Davis Model United Nations Conference XVIII
Marvel Council
May 16-17, 2020 University of California, Davis
Head Chair: Megan Henderson
Davis Model United Nations Conference XVIII
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 Head Chair
Dear Delegates,
My name is Megan Henderson and it is my honor and privilege to serve as your head chair for the Marvel Council. I am a second-year Political Science major with a Human
Rights minor. This will be my second time staffing at DMUNC—last year I was a crisis staffer for our Avatar committee, and I am so excited to be head chair this year. Other than DMUNC, I was vice chair for both CCCMUN and AggieMUN, our collegiate conference. Within the club, I also compete in conferences on the west coast. I love competing to learn more about geopolitical issues and as someone who wants to pursue a career in politics, I believe MUN is not only fun but extremely informative.
My major and minor are two things I am very passionate about: politics and basic rights for all people. In the future, I hope to work in the government in some capacity to improve people’s lives. I hope to stay in the Sacramento area after graduation to work at the Capitol or another governmental organization.
Outside of MUN-related things, I work for Unitrans, Davis’ bus system, participate in on-campus protests, and work as a camp counselor over the summer. I also enjoy cooking with my friends, going to the farmer’s market, and—when I have any spare time— writing.
I got the idea of a Marvel committee at last year’s DMUNC; Endgame had just been released and Marvel was more popular than ever. I thought that creating a committee revolving around something so prominent in popular culture would be fun yet also have the capacity to discuss serious topics. After re-watching Civil War for what seemed like the millionth time, I knew this was the perfect topic to tackle since such a decisive entity within this movie was the United Nations.
As DMUNC is fast approaching, I grow more excited to hear what will be discussed in committee. With cooperation and diplomacy, we can make this the best DMUNC yet!
Best,
Megan Henderson
(she/her/hers)
Marvel Council
Davis Model United Nations XVIII [email protected]
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Committee Information
Following several world disasters, including the Battle of New York, the attack of
Sokovia, and the bombing in Lagos, world leaders recognized the previous damage and what unrestricted action could entail. While the Avengers are revered to be saviors, their actions have consequences and they must collaborate with international governments to prevent further destruction. The United States and the United Nations have called for the formation of an oversight committee to monitor further missions, for the Avengers were too dangerous to continue to operate privately.
The possibility of governmental patrol splits the Avengers into two blocs: the first headed by Tony Stark, best known as Iron Man, who believes an oversight committee will prevent unnecessary lives from being lost. The other bloc is led by Captain Steve Rogers, best known as Captain America, who believes the panel will strip the superheroes of their freedom and will subject the Avengers to third-party infiltration. As a result, the
Avengers are torn; should they listen to international leaders and agree to surveillance or do they continue saving the world without getting reigned in?
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Topic A: Signing of the Sokovia Accords
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Introduction
The year is 2016, the year following the destruction of Sokovia during the battle of
Ultron. After devastating events in New York and Washington D.C., public opinion of the
Avengers has reached an all-time low. When a mission led by Captain Steve Rogers goes wrong in Lagos, Nigeria, resulting in the death of multiple Wakandan aid workers, the
United Nations comes to the decision that the Avengers are too great of a risk to continue to operate privately.
While Tony Stark agrees that the United Nations should form an oversight committee to ensure there are no further unnecessary losses due to the Avengers, Captain Rogers worries about a loss of freedom and threat of third-party infiltration, namely from
HYDRA, an organization that rivals S.H.I.E.L.D. whose goal is world domination.
Leading up to the signing of the Sokovia Accords in Vienna, the official document to establish the international oversight panel, a bomb detonated by HYDRA exploded in the
UN Building, injuring dozens and killing Wakanda’s King T’Chaka. Captain Rogers, already worried about potential HYDRA infiltration, further opposes the Accords. The
Avengers are further divided on this issue than ever and are facing more international pressure, especially after the bombing.
