Crisis: Avatar
Davis Model United Nations
Conference XVII
May 18-19, 2019 University of California, Davis
DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR
The following content was developed by members of the Davis Model
United Nations conference planning team for the sole purpose of framing
delegate discussions and debate at the conference and does not represent any
official position of the University or anyone engaged in preparing the materials.
Delegates should use this information to guide their research and preparation for
the conference but should not assume that it represents a complete analysis of
the issues under discussion. The materials should not be reproduced, circulated or
distributed for any purpose other than as may be required in order to prepare for
the conference.
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Letter from the Chair and Crisis Director
Esteemed Delegates, Welcome to the 2019 Davis Model United Conference (DMUNC)! We have the pleasure to introduce you to the Avatar the Last Airbender Crisis Committee. My name is Aislinn Matagulay and I will be your Head Chair for this year’s DMUNC. I am a freshman here at UC Davis. I have found a great sense of community in Davis’ MUN club. I was the Chief of Staff at AggieMUN, our collegiate conference and had a wonderful time working with the staff and competitors to make it a fun conference. I am looking forward to the rest of the year to compete in conferences across California and to host you all at DMUNC in May! My name is Thais Terrien and I will be your Crisis Director for this year’s DMUNC. I have been in MUN since middle school and have found it to be my favorite part of college. I recently organized our annual Model United Nations Collegiate Conference in January. I have also competed in conferences across California and even New York! I love Model United Nations because of all the friends I have made and the opportunities it has brought me! We are here to create a fun, inventive, and crazy committee. We want to see cooperation because world peace will not be achieved unless everyone in committee collaborates! We are also looking for people to come up with unique Crisis Arcs and Directives. The more innovative and original you are, the more you will enjoy committee. In order to be successful, you should come prepared! Read the topic guide and look up more descriptive character descriptions on the internet. Watch the show and try to build ideas from previous successful ones. Have fun researching and we will make sure to create a very fun environment at DMUNC! See you all in May and get ready to make a difference!
“I'm gonna make a difference this time.” Avatar Aang
Sincerely,
Aislinn Matagulay and Thais Terrien Head Chair and Crisis Director French Resistance Crisis Committee Davis Model United Nations XVII [email protected]
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Committee Background
The Meeting of the Four Nations
This committee, meeting in the summer of 100 AG, will be a convergence of leaders
from all of the Four Nations, representing governments, military powers, prominent figures,
and organizations responsible for influencing major events during the war. The reign of Ozai
has been put to an end by the Avatar, and Fire Lord Zuko has taken the throne, declaring an
armistice to end the war. However, a century of fighting has taken a heavy toll on the world
and its people, drastically changing the land and its people. It is the task of this committee to
begin repairing the damage done across the nations, and restoring balance to the world.
Each of the four nations underwent significant changes over the course of the war.
The Southern Water Tribes were decimated, leaving the capital city abandoned and the
tribes devastated; much of their culture was lost along with their people. Additionally, their
connection with the Northern water Tribe was lost, and one hundred years of separation left
the cultures to grow apart.
The Earth Kingdom has been under Fire Nation occupation for years-- as well as
disrupting their way of life, many were forced into exile, imprisoned in military camps, and
made refugees after the destruction of their homes. The Fire Nation, which has caused much
of the misery and devastation, has remained nearly untouched-- but how do they go from
being an imperial nation to one of peace? Lastly, as of this moment, Avatar Aang has been
missing for several years. While the rest of the world is trying to bring peace and unity, the
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Avatar is not there to help them. It is up to this committee to better relations in order to
convince Aang to return.
Disclaimers
o The Legend of Korra will not be used in this committee.
o All characters now have Bending Powers.
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Topic: Avatar: The Last Airbender
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History
The Four Nations
The World of Avatar was originally divided into four independent nations: the Air
Nomads, the Water Tribe, the Earth Kingdom, and the Fire Nation. Each location has unique
physical geography, landmarks, climates, and demography which conform to the quality or
attributes of the nation's corresponding element. The Air Nomads have four temples located
in the north, south, east, and west of the Earth.
