Chicago Model United Nations (ChoMUN) 2012: Solving the World’s Crises

ChoMUN crisis staffers pose for Best Delegate

The Chicago Model United Nations (ChoMUN) conference hit its 15th anniversary this year and had record attendance with over 800 delegates, but it has kept the same values that it started with many years ago: to deliver the best and most fun crises on the college circuit. After also delivering one of the most prominent speakers to hit the Model UN circuit — John Mearsheimer spoke at Opening Ceremonies — the ChoMUN staff and delegates got straight into work on the myriad of crisis committees. Check out our liveblog of the conference below including some insights from ChoMUN staff on what makes a good crisis delegate and crisis staffer! Also, visit the ChoFUN blog for more conference happenings.

Like usual, we try to take photos of delegates in action. ChoMUN was a bonus visit for us and I only had two days at the conference, so unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to go in-depth with the crises and follow the stories. Nevertheless, I do have photos from almost every committee.

But before we begin, here are some insights from the ChoMUN staff on what they look for in a good crisis delegate as well as their own crisis staffers:

A delegate leads a caucus bloc in the Open Government Working Group

Two delegates negotiate an idea off to the side in the Open Government Working Group

Two delegates think over an idea outside the room in the Open Government Working Group

A delegate tries to convince the rest of the bloc to agree with his ideas in the Open Government Working Group

Delegates type up their ideas in the Open Government Working Group

Delegates in action at the Open Government Work Group

The US International Trade Commission makes a speech in the Open Government Working Group

Delegates caucus in the Open Government Working Group

Delegates made new friends at ChoMUN

Delegates review a draft proposal in the Republican National Convention

Delegates collaborate on their ideas on the right to bear arms in the Republican National Convention

Susannah Wang chairs the NASA 2014 committee. Thanks for the shout out when I walked into your committee!

The Chief Financial Officer defends NASA against accusations that they are not transparent

Delegates react to a crisis update in NASA 2014

Delegates in the OAS had to respond to both resolution-style and crisis-style issues

Two delegates in the OAS type up their solutions. Besides these two delegates being some of the best on the circuit, they also have their Model UN fashion down: their shirts and laptop colors match the lighter or darker color of their hair.

A crisis staffer acts as the police and speaks to the Underground Women's Council in Revolutionary Iran

The only male delegate in the Underground Women's Council in Revolutionary Iran did a good job representing a female role

Eftekhar Al-Saltaneh speaks in the Underground Women's Council in Revolutionary Iran

Delegates in the Underground Women's Council in Revolutionary Iran

The dais in the Kandyan Court and the Colonization of Ceylon committee listen closely to the delegates' arguments. The committee was chaired by U.Chicago Head Delegate Mrinalini Ramesh.

A delegate speaks in the Kandyan Court and the Colonization of Ceylon committee

A delegate speaks in the Kandyan Court and the Colonization of Ceylon committee

 

Ceylon chair Mrinalini Ramesh syncs up with the crisis staff. ChoMUN did a good job in executing their crises.

Chair Nick Duque goes over the different directives proposed by delegates in the Brazil 2014 Local Organizing Committee

Delegates caucus in the Brazil 2014 Local Organizing Committee

Two delegates discuss an idea in the Brazil 2014 Local Organizing Committee

Crisis staffers pose for Best Delegate before entering into the Belgian Revolution committee

A delegate speaks in the Belgian Revolution committee

Two banks negotiate a deal in the Giants of Wall Street

Banks in the Giants of Wall Street committee could conduct mergers and acquisitions outside the committee room

The dais of the House Un-American Activities Committee

J. Hardin Peterson speaks in the House Un-American Activities Committee

Francis Case speaks in the House Un-American Activities Committee

Herbert C. Bonner speaks in the House Un-American Activities Committee

A delegate speaks in the Municipal Council of the Shanghai International Settlement

Delegates discuss ideas with each other in the UN Mission in Sudan

A cabinet member in the Emergency Cabinet of Acting President Suharto argues for a peace agreement

A cabinet member in the Emergency Cabinet of Acting President Suharto questions the role of Chinese businessmen in Indonesia

Two crisis staffers represent rival military sides trying to convince delegates to follow their lead

The dais of Emanuele II's Council in the Forging Europe joint crisis

Crisis staffer Will Shaw (left) feeds a delegate a crisis update in Emanuele II's Council

Prince Friedrich Karl makes his arguments in The Great General's Staff in the Forging Europe joint crisis

Karl von Schmidt speaks in The Great General's Staff in the Forging Europe joint crisis

Lt. General von Wasserschleben convinces The Great General Staff committee to take military action

Delegates in action in The Great General's Staff in the Forging Europe joint crisis

The coalition forces explain their proposal to police Iraq in the Operation Iraqi Freedom joint crisis

A delegate speaks in the Operation Iraqi Freedom: Coalition side

A crisis staffer delivers news to the Mahdi Army about Shiite groups burning Christian churches in the Operation Iraqi Freedom joint crisis

The United States of America and the Russian Federation discuss an idea with each other in the Ad Hoc UN Security Council.

Delegates caucus in the Ad Hoc: UN Security Council. Delegates were paired with a partner from a different school.

Caucusing was intense in the Ad Hoc: UN Security Council with so many schools deciding to place their head delegates to this committee. Morocco tries to convince another delegate to agree with his idea here.

Delegates take time to jot down their ideas amid the frenzy of unmoderated caucus in the Ad Hoc: UN Security Council

Awards:

Best Large Delegation: Georgetown University
Outstanding Large Delegation: University of Pennsylvania
Best Small Delegation: Boston University
Outstanding Small Delegation: Columbia University

Congratulations to all the staff and delegates for a successful ChoMUN! This was also the last major conference on the college circuit this year and the last one for many seniors, and we wish all of them good luck as they get ready to graduate. Finally, for those who have been asking, final college rankings will be released after the LAMUN and NYUMUNC conferences end the season.

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