NEGOTIATING FOR A POST-CIVIL WAR CHINA
After the Shanghai Massacre of 1927, China was split between two warring factions, the Kuomintang (KMT) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Having just faced the breakdown of a fragile alliance formed during the Second World War, this committee will begin following the truce on June 6th, 1946. Delegates will be challenged to employ strategy, persuasion, and tactical diplomacy to achieve their goals of bringing peace back to China.
The first topic (A) addresses the Soviet Union’s withdrawal from Manchuria. The second topic (B) will center on whether the centralized republican government should remain intact, or whether a new government should emerge. The Chinese Civil War reshaped the political landscape of East Asia forever. With renewed tensions and sweeping violence, a delicate balance must be struck between tradition, ideology, and progress in order to secure the future of China.
Delegates will be expected to navigate their roles within a hybrid specialized committee. Debate will alternate between a traditional general assembly format and elements taken from crisis committees. Delegates should be prepared to write directives and respond to crisis updates.
Elle Deffaa is a freshman, studying Public Policy. She is from Towson, Maryland, and she's been competing in Model UN since high school. This is her first time chairing, and she can't wait to be a part of your experience! Elle is a member of the University's International Studies Scholars Program, and is a big fan of cheering on the UMD soccer team with friends. Outside of her extra curriculars, you can find her reading, and enjoying the great outdoors. For this Hybrid Committee, Elle is looking forward to seeing delegates handle unique challenges thrown their way.
Niva Mangalampalli is a junior studying Bioengineering. She is from Clarksburg, MD, and competed in Model UN throughout high school. She was a moderator for UMUNC VI and is excited to return for UMUNC VII. Her fond memories of her time doing Model UN feed into her passions for engineering and healthcare. Outside of UMUNC, Niva is a part of a prosthetic design club on campus, and leads SPICMACAY at UMD, a club that promotes South Asian Classical arts. She's especially excited to see delegates in the Chinese Civl War committee craft innovative solutions to crisis-style topics!
Kiera Gnotsavath is a freshman at UMD, studying International Relations and Japanese. She is from California, but has lived in Maryland for the past five years. Kiera has done Model UN since her freshman year in high school, making this her sixth year. In the past, she has previously chaired, so she is excited assume the role of a Crisis Director! Outside of Model UN, Kiera is the president of a baking club and can also be found watching either new movies or rewatching How I Met Your Mother. For the Chinese Civil War, Kiera is excited to see what problems and solutions the delegates will come up with!