Secretary-General's Good Offices
Modern Simulations:
Historical Simulations:
Joint Simulations
- TROY: 1250 BC
- ILLICIT ACTIVITIES OF EASTERN EUROPE
Any questions or concerns regarding VICS XV committees can be directed to the Director-General Naz Mertsoy.
Secretary General's Good Offices
Chaired by: Emma King
**This committee requires an additional application process. Head delegates will be notified of the process through our Charge d'Affaires in order to notify their respective delegations. Any questions can be directed to the Charge Melissa Rickman or our Director-General Naz Mertsoy.
The Secretary-General's Good Offices Committee is intended to be the flagship committee of the Virginia International Committee 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 guides and position dossiers will be provided to delegates directly by the chair.
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Modern Simulations
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC-EP)
Chaired by: Malerie Ma
FARC-EP will be a current crisis committee. Delegates will have to continue their political and ideological struggle against the Colombian government all the while monitoring the various enterprises of the organization. Both international and domestic fronts will be part of the discussion. Debate will be fast-paced and delegates should be prepared to discuss any relevant topic at a moment's notice, possible topics will be further addressed in the background guide.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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Indian Summit on Security 2010
Chaired by: Nikhi Kasibhotla
The Indian Summit on Security is a forum which promotes open and constructive discussion on issues of security within South Asia. With the collaboration of distinguished leaders from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the United States, India is honored to host the Indian Summit on Security 2010 in New Delhi, India from March 25th- 28th. This summit is a platform from which some of the key security issues concerning India and its neighbors are discussed and are attempted to be resolved. Topics could range from the dynamics of Indo-Afgan relations and recent Taliban insurgency, to nuclear proliferation in India and Pakistan, to territorial disputes between India and its neighbors, and to the long-running presence of the Jammu-Kashmir dispute. The format of this summit will be similar to that of a real summit. It will be structured as a formal debate with opening and closing speeches delivered by each leader. The leaders of each nation will be expected to meet with each other both within and outside of the formal discussion to discuss their views and make any contributions on their nation's behalf towards resolutions. One of the main purposes of the Indian Summit on Security 2010 is to bring about effective and realistic solutions to some of these key security issues in addition to strengthening the ties between member nations.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
Chaired by: Vinitra Rangan
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2009 (generally known as the Oscars Committee) is one of the most prestigious film-making bodies in the world. It is composed of about 6000 members, all of whom vote on awards in their particular field of interest. At VICS XV, delegates will get the chance to be members of the Academy themselves. Films discussed will be those that are contention this year (the 82nd annual awards) in order to be most relevant. Being in the committee does not require watching any of the movies that are in contention! No matter how involved delegates are with the film industry, they are sure to have a fun time.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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The Supreme Court of Justice of Peru
Chaired by: Muna Ali
Supreme Court of Justice of Peru will explore the trial of former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori and his chief of National Intelligence Services Vladimiro Montesinos for human rights abuses that includes murder, kidnapping, and crimes against humanity while Fujimori held office from 1990-2000. The court will explore the charges in two time increments: 1990-1995 and from 1996-2000. Delegates will represent key parties that either are pro- Fujimori and Montesinos or against and should be prepared to set out to convince the court whether Fujimori and Montesinos are guilty or innocent.
Link to Background Guide
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US Central Command (USCENTCOM)
Chaired by: John Hoehn
This committee will be focused on the area of responsibility of one of the unified combat commands, Central Command. This area of responsibility includes the Middle East, Central and most of South Asia. This is one of the busiest areas of operations, encompassing both Iraq and Afghanistan, and has other challenging nations to deal with, such as Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. We will be discussing several issues regarding the future of operations in CENTCOM including: Iraq, Afghanistan, and possible operations in the rest of the area of responsibility.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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Khamenei's Special Cabinet 2010
Chaired by: Peter Slag
After intense pressure from opposition forces, the religious establishment, and former leaders, Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, has announced plans for a special cabinet to address the issues that threaten the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic and the stability of Iran. Ayatollah Khamenei, concerned with what he believes to be existential threats to the Islamic Republic, has requested more than a dozen of Iran's most powerful figures (including Rafsanjani, Ahmedinejad, Moussavi, Khatami, and Jafari) come together to settle internal political crisis, as well as address external security threats. The agenda will include analysis of the 2009 elections (election reform, coalitions, power-sharing, opposition grievances), Iran's nuclear program (domestic power uses, weapons, facility security), and Iran's relationship with the international community (US, EU, Israel, Iraq, and China).