There are two main Water Tribes, situated north and south of the Earth Kingdom, the
most expansive and populated state in the world. The Fire Nation is located in the west of
the world and is an archipelago of volcanic islands. Each nation has a predominant season,
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and geography has a great influence on the customs and culture of each country. Each
nation is politically independent from the others, having its own system of government and
political autonomy.
The Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom are ruled by hereditary monarchies, who exert
control over local leadership; the Earth Kingdom by a confederate monarchy, and the Fire
Nation by an absolute monarchy. The Water Tribes are confederations with regional tribal
chiefs working in tandem. The Air Nomads, before their eradication, were led by theocratic
councils in each of the four temples. Each nation was also home to its own unique element,
and groups of people called benders who can manipulate said elements.
The Avatar
The Avatar is the human embodiment of light and peace through the connection with
the Avatar Spirit. As the only physical being with the ability to bend all four elements, it is
considered the Avatar's duty to master the four bending arts and use that power to keep
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balance among the four nations of the world, as well as between mankind and spirits. Upon
death, the Avatar Spirit causes the Avatar to reincarnate into the next nation, dictated by
the cyclic order: fire, air, water, and earth.
As part spirit, the Avatar possesses an innate connection to the Spirit World and is at
their strongest in that realm, due to being surrounded by spiritual energy. The Avatar uses
that connection to the Spirit World to be the bridge between the two worlds in order to
keep peace between them and ensure harmony. The Avatar is also capable of recalling
memories from past lives. This ability, however, can be injured or even completely severed.
Avatar Aang unintentionally weakened his connection to all his past lives who came before
Avatar Roku when he broke off his relationship with the Fire Nation Avatar, though he
managed to restore the connection.
The Avatar also possesses the ability to bend energy itself, although few Avatars
have learned this technique, and even fewer have used it. Avatar Aang learned it from the
last living lion turtle and used it to remove Phoenix King Ozai's firebending, ending the
Hundred Year War. Upon mastering control of the Avatar State, after having learned to bend
the four elements, an Avatar is referred to as "fully realized".
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The Hundred Year’s War
The Hundred Year War, also known as the War or the Great War, was a major global
military conflict that lasted for a century. The struggle was between the Fire Nation and the
other three nations: the Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes, and the Air Nomads. However,
over the course of the escalating conflict, several smaller factions became involved in the
fighting as well. The war was initiated by Fire Lord Sozin, who wished to expand the Fire
Nation into a worldwide empire and spread what he saw as his nation's prosperity to the
rest of the world.
Beginning with the genocide of the Air Nomads in 0 AG (After Genocide), the Fire
Nation took advantage of the disappearance of the Avatar, the arrival of a great comet that
enhanced their bending abilities, and their advanced military and technology to wage war
across the four nations and assert their rule over the world. By 99 AG, the Fire Nation had
effectively eradicated the Air Nomads, virtually annihilated the Southern Water Tribe, and
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controlled almost the entirety of the Earth Kingdom, to the point of near victory. The return
of the Avatar that same year, however, caused Fire Lord Ozai to begin taking greater and
greater risks in order to take out the Avatar and exert his control over the areas the Avatar
ventured in his quest to master all forms of bending. Along the way, they were able to glean
information necessary to ending the war: Fire Lord Ozai planned to use Sozin’s Comet to
increase the Fire NAtion’s bending ability, and make their final push to end the war-- but
directly before, they would be left completely defenseless due to a total eclipse, giving the
Avatar and his allies the perfect time to strike.
Sozin’s Comet
Although the Avatar and his friends worked hard to stage the perfect attack while
the Fire Nation lay defenseless, their window of opportunity was missed, and the Fire Nation
readied it’s armies. When Sozin's Comet made its return to the world, Ozai launched his
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massive attack on the Earth Kingdom with his armada of airships. When he arrived at the
Wulong Forest, which he quickly proceeded to incinerate, Avatar Aang confronted him.
Despite Aang's pleas to end the Hundred Year War peacefully, Ozai attacked him. At first,
Ozai and Aang were evenly matched, but Aang refused to go on the offensive due to his
belief that all life was sacred. Ozai gained the upper hand, but accidentally smashed Aang
into a rock that hit the scar on his back where Azula had struck him with lightning at Ba Sing
Se. This released the pent up energy there and opened his seventh chakra, allowing Aang to
enter the Avatar State.
