littleMUN 2022

Despite the pandemic doing its utmost to play spoilsport, the Research Unit International Organizations was able to successfully organise a hybrid Model United Nations conference on the 28th of January 2022.

This simulation was open to the participants of the Harvard World Model United Nations compact course. The conference, or ‘Little MUN’ as it was later dubbed, simulated the Third Committee of the General Assembly (the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee). The agenda on the table was rather aptly the ‘Humanitarian Response to the Social Crisis in Afghanistan’.

Although the ‘Little MUN’ simulation lasted merely a day, there was no dearth of drama, such as the impassioned pleas made by the delegate of Afghanistan as she advocated for her fellow countrymen and women before the committee, or the heated debate on the policies of the Taliban and their implications for the status of women, children, and other at-risk groups in the country.

Over the course of the session tempers frayed and tensions rose as the committee was split into two blocs. The constellations were as usual—the ‘West’ led by the USA and the Russia/China alliance. The can of worms responsible for this predicament was rather unsurprisingly the spectre of the Taliban. Neither bloc was willing to renege on their promise of aid to the Afghan people, however nor were they able to agree on the means or methods that would achieve these ends without de facto legitimising the Taliban or granting them access to resources formerly under the control of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

Consensus splintered at rapid pace; as a result, two competing draft resolutions were submitted to the dais. Efforts to reconcile differences during the unmoderated sessions yielded little and voting procedures began despite the impasse between the two blocs.

The last few moments before the deciding vote saw a bit of gamesmanship, spirited diplomacy, and a smidgen of horse trading across the aisle. As a result, the coalition led by the USA managed to squeak their draft resolution over the line.

This document was adopted as Resolution 1.1; it was authored by the United States of America and Japan. It was supported by signatories such as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Germany, India, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

With the passing of Resolution 1.1 ‘Little MUN’ drew to a close. The Organising Committee would like to thank all participants for their enthusiastic contributions, and we look forward to welcoming you next year!

Signing off,

The Organising Committee