No City is Safe: The Black Death, 1347
Topic Summary
The year is 1347. A devastating pestilence has emerged from the eastern steppes and swept westward across trade routes into the heart of Europe. What began as whispered reports of mass death in distant lands has now arrived at Europe's doorstep. The Black Death will ultimately claim the lives of an estimated one-third to one-half of Europe's entire population, making it the deadliest pandemic in recorded human history.
This committee places delegates at the center of that catastrophe. You are not passive observers — you are the decision-makers, leaders, clergy, merchants, and scholars tasked with confronting an enemy that medieval science cannot fully explain and medieval medicine cannot reliably treat. Cities are emptying. Trade networks are collapsing. Flagellant movements are destabilizing the church. Peasant revolts are simmering beneath the surface of a feudal order ready to collapse.
Delegates will face two interconnected challenges. First, the immediate crisis: how do you limit the spread of a disease whose transmission is not yet fully understood, across borders that cannot easily be closed and through populations that cannot easily be controlled? Second, the longer horizon: as tremendous loss reshapes the labor force, the church, political authority, and cultural life, how do you rebuild a civilization from the ground up?
Dear Delegates,
It is my utmost pleasure to welcome you to The Black Plague for the 2027 session of Harvard Model United Nations. I am honored to serve as your Director over the next few days, and am excited to see the teamwork, problem-solving, and meaningful solutions that become more than simply ideas.
My name is Aidan Zagel. I am a rising Sophomore in Quincy House, and I study Government and Economics. Shocking to me, this is my ninth year participating in Model United Nations. I first participated in MUN in 6th grade, at a conference that I would attend for the next two years and eventually chair and lead. In high school, I attended EagleMUNC (Boston College’s conference) and BosMUN (Boston University’s conference), where I met so many amazing people. Upon arriving at Harvard College, I was only certain of one thing: I would be joining HMUN. Last year at HMUN 2026, I had the pleasure of Assistant Directing an Ad-Hoc committee on the Oscars. I hope to use all the skills and lessons I have built up through the last nine years to ensure that all of you — whether this is your first or last committee — feel supported and successful in your endeavors.
I am especially excited this year to be directing The Black Plague, an innovative historical committee that will place delegates in a chaotic time, in which millions of people are dying, dozens of societies have collapsed and will collapse, and the stability of European order is in danger. Delegates will have to work together to find how to limit the spread of the Black Death and how to rebuild society in the wake of such loss and tragedy. Along the way, delegates will face many challenges — designed by our one and only Crisis Director, Allison McGourty — as the fate of the future lies in their hands.
I look forward to working with you all in the coming months as we prepare for an excellent conference experience. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns whenever you want, whether they are about the committee, the conference, Harvard, or college as a whole. I am happy to help in any way I can.
Best,
Aidan Zagel
Director, The Black Death, 1347
blackdeath@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
Dear Delegates,
I am honored to welcome you to the 2027 iteration of Harvard MUN and specifically, The Black Death Committee!
I am Allison McGourty, a sophomore concentrating in Government with a secondary in Economics. I am from Scituate, Massachusetts (about 45 minutes away from Boston) on the coast. I’ve been involved with Model UN for over 5 years now, where in high school I competed as a delegate at 6 different conferences (including HMUN!). In my Freshman year, I staffed the HMUN Joint Crisis Committee on the Russian Civil War. Outside of MUN, I’m a part of the Student Advisory Committee for the Institute of Politics and a member of the Harvard College Democrats.
As a history nerd, I am so excited for this Crisis Committee on The Black Death. I look forward to seeing all your Crisis Notes and character Arcs. I hope this committee allows for you to explore your creative side, by coming up with unique arcs for your roles and plans. One of my favorite parts of Crisis Committees is the behind the scenes planning, so I can’t wait to see back room conspiracy through your crafty notes. This will be my first time as a Crisis Director, so I can’t wait for a memorable committee full of creativity and chaos.
So excited,
Allison McGourty
Crisis Director, The Black Death 1347
blackdeath@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2027
