DUMBLEDORE S ARMY VIMUNC I MARCH 21ST TO 22ND, 2014 HOSTED AT LANGLEY HIGH SCHOOL 1 P a g e
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 2 VIMUNC I Dear Delegates, NATALIE FAHLBERG JIHO KIM HOONIE KIM CAMERON DAVIS GRACE SUNUNU Welcome to the first session of the Virginia Invitational Model United Nations Conference! Langley Model United Nations is incredibly excited to host you all at our inaugural Model UN conference, VIMUNC I, on March 21-22, 2014. We hope to create a unique experience for each and every one of you this year. This year at VIMUNC I, our goal is to provide an incredible delegate experience through our wide variety of committees and incredible college chairs. Ranging from conventional General Assemblies to unconventional crisis simulations, we know that VIMUNC I will surely be unique! Through our eleven committees General Assemblies, Specialized Agencies, and Crisis Simulations we are sure that each delegate will be challenged with tackling important issues. From Dumbledore s Army to HIV, it is our hope that our topics will stimulate your minds and creativity! Position papers are required in all committees for delegates to be eligible for awards. As it is our inaugural conference at Langley High School, we are working hard to give all of you the best experience possible. In recent years, our club has expanded exponentially, and we are using our numbers to provide the best crisis staff, typing staff, and hospitality staff possible. Through our conference schedule, we have been able to observe successful conferences held by both high schools and colleges, which we strive to model VIMUNC after. We hope that you have fun preparing for VIMUNC! Please feel free to email us at vimunc@gmail.com or look on our website at langleymun.com if you have any additional questions or concerns.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 3 LETTER FROM THE CHAIR & CO-CHAIR Dear Delegates, Welcome to the first annual Virginia Invitational Model United Nations Conference! I am your chair, Lacey Sternberg, and I am super excited to watch the drama of Harry Potter unfold before me. I have always been a huge Harry Potter fan and cannot wait to chair a committee who hopefully have the same passion for the series as I do. I am a senior at Langley High School and have been on the Model UN team since my junior year. I have learned a lot and grown tremendously since joining the team and I am so excited to share that experience with all of you! Sincerely, Lacey Sternberg Dear Delegates, It is my honor to welcome all of you to our first annual conference VIMUNC! My name is Rachel Kim and I will be serving as your co-chair for Dumbledore s Army. I have been and still am a huge fan of Harry Potter, and when I was assigned as co-chair for this committee I was thrilled! I have been a part of our Model UN team since my sophomore year, and I can honestly say joining Model UN was one of the best decisions I have ever made. To tell you a little bit more about myself, I am currently a Junior at Langley, a member of the swim team, and I am also serving as one of the editors for our yearbook! In my free-time, I love to bake, sing and just be with my friends. We are ready to see the magic happen, and we cannot be more excited! Sincerely, Rachel Kim For your information, in order to be eligible for an award you must turn in a position paper on the first day of committee. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us at vimuncdumbledoresarmy@gmail.com we will be more than happy to help you!
