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VICS XIII is proud to present:
- Modern Simulations
- Historical Simuations
- Joint Crisis: 1571 War for the Mediterranean Sea
Modern Simulations
1. Secretary-General’s Good Offices*
Chaired by Arjun Sharath
The Secretary-General's Good Offices Committee is intended to be the flagship committee of the Virginia International Crisis Simulation. Schools should consider sending their most experienced delegates to participate in this simulation. While the exact nature of the committee will not be revealed to delegates until 2-3 weeks leading up to the conference, delegates attending should expect the simulation to be an extremely challenging and dynamic but wholly unique experience that will force participants to be quick on their feet and adapt to a great deal of change over the course of the weekend.
Background guide: United Nations Security Council: New World Order
2.Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria
Chaired by Akhil Sharath
The Banco Bilbao Viczaya Argentaria (BBVA) is one of the most prominent banks in Spain, and retains many subsidiaries and investments throughout regions of the world. Delegates will debate and react to issues such as devaluations of currencies, foreign direct investment, and competitions from other aggressive firms. The BBVA committee will be dealing with financial issues that affect not only the well being of the company itself, but also help shape international monetary policies. Though it is a Spanish bank, no prior knowledge in Spanish is required.
Background guide: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Aregntaria
3.United Nations Human Rights Council
Chaired by Alia El-Kadi and Carolina Ferrerosa
In March 15th 2006, the General Assembly passed Resolution 60/251 calling for the establishment of The Human Rights Council. According to the resolution, this council is the replacement of the former Commission on Human Rights. The council constitutes 47 members from various regions of the world. Nevertheless, many of the prominent players of the world arena have been opposed to its establishment and are thus not part of the members list of the council, such as the United States and Israel. This committee will discuss several human rights issues, targeting various regions around the globe. Finally, delegates will deal with live issues faced by the Council at the time of the Conference, allowing for dynamic and challenging debate.
Background guide: United Nations Human Rights Council
4.The American League of Lobbyists
Chaired by Charlotte Slaiman
The American League of Lobbyists will examine the many problems facing lobbyists today. Committee members will face attacks on the ethics of their profession as well as attempts to legislate against them and their way of doing business. Delegates can expect to deal with a massive public relations campaign, the nature of which may turn even their fellow committee members against them. Many lobbyists refuse to self-identify or even admit any commonality within their profession, thus making it difficult to amass or mobilize the lobbying community. The strategies the committee can use to combat these problems range from press releases to lobbying members of Congress and their staff, and everything in between.
Background guide: The American League of Lobbyists
5.US Department of Energy
Chaired by Luke Wildfire
A common mantra today in the energy world is "80% by 2050." These numbers mean that the world needs to reduce its CO2 emissions 80% by 2050 in order to prevent the massive damages due to global warming. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the current Speaker of the House, numerous US presidential candidates, and others have pegged this number as the goal to reach (the Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, suggests 60-80%). As the US Department of Energy, this committee will assume 80% by 2050 to be our end goal, and will debate and create policy recommendations to the President on how the US government can, and should, achieve these reductions. Delegates will face topics ranging from the government's role in expanding renewable energy research to the possibility of a moratorium on coal consumption. Given unexpected situations, we will see just how difficult these questions are to answer in the volatile world of US energy politics.
Background guide: US Department of Energy
6.The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam
Chaired by Prashanth Parameswaran
The Liberation Tigers for Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will continue working toward a peaceful resolution to the Tamil question. The LTTE is frustrated by the obstinacy of the Sri Lankan government over the last few decades in deceiving the international community through half-hearted peace initiatives, while denying Tamils their political independence through a campaign of mass murder. Our LTTE Cabinet will have to deal with complex issues such as potential power struggles, funding restrictions and negotiations with the government and other actors. We are also acting in a hostile international environment that refuses to recognize the legitimacy of our armed struggle, particularly during the war on terrorism where hegemonic powers like the US and India are ascendant. But, for the sake of our Tamil brethren, we must remain focused on our freedom struggle in the name of justice and peace.
Background guide: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam
7.The Beijing Organizing Committee of the XXIX Olympiad
Chaired by Maria Li
To cement China's place as the world's next superpower, the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be used to demonstrate domestic stability, harmony, and capability as the international spotlight is turned to the capital city. Indeed, few other Olympics have caught the eye of the world like this one has. Hu Jintao has called it a "major global event" and former International Olympics Committee President Samaranch declared it the "best in history," while Western media has labeled it the "Genocide Olympics," in reference to China's less-than-stellar human rights record. This committee will simulate the executive board of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and address many of the concerns that range from environmental degradation to human rights to free media.
