License to Quill: Congress of Vienna, 1812—United Nations Security Council
Background Guide coming soon!
After twenty years of near-constant fighting, Europe teeters on the edge of another crisis. Napoleon's wars have wrecked the old order, carved new borders in blood, and shaken the very ideas of sovereignty and legitimacy. Now, with the French Emperor banished and his realm in ruins, the great powers gather in Vienna for one pressing job: to patch the continent back together and, if luck holds, to invent a lasting peace. Inside the grand halls, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Britain, and a restored Bourbon France bring rival plans. Some clamor for the return of dynasties; others cloak self-serving gains in talk of stability. Smaller states and new nations watch and provide their plans in hopes of increasing their influence over the continent. The ambitions of empires remain unchecked. Tensions rise beneath diplomacy, and Napoleon’s influence endures despite his defeat. As delegates gathered for this historic Congress, you carry the heavy task of shaping a new European order. Will you prioritize peace or power? Stability or justice? Legitimacy or self-determination? Your choices will define the trajectory of the continent for generations to come and determine whether this is an age of peace or a new bud for the next uprising. The Congress of Vienna will run like the UNSC, with Austria, Russia, Prussia, Britain, and Bourbon France as the P5 with veto powers. Other countries and nations will adopt the role as the remaining ten members of the UNSC. Welcome to the Congress of Vienna, 1815. The eyes of history are upon you.
PALOMA CORONA
ChairHi! My name is Paloma Corona (she/her) and I am beyond excited to be one of your chairs for the United Nations Security Council committee at UCBMUN XXX! I am finishing my final year at UC Berkeley, majoring in Cognitive Science and completing a Pre-Med track.
Originally from Mexico, I was born in Boston and have lived in multiple countries throughout my life, including the US, Croatia, Poland, Peru, South Africa, and Mexico. I joined MUN in middle school because it allowed me to engage in discussions on global issues while collaborating with others in a dynamic setting. Over the years, I have participated as both a delegate and a chair, particularly in General Assembly committees, where I’ve honed my diplomatic and strategic-thinking skills. I love the fast-paced negotiations and teamwork required in these large-scale committees, and we hope to implement something similar in this committee, challenging you with something that will push you to think outside the box. Joining UCBMUN has been a highlight of my college experience, as I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the most incredible people from the club and circuit! Outside of MUN, I work at the UCSF Oakland Hospital, write for a medical journal on campus, and train our club members for upcoming conferences. In my free time, I enjoy binge-watching TV shows -especially comedy shows-, running/hiking, and getting coffee with friends.
This committee will test your ability to adapt to the unique framework that MUN conferences pose, think creatively to develop crisis arcs, and collaborate to craft plausible resolutions. Marvin and I have been working hard to craft an experience that will truly challenge and excite you—you won’t see what’s coming! I encourage you to come open-minded, passionate, and ready to debate.
Looking forward to meeting all of you and having an amazing committee!
Best,PALOMA CORONA
Chair, License to Quill: Congress of Vienna, 1812—United Nations Security Council
MARVIN YEN
Crisis DirectorHello everyone! My name is Marvin (he/him), a senior from Taiwan studying Economics and Data Science, and I am ecstatic to serve as your Crisis Director for the United Nations Security Council committee at UCBMUN XXX!
Born in the Bay Area and raised in Taiwan, I started MUN in sixth grade and have not stopped since. As my fourth and last UCBMUN, I am beyond excited to serve as your Crisis Director for UNSC for the second time at UCBMUN XXX. Throughout college, UCBMUN has allowed me to continue my competitive spirit and passion for traveling and eating! In the club, I’ve been the Director of Finance for most of my college tenure, and have just freshly retired to act as a new member trainer. MUN, whether in the club or on the circuit, has taught me invaluable life lessons about public speaking and working with others, and allowed me to meet many talented and amazing delegates on the circuit. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, building Legos, learning new languages, as well as spending too much money on cat toys for my cat :).
This committee, although run in UNSC format, will behave very similarly to a historical crisis. As a crisis director and a delegate who thoroughly enjoys historical crisis committees, I look forward to seeing everyone’s creative crisis arcs, as well as their willingness to work together to create effective resolutions.
I hope you all enjoy this committee as much as Paloma and I have while cooking up this committee. I know that my last UCBMUN will be the best one yet! (Sorry UNSC last year! ) See you all soon!
Best,MARVIN YEN
Crisis Director, License to Quill: Congress of Vienna, 1812—United Nations Security Council