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 4 CHARACTERS o Fred Weasley- One of the seven Weasley children, brother to Ginny and Ron, and twin to George Weasley. Both Fred and George are known for their silly antics and practical jokes. Not a current student of Hogwarts, but still a student at heart. In the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army. o George Weasley- One of the seven Weasley children, brother to Ginny and Ron, and twin to Fred Weasley. Both Fred and George are known for their silly antics and practical jokes. Not a current student of Hogwarts, but still a student at heart. George had earlier lost an ear in the Battle of the Seven Potters. In the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army. o Ginny Weasley- Only daughter and the youngest of the seven Weasley children. Has romantic feelings for Harry Potter and had previously been involved in a relationship with him. Both a talented witch and quidditch player. In the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army. o Neville Longbottom- Friends with the trio since the beginning, Neville s timid facade is sometimes overshadowed by his courage and loyalty, a trait that won Gryffindor the house cup in his first year. In the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army. o Luna Lovegood- A somewhat odd and otherworldly girl who befriended the trio in their fourth year and later on joined Dumbledore s Army. In the Ravenclaw house. o Seamus Finnigan- Known for his innate ability to blow things up, what Seamus lacks in magical ability he makes up for in passion. Seamus joined Dumbledore s Army in their fifth year and is best friends with Dean Thomas. In the Gryffindor House and Dumbledore s Army. o Dean Thomas- Best friend to Seamus Finnigan and longtime friend to the trio. Member of Dumbledore s Army and in the Gryffindor House. o Cho Chang- Previous love interest of Harry Potter s and previous girlfriend of the late Cedric Diggory (may he rest in peace.) Cho is one of the original members of Dumbledore s Army and is in the Ravenclaw house. o Lavender Brown- Previous girlfriend of Ron Weasley and subject of Hermione Granger s jealousy. Best friends with Parvati Patil. Member of Dumbledore s Army and in the Gryffindor House.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 5 o Parvati Patil- Best friends with Lavender Brown and twin sister to Padma Patil. Attended the Yule Ball with Harry Potter who subsequently ignored her. Member of Dumbledore s Army and the Gryffindor house. o Padma Patil- Twin sister to Parvati Patil. Attended the Yule Ball with Ron Weasley who, similarly, ignored her. Member of Dumbledore s Army and the Gryffindor House. o Colin Creevey- Muggle-born wizard with a passion for Harry Potter and taking pictures of him. Petrified by the Basilisk later on. Member of the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army. o Dennis Creevey-Younger brother of Colin Creevey, also muggle-born, and with an equal passion for Harry Potter. Member of the Gryffindor house and Dumbledore s Army.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 6 TOPIC 1: EDUCATION FOR DEFENSE AGAINST THE DARK ARTS DURING SNAPE S HOGWARTS REIGN Similarly to Harry Potter s fifth year at Hogwarts, the seventh year that returning students attended was also riddled was corruption and lack of a real education. With Severus Snape as Headmaster and Amicus and Alecto Carrow as Deputy Heads, Hogwarts appears to be almost acting as a trial run for Voldemort s impending takeover of the wizarding world. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all out searching desperately for Horcruxes, so it is up to their peers to take charge of the situation rather than let the trio lead as they would normally do. Events in the wizarding world, such as the creation of the Muggle-Born Registration Commission, show the growing hostility towards those who are not pure blood, a trait that is often aligned with the Slytherin house at Hogwarts. Even within Hogwarts walls acts of violence were put upon half-blood or muggle-born students. The Carrow s especially would lash out against any students who would act up or out of line. The rules at Hogwarts were strict and cruel, making it harder than ever for students to get a decent education. Several tactics were used by the few remaining bold students at Hogwarts in attempts to keep up their education and their independence in the face of a bleak future. Dumbledore s Army was reassembled since its rise during the trio s fifth year at Hogwarts. Serving a similar purpose as in its past, the DA sought to educate students, specifically in the Defense against the Dark Arts. However, during this time of need the DA also served as a family or support group for the students who were brave enough to do something about the oppressive regime that was present not only in Hogwart s but also loomed over the rest of the wizarding world. With the DA assembled though how will the students effectively govern, educate, and protect their army while also attempting to maintain knowledge of the trio s whereabouts without having their secret become known. DA members are left with the task of finding adequate methods to fulfill these needs. Taking the lack of resources and opportunities into account, DA members need to be resourceful and utilize Hogwarts resources for all they are worth. The students have the option to use anything within Hogwarts (or outside of it if found possible) in order to satisfy their needs. Hogwarts is infamously known for being full of surprises, such as several secret passageways and hidden rooms. Students should look to take advantage of this aspect of Hogwarts as the DA did in Harry s fifth year when they practiced in the Room of Requirement. This is a room that transforms to fit the needs of whoever stumbles upon it; when the DA used it in the past, the room became a Defense Against the Dark Arts haven with lots of books and helpful equipment. The use of this room worked for the DA for a while until the Inquisitorial Squad (a group of students put together by Professor Umbridge that were effectively Hogwarts hall monitors) found the room while in the search for evidence, which