Background guide: The Beijing Organizing Committee of the XXIX Olympiad
8. The Ministry of Magic
Chaired by Taylor Maltz
Get ready for a new kind of diplomacy! Delegates participating in the Ministry of Magic Committee will have to deal with a number of critical issues in international relations. The judicial body of the Ministry will have to handle pressing legal issues. Security threats may trigger an arms race or a need to contain the enemy. Divisive political issues are likely to divide and weaken the Ministry. In addition to these problems (and the many others that are likely to emerge), delegates will have another challenge: magic. Delegates will be trying to solve crises in a world that is not bound by the laws of the muggle world, and should look forward to a dynamic, innovative, and engaging simulation! (*Note: some knowledge of the Harry Potter series is strongly suggested).
Background guide: The Ministry of Magic
Historical Simulations
9. 1956 French Cabinet: Algerian War of Independence
Chaired by Ashly Bauserman
The 1956 French Cabinet will deal with the Algerian War for Independence and more specifically with the Battle of Algiers. In this committee it will be vital to take into account France's best interests in such a complicated economical and moral situation. The cabinet's task will be to attempt to persuade the FLN and Algerians to continue to be part of France despite their desire to gain independence. Remember, this war isn't just being fought in Algeria, as strikes and terrorist attacks are also occurring in France by Algerian immigrants. Another issue is that France's economy is so heavily dependent on Algeria that their independence would create a major financial crisis. Delegates will also have to determine how to deal with the FLN, how to protect the generations of French settlers (Pieds-Noirs) who are the victims of guerilla warfare, and how to deal with the economical setbacks of war. Remember, this may potentially lead to the fall of the Fourth Republic, which you are trying to avoid. If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me.
Background guide: 1956 French Cabinet: Algerian War of Independence
10.The League of Iroquois Nations
Chaired by Caitlin Cummings
Set in the years leading up to and during the French and Indian War (from 1752 to, potentially, 1763), the League of Iroquois Nations will confront the problem of maintaining a loose confederate government in the face of major threats to its security. The League itself consists of representatives from the six different tribes and, while it has little power over domestic issues within a specific tribe, it decides foreign policy and general administration for all of them. The introduction of both French and English settlers and traders disrupted the politics of the Iroquois, and escalating conflict between all sides led up to clashes along the American frontier. The goals of this committee are to foster, within such conflicted times, a strong economic and and security stance that will protect the Iroquois from military, economic, and social dangers.
Background guide: The League of Iroquois Nations
11. 1983 Soviet Politburo: USSR Cold War Crisis
Chaired by Peter Isakoff
This committee will explore the diplomatic intricacies of the Cold War. Specifically, delegates will explore the Cold War from the viewpoint of the 1983 Soviet Union, analyzing and responding to the United States and other Western powers. Delegates will take on positions including Politburo members, esteemed advisors, and military leaders. This committee will deal with fast-paced crises of both diplomatic and military natures, as delegates act to prevent war between the two major powers of the bipolar international system at the time. It should prove a fun and interesting look into the complexities of international relations during the Cold War.
Background guide: 1983 Soviet Politburo: USSR Cold War Crisis
12. Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet: 1982-1985
Chaired by Gary Lawkowski
Treacherous trade unions, terrorists, Juntas, Soviets, and General Elections, these are just some of the issues delegates may have to contend with in Lady Thatcher's government. Delegates will join the Iron Lady in determining the best course of action to preserve the United Kingdom's status on the world stage, reduce the stranglehold of the bureaucracy over the state, and lift the UK out of its economic troubles.
Background guide: Margaret Thatcher's Cabinet: 1982-1985
13. 1951 Chinese Council on Tibet
Chaired by Sarah Zauner
The 1951 Chinese Council on Tibet, directed by Chairman Mao Zedong, will devise a military and political strategy for incorporating greater China into the newly founded People's Republic. With the Korean War, Tibetan insurgencies, and the souring international opinion of Chairman Mao's military campaigns, the Council must test the limits of military action without provoking an insurmountable war. To achieve the vision of the Great Leader, Tibet must be recognized as part of the People's Republic of China, placing sovereignty in the hands of Chairman Mao. The Council should prepare to face obstacles presented by the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people, and the world community that diverge from the actual events of 1951. Om Mani Padme Hum!
