Jedi Council Chair: Kannon Larison PO/Vice Chair: Eamon McGovern 1
Table of Contents 1. Letter from Chair 2. Members of Committee 3. Committee Background Guide Topic A: Role of Jedi within the War Topic B: Amending the Jedi Code 2
Letter from the Chair: Hello Delegates, My name is Kannon Larison, I am a senior at LT and hopefully like many of you a true fan of the Star War franchise. I have participated in Model UN since my Softmore year, I also participate in Cross Country and Track I expect the committee to be very enjoyable and fun. I would like to see the committee deviate from the path of what happens in the movies and other sources and forge a new timeline. In terms of delegates I will be looking for someone who demonstrates an understanding of their council member, a willingness to work and compromise with other delegates, and is also a strong speaker. Best of Luck and May the Force be with You. Kannon, 3
Members of Committee: Plo Koon Mace Windu Yoda Ki-Adi-Mundi Obi-Wan Kenobi Saesee Tiin Eeth Koth Agen Kolar Shaak Ti Kit Fisto Adi Gallia Even Piell 4
An Overview of the Committee: The Jedi Council has existed as the governing body of the Jedi order for Millennia. The Jedi are tasked with the protection and peacekeeping of the Republic. The time in which this committee takes place is 22 years before the Battle of Yavin, or directly after the Battle of Geonosis. For the purpose of this committee, all non-canon sources also known as the Expanded Universe or Star War Legends will be considered valid source material. The inclusion of this material expands the history of many Jedi on the council and brings added information to your positions. If you have any questions feel free to email me at lar501901@student.lths.net. I will try my best to answer all e-mails in a timely fashion. 5
Topic A: Jedi Involvement in the Clone Wars The Jedi High Council is the governing body of the Jedi order. These Jedi pledged their loyalty to the Galactic Republic and were assigned to diplomatic missions as well as pursuing criminals and aided in solving disputes. The first galactic War in 1000 years has begun. The Separatists, a coalition mainly made up of The Banking clan and the Trade Federation as well as a few other systems have declared war. They have acted under the pretense of the Republic's appeal of the Free Trade Zone and the ineffectiveness of the Republic's Senate. The Senate at this point has become bureaucratically incompetent and solving the issues of individual systems requires a petition to the Senate which is set to follow a strict set of procedures making it difficult to solve the problems of the quadrillions of lives that reside within the Republic. The separatists are also justifying the war using the appeal of the Free Trade zone which lies in the Mid to Outer Rim, which would allow the Republic to tax their goods. The Separatist believe that under a new government other than the Republic would allow them to function without the burdens they are currently under. An Example of The Trade Federations and one of the early actions taken by the Trade Federation was the Nute Gunray's blockade of Naboo. A Galactic army has been produced for the Republic to combat the separatists. The now deceased Jedi Master Sifo Dyas is responsible for the creation of a clone army that has been produced for the Republic by the Kaminoans. This army will serve as the primary force for 6
defending the republic, with the Jedi acting as head military leaders. The Jedi s duty to maintain peace throughout the galaxy has been magnified to even greater amounts as more systems join the Separatist cause. Ending the war has been brought to the forefront of the responsibilities of the Jedi order. Do to the Senate s belief that there is a need for a stronger central government has amended the Galactic Constitution allowing for most of the executive power from the hands of the Senate to his own office. Shifting who holds the power in the Republic and greatly changing the Jedi s position within the Galaxy. The Jedi must decide whether to take a strong position within the war as leaders of armies or maintain their role as mere peacekeepers of the Republic and not soldiers. Questions To Consider: 1. What is your Jedi s position on the outbreak of war, do they support the order s involvement? 2. To what extent is the Jedi responsible for the outbreak of war? 3. What are possible routes to establishing peace 4. What is the Jedi s new role now that war has begun Additional resources: While the movies (specifically Episode I and Episode II) are good sources of information, especially for a few of the reasons for the Galactic War, your research should not be limited to these as they do not address many of the Council Members directly or their positions. 7
Topic B: Amending the Jedi Code The Jedi Code was a set of rules followed by Jedi that governed the way in which Jedi behaved. These tenets created during the early days of the Jedi order have been passed down as the basic teachings for Jedi. One of its teachings taught Jedi to resist feelings and anger to other living beings to resist fear and avoid falling to the dark side of The Force. The code has also forbidden practices such as marriage or forming individual bonds. The code also instructed for a life of no attachment, however, this should not be mistaken for a lack of compassion on the Jedi s part, their beliefs help that all life is precious. The code also held practices of having only one padawan. Though these are some of the very basic tenets of the code, in truth the rules for the Jedi were much more extensive and complex. Many of the rules followed by the Jedi have come under scrutiny from not only outside sources but from within the order itself. The deceased sith lord, Darth Bane, believed that the Jedi Code severely limited the Jedi stating, The Jedi shackle themselves in chains of obedience: obedience to the Jedi Council; obedience to their Masters; obedience to the Republic. Those who follow the light side even believe they must submit themselves to the Force. They are merely instruments of its will, slaves to a greater good. Jedi within the order have often walked a fine line with the Jedi Code, with some members being strict followers of it, while others tend to lean more towards a more liberal interpretation of the code. An example of this would be Qui-Gon Jinn. He was often viewed as a Grey Jedi, someone who walks the line between the light and dark side. He often came into 8
conflict the Jedi Council believing some practices had become cumbersome and limited the order. Now that a Galactic War has begun some of the Jedi s prized beliefs are now in question as they may limit the Jedi in what they are able to do when aiding in the War. The decision must be made whether to amend the code for changing times or maintain the code in its current state. Questions To Consider: 1. What are your Jedi s beliefs when it comes to the Jedi Code, would they be considered strict followers or see the Code as more of guidelines rather than strict rules? 2. Would your Jedi be classified as a Grey Jedi 3. Does the Code affect the Order s ability to operate 9
Bibliography: The Star Wars Source Book by Bill Slaviscek and Curtis Smith Star Wars Legends Comics A Guide to the Star Wars Universe by Raymond L. Valasco Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Dir. George Lucas. 20th Century Fox Film Corp., 2002. DVD. CC7567., By. "Wookieepedia." - Wikia. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. 10