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 7 the room promptly provided. Therefore, for future uses of the Room of Requirement, is the risk of being discovered worth the convenience of being provided with all that you need. Moreover, will students choose to use a location in order to educate the members or will another method be used. Referring to the previously mentioned event, the trio chose for the DA to meet in the Room of Requirement to teach and practice their defense methods, but once the room and subsequently the DA were found these lessons ended and students really could not do anything about it or their dark arts education. Should this past experience serve as a learning experience or a bump in the road for the relationship between the DA and the Room of Requirement. Also, the fact that the Inquisitorial Squad did end up discovering the DA s secret practice room without putting in too much hard work, shows that no matter what the DA decides to do security and secrecy must be of utmost importance. In the past, Hermione Granger came up with the idea to use enchanted galleons as a means to let DA members know the time and date of their next meeting. This method was actually a pretty common way to communicate secretly as it was also used by Draco Malfoy and the whole idea was inspired by how Voldemort communicated with the Death Eaters. With the wizarding world and Hogwarts on the cusp of Voldemort s takeover, the few brave characters fighting in the face of adversity must be smart and practical to even have a chance at success. The work of the DA is far more complicated than that of just any army as fighting is just one of the many problems they face. But with that said, the students in the DA are courageous, intelligent, talented, and very capable of making their goals a reality. QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1. What plan of action should be proposed for the remaining students? 2. How should the students attempt to provide education, supplies, and other resources the DA member may need? 3. Should communication with the trio be valued? If so, how should the students plan to get in contact with them? Please consider to provide details outside of these points to consider and come up with unique solutions that one would not find in the series retelling the story of our fearless hero of the Wizarding World, Harry Potter.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 8 TOPIC 2: DEFENDING HOGWARTS During the Deathly Hallows era, Hogwarts has never been under such danger. Horcruxes are being found and destroyed, but time is running out. Everyone is living under constant fear, as they feel Voldemort s presence upon them. However, this is not the time to panic. Voldemort is weak, with only three horcruxes left, he does not have too much power. Everyone must play a part in defending Hogwarts until Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrive and come up with a realistic plan to defend Hogwarts in the event it is attacked. Dumbledore s Army plays a crucial role for the safety of Hogwarts, as they are the only group of students who are bold enough to stand up against Severus Snape and are loyal to the trio. The DA must discover magic spells and tricks that will be beneficial, and plan a way to use them effectively against Voldemort. They must also try to master healing spells and wandless spells in so they can be prepared for any event. Strategy and planning is most important in order to defend Hogwarts. Students must work to carefully plan out what each of the members are responsible for. They must also make clear which spells, charms, or magic tools will be most effective in each specific situation. This is extremely crucial because when powerful spells or charms are misused, it might do harm to one s fellow wizards along with the enemies. As mentioned before, students may use any resources they can find within Hogwarts or even outside of Hogwarts if they can get their hands on anything. It might be necessary to find a way to communicate with each other in the event a war starts and people are separated. Students are not to plan anything in terms of the destruction of horcruxes as they do not know of their existence. The DA must stand side by side with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, defend Hogwarts, and help to defeat Voldemort. Keep in mind that the professors will be on their side, and they may look to them for aid. Students must also be aware of certain students from the Slytherin house who are aiding Snape, and must not be caught in their eyes for doing something Snape would not approve of. The future of Hogwarts is in each other s hand, and it is up to them to keep Hogwarts safe and out of Voldemort s grasp.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 9 QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER 1. What effective defense mechanism should be considered in the event Hogwarts is attacked during the trio s absence? Should students look to strictly magical means of defense or should other methods of opposition be considered? 2. Should the DA members look to teachers for help? If so, which teachers and in what ways would they help? 3. Overall, should Hogwarts be participating in all the necessary procedures for participating in a war or would this be deemed unnecessary? Again, please consider unique plans and ideas.
D u m b l e d o r e s A r m y P a g e 10 SOURCES TO CONSIDER http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/main_page http://www.mugglenet.com/ http://potterpedia.wikia.com/wiki/potterpedia_wiki http://hpcompanion.com/ http://www.hp-lexicon.org/