Background guide: 1951 Chinese Council on Tibet
14. 1647 England: Building Cromwell's Republic
Chaired by Rachel Easter
Oliver Cromwell's Advisory Council will face the challenges of creating the first republic since the fall of Rome. This historical simulation will begin in 1648 at the start of the second English civil war, and the council will have to make strategic military decisions in order to ensure a victory for Parliament. At the same time, Cromwell's council will be charged with the task of creating the first alternative to monarchy in England since the rise of King Alfred in the ninth century. This task will include decisions about what constitution to create for the new government and what to do with the former King Charles I. This committee will create the world's first modern republic – an event guaranteed to change the world.
Background guide: 1647 England: Building Cromwell's Republic
15. The Most Serene Republic of Venice: 1508 War of the League of Cambrai
Chaired by Drew McBride
In the year 1508, the Most Serene Republic of Venice faced perhaps the most significant threat to its existence in its entire history. Pope Julius II has formed a powerful coalition called the League of Cambrai against Venice, composed of a veritable who's who of continental European powers: Spain, France, and the Holy Roman Empire. No moves have yet been made, but it is only a matter of time before enemy armies are camping in the Veneto. Meanwhile, the surging Ottoman Turks are greedily eyeing Venice's eastern possessions; the threat that they pose cannot be ignored. If there is a saving grace, it is that La Serenissima's enemies have widely divergent goals and interests, and adroit diplomacy may yet allow Venice to survive (perhaps even gain?) from the renewed conflict.
Background guide: 1508 War of the League of Cambrai
16. Medina 632 CE: The First Caliphal Council
Chaired by Haley Hicks
This committee will discuss the issue of succession and the future of the Muslim caliphate after the death of the prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. Following Muhammad's passing, there were numerous conflicts in the Muslim community over who should inherit the title of caliph. What individual should rightfully step into the void left by Muhammad as the political and religious leader of the ummah? Also important to keep in mind is that much of the legitimacy for the power of the caliphate came from the prophet Muhammad. Should Muhammad's political successor claim the same degree of control over the Muslim community? The committee will also have to deal with military challenges from nomadic tribes of the Arabian Peninsula.
Background guide: The First Caliphal Council
Joint Crisis: 1571 War for the Mediterranean Sea
17. 1571 Holy League
Chaired by James Thomas
The Council of the Holy League of 1571 was summoned by the Pope as an anti-Turkish alliance between the Catholic Christian powers of the Mediterranean. After surviving rampant feudal warfare, the Black Death, and religious dissent, Europe finally emerged from the Middle Ages and entered the modern era. However, a new and perhaps greater threat now confronted the states of Christendom: the rising power of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. Following their victory over the
remnants of the once great Byzantines, Turkish armies rapidly conquered most of the Near East and even pushed their borders up to Central Europe, while Turkish corsair fleets plundered Mediterranean coasts. The invasion of Venetian Cyprus by Turkish forces led the Pope to convene this council to create a united Christian bloc to confront the Turkish menace.
Background guide: 1571 Holy League
18. 1571 Ottoman Empire
Chaired by Steven Hartka
The Fall of Constantinople in 1453 to Ottoman forces cemented the empire as the preeminent power of southeastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean. The empire prospered under a line of determined sultans in the early sixteenth century, expanding into central Europe and Northern Africa as well as establishing itself as the dominant naval and trading power in the Mediterranean. The Ottoman expansionist attitude began to wane in the mid-sixteenth century as Europeans established alternative trade routes, which took their toll on the Ottoman economy, and as further military conquest began to be met with more defeat. The Ottoman Empire sits precariously, perhaps on the verge of entering a new phase in Ottoman history, lapsing from an era of territorial, economic and cultural flourishing to one marked by economic stagnation, military atrophy and cultural regression. The Ottoman Imperial Cabinet of 1571 must face a united front in Europe determined to repulse the Ottomans from Christian land and the incipient problems of an overextended empire as entrepreneurial leaders in the far corners of Ottoman territory seek to profit from the growing perception of weakness in the Sublime Porte.
Background guide: 1571 Ottoman Empire
Please direct all general enquiries about committees, background guides and conference protocols to the Director-General, Max Griffith, at pmg2k@virginia.edu.
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