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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Historical Simulations
King Henry VIII's Privy Council
Chaired by: Anna Mohan
Welcome to King Henry VIIIs Privy Council! As the King's most intimate advisors you are all tasked with helping him to shape both the public face of the monarchy in England as well as counseling the King in his private matters. The Privy Council has legislative, administrative and judicial power, so delegates must be prepared to face numerous challenges from trying treasonous subjects to tackling the growing tension between England and the Church in Rome. Remember, you have the ability to change the course of England. Feel free to voice your opinion but beware of the fate of those who subvert the King.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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1587 Roanoke: The Lost Colony
Chaired by: Zenubia Madhani
In 1585 and 1587, two groups of settlers were sent by Sir Walter Raleigh, who had made a deal with Queen Elizabeth I of England to establish a colony in North America within 10 years. Though the first group of settlers came back to England safely in 1586, the second group of settlers did not ever make it back. In fact, they disappeared, leaving the word "Croatan" carved into their fort. The job of the committee is to come back with information from John White, who had led the second group but had returned to England to get aid for the settlers. The committee will be working to find out what happened to them and deal with pressure from the Queen, all the while, trying to avoid the same fate as the settlers.
Link to Background Guide
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1954-1962: The French Administration in Algeria
Chaired by: Lilly Frost
The French Government's Committee on Algeria takes place in 1954 at the start of the Algerian fight for independence. The government will address the attacks of resistance groups and the negative publicity of this intense colonial campaign as it confronts the struggle of maintaining Algeria as a French department. Amid these concerns, the committee must handle deadly cafe bombings, police shootings, and other acts of guerilla warfare done in the name of Algerian freedom. The committee will consist of appointed members of the French government and army and will run under informal parliamentary procedure.
Link to Background Guide
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China AD 220: Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chaired by: Yang He
The Romance of the Three Kingdoms takes place during the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of China. Officials, warlords, and heroes will navigate through this complex era as the major role-players in one of the three kingdoms. Crisis will erupt, not only as historical events play out, but also as the participants commence their own hidden schemes, be it for revenge, power, or jealousy. This era is one of the bloodiest in Chinese history, marked by the conflict between the Wei, Shu, and Wu. You will be tasked to survive, rise above the fray, and pronounce your kingdom's legitimate succession from the Han Dynasty.
Link to Background Guide
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1980-1991: The Fall of the KGB
Chaired by: Anup Myneni
Since the days of Stalin, the Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti, more commonly known as the KGB, has served as a key central intelligence agency for the USSR in both domestic and foreign affairs. As the KGB has served as a unit for providing information and support on other nations in Europe and the United States, as well as for ideological suppression within the USSR to protect the current regime, committee members in this simulation will deal with both of these areas. As of 1980, the political climate in the USSR is changing, which will present problems for the KGB as the organization attempts to maintain its status in the Russian government. In particular, the KGB must reconcile itself with and react to the Glasnost movement in USSR and the impact that it may have on the functioning and power of the KGB. Committee members will be faced with the task of countering political opposition directed at the government of the USSR. During this time, however, the KGB must still contend with important foreign policy issues, including quite prominently the conflict in Poland. The KGB, as a vital body of the USSR, is faced with the challenge of undermining the Solidarity movement in Poland which seeks to destroy the Polish Communist Party which has strong ties to the USSR. This issue and other foreign policy areas of interest to the USSR in the 1980s will be presented to the committee to act upon and resolve, leading up to 1991.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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US Commission of Automobile and Energy 1991-2010
Chaired by: Shruti Ektare
The United States Commission of Automobile and Energy (1991-2010) is a fictional semi-historical committee that focuses on the U.S. automobile crisis of 2007/2008. This committee will pull together a unique blend of domestic and foreign automobile and oil companies to reintroduce the economic instability related to the market with several twists. Delegates will aim to act in the best interest of their company and nation whilst also securing a bright and productive future. Because the time period of the committee goes back into the early 1990s and continues into present day, the companies who are part of this commission will get an opportunity to "recreate" the past decade to work in their favor. The nature of the Commission also allows for international factors to come into greater focus. While a thorough knowledge of the automobile crisis from both a global and national standpoint is encouraged, economic innovation and strategy in relation to the related markets is equally valuable.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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The Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921
