MUNCH XXIV Committees:
GAs
Our largest committees, General Assemblies work towards creating and passing resolutions that address global issues. Each General Assembly is composed of around 100 delegates. Delegates in General Assemblies will gain experience that mimics the negotiations and consensus-building used in policy-making across the world
WHO (World Health Organization)
The World Health Organization is the global institution that oversees and delegates resources to issues facing the international health community. Despite the many advancements in modern medicine, some areas remain unaddressed or have worsened in recent years. For our committee topics this MUNCH, we will be delving into maternal health and antimicrobial resistance, with an emphasis on Tuberculosis. In our 2024 world, maternal deaths are rising in many nations, and antimicrobial resistance is becoming an increasing threat to public health. The WHO looks to its delegates to tackle these pressing concerns and create policies for the betterment of all people.
COP 29 (United Nations Climate Change Conference)
Conference of the Parties (COP), is the United Nations Climate Change Conference, where parties meet each year to discuss progress being made towards reducing emissions and meeting goals set by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). There are several important topics usually covered during the conference: adaptation and resilience, capacity-building, climate finance and technology, climate education, etc. The most recent conference was COP28, which has just concluded. During COP28, the parties made the decision to improve climate action before the end of the decade, while keeping in mind the goal to keep the global temperature limit at 1.5 °C. In COP29, one of the most important topics that will need to be covered is climate finance, as the climate crisis is getting far more urgent and a new finance goal needs to be established.
African Union
The African Union is tasked with creating unity within the continent and promoting sustainable development within the union. Delegates may be faced with dealing with water security from drought or creating new framework for unity. With debate and discussions, delegates will face these issues head-on in this double-delegate committee (there are two delegates per role).
World Tourism Organization
GAPs
General Assemblies Plus combine the best of the General Assembly experience with the best of the Crisis Committee experience. With around 30 delegates in total, General Assembly Plus committees work towards passing resolutions while simultaneously addressing crisis updates that mimic the fast-paced nature of the news.
US Senate
As the second session of the 118th Congress begins, the upper chamber of Congress has a lot on its plate. Though known as as the world’s greatest deliberative assembly, the time for debate is ending. With a looming government shutdown and mounting tensions around the world and over the southern border, Senators must act. Will the government be funded for another year? Will immigration laws be reformed? Can the allies of the United States count on continued aid? Bipartisanship must be the goal to get anything past the filibuster, as the fate of the country is up to you.
The European Human Court of Rights
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is an international court that upholds the Council of Europe’s ratified Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This committee will tackle two recent cases: Macaté v. Lithuania (suspension of children’s books depicting same-sex couples) and Muhammad v. Spain (allegations of racial profiling by police). Delegates should be ready to ask themselves what constitutes the limits of a human right, what the role of law is in upholding human rights, and how moral issues can be argued with legal evidence. Like true judges on the ECHR, delegates will argue their own opinion rather than representing their nation.
United Nations Security Council
It's 2100, and the world is ending. "Wait... Is it?" As society faces the most atrocious challenges of all time—from radioactive hurricanes to mysterious pandemics wiping out entire populations, this double-delegation Security Council is under the world's scrutiny—or what's left of it—as the last hope for strategic decision-making that prevents society from disappearing. Can humanity stand the test of time, or will tensions arise and force a final space race? Well, only time can tell!
The World Bank
The World Bank’s dual mandate is to end extreme poverty and boost sustainable prosperity on our planet. It has given $45.9 billion in grants and loans to over 12,000 projects about education, health, infrastructure, development, agriculture, and environmental and natural resource management. One emerging use of World Bank funds is combating the mounting debt crisis many developing countries face. A more controversial use of funds is sending redevelopment aid to areas still in active conflict. Delegates will represent their countries in a fast paced, competitive GAP that will confront these two topics.
Organization of American States
The Organization of American States is tasked with the development and security of the Americas. The committee may be tasked with fostering new development throughout the continents in the post-COVID era or combating political corruption. Delegates will represent the member states and debate these issues and more.
Crisis Commitees
Small and swift, Crisis Committees focus on specific historical or political issues. Delegates get the opportunity to represent high-powered individuals within those scenarios and utilize a range of tools to respond to crisis updates.
The Great Emu War
In a desolate wasteland of trampled crops and expansive desert, here stands the Australian government’s terror bird ready to fight: the emu. They’ve mangled the nations agricultural output and are even outrunning the soldiers’ machine guns. What hope is there to win against the birds that have no fear? And who will reign victorious as the true kings and queens and of land down under?
