Welcome to Joint Crisis Committee: Spartan 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
Welcome to the Spartan Council!
As your chair, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Shubhi Nigam and I've been involved in Model U.N. since junior year of high school. I had the privilege of serving on the UPMUNC Secretariat for two years. I am currently a senior, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Economics and minoring in History and Math. And when I'm not making annoying graphs and programming, I tend to spend my time eating frozen yogurt and watching reruns of LOST, HIMYM, Glee, SNL's digital shorts and the original Star Wars movies. As a self-confessed Laconophile, I've been obsessed with Spartan culture since I was in a high school.
Sparta was a dominant state in Ancient Greek politics. Even though this role ended by 362BC, the fascination for this warrior state and its unparalleled strength and army has survived through the ages. While Athens was known for its philosophers and its ideas, Sparta was known for its soldiers and glory in war. This year at The Ivy League Model United Nations Conference, you will be assuming the roles of the leaders of Spartan state. You, my Spartans, have the chance to rewrite history and ensure Spartan hegemony over the Achaean. If you do accept this challenge, be aware a number of roadblocks lie before you. This includes fighting the weak-minded Athenians.
Frank, Zack and I have had the pleasure to be working this year with perhaps one of the strongest crisis analysts at the conference. We have been plotting to create havoc and intrigue in both Sparta and Athens. If you do have any questions at all, please feel free to email our USG, Yadavan Mahendraraj.
At the end, I would like to leave you with this: This isn't madness. THIS IS SPARTA!
Yours,
Shubhi Nigam
Chair, Joint Crisis Committee: Spartan Cabinet
Ivy League Model United Nations Conference XXVIII
Dear Delegates,
My name is Zachary Kleinbart, and I am thrilled to be your Crisis Director for ILMUNC XXVIII. I am a junior studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, along with Mathematics and Psychology as minors. Besides being involved in Penn’s International Affairs Association, I serve as a Big Brother and a volunteer in several organizations. I was born right here in Philadelphia, though I have lived most of my life in New Jersey. Throughout all of my years, I have shown an immense interest in foreign affairs and history. Therefore, this committee is perfect for my interests; I know it will be perfect for your interests as well.
I have been involved with Model UN since my sophomore year of high school. In addition, this ILMUNC will be the second time that I will be a Crisis Director. Therefore, I look forward to bringing all of my experience and enthusiasm to ILMUNC this year. Frank, Shubhi, I, and the rest of the team are excited to produce a fantastic crisis simulation for you. This committee will thrust us into a political situation full of tension, turmoil, and an uncertain future. I eagerly anticipate seeing how you tackle many of the issues facing the Spartans, the city of Lacedaemon, and by association, much of the larger Greek world. I know that you all will be creative and bold, establishing this as one of ILMUNC’s best committees.
Good Luck,
Zachary Kleinbart
Crisis Director, Joint Crisis Committee: Spartan 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.