Welcome to Joint Crisis Committee: Athenian Cabinet
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to Greece, a seething cauldron of martialism and diplomacy, where the gods looked down from Olympus, and war was a fact of life. You will meet here as two factions separated by divergent interests but bound by history.
Here you have the chance to defy history this once and allow peace and reason to prevail, or plunge the whole thing into a chaotic tempest of blood and betrayal. I think I can guess what you will choose.
I am a senior pursuing degrees in International Relations and Chinese. I have been involved in Model United Nations for 4 years now during which I have managed many military simulations. And since a cursory glance at the other introductory letters reveals them to include a little E-Harmony pitch, I enjoy snowboarding, good food, and the movie Jurassic Park.
As your Coordinating Crisis Director, I am looking forward to seeing what you will do.
Remember, history is a setting only. From the instant the session begins your own decisions, plots and strategies will swiftly and surely rock events off of the historical track. That is what makes it interesting. So I prepare your plots and brandish your spears and meet us on the fields of war.
Yours,
Frank Horan,
Coordinating Crisis Director, Joint Crisis Committee
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVIII
“For this was certainly the greatest commotion that ever happened among the Grecians, reaching also to part of the barbarians and, as a man may say, to most nations.” – Thucydides 1.2
Dear Delegates,
I am absolutely thrilled to be chairing the Athenian Cabinet in the Athens-Sparta Joint Crisis Committee at ILMUNC this year. Sadly, this is my last ILUMNC and final Model UN conference (please don’t ask how many I’ve been a part of). I know that this conference will continue ILMUNC’s proud traditions of great debate, stellar delegates, and tons of fun.
I am a senior in the College, double-majoring in Classical Studies and Political Science. I’ve had a wonderful four years at Penn, and I am so happy that my capstone committee is one involving the Peloponnesian War, as this period of history is one I have both studied extensively and enjoy. I hope that all of you take the time to read at least sections of the two principle histories of the war, Thucydides’ History of the Peloponnesian War and Xenophon’s Hellenica. Not only are both of these excellent sources for understanding the causes and scope of the conflict (more on this will be covered in the background guide), but also they are some of the greatest literature mankind has ever produced.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us through our USG, Yadavan Mahendraraj. We would be more than willing to help with research, and I am so pumped for this committee!
All my best,
Taylor Williams
Chair, Joint Crisis Committee: Athenian Cabinet
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVIII
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the 2011 Ivy League Model United Nations Conference! It is my sincere pleasure to serve as one of your Crisis Directors for this Joint Crisis Committee, Athens vs. Sparta. Our staff has worked very hard over the past year to present you with the best crises and I hope that you will have as much fun in committee as we did in preparing!
To introduce myself, my name is Subhadra Aiyer and I am currently a senior studying Bioengineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Penn. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas – so yes, it’s acceptable for me to say ‘y’all’. Apart from my involvement with the International Affairs Association, I work in a systems biology lab on campus and I am a member of a South Asian performing arts group. In my free time, I can be found on Youtube or watching a basketball game or tennis match.
If you have any questions at all – Model U.N. related or otherwise, feel free to shoot our USG an email, and he can forward any relevant questions to us! Be sure to read the background guide, get some rest, and get pumped for ILMUNC!
Sincerely,
Subhadra Aiyer
Crisis Director, Joint Crisis Committee: Athenian Cabinet
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVIII
Topic Summary
The year is 431 BC, with the Second Peloponnesian War just on the horizon. The leaders of the ancient city-states of Athens and Sparta are faced with momentous decisions that could alter the future of their societies for hundreds of years to come or even bring about the ruin of their civilization. Though the taste of honor and glory outweighs the flavor of blood from battle in many ministers’ mouths, diplomacy and clear heads ultimately attempt to prevail. The cabinets of Athens and Sparta will debate political decisions, delicately maintaining the balance of power in their societies and attempting to hold onto their own power as well as protect the lives of their citizens. Though ultimately military action may need to be taken, representatives will succeed if war can be avoided through shrewd diplomacy and negotiation. This task will not be easy, and delegates must be prepared to face the unexpected at every turn.