Special Political and Decolonization Committee
Double Delegation
Topic Summary
TOPIC 1: FOREIGN POLITICAL INTERFERENCE VIA TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA
Foreign interference in elections is nothing new. What is new, however, is the role of technology, cyberattacks, and AI in these activities. From cyberattacks on electronic election infrastructure, to AI deepfakes and social media misinformation, the methods and risk from foreign election interference is increasing across the globe. This committee will seek to ensure free and fair elections in this new age of technology and AI.
TOPIC 2: PREVENTING THE MILITARIZATION OF OUTER SPACE
In addition to addressing geopolitical issues here on earth, an additional, unique aspect of the SPECPOL committee’s mandate is ensuring “peaceful uses of outer space.” This goal is becoming challenging, as nations have increasingly been developing and testing space-based weapons (such as the infamous 2021 Russian anti-satellite missile test). This committee will grapple with how to ensure peace and stability in this unique domain.
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to HMUN 2026’s Special Political and Decolonization (SPECPOL) committee! My name is Pavan Thakkar and I am thrilled to be your director for the weekend. To tell you a bit about myself, I am a sophomore at Harvard College in Quincy House, but am originally from Charlotte, North Carolina. I’m concentrating (majoring) in the History of Science with a secondary (minor) in Global Health and Health Policy, on the pre-med track. I have been participating in Model UN since I was in middle school, and at Harvard, I am a member of our Intercollegiate Model UN team, and have served as an assistant director for HMUN 2025 and HNMUN 2025 (our collegiate conference). In addition to MUN, I also am a photographer for our campus newspaper, The Harvard Crimson, and an editor of the Harvard Health Policy Review.
In my view, two of the most valuable and transferable skills developed by MUN are communication and collaboration, so I cannot wait to see how you all will work together—both with your co-delegate and other delegations—to navigate these timely and important global issues. Please feel free to reach out via the email below if you have any questions or concerns, and I am looking forward to meeting you all and having a lively, fun, and productive committee!
Sincerely,
Pavan V. Thakkar
Director, Special Political and Decolonization Committee
specpol@harvardmun.org
Harvard Model United Nations 2026