THe Court
With allegations of ecocide, competing economic interests, and international law at play…
“… this tribunal challenges delegates to embrace or reject the emerging prospect of “rights of nature.”
The International Rights of Nature Tribunal is called to convene on the 5th of December in 2019 in Santiago, Chile to introduce a new form of jurisprudence – one in which nature is granted the same legal status as human beings. The matters brought before the court include the Case of Chiquitania, Chaco and Amazonia vs. Plurinational State of Bolivia; lithium mining in the Atacama Desert; Patagonia as a reserve of water and life; and the privatization of water in Chile. This high-stakes hearing is shaped by decades of monoculturalistic exploitative agricultural practices in the meat industry, the pulp industry, the textile industry, oil refineries, and the construction industry that has pushed the biodiversity and ability of the South American region to their limits. With allegations of ecocide, competing economic interests, and international law at play, this tribunal challenges delegates to embrace or reject the emerging prospect of “rights of nature.” Delegates will simulate this court proceeding by defending or prosecuting the state of Chile as an attorney, or by ruling on the matter as tribunal justices.
Welcome to Chile
The International Rights of Nature Tribunal is called to convene on the 5th of December in 2019 in Santiago, Chile to introduce a new form of jurisprudence.
What will you do?
Meet the Team
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Cynthia Gudaitis
CHAIR
Cynthia Gudaitis is in her fourth year in the Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in international politics with a concentration in international law, institutions, and ethics, and minoring in Spanish and music. She is from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where she enjoys living just minutes away from the ocean. Georgetown’s international relations community has been quintessential to Cynthia’s college experience, as she has served NCSC as a crisis analyst, an undersecretary general, and most recently as Chief of Staff for NCSC LIII. She also competes for Georgetown’s traveling model UN team and particularly enjoys court simulations on the circuit. Outside of international relations, Cynthia is a dedicated distance runner starting a journey in marathon running. She enjoys music, whether that be singing for chapel choir, accompanying or music directing for Mask & Bauble Dramatical Society, or simply fumbling around on an acoustic guitar. She can’t wait to see you in court!
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Avelyn Bailey
CRISIS MANAGER
Avelyn Bailey is a member of the School of Foreign Service Class of 2028 majoring in Culture and Politics with a concentration in Emplacement, Indigeneity, and the Law. Originally from South Carolina, she got her start in mock government at Palmetto Girls State. Avelyn has since served a tenure on the NCSC LIII Secretariat as Director of Media and Marketing. (You may have seen her in your committee last year snapping photos.) Avelyn previously staffed crisis committees at NCSC LII and DistrictMUN V, as well as chaired the Supreme Court of the United States at NAIMUN LXIII. She also competes on the Georgetown Undergraduate Moot Court Team, where she has advanced to become a National Octofinalist in oral arguments and a nationally ranked brief author. When she’s not poring over Court opinions or sneaking puns into crisis note responses, you can find Avelyn building set pieces for Mask & Bauble Dramatic Society or admiring art of the American West in one of DC’s many museums.
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ASSOCIATED STAFF
OTHER MEMBERS
Director: Ashland Ross
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Johnson Lin
UNDER SECRETARY-GENERAL
Johnson Lin is a member of the Walsh School of Foreign Service Class of 2029 studying International Politics. He cannot wait to serve as USG of Specialized, NCSC’s newest and clearly best organ, and looks forward to welcoming all of you to NCSC in the fall!