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Important Terms
1. Attack on the IFID Headquarters: Also known as the Lagos Catastrophe, was
a mission led by Captain Steve Rogers in Lagos, Nigeria, that resulted in the deaths
of multiple aid workers from Wakanda. With public opinion increasingly divided
following the Battle of Sokovia, the destruction in Lagos was deemed a public
relations disaster. Several international politicians, among them Wakanda’s ruler
King T’Chaka, called for the United Nations to create a system of accountability.
2. The Avengers: A team of extraordinary individuals, with either superpowers or
other special characteristics. Its purpose is to protect global stability from inner
or extraterrestrial threats. Though primarily affiliated with the United States of
America, they work with the peaceful interests of the whole world in mind rather
than a specific country or organization.
3. The Battle of New York: Also known as the Attack on New York, the Attack on
Midtown Manhattan, the Manhattan Crisis, and the Incident, was a major battle
between the Avengers and Loki in 2012. This was the first battle with the recently
assembled Avengers and was the first of the negative critique of the group—world
leaders began to call for the regulation of supernatural beings.
4. Battle of Sokovia: A major battle between the Avengers and Ultron in Novi Grad,
Sokovia in 2015. Much of the blame was placed on Tony Stark and more officials
discussed the possibility of regulating superheroes.
5. Battle at the Triskelion: The first open battle between HYDRA and S.H.I.E.L.D. in
2014. Public opinion of the Avengers continued to grow more negative after this
battle.
6. HYDRA: An authoritarian paramilitary-subversive organization bent on world
domination. Its most recent incarnation coming into existence was shortly after the
rise of Nazism in Germany. There are still HYDRA agent’s intent on destroying
S.H.I.E.L.D and killing the Avengers with their most recent attack being the
bombing of the UN Building in Vienna.
7. S.H.I.E.L.D: Acronym for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement,
and Logistics Division. S.H.I.E.L.D. was run by Nick Fury and the World Security
Council in the modern age, S.H.I.E.L.D. had to deal with the significant rise in
enhanced individuals, dangerous advanced technology, and alien contact. All the
problems S.H.I.E.L.D. had to solve eventually led to the formation of the Avengers.
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8. Sokovia Accords: A proposed set of legal documents with the intention to regulate
the activities of enhanced individuals, specifically those who work in governmental
agencies, namely the Avengers. Following the bombing of the UN Building, the
original copy of the Accords was destroyed and now will be rewritten by
government officials and members of the Avengers.
9. Ultron: An Artificial Intelligence Peacekeeping Program created by Tony Stark. He
turned on the Avengers and attacked Earth, the battle so destructive that it
ultimately led to the drafting of the Sokovia Accords.
10. Wakanda: Officially known as the Kingdom of Wakanda, is a small isolationist
landlocked country located in Africa, surrounded by mountain ranges and a thick
forest. The Lagos mission resulted in the deaths of dozens of Wakandan aid
workers. The bombing in Vienna killed their former king, T’Chaka, and their new
king is T’Chaka’s son, T’Challa.
11. World Security Council: An international council formed of politicians from some
of the Earth's most powerful countries to function as oversight for S.H.I.E.L.D. It
does not have the authority to oversee the Avengers, however, as the Avengers are
its own private team within S.H.I.E.L.D.
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Background of the Sokovia Accords: After the Allied Powers victory in World War II, an American extra-governmental military counterterrorism and intelligence agency was founded. The Strategic Homeland
Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Department—better known as S.H.I.E.L.D.— was formed to maintain national and global security. In the 1990s, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent
Nick Fury met Captain Marvel and was introduced to an intergalactic war. Fury realized that a group of extraordinary individuals would be needed to battle the growing forces that conventional military forces or S.H.I.E.L.D. would not be able to handle alone, much less defeat—leading Fury to start the Avengers Initiative. Under Fury’s leadership, he recruited crucial Avengers members such Tony Stark, known as Iron Man, and Steve
Rogers, known as Captain America.
However, the Avengers were not the perfect superhero team that the United States anticipated them to be. HYDRA infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D., released the Winter Soldier to cause destruction, and caused devastating destruction across major international cities in attempt to save humanity.
