All the Dreams Oil Can Du-Bai: The Unification of the United Arab Emirates, 1970

*Note: This is a double delegation committee*

It's the year 1970, and conflict is consuming the world: the Cold War rages in the jungles of Vietnam, and in the Arab world, a similar battle rages between Arab socialists supported by the USSR, and American-backed monarchies. With the discovery of oil, the recently-independent nine emirates of the formerly-British Trucial States have transformed from a backwater in this conflict to one of its epicenters. As an emir, advocate for a United Arab Emirates to step away from the rapidly--circling vultures, or secretly strike lucrative deals with greater powers--but profits always come at a cost. From the outside, take on the role of a foreigner looking in, and use your might to your advantage in shady backroom deals. Dubai's skyscrapers are still yet to rise: build an oasis of shimmering glass, or work to see dreams shatter.

Chair | Calvin Pan

Calvin Pan is a first-year from McLean, Virginia, majoring in Foreign Affairs and minoring in Data Science and French. He's competed in Model UN for 7 years, and is Treasurer of UVA's International Relations Organization. He's also served as a crisis staffer for VAMUN, UVA's high school conference. Outside of MUN, Calvin does a bunch of volunteer and research things (current project: investigating Tibetian Buddhism in Taiwan!) Calvin plays jazz piano/keyboard and is part of a rock band (which may or may not be playing at the VICS social...), and loves to run/hike/bike/do anything outdoorsy!

Crisis Director | Mariam Parray

Mariam Parray is a first year from Little Rock, Arkansas, majoring in Medical Anthropology and minoring in Bioethics. In addition to VICS, she is an active member of the International Relations Organization and has served as an Assistant CD for VAMUN and Director General of VIGMUN—UVA's two other MUN conferences. Outside of MUN, Mariam serves on the University Judiciary Committee, volunteers with Cville Tulips, works as a scribe in the Emergency Department, and plays the flute. She cannot wait to welcome everyone to VICS this spring!