Crisis Committees
Click on a commmittee name to read more about it!
* indicates dual delegation committee
United Nations Security Council, 1956
1984
Kashmiri Secession, 2020
Oligarchs of Eastern Europe
The Godfather
Question of Hong Kong
Joint Crisis Committee: Israel, 2006
Joint Crisis Committee: Hezbollah, 2006
Ad-Hoc Committee of the Secretary-General
Chinese Investment Corporation
Papal Conclave
Anonymous: Hacktivism
A distinctive characteristic of UPMUNC is its capability to consistently yield dynamic crisis committees. Each is overseen by a chair, a crisis director, and dedicated staff members who are committed to paving the way for an efficient simulation. These crises are indubitably UPMUNC’s most compelling committees; rest assured that each delegate will be challenged and tested by the fast-paced nature of their weekends. As per tradition, the Ad-Hoc Committee, an enduring idea pioneered by UPMUNC, will return and continue to be a time-honored tradition.
UPMUNC’s crisis committees always promise to offer a wide variety of simulations. This year’s selection offers a Joint Crisis Committee featuring the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War. Will delegates succumb to the history of the war, or will they build the road to a new story for this timeless conflict? Other delegates will travel below the cold, hard, Kashmiri earth to formulate a plan to secede from India. If they fail, Kashmir will remain forever trapped in the shadow of the 1947 Partition of South Asia. In the dark world of Anonymous computer hackers, delegates will attempt to divert the political and economic trajectory of the international system as they see fit. Lastly, on a cloudy day in the Vatican, black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel as eligible cardinals gather to elect a new pope. These crisis committees, among others, will undoubtably set the tone for an exhilarating weekend.
Letters from the USGs
Dear Delegates,
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to one of our plethora of crisis committees at the University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference 2013. My name is Shahriar Shams-Ansari and I am thrilled to have the privilege of serving as Under-Secretary-General of Crisis Committees for UPMUNC XLVII. First, let me tell you a little bit about myself, I am a sophomore at Penn currently studying Economics. I’m very involved in Penn’s International Affairs Association, having previously served as an Assistant Secretary General for UPMUNC and as Assistant Director of Intercol (our intercollegiate travelling team). I’ve even been involved in our international conferences and had the pleasure of serving as a Director at ILMUNC China last year. I also frequently compete on the circuit and I can honestly say that Model United Nations is a key part of my college extracurricular life.
At UPMUNC XLVII, you can expect the very highest standards of competition. We pride ourselves on being one of the best run and one of the most competitive conferences not only on the American circuit, but on the entire world. Your incredibly talented staff of Chairs, Crisis Directors, and other staffers has been working tirelessly for the last few months to ensure that your committees will be the best that you ever compete in. From changing the world through hacktivism to exploring the mysteries of the Papal Conclave to deciding China’s economic future, we have lined up an array of interesting and diverse topics and crises that will keep you on four toes for all four days.
UPMUNC’s crisis committees are for you: the world’s most elite delegates and the most talented debaters on the circuit. Our crises will push even you to your limits, forcing you to think on the fly and work together with your committee. My hope is that you will leave UPMUNC XLVII with nothing but fond memories and that you can look back on your committee and on our conference with a warm smile. I personally will do everything I can and work constantly to bring you the very best committees possible at the best conference possible. Get ready for an experience you will never forget!
Congratulations delegates on your acceptance into UPMUNC XLVII’s Crisis Committees. I truly look forward to seeing you and witnessing some very lively debate in November.
Sincerely,
Shahriar Shams-Ansari
usgcrisis1@upmunc.org
Under-Secretary-General, Crisis Committees
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference! My name is Madeleine Shelton and I am so proud to serve as Under-Secretary-General for Crisis Committees this year.
I am currently a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics and minoring in French and German. Although I have always had an interest in international relations and political debate, I was not introduced to Model UN until last year, when I was fortunate enough to serve as Assistant Secretary General for UPMUNC XLVI. Since then I have competed on the circuit and enjoyed it thoroughly, but my passion rests with UPMUNC and bringing you, our esteemed delegates, an unparalleled conference.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of our secretariat, I honestly believe that this, our forty-seventh session, will be the best yet. This year's crisis committees are as inventive as they are thought-provoking and, as always, continue to be staffed by the most dedicated chairs and crisis directors. I hope you are all looking forward to UPMUNC XLVII as much as I am and please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have in the coming months.
Best,
Madeleine Shelton
usgcrisis2@upmunc.org
Under-Secretary-General, Crisis Committees
Dear Delegates,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the forty-seventh University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations Conference. My name is Adam Kelmenson and I hold a place on the secretariat as one of three Under-Secretaries-General for Crisis Committees. I, along with my fellow secretariat members, have worked ferociously to ensure this year’s conference is highly professional, educational, engaging and outlandishly fun.
I am currently a sophomore in Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Biological Basis of Behavior with a double minor in Consumer Psychology and Mandarin Chinese. I come from Charm City Baltimore, home of champions. Besides watching the Ravens ascend to glory, I enjoy Archer TV marathons, a round of Monopoly with friends and of course, model UN. I have been involved with MUN since traveling to conferences with my high school’s team; then, when I came to college, I joined the University’s International Affairs Association as an Assistant- Secretary-General. The year after, I served as Under-Secretary-General Crisis, a position I hold for a second term this year.
UPMUNC XLVII offers twelve diverse crisis committees. Everything from ancient civilizations to television shows to computer hacking based topics hold place on our committee roster. The secretariat is committed to bolstering fast-paced, action-packed, engaging debates that challenge delegates’ creativity and diplomatic thinking abilities. Besides committee, UPMUNC XLVII hosts fantastic social events to ensure a “work hard play hard” mentality during the four days of conference. These events take place at the most sought out places in Philadelphia.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions about committee, Model UN, or things to do while in the city of brotherly love. I look forward to meeting all of you at conference.
Sincerely,
Adam Kelmenson
usgcrisis3@upmunc.org
Under-Secretary-General, Crisis Committees
