Noise complaint: Swedish witch hunts, 1670
While witch hunts are usually associated with the American Northeast or the Spanish Inquisition, this committee spotlights an untold story of persecution, instability, and panic. Amidst the Great Noise, otherwise known as Det Stora Ovasendet, mass hysteria has taken over Sweden. Hundreds of people are being sentenced to death upon accusations of sorcery and witchcraft. These witches are reportedly performing dubious acts against other humans and animals. Children across the country are lobbying for investigations and testifying in the courts, often admitting to perjuring themselves after having gotten scores of women tortured and killed. In the seventeenth century, Witchcraft Commissions, secret societies, clergies, and national bodies are playing a major part in revealing the systemic flaws of Swedish society. Delegates must reckon with an inherent fear of the unknown while still trying to maintain a cohesive society. Not only are the notions of trust and logic called into question, but the entire court system and the Swedish monarchy are as well. Delegates must find a way to protect those at risk for persecution while placating the politically ascendant church and a superstitious population. The committee must restore peace to the area as soon as possible.
Fernanda Garcia Moreno Alvarez
Chair
Fernanda is a fourth-year at UChicago, majoring in Public Policy and Economics, and minoring in Human Rights. She is from Mexico but lives in Luxembourg with her family and her dog who is named Kiki, after her favorite childhood movie Kiki’s Delivery Service (which is perfect for this committee). She has done Model UN in both high school and university, having served as a delegate and an Assistant Chair. Outside of MUN, she likes to run, play the piano, crochet, and listen to Ethel Cain. Fernanda is looking forward to working on solving mysteries and the occult with everyone! (Email is fgarciamoreno@uchicago.edu).
Sophia Ktsanes
Crisis Director
Sophia is a third-year at the University of Chicago, studying Political Science and Quantitative Analysis. She is also a cadet in the United States Air Force. She thoroughly enjoys accusing her friends of committing war crimes, especially her communist fiancé. She really wants to adopt a cat and name him Satoru. She loves to travel and buy shiny things impulsively. She wants more tattoos. She also wants to achieve world peace. With regards to prior Model UN experience, after competing in high school she served as Assistant Chair for the following crisis committees: MUNUC XXXVI: The Biltmore Estate, 1914, MUNUC XXXVII: The American Transportation Project, 1937-2023, and ChoMUN XXVII: There’s No Surf In Cleveland, 1978. Sophia is very excited to engage in witchcraft and murder with you all and can be reached at sktsanes@uchicago.edu.
Grace Theodoly
CRISIS DIRECTOR
Grace is a fourth-year at UChicago majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Russian and Human Rights. Grace enjoys reading, puzzles, and participating in Moot Court, a simulated legal arbitration activity not unlike MUN. She loves animals and has four dogs back home in London. She is hoping to attend law school and use her JD to join Sophia’s project for world peace. Unlike Sophia, Grace’s boyfriend isn’t a communist. However, he recently got a buzz cut, which she feels is analogous to a war crime. Grace has prior experience in MUN, having been an AC for the Biltmore Estate, 1914, at MUNUC XXXVI, and AC for UNSC Eritrea, 1970s at ChoMUN XXVII.
Grace is excited to join you all in investigating the occult and can be reached at gracejeanne@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
Francisco Gutierrez, Under-secretary-general