After the bombing in Lagos, which preceded multiple other major battles, international leaders urged the United States and the United Nations to take legal action against the Avengers to prevent more destruction. The United Nations proposed the
Sokovia Accords to establish regulation of enhanced individuals, such as the Avengers.
However, HYDRA bombed the building where the Accords were being signed, killing the king of Wakanda, which scrapped the original Accords and now a committee consisting of governmental officials and the Avengers will draft a new resolution.
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Past, Current Governmental, and UN Action Before the bombing of the UN Building in Vienna occurred, the original draft of the
Sokovia Accords had been approved by 117 different countries. Regulations within the original proposed draft of the Accords included the reveal of superheroes’ legal names/identities to the United Nations, an oversight committee to police future actions made by ther Avengers, and a power analysis to categorize how dangerous the superheroes are. Currently the original copy of the Sokovia Accords has been scrapped due to King T’Chaka’s death and must be rewritten with the help of the Avengers themselves.
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Implications & Goals to Consider
While this committee is based off events of Captain America: Civil War and its respective preceding movies, some events and circumstances of the franchise have been altered to best address the topic at hand:
1. The Winter Soldier (James “Bucky” Barnes) is not a suspect in the Vienna bombing.
HYDRA leaders took responsibility for the bombing. At this time, Bucky Barnes is
not a dangerous criminal; following the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier,
Bucky Barnes has been recovering from decades of brainwash under close
supervision of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. However, due to Barnes’ condition, Captain Steve
Rogers still has reservations regarding several proposed regulations of the Accords
since Barnes may still be considered a threat.
2. The ‘canon’ Sokovia Accords should be considered but delegates should not base
committee off the regulations that occurred within the movie.
3. The arrest of Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson, and King T’Challa does not occur within this
committee.
4. Nick Fury is not currently in hiding nor presumed dead. S.H.I.E.L.D. is also not
considered a terrorist organization, as it was in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Assume S.H.I.E.L.D. is still a functioning governmental organization.
The timeline of the committee begins directly after the Vienna bombing, so a majority of the events that take place during Captain America: Civil War have not occurred.
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References
1. “Captain America: Civil War”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_America:_Civil_War
2. “S.H.I.E.L.D”, https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.
3. “Kree-Skrull War”, https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Kree-
Skrull_War
4. “Winter Soldier”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Winter_Soldier
5. “United Nations”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/United_Nations
6. “HYDRA” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/HYDRA
7. “S.H.I.E.L.D.” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/S.H.I.E.L.D.
8. “Ultron” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Ultron
9. “Wakanda” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Wakanda
10. “Attack on the IFID Headquarters”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Attack_on_the_IFID_Headquart
es
11. “Avengers” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Avengers
12. “Battle of New York”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_of_New_York
13. “Battle of Sokovia”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_of_Sokovia
14. “Battle at the Triskelion”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_at_the_Triskelion
15. “Captain America: Civil War”,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_America:_Civil_War
16. “HYDRA” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/HYDRA
17. “Sokovia Accords”,
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Sokovia_Accords
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Topic B: Punishment of Superheroes
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Introduction
As the Avengers come under scrutiny for their actions, both the United States and the
United Nations acknowledge that superheroes must be held responsible for the battles they fight. Billions of dollars and thousands of lives have been lost due to threats faced by enhanced individuals and as the Sokovia Accords are being drafted again, public outcry is demanding not only for an oversight committee, but appropriate consequences to be inflicted on those superheroes who break the law, especially if they are affiliated with governmental groups such as S.H.I.E.L.D. or the Avengers.
Important Terms
1. Proposed Punishment Regulation: Within the original draft of the Sokovia Accords,
a regulation regarding the punishment of superheroes who violate the Accords laid
out what could potentially occur to those individuals. The Accords stated that if an
enhanced individual violates the Accords, or obstructs the actions of those enforcing
the Accords, they may likewise be arrested and detained indefinitely without trial.
2. The Raft: An underwater prison created for the sole purpose of detaining
and incarcerating enhanced individuals.
