The Historical Security Council at ILYMUN: Rewriting the Past
Written by: Virginia Saganha
Understanding the Historical Security Council
At most Model United Nations (MUN) conferences, the Security Council is considered one of the most prestigious and high-powered committees. It is typically small in size, allowing for intense and high-level debates, and in which participants are expected to be well-prepared and confident public speakers. However, at ILYMUN, there is a unique variation of this committee: the Historical Security Council (HSC).
The HSC provides a fascinating challenge to delegates by simulating past conflicts as if they were happening in real time. Unlike the traditional Security Council, which deals with contemporary crises, the HSC asks participants to approach historical conflicts without the benefit of hindsight. Instead of analyzing events with full knowledge of their outcomes, delegates must immerse themselves in the mindset of policymakers at the time and attempt to navigate crises with the limited information available.
To gain a deeper understanding of the HSC, members of the ILYMUN executive board shared insights on the purpose, structure, and challenges of this extraordinary committee.
The Goals and Impact of the HSC
According to Kasia Rice, a Secretary General, the main goal of the HSC is to encourage delegates to see past issues from a new perspective. "Often we look back at the past and think conflicts should have been solved easily, but we have a very powerful tool—hindsight," she explained. "The HSC allows delegates to forget about hindsight and look at a conflict that the Security Council was once faced with as if it were happening for the first time."
This approach challenges participants to think critically about history, forcing them to make decisions in real-time rather than judging past leaders' actions with the benefit of knowing what happened next. The committee’s impact extends beyond the conference itself—it serves as a reminder that understanding historical conflicts is essential in preventing similar mistakes in the future.
Ismet Adamou, the Chair of HSC, emphasized how the HSC helps strengthen delegates' skills in research, critical thinking, and creativity. "It simulates past issues and gets delegates to explore historical crises, finding new and innovative solutions to address problems," he said. "The hope is that they will gain a deeper understanding of how historical conflicts shaped today’s international relations."
The Differences Between the HSC and the Security Council
At first glance, the HSC and the Security Council (SC) seem quite similar. Both committees follow Security Council procedures, including the use of veto power, caucuses, and the ability to impose sanctions. However, the primary distinction lies in the time period being debated.
While the SC focuses on ongoing crises, the HSC places delegates in the past, where they must act as if they were present at the time of the crisis. This makes research especially challenging, as participants can only use information available up to the historical date set for the debate. "It can be tempting to use the same solutions that the Security Council once did," Kasia pointed out. "But the aim is to change these solutions, alter them with their knowledge, and improve history for everyone."
Ismet agreed, adding that the HSC is often more difficult than the regular Security Council. "Delegates have to research past events, sometimes using sources that are inaccurate or difficult to find," he explained. "They also have to represent different countries for each issue, meaning they must take on two different roles throughout the conference."
Structure and Debate Format
The structure of the HSC follows the general flow of MUN debates, but with some key differences. Delegates represent different countries for each topic, aligning with the UN member states at the time of the conflict. For example, in a debate on a 1975 crisis, the USSR would still exist, and delegates would have to consider historical alliances and geopolitical tensions that no longer exist today.
The debate process includes:
Research – Delegates gather information on their assigned country’s stance up until the crisis date.
Lobbying – Participants negotiate with allies and opponents to form blocs and discuss potential resolutions.
Drafting Resolutions – Delegates create proposals to address the crisis without knowledge of future events.
Debate & Voting – Resolutions are debated, clause by clause before being put to a vote.
The HSC also introduces unexpected developments into debates. While it does not typically handle full crisis simulations, additional historical information may be provided during discussions, forcing delegates to adapt their strategies. As Kasia noted, "Delegates should be ready to make quick decisions and pay attention to historical timing."
Topics for Debate at ILYMUN 2025
This year, the Historical Security Council will debate two major conflicts:
The Angolan War (November 1, 1975) – A Cold War-era conflict in which multiple global powers were involved in supporting different factions. Delegates must consider the influence of the United States, the USSR, and Cuba, among others, in shaping Angola’s future.
The Russian Annexation of Crimea (March 26, 2014) – A highly controversial event in recent history that reshaped global politics. Delegates will have to navigate the international response at the time and consider alternative strategies that could have been taken.
These topics offer vastly different perspectives, allowing delegates to examine conflicts from different historical and geopolitical contexts. As Ismet noted, "Given the current state of the world, these topics are of grave importance. Maybe our HSC delegates this year could come up with a few resolutions that would have changed the world if implemented back in those critical moments."
Conclusion
While not everyone realizes how complex and engaging the Historical Security Council truly is, the idea of stepping into the shoes of past diplomats and rewriting history without hindsight is both challenging and exhilarating.
More than just a debate exercise, the HSC teaches valuable lessons about international relations, diplomacy, and decision-making under pressure. It pushes delegates to go beyond memorizing history and instead immerse themselves in it—learning from the past in order to shape a better future.
For those attending ILYMUN, the HSC offers a unique opportunity to engage with history in a way few other committees do. And who knows? Maybe the ideas and resolutions proposed this year could inspire real-world solutions to the challenges of today.