Never Say Nether: The Advancements of the Dutch Golden Age, 1588
Welcome to the Renaissance, 1588! Or, as it may be more accurately called, the Dutch Golden Age. Recently liberated from Spain, life in the Netherlands is quaint as the paintings depict the innovative waterways, the family, and bowls of fruit... yum! But if you want to stop and smell the tulips, you might soon have to pay a heavy toll. It hasn't happened quite yet, but we have it on a good faith basis that a few years down the line pink petals will be worth a hundred times their weight in gold. And with so many scientific advancements in biology and physics, the church's head may turn to defend its age-old traditions. As art becomes the dominant way of life for the small nation's elite, surely the poor will cry "who cares?!" and take action into their own hands in the recently developed urban centers. To address the rapid changes of our infant Dutch Republic, we've called together a committee of delegates representing the ruling elites, local artists, the urban poor, scientists, members of the clergy, and foreign diplomats to address the unending approach of modernity and turn this speck of land into a prosperous, united people. Though 1588 roughly marked the start of the Dutch Golden Age and as such marks the start date for our delegates, the committee will seemingly defy the constraints of time as we hurry several decades of Dutch history over the course of just four real-time days. Get painting and get passionate! We're soon to find out how strong peace is if a people are divided.
Ryan Sanghavi
Chair
Ryan is a second year in the college who hails from the beautiful Bay State; the spirit of America. Working for Congressional campaigns in his mid-teens, Ryan pivoted to working for state offices. He has done some journalism work in the past, including the extremely controversial Chicago Maroon article detailing why UChicago ought to mandate team sports. Ryan was the moderator for "CSD: Prisoners' Rights" at MUNUC 35 and was the in-room Assistant Chair of the "Bega Cheese Board of Directors" committee at ChoMUN XXVI. He is deeply invested in tennis, crossing his fingers that the WTA can regain its consistency of 2012 and 2013. In addition, he is a member of the Mock Trial club and believes that Reese Campbell was a very cool, misunderstood guy. He is a big fan of folk music, and I believe that if that if "The Star Spangled Banner" were to somehow disappear, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" should take its place as the national anthem. Ryan's temperature range is very small; he cannot thrive in slightly cold or slightly warm environments, but he will wear shorts in rain, shine, or sleet. Ryan's main form of self-defense is biting aggressors. Ryan, after several years of running or staffing conferences and committees in high school and college,
Ryan is excited to be an executive for the first time at ChoMUN! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach him at rsanghavi@uchicago.edu.
Samuel Lurvey
Crisis Director
Sam is a second-year majoring in Physics and Computer Science. He grew up in the magnificent peninsula (for tax purposes) (thanks New York supreme court) of Long Island and was very happy to leave. Prior to this year, Sam was an assistant chair for the Committee for Social Development at MUNUC, UChicago's high school conference. Next year, Sam will also be serving as a board member at the Society for Physics Students as well as chief folding officer of the origami club. In the little free time Sam has he also enjoys reading web comics and other activities that scream red flag.
If for some reason you have any questions, reach out to Sam at slurvey@uchicago.edu.
Nicholas Campos
Crisis Director
Nicholas is a second-year majoring in Economics and Global Studies. He grew up in San Antonio, Texas and still lives there. Prior to this year, Nicholas was an assistant chair for the Commission on Social Development at MUNUC 36, UChicago’s high school conference. Outside of MUN, Nicholas enjoys reading one page a day of a book of his choice, attempting to stay conversational in both the political and athletic news of the day, and procrastinating. If somehow you have a question that is so trivial that only he can answer it, you can reach Nicholas at nmcampos@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
chinara wyke, Under-Secretary-General