The Council of Empress Regnant Wu Zetian

About the Committee:

The Council of Empress Regnant Wu will focus on the reign of the first and only Empress Regnant of China, Wu Zetian. This specialized committee will focus after her establishment of the Wu Zhou Dynasty to her eventual usurpation 609 to 705 CE. Delegates will explore the political, cultural and social changes implemented, including the expansion of the civil service system, the promotion of education, and the establishment of diplomatic relations with neighboring countries to support Buddhism. Delegates will delve into the power dynamics and gender roles in governance during Empress Regnant Wu’s reign, including the contentious issue of her succession, which challenged the traditional gender roles and patriarchal norms in contemporary society, and the challenges faced by her successors. With the increasing focus on gender equality and the study of ancient Chinese history, this pivotal era is more relevant than ever. Additionally, given the complexity of the Chinese language, and the intricate nature of court intrigue during the Tang Dynasty, please do not hesitate to contact the dais. We look forward to having you as our delegates!

A LETTER FROM THE DaiS:

Hi everyone! My name is Peter, and I am excited to be your co-director for this committee. I am a senior studying political science and history. I come from Brooklyn, New York, but I see Michigan as my second home. This is my final year at MUNUM and almost eight years involved in Model UN. I joined Phoebe and Andrew on this committee because I enjoy the opportunity to run amazing committees. I hope you have fun preparing for your characters–we have created an exciting committee for you all, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

My name is Phoebe, and I am honored to be your co-director for this committee. I am a senior, pursuing a double major in data science and political science. As a local from Ann Arbor, I take pride in my townie status, but I was born in Toronto, Canada, and hold dual citizenship for both countries. Besides MUN, I am an active member of the Michigan Aeronautical Space Association (MASA) and I have been involved in student government and the multi-ethnic student association (MESA). Moreover, I have had the privilege of serving on the MUNUM staff for the past three years. I am excited to witness all of your unique approaches to tackling the committee topics.|

Hello! My name is Andrew, and it is with great pleasure that I get to serve as your Assistant Director for this committee. I am a junior studying Computer Science and Film, Television, and Media. I am from Holland, Michigan (west side, best side). Although this will be my first year as a MUNUM staff, I have been in MUN since my freshman year of high school, and at Michigan State where I have transferred from. Outside of MUN, I take part in Dance Marathon at U-M, an organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds for pediatric therapies at C.S Mott Children’s Hospital, the Central Student Government, and work for Big Ten Network – Student U. Again, it’s an honor to be your assistant director this year and I cannot wait to see what this committee will accomplish!

We are also excited to introduce our rapporteur staff for this committee: Audrey Wu and Rena Foo.

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart,

Peter Tam, Director

Phoebe Yi, Director

Andrew Ky, Assistant Director

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at petertam@umich.edu and pxyi@umich.edu.