The Security Council Simulation at Yale features a “Paradise Lost” committee that takes MUN to a whole new level — literally.
The committee began on Thursday with Lucifer chairing a gathering of the angels to question God’s creation of man. They debated free will, existence, and the meaning of faith. Check out this discussion between Lucifer (standing, wearing red) and an angel defending God (sitting, wearing blue):
The first crisis broke with the voice of God coming out of the committee room’s speakers. Lucifer was cast out and replaced as committee chair by — you guessed it — Jesus Christ:
Then, the most epic crisis update ever — Adam and Eve eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Lucifer comes back to committee — while eating an apple — and all Hell breaks loose. She leaves with half of the angels and the committee becomes a joint crisis. Angels loyal to God remain in Heaven — the committee room on the 2nd floor of the building — and the “Fallen” angels descend down to Hell — a room in the building’s basement with the lights purposefully kept off. (Video courtesy of SCSY’s tumblr blog)
The committee’s directors have clearly paid a lot of attention to detail. Just look at the background guide, which is well-designed with neat quotes throughout. And check out the “Works Cited” section:
Is this blasphemy? It doesn’t seem any more blasphemous than Milton writing Paradise Lost itself or any author or artist that has created a work of art based on the Bible.
Does any of this have to do with the United Nations or international relations? The UN, no — IR, maybe, since the committee is actually about using the armies of the ancient Middle East to wage a proxy war between Heaven and Hell. (The committee timeline will even take place across different stages of civilization.)
But do the delegates — I mean angels — have to do research, make speeches, hold caucus, write resolutions/directives, debate them, think critically, and invent creative solutions? Yes. These are relevant skills to any MUN committee, and to any job or leadership role, for that matter. And, in addition to the kind of political discussions you would expect from an MUN committee, this committee also features ancient history, literature, and philosophy.
It alludes to something I discussed with Karen at CMUNNY V last week — You can use MUN to explore something you’re passionate about. It’s a cool concept, and I’m looking forward to covering this committee throughout the conference.
Is this committee cool or controversial? Let us know in the comments!