Using the Avatar State's power, Aang went on the offensive. Despite his enhanced
firebending, Ozai was quickly overwhelmed and forced to retreat. Aang pursued him and
eventually pinned him down. But just as he was about to deliver the finishing blow, Aang left
the Avatar State. Instead of killing Ozai, Aang used energybending to strip him of his
firebending. Defenseless without his bending ability, the Avatar and his friends were able to
apprehend him and end the offensive. Prince Zuko was instated as the new Fire Lord, and
finally declared an end to the war.
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Character List
Katara - The sweet and strong Katara, who helped lead Aang to confront both Zuko and
the Fire Lord, has established a happy life after the fallout of the titular battle. As a leader in
both waterbending and water healing, Katara has also outlawed bloodbending in the New
Republic. She still maintains great connections with the Southern Water Tribe, despite living
outside of it.
Sokka - Best friends with Aang and one of the strongest warriors in the world, Sokka is a
force to be reckoned with. He has incredibly smart and tactical ways to fight. He is also very
strong with his boomerang. After the restoration of peace, he learned Water Bending. He is
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currently a military general, working to create peace and harmony in the world. He has
strong connections in the Water Tribes and gets along well with Zuko.
Hakoda- Hakoda was the father of Sokka and Katara, the husband of the late Kya, the
son of Kanna, and the chieftain of a minor tribe at the South Pole that was part of the
Southern Water Tribe tribal confederation. Even though Hakoda was not the formal chief of
the Southern Water Tribe, he was one of its most prominent leaders at the end of the
Hundred Year War, skilled as talented ship captain, igloo builder, and weapons maker.
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Bato- Bato was a member of the Southern Water Tribe and a close friend of Katara and
Sokka's father, Hakoda, since childhood. He was somewhat of a paternal figure to Katara
and Sokka in their father's stead, thus he cared about their well-being and was a loyal and
brave warrior who would do anything to protect his tribe.
Chief Arnook- Arnook is the chief of the Northern Water Tribe. He was born and
raised in the North Pole, where he trained as a warrior. Following his father's death more
than twenty years prior to Team Avatar's arrival at the North Pole, Arnook assumed the role
of the chief. Though he was not a waterbender, the other men respected him, and he grew
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to become a great leader. He was a noble, brave leader who always put the concerns of his
citizens first.
Master Pakku- Pakku was a Northern-style waterbending master and instructor who
possessed immense skill and power, and was once regarded as the best waterbender in the
world. Due to his great waterbending skills and wisdom, Pakku was also a member of the
Order of the White Lotus, taking part in the liberation of Ba Sing Se.
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Toph Beifong - Born in the Earth Kingdom in the town of Gaolong, Toph is an
earthbending master, a metalbender, was a close friend to the Avatar, and has discovered
the badgermoles--all while blind. After the success of the Avatar in stopping the Fire Nation,
Toph became the Chief of Police, and the leader of the Metal Bending Police Force in
Republic City.
Earth King Kuei- The 52nd Earth King, Kuei, was the ruler of the Earth Kingdom
during the latter part of the Hundred Year War. For most of his early reign he was nothing
more than a figurehead, with the true power residing with the city's Grand Secretariat, Long
Feng. Kuei returned to take his rightful place as Earth King following the conclusion the War,
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and afterward tried his best to be a strong and benevolent ruler for his people to redeem his
past.
King Bumi- Bumi was the wild-eyed, eccentric, elderly King of Omashu. As a child, Bumi
had been a close friend of Avatar Aang and he remained Aang's only friend from before the
Hundred Year War confirmed to still be alive. Although Bumi appeared senile, he was in fact
a brilliant and patient tactician, willing to wait until the opportune moment to strike in order
to produce the most favorable outcome.
