Committee Background Guide

Topic Description

The Trojan War committee will put the delegates in a war to defend the city of Troy against the Achaeans as they fight to win back their taken Queen of Sparta, Helen. Characters will be the cast of Troy, constituted half of the mortals and half of the gods that supported the Trojan effort. Main human characters will include Hector, Priam, Paris, Aeneas, Andromache, Hecuba, Cassandra, and more. On the divine side, Aphrodite, Apollo, Ares, and Artemis will take front center as they involve themselves deeply to defend their beloved Troy. The goal of the delegates is, of course, foremost, to defend their ancient city from the Greeks. However, the divine guarantee of an eventual Achaean victory must be combatted, perhaps through clever planning on the side of gods or sacrifices and divine consideration on the side of mortals, all in order to please Zeus himself.

The issue of Helen is significant as well. She won't be featured as a character because her existence is what spawned the war in the first place. The Trojans must decide whether or not Paris is entitled to keep Helen as his wife or if they should send her back for a more peaceful conclusion, and of course, whether or not that would even suffice. The backroom will to a large extent play the role of the Achaeans/Greeks as major characters on that side, Achilles, Agamemnon, Odysseus, Diomedes, and more, are left out of the character guide. The backroom will put these characters to life as the Trojans will struggle in the war to save their city.

Adam Brown - Director

Adam Brown is a junior at Harvard studying Social Studies and Arabic while pursuing a concurrent Master's degree in Middle Eastern Regional Studies. He is originally from Saratoga Springs, New York.

Adam had no prior Model UN experience when he arrived on Harvard’s campus, but joined Harvard's Intercollegiate Model UN team in his first semester and never looked back. He has also staffed Harvard's high school and college conferences in Boston, alongside his experience directing the Historical Crisis Committee at HMUN China 2025, serving as the Under-Secretary-General for Committees for HMUN China 2026, and organizing the inaugural session of HarvardMUN Canada in May 2026 as the Director-General.

When not hiding away in one of Harvard’s libraries, he enjoys baking, running, and quality time with friends - but above all, he’ll never turn down an opportunity for a good adventure with friends. He cannot wait to see you all at HMUN Dubai 2027!

Yavuz Atlamaz - Director

Yavuz Atlamaz is a sophomore at Harvard College pursuing a joint concentration in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and Philosophy, with a secondary in Government. Originally from Indiana, he first became involved in Model United Nations five years ago and is excited to serve as a director for HMUN Dubai 2027.

Yavuz is a member of the Harvard Intercollegiate Model United Nations travel team, where he has developed a passion for fast-paced crisis debate and diplomacy through years of competitive MUN experience. Beyond Model UN, he is involved with the Harvard Undergraduate Foreign Policy Initiative, the Global Affairs Program’s MENA branch, and writes for the Harvard International Review.

Outside of academics and MUN, Yavuz enjoys basketball, soccer, football, national parks, roller coasters, and political philosophy. He cannot wait to meet everyone at HMUN Dubai 2027!

Questions about the Trojan War? Email committees@hmundubai.org.