Chaired by: Katy Egan
This committee will be rewriting the Anglo-Irish treaty which was signed on December 6, 1921 by the English and Irish and ended the Irish War of Independence. Historically the Treaty granted the Irish a degree of independence, though they remained in the British Empire. Theoretically it was supposed to allow the English to be less entangled in Irish troubles and end the fighting in Ireland. The treaty was unsuccessful in that it did not help England separate from Irish troubles nor did it bring peace to Ireland. When presented in the Dail Eireann, the Irish governing body, several members walked out, then began to violently oppose the Treaty resulting in a Civil War. This instability so close was a great risk to England who was then dragged into a conflict in Northern Ireland primarily between the Irish nationalists and the English and Scottish who supported England. The committee will be historic, functioning in 1921, and will be composed of an English and Irish delegation who will take positions on the issues and create a new treaty. The purpose of the committee will be to find a solution which would possibly have avoided both conflicts.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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Joint Simulations
Troy: 1250 BC
The Achaean League
Chaired by: Jessica Allison
During VICS XV the Achaean League will address the Trojan War post-Iliad. Committee will take place during the ninth year of the Trojan War, approximately 1200 BC. Topics for discussion will include 1) Trade concerns between the Trojan council and the Achaean league, 2) Political consolidation within the Achaean league and 3) War events leading up to the Trojan horse and the potential burning of Troy. Members will each represent leaders within the Achaean League from respected Greek city-states. It is vital that delegates remember that the outcome of the Trojan War is now in our hands - we are in no way constrained by written historical events pertaining to the end of the War. Get creative and get excited for VICS XV!!!
Link to Background Guide
The Trojan Council
Chaired by: Ilona de Zamaroczy
VICS XV will play host to a joint-crisis simulation pitting the historic Achaean League against the Trojan Council in a recreation of the events of the Trojan War, approximately 1200 BC. Delegates will be assigned positions representing leaders among the Trojan allies and the crises will be set against the backdrop of the ninth year of the war. Topics for debate will cover 1) trade concerns between the Trojan Council and the Achaean League, 2) political turmoil and ascendency within the Trojan Council, and 3) diplomatic or war strategies to end the siege. While the premise for this committee is rooted in history, literature, and myth, the victor of the VICS XV Trojan War has not been predetermined...
Link to Background Guide
Illicit Activities of Eastern Europe
Year: 2010
The International Convention of Illicit Arms Dealers
Chaired by: Mark Goldberg
A fascinating business opportunity has presented itself to the arms dealers of the world- an Eastern European conflict which they can potentially perpetuate for the indefinite future. An effort of such magnitude means an unprecedented level of coordination will be required. With great suspicion, the most powerful illegal arms traffickers around the world have gathered in one place to plan and execute the most lucrative war history has ever seen. Delegates should be prepared for an extremely fast-paced crisis- as always, the dealers will be constantly on the run from European police forces and will need to cover their tracks and involvement in the matter. The attendees to the convention will have their own private arsenals and guard forces at their disposal, to be used against civilians, government, or one another- and naturally, will be constrained only by their consciences. Are you ruthless enough to emerge from the fray victorious?
Link to Background Guide
European Police Commission on Trafficking
Chaired by: Andrew Koch
This committee will be a Joint Crisis Committee between two fictional groups: The European Police Commission on Trafficking and the International Convention of Illicit Arms Dealers. The committee will consist of the European Police Commission's attempts to halt the illegal arms trafficking being conducted by the arms dealers in Eastern Europe. The European Police Commission on Trafficking will consist of representatives from a select group of countries in Eastern Europe as well as representatives of several intergovernmental organizations. Delegates will be able to utilize both the power of the Commission and also their home governments to stop the traffickers or deal with them in some way. The committee will be completely crisis based from committee session one, but delegates should expect issues to include the trafficking of small arms, biological and chemical weapons, and potentially nuclear material.
Link to Background Guide (pdf)
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