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General How- How was a top general, the leader of the Council of Five, and a
longtime veteran of the Hundred Year War. Essentially being the supreme officer of the
Earth Kingdom military and the primary military adviser of the Earth King, How's primary
duty was to guard the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se. However, he was also involved with the
Earth Kingdom's war effort outside the wall, providing resources, troops, and intelligence to
the generals located in other bases throughout the Earth Kingdom. A man of honor and
courage, General How was proud to serve his kingdom in their war against the Fire Nation.
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General Fong- General Fong was a powerful earthbender and a high-ranking officer
in the Earth Kingdom Army. An aggressive strategist, he was well known for his unusual
tactics. He was different from the other officers, having a less formal education, but this set
him apart and helped him on his path to becoming a general. Since General Fong started at
such a low rank, the men under his command considered him one of their own and they
were extremely loyal to him.
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Suki - Suki is the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors and is well respected because of her
leadership and combat skills. She is very good friends with Aang and Sokka and of course,
with all the other Kyoshi Warriors. After helping Team Avatar with stopping Sozin and the
Fire Nation, she has since then learned how to Earth Bend. She is extremely strong not only
mentally, but physically as well, being able to toss aside a grown man with ease.
Master Jeong Jeong- Jeong Jeong, also known as The Deserter, was a strong,
enlightened, yet embittered firebending master who witnessed firsthand the hardships of
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the Hundred Year War. Once an honored admiral of the Fire Nation Navy, he disagreed with
Fire Lord Ozai's oppressive and cruel way of ruling, and defected from the military. He was
the first person to desert the Fire Nation military and live to tell the tale. Because of this, he
came to be known as "The Deserter" and was regarded as a legend. He relocated to the
Earth Kingdom, where he encountered a small tribe who became his travel companions. As a
member of the Order of the White Lotus, he aided in the liberation of Ba Sing Se.
Ty Lee - Daughter of a nobleman and former best friend of Azula, Ty Lee has traveled
across the four nations and made many friends, including the Kyoshi Warriors. She is very
skilled in Chi Blocking and has recently learned Fire Bending. Ty Lee is a very personable and
extroverted woman who holds the ability to make friends easily which causes her to have
allies around the world.
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Mai - Stealthy and strong, Mai has the unique ability to throw stilettos and knives with
perfect precision. She is also very close to Ty Lee and use to be best friends with Azula. She
had a small lasting relationship with Zuko which enabled her to work with Team Avatar. Due
to her discreet manner, she is very strong in battle and due to her father working in the
government, she has many connections in the Fire Nation. She has also recently learned Fire
Bending.
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Questions to Consider
1. What is the best role for the Avatar to play as the world heals from war?
2. What is the best direction for the nations to go in terms of restoration?
3. How do you plan to get the Avatar to return?
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Resources and References
www.avatar.wikia.com/wiki
www.bestdelegate.com/mun-made-easy-how-to-get-started-with-model-united-
nations/
www.bestdelegate.com/research/
www.avatar.wikia.com/wiki
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Conference Information
DMUNC is an annual conference hosted by the student-run organization, Model
United Nations at UC Davis, on the University of California, Davis campus. Every May, more
than 500 students from across California and the U.S. come to UC Davis to participate in a
weekend of stimulating debate. Through simulation of UN bodies and other historical
committees, we hope to spread international awareness, appreciation for diplomacy, and a
dedication to improving the world. Our goal is to create an enriching educational experience
for students to realize their personal potential to be strong leaders, confident public
speakers, and concerned global citizens.
With a reputation as one of California’s outstanding Model United Nations
conferences, DMUNC strives to continue its history of seventeen years of distinction as a
novice learning conference for delegates. We thank you for your interest in this conference.
As we have from the beginning, DMUNC promises an exceptional educational opportunity
for delegates.
For more logistical information, questions or concerns, please visit the DMUNC
website at dmunc.org or email the Secretary General, Ms. Romae-Anne Aquino, at
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Secretariat Romae-Anne Aquino Secretary General Elsa Denis Director General Katie Ciulla Under Secretary General of Staff & Under Secretary General of Finance Justin Yap Under Secretary General of Committees & Under Secretary General of Technology Sapna Bhakta Under Secretary General of Public Relations & Under Secretary General of Delegate Services
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