Committees*

Historical JCC: conquering the high seas

They’ve arrr-ived

Piracy is at its peak. The New World has never been more hotly contested and its resources are broad and rich. Spanish shipments of gold and goods mysteriously disappear en route. French Settlements are raided for food and liquor, and British tariffs are undercut by enterprising smugglers. The pirates, comprising of some of the most fearsome men and women throughout history, are consequently doing quite well.

The Colonial Powers — themselves in near constant conflict — have had enough. The British and French gathered some of the foremost individuals in their respective countries to address the threat these pirates raise. The initial crackdown was swift and severe. Many pirates died, drowned, were shot, stabbed, or executed by the now ever-present pirate hunters. False information on ship movements have become a problem for the pirates, and rumors of traitors to practical code have never been worse. As a result, the fiercest ship captains formed the Pirate Consortium — a conference of global Pirate leaders — in an attempt to cooperate with each other. They have since rebuilt much of their strength as they profit from the Golden Age of Piracy, yet threats to these marauders of the high seas have far from subsided. Will they be able to put their differences to protect themselves? Only time will tell.

Committees: The British Navy, The French Navy, The Pirate Consortium

Contemporary jCC: The ABC Powers in the 21st Century

Easy as 123

In the early half of the 20th century, Argentina, Brazil and Chile formed the ABC Countries—a diplomatic agreement that not only ended an arms race but created a sphere of influence untouched by the blossoming Cold War. Together, they faced the rocky geopolitical landscape of the early 20th century, standing for common interests and strengthening the region. The alliance later fell after dictatorships and internal conflict wracked all three states, but their status as the three most powerful states in South America remain, as do diplomatic ties.

It is now the 21st century. Destabilizing economic and political climates in Argentina and Brazil have changed South American politics. Immigration, deforestation and many more -tion’s threaten the unity of the continent. All of these issues stand between, or unite, these three states. Each state must leverage their resources, political relationships, and wits to navigate the modern South American political stage to see who will claim their place as the region’s superpower.

Committees: Argentina, Brazil, Chile

Futuristic JCC: solarpunk

Yeah, like Black Panther

The year is 2075, and world politics are changing as we know it. The current global powers, which have heavily relied on traditional means of producing energy, have depleted the Earth’s stores of fossil fuels and have been rendered crippled by the fallout from global climate change. China, Russia, and the U.S. have all fallen victim to their lack of foresight and preparation for a global shift towards renewable energy sources, and are suffering the consequences of their continued heavy usage of fossil fuels. When stores of fossil fuels plummeted, so did their economies, their military, and their much-vaunted power on the global stage.

The African nations that invested heavily in solar power throughout the early 21st Century suddenly found themselves as the new world powers. Recognizing the value and need for cooperation to get them through these tumultuous times of change, they consolidated into three nations: the highly religious Islamic Republic of North Africa, the military dictatorship in the Central African Commissariat, and the democratic United States of South Africa. These three newborn African nations will have to grapple with sudden changes to their internal politics, conflicting ideologies, the re-envisioning of the global power balance and international relations, and the implications of solar power as the future of technology.

Committees: The Islamic Republic of North Africa, The Central African Commissariat, The United States of South Africa

General crisis: Center for Disease Control

We’re all gonna die

In 2045, climate change has decimated the polar ice caps, bringing to light diseases that haven’t seen the light of day for centuries, leaving disease experts around the world scrambling to find cures for things they don’t understand. A few weeks ago, an unknown contagion began spreading across Europe, leaving many dead in its wake. Now, a small number of U.S. citizens are showing signs of infection, and worldwide panic is beginning to escalate. Can the CDC find a cure before it’s too late?

GENERAL CRISIS: The Pentagon Papers

XOXO, Richard Nixon

It’s June 12th, 1971 and someone inside the New York Times has given the Nixon administration a heads up about a bombshell report on Vietnam that’s being published tomorrow morning.  No one knows what the report contains, but former members of the Johnson administration—including former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara—have been calling the White House in a panic.  One thing is for certain: what is about to be released could have dire consequences for the future of the administration.

GENERAL CRISIS: Tribes of the Amazon

We are the Lorax and We Speak for the Trees

The Amazon is being destroyed by the Bolsonaro government in Brazil and by companies looking to exploit its resources. The tribes in the Amazon have reached a breaking point, and have gathered together to try and save the rainforest once and for all. They will have to face down people bent on destroying their home while battling rising natural disasters from climate change.  Will the tribes be able to come together, or will they fracture in the face of challenges to their way of life?

GENERAL CRISIS: S.H.A.D.O.W.

Why Can’t We Be Friends?

It is 1961 and tensions between the U.S., U.S.S.R., and U.K. are more intense than ever.  S.H.A.D.O.W. (State Hostility Abatement, Division Of the World) is a highly-classified organization containing members from each of the three countries’ intelligence agencies, created two years ago in an attempt to ratchet down tensions and prevent a third World War from breaking out. New information has come to its attention about a mysterious organization known only as L.I.G.H.T. (Legion of Intelligence Guarding Heavenly Truth), who seem bent on turning the Cold War hot. Members of S.H.A.D.O.W. must set aside their ideological differences in order to save the world from its own destruction.

General Crisis: Ad Hoc committee of the secretary-general

The Ad Hoc Committee of the Secretary-General is a general crisis committee tailored towards experienced delegates looking for a challenge. Delegates must think on their feet and use their creativity to adapt to testing conditions.

The committee topic and background guide are revealed at midnight on the first day of the conference. Delegates are provided hints on the committee topic in the days leading up to the conference.

*Committees and their content are subject to change.