April 25th, 1974: The Estado Novo government in Portugal was toppled in a military coup. Over 3,500 miles away, a Portuguese colony in sub-saharan Africa saw an opportunity for freedom from their brutal colonizers.
The year is 1975, and the country of Angola exists in three main factions; the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MLPA), The National Front for the Liberation of Angola (FNLA), and The National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), each being backed by different ethnic groups within the country. However, after trying to coexist, trust broke down between the three and the country was thrown into full civil war. Across the Atlantic Ocean, President Gerald Ford has called for the National Security Council, a committee of the top representatives from the government, to meet to discuss this conflict, the Angolan Civil War. Delegates will have to navigate a crisis that became one of the United States’ largest losses during the Cold War and see if they can forge a new outcome.
Chair
John Weaver
John Weaver is a second year at FIU studying Sports Management with plans to go to law school after graduation. While he is not a political science or international relations major like a lot of his fellow members on the FIUMUN team and in collegiate mun, John has found a lot of enjoyment in competing on the circuit in the nine conferences he has attended. John joined MUN because of his passion for public speaking and debate which was formed through his 7 years of speech and debate experience throughout high school and middle school and has utilized it throughout his two years on the FIUMUN team. However, outside of MUN, John has little actual interest in international affairs or politics in general but instead prefers to spend his time watching sports such as football (especially the Kansas City Chiefs). John looks forward to chairing the National Security Council and seeing all of what the delegates bring.
Crisis Director
Deborah Ruiz
Deborah Ruiz is a second year student at Florida International University pursuing a degree in Psychology. She has been participating in Model United Nations since she began at FIU and holds the title of Head of Research for the college’s collegiate team. In the future, Deborah hopes to become an academic and diplomat. She intends to study revolutionary groups and cognitive neuroscience and obtain her PhD in linguistics and cognition. Outside of MUN, Deborah works for the Commons for Justice project as a student expert where she works alongside documentary makers and community members to investigate how climate change affects black and brown communities. If not working or in MUN, you can find her ice skating, painting, reading, or playing chess. Overall, Deborah cannot wait to direct her second crisis committee for FIMUN and hopes to see you all there!