Historic Economic and Social Council, United Nations Atomic Energy Commission
Topic A: The Baruch Plan on Establishing International Control of Atomic Energy
Topic B: Environmental Risks of Atomic Energy: Developing Early Standards for Waste Management
In June of 1946, a United States diplomat, Bernard Baruch, presented a groundbreaking proposal to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission: the Baruch Plan. The Baruch Plan aimed to prevent the spread of nuclear and atomic weapons by establishing an international authority with ownership of all nuclear materials, facilities, and research. The plan also called for the dismantling of existing weapon stockpiles. Because of its ambition, the plan sparked immense international attention and debate, particularly between the United States and the Soviet Union. This topic invites the delegates to debate the feasibility of implementing the Baruch Plan in the given era. More generally, delegates should be challenged to think about subtopics such as nuclear material ownership, technological advancements, transparency between countries, and the logistics of establishing an oversight agency.
As the world begins to explore the uses of atomic energy, concerns emerge over the environmental risks posed to both ecosystems and public health. These risks include radiation exposure, mining, and radioactive waste mismanagement which could lead to cancer in nearby communities, contamination of water and soil, and long-term ecological harm. The rise in emerging atomic applications parallel the rise in dangers, raising questions about the safe development of these technologies. At this point, the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had already revealed the devastating consequences of radiation exposure, while early uranium mining operations such as the U.S. military’s Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll revealed the potential for environmental damage. In this committee, the delegates must develop safeguard measures for existing and future developments in the field. The key objectives should focus on radioactive waste management, international enforcement, and more.
Dear Delegates,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission for the 2026 session of Harvard Model United Nations! I am honored to serve as your Director, and I look forward to our teamwork and problem-solving over the course of our time together.
My name is Romi Chaovat. I am a rising sophomore living in Cabot House, and I study Molecular and Cellular Biology on the pre-medical track. Model UN has been part of my life since my sophomore year of high school, and while I never attended Harvard Model UN as a delegate, my experience as a staffer grew to be a highlight of my time at Harvard. As Model UN was a transformative experience of mine in high school, coming into college, I knew I wanted to continue, so I jumped at the opportunity to get involved. In my freshman fall, I joined Harvard’s Intercollegiate Model UN (ICMUN) team as a delegate. Furthermore, last year, I directed a Historical ECOSOC of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) at HMUN. These enriching and thought-provoking experiences encouraged me to extend my involvement further and continue as a senior staffer of HMUN’s historical ECOSOC committee. I hope to use all of the skills and lessons I have developed over this time to deliver a rewarding and enriching experience that honors your hard work.
Aside from Model UN, I plan to continue my volunteer work on campus through the Phillip Brooks House Association’s ExperiMentors program, where I teach weekly science lessons and lead hands-on experiments to local elementary classes. I also partake in several research-focused groups on campus, particularly those with STEM-facing projects, such as the Harvard Undergraduate Biotechnology Club. This summer, I am putting those research skills to use as I am interning at the Structural Nanotechnology Laboratory at New York University to deepen my understanding of interdisciplinary STEM fields.
I want to emphasize that I am here for you every step of the way, so please reach out to me with any questions or concerns, no matter how big or small. I look forward to meeting you all!
Sincerely,
Romi Chaovat
Director, Historical Economic and Social Council, United Nations Atomic Energy Commission
hecosoc@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2026