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Background of the Punishment of Superheroes:
Following the failed mission in Lagos, the United Nations drafted a resolution titled the Sokovia Accords which proposed regulation of enhanced individuals, which included the Avengers. Within the original draft of the Sokovia Accords, there was a regulation that pertained to the punishment of superheroes who violated the Accords. Potential punishments included detainment without trial or the possibility of arrest, which could lead to those individuals being stationed at the Raft. Captain Steve Rogers greatly opposes this regulation because he believes that superheroes should not be punished for saving the world while Tony Stark believes breaking the law has consequences.
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Past, Current Governmental, and UN Actions
International officials and many members of the Avengers agree that although the
Sokovia Accords made strides to address punishment of the Accords violators, many individuals believe there should be a separate resolution designated to address consequences.
The Raft, a prison built for enhanced individuals, was built when S.H.I.E.L.D. began to recruit superheroes. It is located beneath the Atlantic Ocean and while the Accords were being drafted, the Raft was considered the prison for violators of the Accords.
Implications to Consider
Delegates should strongly consider the draft regulations outlined in the ‘canon’
Sokovia Accords, but not base the entire draft resolution based on what has been outlined previously. Delegates should also not take into account the arrests that take place at the end of Captain America: Civil War—as committee is set after the Vienna bombing so punishments for breaking the Accords has not yet been implemented into law.
Appropriate punishment should also depend on the substance of the Sokovia Accords.
Committee Goals
Delegates should accurately represent their respective characters as outlined not only in the topic guide, but also reflective of the sides they choose in Captain America: Civil
War. Delegates will draft a new version of the Sokovia Accords that aligns with their character’s view as well as assign punishments appropriate to the new regulations outlined in the new Accords.
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Characters List
Disclaimer: Characters are but are not limited to the following list:
Steve Rogers (Captain America):
Steve Rogers is a World War II veteran, a founding member of the Avengers, and
Earth's first superhero. Rogers strongly opposes the Sokovia Accords because he feels
that the Avengers are successful because they do not have a government to which
they answered; deliberation of when to deploy the team would render the Avengers
too slow to act in emergencies and prevent them from determining when and where
to act. Rogers feels that the intervention of another party could have similar results to
the S.H.I.E.L.D. infiltration by HYDRA.
Tony Stark (Iron Man):
Tony Stark is a billionaire industrialist, a founding member of the Avengers, and
CEO of Stark Industries. Stark agrees that superheroes need to face the consequences
of their actions, since he is responsible for Ultron’s destruction, believing that the
Avengers need to be regulated or they were no better than their enemies. Stark
believes that if they refuse to come to an agreement, they will be forced to cooperate
under the government with far graver circumstances.
Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow):
Natasha Romanoff is one of the most talented spies and assassins in the world and a
founding member of the Avengers. Despite her close relationship with Steve Rogers,
upon hearing of the Accords, she agrees with Tony Stark in that the Avengers must
be regulated.
Sam Wilson (Falcon):
Sam Wilson is a former United States Air Force pararescue airman and is now a
member of the Avengers, recruited by Steve Rogers. His close relationship with
Rogers prompts him to oppose the Accords.
James “Rhodey” Rhodes (War Machine):
“Rhodey” Rhodes is an officer with the United States Air Force and liaison between
the military in the Department of Acquisitions and Stark Industries. Due to his role in
the military and close relationship with Tony Stark, he supports the Accords.
James “Bucky” Barnes (Winter Soldier):
“Bucky” Barnes, is a World War II veteran, a former officer of the 107th Infantry
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Regiment and the best friend of Steve Rogers since childhood. Although he is
recovering from decades of brainwashing, he is still being monitored closely by
S.H.I.E.L.D. and is still considered a threat to the world. He always supports Steve
Rogers, as the two are extremely close.
King T’Challa (Black Panther):
T’Challa is the King of Wakanda and as the Wakandan monarch, he became the
holder of the Black Panther mantle. The Wakandan government supports the Accords
as they feel the Avengers could become a true risk to the safety of Wakanda and the
rest of the world. T’Challa personally approves of regulations but the politics are
something he is not fond of, exemplifying two people in a room can get more done
than a hundred.
Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch):
Wanda Maximoff is a native of Sokovia who has telekinesis and energy
manipulation. She is one of the newest members of the Avengers and has sided with
Steve Rogers in opposing the Accords.
Sharon Carter:
Sharon Carter is a former Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., formerly tasked with watching over
Steve Rogers. She left S.H.I.E.L.D. and now works for the CIA. Due to her history
with Steve Rogers—and the fact her great aunt was Peggy Carter, Steve’s first love—
she opposes the Accords.
Clint Barton (Hawkeye):
Clint Barton is a skilled marksman, a former special agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. and one of
the founding members of the Avengers. He retired from the Avengers following the
Battle of Sokovia but has since shown support of Steve Rogers by disagreeing with
the Accords.
Scott Lang (Ant-Man):
Scott Lang is a former criminal who has taken the mantle of Ant-Man. After
successfully entering the Quantum Realm, the Avengers took interest in him. By
recommendation of Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers recruited Lang to oppose the Accords.
Vision:
Vision is an android who possesses a synthetic body made from vibranium created
by Ultron. Vision sees the equations regarding the number of threats related to their
actions as the reason for them to allow oversight of their actions, so he has openly
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Peter Parker (Spider-Man):
Peter Parker is a high school student from New York with spider-like abilities,
fighting local crimes under the alias of Spider-Man. After videos of him went viral, he
was recruited by Tony Stark to help support the Accords. However, due to his young
age, he is not an official Avenger, only being recruited to help with this specific issue
alone.
Nick Fury:
Nick Fury is a world-renowned spy, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and founder of the
Avengers. As he is the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury wants to cooperate with world
leaders by any means necessary, even if it means establishing regulation for his team.
Maria Hill:
Maria Hill is the Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. and also held the title of
“Commander”. She works closely with Nick Fury and also wants to cooperate with
world leaders, whether that be establishing an oversight committee or not.
Thaddeus Ross:
Thaddeus Ross is the former Lieutenant General of the United States Army who is
now the Secretary of State of the United States. Facing pressure from not only the
president but many other international leaders, Ross urges the Avengers to establish
an oversight committee in the new Sokovia Accords.
Everett Ross:
Everett Ross is a CIA operative who works under Thaddeus Ross. He has been tasked
to control and regulate the Avengers following the Battle of Sokovia and fully
supports the Accords.
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Final Remarks
As this is a specialized committee and there are not as many allocations as there are in bigger GAs, the flow of debate should be somewhat faster than what a typical GA expects. Since Topic B depends heavily on Topic 1, the Sokovia Accords is expected to be debated before the punishment of superheroes unless delegates specifically request otherwise.
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References
1. “Raft” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Raft
2. “Sokovia Accords”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Sokovia_Accords
3. “Raft” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Raft
4. “Sokovia Accords”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Sokovia_Accords
5. “Captain America”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Captain_America
6. “Iron Man” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Iron_Man
7. “Black Widow” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Widow
8. “Falcon” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Falcon
9. “War Machine” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/War_Machine
10. “Winter Soldier” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Winter_Soldier
11. “Black Panther” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Panther
12. “Scarlet Witch” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Scarlet_Witch
13. “Sharon Carter” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Sharon_Carter
14. “Hawkeye” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Hawkeye
15. “Ant-Man” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Ant-Man
16. “Vision” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Vision
17. “Spider-Man” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Spider-Man
18. “Nick Fury” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Nick_Fury
19. “Maria Hill” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Maria_Hill
20. “Everett Ross” https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Everett_Ross
21. “Thaddeus Ross”
https://marvelcinematicuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Thaddeus_Ross
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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, Sapna Bhakta, at [email protected].
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Secretariat
Sapna Sal Bhakta Secretary General
Justin Yap Director General
Katie Ciulla Under Secretary General of Staff & Under Secretary General of Finance
Alexander Cohen Under Secretary General of General Assemblies
Sarah Mark Under Secretary General of Crisis
Zara Fatteh Under Secretary General of Delegate Services
Sarah Vawter Under Secretary General of Public Relations
Brittany Tang Under Secretary General of Technology
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