COMMITTEES
General Assembly
UNDP: Poverty and
Sustainable Development
CHAIR: NAVID SHEIKHZADEH | DIRECTOR: JANKA WILCZYNSKI
With poverty being amongst the world’s most pressing challenges, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is crucial in its eradication. This committee will tackle global poverty’s most dire issues, from insufficient education, sanitation, or healthcare access to few economic opportunities and systemic inequalities that cause millions to have substandard lives. Delegates should aspire to develop solutions that are both innovative and practical, aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1: No Poverty. Delegates should comprehensively address global poverty in resolutions that empower communities through inclusive politics and establish long-term development through collaboration between public and private institutions.
UNODC: Organ Trafficking
CHAIR: ELA BEHRSTOCK | DIRECTOR: ZIV BAREL
Organ trafficking exploits vulnerable individuals, often from impoverished or marginalized communities, and preys on those without proper access to healthcare. In Africa, this issue is especially prevalent. Criminal networks controlling the organ black market have shown themselves to be a threat to the individual, using coercion and deception to pressure them into giving up their organs for illicit transplant procedures. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) aims to combat organ trafficking by addressing its root causes, including poverty, lack of regulation in organ donation, and inadequate healthcare access. Delegates in this committee will work towards creating effective solutions to prevent organ trafficking, promote ethical organ donation, and strengthen laws and enforcement to protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
WHO: Access to Healthcare for
Individuals with Disabilities
CHAIR: NIRVAN MULCHANDANI | DIRECTOR: JYOTSNA AGARAM
Individuals with disabilities face significant barriers to accessing healthcare, including physical inaccessibility, lack of trained medical staff, and discriminatory practices. These challenges often result in poorer health outcomes and limited opportunities. The World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to addressing these disparities and promoting equitable healthcare for all. This committee will include improving healthcare infrastructure, advocating for inclusive policies, and ensuring healthcare systems are responsive to the needs of disabled individuals. Delegates will work towards creating solutions that ensure accessible facilities, train healthcare professionals, and promote equal access to quality care for people with disabilities worldwide. To what extent is this a nation’s domestic issue, or is it the responsibility of us all?
FAO: Ethical Treatment of Animals
CHAIR: ALVARO HERNANDEZ JENARO | DIRECTOR: ELI CHOI
Animal welfare and protection are fundamental to the health of our planet. From the ancient domestication of dogs, marking a pivotal shift in our relationship with animals, to the current crisis involving polar bears at the Bronx Zoo, the fate of animals remains a pressing concern. Enriched enclosure care is essential for preventing species extinction and ensuring animal well-being. This committee urges delegates to move beyond simplistic metrics and address the complex interplay between economic opportunity and animal welfare. How can we foster sustainable development that prioritizes both human prosperity and the protection of our animal companions? Delegates should explore innovative solutions that harmonize our economic aspirations with our ethical obligations to the animal world.
Specialized
French Neocolonialism in West Africa
CHAIR: JAI SHAH | DIRECTOR: STANLEY HELLER
​Despite the end of the French colonial system, the new system of Françafrique established neocolonialism, leading to instability within Western Africa. While the French Government has strong interests in the region and has sent soldiers to operate, various countries have critiqued the military aid as ineffective. Now, delegates have been called to discuss the future of French forces in Western Africa and how to proceed. Will French forces be allowed to continue policing, and if not, what will replace them when fighting Islamic insurgencies like Boko Haram? Should the Euro replace the West African CFA Franc, or should an entirely new monetary system be established? How can countries attempt to leave the French system without increasing economic problems? The futures of West Africa and your countries are in your hands, so remember: “You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness.”
Potsdam Conference (1945)
CHAIR: LEAH RIEGEL | DIRECTOR: MAXANNE WALLACE-SEGALL
One of the most devastating wars in history has just ended, and the winners are meeting to determine the fate of the world. How are we to handle a defeated Germany? What of the fate of Poland? How are we to approach a retaliation of Japanese military power? In a conference of massive consequence, delegates will be tasked with answering these imminent questions and repairing the world post-WW2. This committee is sure to be full of intense debate, creative solutions, and diplomacy worthy of the modern world. We hope to see you there!
San Francisco Earthquake (1906)
CHAIR: ZIHE HUANG | DIRECTOR: ROSE OLSHAN
Forty-five seconds. That’s all the time it took for the greatest city of the Pacific Coast, San Francisco, to come crumbling to the ground. On the morning of April 18th, 1906, citizens were abruptly awoken by the collapse of chimneys, telegraph lines, and factories. The city was brought to near ruin as fires swept through its streets and panic began to spread. In this historical committee, delegates will act as local elected officials and city legislators to dive into this disaster. How can we evacuate and distribute aid to as many people as possible? How do we address the disparity in impacts this disaster had on people of different economic and ethnic backgrounds—particularly noting how Chinatown was deeply affected? How will we contain the fire when water lines have burst? How can we quickly rebuild the city in a preventive manner without acquiring a major budget deficit? Delegates must work together to take urgent and decisive action at this pivotal moment in San Francisco’s history.
