and the role of NGO's as assistants in bettering global health. This committee will be an excellent experience for those seeking a more traditional or novice style of Model UN.
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DISEC
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DISEC, or the Disarmament and International Security Committee, is a United Nations General Assembly Committee devoted to maintaining international peace and security and avoiding an excessive proliferation of nuclear and other arms. Soon after the United States used nuclear weapons against the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, DISEC convened to pass its first resolution: establishing a commission to discuss ways to control nuclear and atomic energy. Since then, its responsibilities have grown to include handling increased terrorist threats and the need for cybersecurity in the Internet age. This committee will be an excellent experience for those seeking a more traditional or novice style of Model UN.
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The International Court of Justice:
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The Ad-hoc committee, in its third year at EagleMUNC, is a small, intensive committee that challenges the strongest delegates at the conference to respond quickly and efficiently to rapid and tough crises. As part of the challenge, delegates are not made aware of the topic until a few days before EagleMUNC to keep them on their toes. This year's Ad-Hoc will explore the depths of society and global interaction - check back closer to the conference for updates.
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