Fission Impossible: Ethics of the Manhattan Project
Single Delegate Medium Specialized Committee
manhattan@uclamun.org
Committee Summary
The Manhattan Project (1942-46) was one of the most important projects of World War II and influenced global politics for the decades that followed, as the world plunged into a much colder war. Starting in late 1945, this committee will follow the postwar period as the Manhattan Project changes hands, and scientists and the public alike begin to think more about the atomic bombs following their first major use. Delegates will discuss issues of land use, health concerns, and governmental jurisdiction surrounding the Project before transitioning into a larger discussion about the present and future conditions of the nuclear arsenal and its use. This committee will consist of all those affected by the project, from the scientists who built the devices to government officials to Indigenous groups damaged by it. Through updates, directives, and special procedures, delegates will have to weave through Senate hearings, protests, and much more, with a spirit of collaboration that defined the project, ultimately changing global affairs for years to come. Concrete solutions are needed to prevent doomsday in a tumultuous period, as theory will only take you so far.
Chair Letter
Hi Delegates,
My name is Mona Tavassoli and I am so excited to see you all at LAMUN this spring! I am honored to be chairing this committee alongside Anton, our Crisis Director. We are looking forward to seeing the insightful discussions and collaboration all delegates will be carrying out in Fission Impossible: Ethics of the Manhattan Project.
I am a third-year Political Science major and Iranian Studies minor, and recently transferred to UCLA this fall. I had the great pleasure of participating in LAMUN as a delegate last year (shoutout to all the delegates who did UNDP at LAMUN last year!) and am so excited to experience this conference again, but as a chair this time. MUN has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my high school and college journey. Beyond MUN, I am possibly the biggest volleyball fan you will ever meet, particularly when it comes to men’s international volleyball. I also love to read, so please send any recommendations my way. I like to do other fun things too, like play board games and word hunt.
I am a firm believer that understanding history is imperative to understanding the present and the Manhattan Project is no exception. The Manhattan Project had long-lasting implications globally, and this committee will spark meaningful conversations as we focus in on this post-war period. You will have the opportunity to delve into a variety of issues within this time period. I hope that everyone comes into this committee ready to talk and engage in fruitful conversations about these serious issues.
Finally, I cannot wait to see this committee in action in April, so please do not hesitate to reach out and contact us with any questions!
Best,
Mona Tavassoli
Chair
Fission Impossible: Ethics of the Manhattan Project | LAMUN XIX
Crisis Director Letter
Hello delegates,
My name is Anton Stover and I am incredibly excited to be your Crisis Director for Fission Impossible: Ethics of the Manhattan Project alongside your chair Mona! I can’t wait to see the insightful debate and the creative solutions you all come up with.
I’m a second-year at UCLA majoring in History and double minoring in Global Studies and Public Affairs. I’ve been doing Model UN since my sophomore year of high school and have met lifelong friends from around the world doing it. I also compete on the UCLA travel team, so being able to crisis direct for this community and among my peers is a great feeling. I previously served as a crisis staff in the Nintendo BoD last year (shoutout Cletus Bartholemew) as well as the Undersecretary General for ECOSOC and Specialized for our high school conference. Outside of MUN, I obsessively check my lastfm stats, play about 40 different Wordle variants a day, and write for the school’s independent newspaper.
The Manhattan Project serves as one of the defining moments of WW2, and shaped global politics and debates all the way into the present. This committee will look at the tumultuous postwar period through the lens of those affected by the project, both those who were a part of it and those who were forever changed by it. As a specialized committee, delegates will have to think on their feet, form complex alliances, and ultimately try to get their word to the ears of Washington, all while trying to address complex ethical, moral, and political issues. The Manhattan Project was founded on collaboration between all groups from all around the world; it is now time for that same collaboration to reckon with its consequences. With a spirit of cooperation and diplomacy, this committee is sure to be the bomb (sorry)!
I can’t wait to meet you all, and feel free to email us with any questions you have.
Best,
Anton Stover
Crisis Director
Fission Impossible: Ethics of the Manhattan Project | LAMUN XIX