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Davis Model United Nations Conference Xvii Crisis: Avatar 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. MAY 18-19, 2019 1 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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] MAY 18-19, 2019 2 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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 MAY 18-19, 2019 3 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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. MAY 18-19, 2019 4 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR Topic: Avatar: The Last Airbender MAY 18-19, 2019 5 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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, MAY 18-19, 2019 6 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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 MAY 18-19, 2019 7 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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". MAY 18-19, 2019 8 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR 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 MAY 18-19, 2019 9 DAVIS MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE XVII CRISIS: AVATAR controlled almost the entirety of the Earth Kingdom, to the point of near victory.
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