Arctic Council: The Arctic Gold Rush
CHAIR: ISRAT HOSSAIN | DIRECTOR: YANA BIJOOR
As there is an increase in melting ice caps, a revolutionary amount of untapped resources such as oil, gas, and raw minerals have been revealed. What country will get the territorial rights to these resources? Throughout this committee, delegates will have to negotiate territorial disputes and revise pre-existing Arctic treatises, while simultaneously protecting indigenous rights and confronting the challenges of climate change. Additionally, delegates will have to work through crises such as oil spills, territorial skirmishes, and climate disasters. This committee will give delegates the opportunity to put their problem-solving abilities to the test as they work towards creating an Arctic Resource Agreement. Grab your hats, scarves, and ice picks, and get ready to freeze the day!
Crisis
Peru-Bolivian Confederation (1836)
CHAIR: SCOTT CHU | DIRECTOR: AUGUSTUS CHIN |
CRISIS DIRECTOR: SAKIB FAHIM
It’s 1836 and a new country has just been formed. The states of Peru and Bolivia have been forcefully united by Andres de Santa Cruz, and this new state, the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, threatens to throw out the delicate balance of power in South America. How will the powers of South America–and beyond–react to this new development? And how will Peru-Bolivia survive the coming storm? Delegates will have to debate over issues such as nationalism, pacifism, and internal stability. The representatives of the confederation will have to address the internal divide within it if they want to see the union succeed, while the representatives of foreign nations will have to play their cards right to exploit the consequences of this new union as best they can. The fuse has been lit, and it is your job to stop South America from going up in flames… or, alternatively, stoke them into an inferno.
First Contact on the Moon:
A Cold War Crisis (1969)
CHAIR: ALEXANDER PANAS | DIRECTOR: LIAM WANG |
CRISIS DIRECTOR: LEO BENITEZ
It is April of 1969, and as Cold War tensions grow increasingly hotter, the single most contested frontier between the United States and the Soviet Union remains the ultimate one: space. And somehow, even that has been thrown for a loop. The U.S. and the U.S.S.R, enveloped in a world-defining race to land on the moon, have both stumbled upon definitive proof of alien life during lunar orbit missions. An emergency secret conference has been called, with key figures from both nations’ governments, militaries, and space programs, as well as the UN, corporations, scientific institutions, and more brought together to respond to this first contact with extraterrestrial life. Delegates must balance global cooperation with the self-interested pursuits of domination, figure out how to address humanity’s newfound colleagues, and devise a strategy to avoid global panic, all the while dealing with sabotage, real-time reactions from the global community, and communication from the aliens themselves. Make your choices wisely, for the world truly depends on them.
Anpo Protests
CHAIR: CELISE LIN | DIRECTOR: ALBERT CHEN |
CRISIS DIRECTOR: NEIL SURI
​The Anpo Protests were massive protests against the revision of the 1952 US-Japan Security Treaty due to the overreach of the Kishi government. The Security Treaty in 1952 was wildly unpopular, as it effectively allowed the US to station troops in Japan without obligation to protect the defenseless nation. Hence, it left Japan unable to protect itself, and both the Japanese Socialist Party and the LDP despised it. The Kishi government seemed to be moving three steps back with each step forward, igniting waves of protest after failed renegotiations, policy duty bills, and blatant abuse of power. While in real life, the Anpo Protests failed to prevent treaty ratification, here delegates are given another chance to redefine Japan and potentially prevent the erosion of democratic norms. This committee must decide what should be done about the security treaty as well as respond to the ongoing protests.
Ad-Hoc Committee
of the Secretary-General
CHAIR: ARIELLE EBER | DIRECTOR: ALEXA LEAHY |
CRISIS DIRECTOR: OMER SARISEN
StuyMUNC's Ad-Hoc Committee of the Secretary-General is an unpredictable and fast-paced committee for experienced delegates. With the topic remaining confidential until the day of the conference, only delegates with extensive crisis experience should select this committee. On the day of the conference, delegates must be quick-witted, think on their feet, and prepare for the wildest of possibilities. A hint will be released to all Ad-Hoc delegates two days prior to the conference. Best of luck!
Joint-Crisis Committee: Plants vs. Zombies
Plants
CHAIR: AENEAS MERCHANT | DIRECTOR: HANNAH GRIMSKOG-TRAN | CRISIS DIRECTOR: MIRA ANANT
War, war never changes - David Crazitopher Blazing III
​
On an inconspicuous spring morning in the town of Neighborville, the zombie invasion began. Led by Dr. Zomboss, this band of undead freaks are in search of one thing and one thing only: brainz. While the town of Neighborville is in chaos, it is up to the plants, led by Crazy Dave, to stop these zombies in their tracks. But be warned: brainz are not the only things the zombies will eat. Dr. Zomboss may not be vegetarian, but the zombies are ready to put some greens in their diet…
Zombies
CO-CHAIRS: ADELINE SAUBERLI, MASON CHUNG |
CRISIS DIRECTOR: HENRY LE
Push on! 25 more plants down, and you could win one minute of vacation time! But before that maybe another 25 more!
Hold on, you weren’t supposed to overhear—it’s no matter. When you join the Zombies, you’ll get all the vacation time, the tastiest brainz, and an open field for frolicking, because we will, indeed, win. Are you up to the challenge? Are you quite ready to “crank up the zing,” as we Zombies like to say? The impossible dream! Do you see it now? The plants are halfway there to stealing our victory, but they’ll know soon enough that our fight will never be ap-peas-sed. HAH! Or should I say RAH! Down goes another one of those ridiculous gardens. The brainz will be ours!