Percy Jackson
Based on the Second Demigod Civil War in Rick Riordan's series "Heroes of Olympus."
The awakening of Gaea, the primordial Greek goddess of the earth, looms near, and with it, the rise of her children, the Titans and the Giants. Tensions rise with accusations and attacks on the Greek and Roman demigod camps – Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter respectively – which culminate in a civil war between them over the 40-foot-tall statue, the Athena Parthenos. Further plans and twists are involved, and it is up to the two camps to prevent the civil war from coming to fruition and stop Gaea's awakening. How this rivalry ends is up to you: a ceasefire, an alliance, or something even the Fates couldn’t foresee.
Reading the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus series are strongly recommended / mandatory.
Space Race 3.0
More information coming soon!
Advanced crisis: SVB: The Banking Crisis
The banking industry is in turmoil as federal regulators took control of Silicon Valley Bank, the nation’s 16th largest bank, on the morning of March 10, 2023 – effectively shutting it down. The victim of a perfect storm of poor diversification, a high interest rate environment, and a large concentration of high-value depositors, it seems like SVB’s collapse was unavoidable. Now, it is up to the most powerful and influential banking executives and policymakers to find a way to save SVB’s deposits and prevent a domino effect that could cause a global financial catastrophe.
This committee is an advanced crisis committee; some basic economics knowledge is expected of delegates
Behind the Scenes: Idols Mandatory Military Service
Summer is coming to a close, Proof album of BTS was released and every ARMY (old and new) is ecstatic about the concept, the concept hints at the roots of BTS's 2013 debut and revisiting their most popular songs. As much as their fan base loves this, the big question of why now, why this revisit? Leaves thoughts to linger in the air. We all are aware of the South Korean mandatory military service age being 28 years old, changed with the BTS Law to 30 years old. As the oldest members approach 30, so many things are being reconsidered. Do they need to serve after winning the “Hwagwan Orders of Cultural Merit” award? What about other K-pop idols? To what degree do idols need to affect the culture of South Korea for them to be excused from mandatory military service?
2 Ad Hocs
Ad Hocs are special committees where delegates don't know what the committee is until conference weekend. They’re interesting and engaging committees recommended for more experienced delegates, but anyone is welcome! This year we have two and are excited to share these committees with you!
Joint Crisis Committee:
Like a regular crisis committee, delegates get the opportunity to represent high-powered individuals within those scenarios and utilize a range of tools to respond to crisis updates. Unlike a regular crisis, their are two committees with opposing goals that are effecting the other’s debate through directives and crisis notes.
JCC - CIA
In the covert corridors of global intelligence, the CIA faces a riveting challenge after the U.S. Embassy in Tehran is stormed. With the Iranian government overthrown and 66 Americans taken hostage, the agency is thrust into a high-stakes game of espionage to prevent the new anti-American Iranian intelligence agency from eliminating U.S. presence in the region for good. With the fate of hostages and the future of Iran hanging in the balance, agents must outwit their rivals, carry out military operations, and decode cryptic messages to protect U.S. interests. Every move becomes a critical play in this Cold War-era showdown, where the pressure of international communities closes in. The mission is crystal clear: contain the revolution, safeguard American assets, and emerge victorious.
JCC - Revolutionary Council of Iran (RCI)
After successfully seizing the U.S. embassy, the Revolutionary Council of Iran unveils its magnum opus – the mysterious Ministry of Intelligence and Security, SAVAMA. As the revolution’s newfound intelligence powerhouse, housing Ayatollah Khomeini’s most brilliant clandestine minds specializing in deceit, encryption, and clandestine rendezvous, the agency is thrust into a realm of exhilarating espionage and treacherous missions veiled in shadows. The question stands of how to consolidate the new government, what to do with the 66 American hostages, and how to outsmart the CIA and dissenting loyalists—forces whose presence lingers on every street of Tehran. These threats pose a constant challenge, aiming to unravel the nascent government. The stakes are high, and SAVAMA is responsible for the destiny of the emerging Islamic Republic. Stay sharp, stay hidden, and above all, avoid compromise at all costs.
Press Corp
Press Corp
Press Corps is a special committee that goes around to the various committees and reports on what’s happening. They’ll be reporting to the Press Corp Crisis Director and creating social media posts based on what they’ve been investigating. It’s a non-traditional committee, but perfect for those interested in media and journalism.