KENNETH CHAN
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Host Committee
Greetings WorldMUNners!
I am delighted and proud to extend to you the very warmest of welcomes to beautiful Vancouver, Canada for the 21st World Model United Nations Conference! I have no doubt that you will be received with open arms by our incredible team of student volunteers from both Harvard College and the University of British Columbia, a welcome that is but a taste of the strong moments of shared joy that await you during WorldMUN 2012.
We were just dreamers when the idea of bringing WorldMUN 2012 to Vancouver first sparked. Since that early time in 2009, and moving forward as the Host Committee, we’ve witnessed what can happen when a real spirit of teamwork prevails – when individuals give their very best effort for a remarkable dream.
The Host Committee hopes to uphold the fundamental principle of the ‘WorldMUN Spirit,’ defined as “a spirit of friendship and cooperation across borders and a deeper understanding of cultures and perspectives beyond one’s own.” It encapsulates the experience of all those who will be involved with the event – from the 2,200 delegates arriving from more than 60 countries to the many who will be volunteering to help make this WorldMUN the best yet.
Carrying on this core principle into WorldMUN’s third decade, we hope you will “Come Together” and “Go Beyond” with all of us here in Vancouver in March 2012. This is your opportunity to broaden horizons together, improve your relationships and forge new friendships. You are bridging cultural, geographic and political divides, while building memories that will last a lifetime.
We can hardly wait for your arrival.
Best regards,
Kenneth Chan
CHARLOTTE AU
Chief Communications Officer (CCO), Host Committee
Hello everyone!
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 21st World Model United Nations Conference. We are very excited that WorldMUN 2012 is to be hosted in Vancouver of beautiful British Columbia. My name is Charlotte Au and I will be serving as the Chief Communications Officer of the Vancouver Host Committee. As Chief Communications Officer, I am responsible for all things to do with communication, such as managing public relations, brand services, marketing, of course communicating with delegates from all over the world.
At UBC, I am a 3rd year Bachelor of Commerce student studying Marketing with a concentration in Sustainability at the Sauder School of Business. After much deliberation in picking my specialization, I finally decided on Marketing because it is a combination of business strategy and creativity, both of which I really love. When I’m not discussing strategy and marketing with friends, I like reading up on venture capital news (lots of really cool ideas out there, and after all that’s how start-ups like Groupon, Facebook and Youtube became big!), jogging, exploring, music, and painting.
If you have any questions about WorldMUN 2012, or would just like to strike up a conversation, please feel free to contact us. We’d love to get to know you or be able to assist you in any way!
Best regards,
Charlotte Au
DAVID KIM
Chief Operating Officer (COO), Host Committee
Hello everyone!
My name is David Kim and it is with extreme pleasure to serve as the Chief Operating Officer and to be part of the Host Committee for the 21st World Model United Nations.
I am a 3rd year student at University of British Columbia in the Integrated Sciences Program studying Public Health and Epidemiology. I have a keen interest in international relations, politics, and global health as well as a passion for working with various NGO’s and NPO’s. I love music, and enjoy rocking out on the drums and playing the piano during my spare time. I’m also an avid golfer and a former Taekwondo competitor as well!
I am looking forward to hosting an epic WorldMUN conference to welcome you to Vancouver and Canada. I am of course also very excited to get to know you – the next leaders and global citizens of tomorrow. It is such an amazing opportunity to connect with students from across the globe and to have this opportunity to share, learn and grow with the brightest minds from around the world!
I look forward to creating memories, friendships and amazing experiences with all of you!
All the best,
David Kim
GABRIEL LAM
Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Host Committee
Hello WorldMUN!
Locally born and raised, I am currently in my fourth year of studies in the fields of Computer Science and Interactive Arts and Technology. I have an avid love for downhill skiing, come winter time I certainly takes advantage of Vancouverʼs ridiculously close proximity to three ski resorts: they are literally only minutes from his house in the city!
I am the Chief Technical Officer for the Host Committee, which involves being the engineer and webmaster for the Host Committee website and filling in any technical needs that the graphic designers, video and Ceremonies team may demand. I have extensive website engineering experience, I’m currently working on developing my own “Online Content Managing System” software, which I hope to make into my first product line for my new business.
I can tell this is going to be an absolutely amazing experience for everyone involved! Vancouver awaits your arrival!
Cheers,
Gabriel Lam
LAITH SARHAN
Director of Operations and Logistics
Greetings and salutations WorldMUNers!
My name is Laith Sarhan and it is my extreme pleasure to serve as the Director of Operations and Logistics for this year’s WorldMUN in beautiful Vancouver. Having been entrenched in the deeply stimulating world of Model United Nations for several years now, I am feeling incredibly honoured to have the opportunity to work within this prestigious conference. I’ll be bringing with me several years of experience as a delegate, a dais member, or even a secretariat member to ensure that WorldMUN 2012 has a new creative edge.
Outside of our world of ModelUN, I am currently a second-year student at the University of British Columbia studying Commerce with a strong interest in international relations and humanitarian work. I am a big reader, enjoying a wide variety of different writers and genres. And beyond that, I love exploring the expanse natural beauty of the province of British Columbia. Come March 2012, hopefully you will too!
See you soon!
Laith Sarhan
JENNEFER CHEN
Director of Corporate Relations
Greetings everyone!
My name is Jennefer Chen and I am joining the UBC Host Committee for WorldMUN 2012 as the Director of Corporate Relations. I am elated about this wonderful opportunity to collaborate in hosting WorldMUN 2012 with a group of people whose passion for world politics rivals my own.
Since being introduced to the wondrous community that is Model United Nations in high school, I have dabbled in regional MUN conferences such as VMUN and ConnectMUN so it is an extraordinary honour to be partaking in my first world-scaled MUN conference as an organizer. As the Director of Corporate Relations, I am responsible for overseeing the procurement of sponsorship through three different sectors: UBC, Non-profit and Governmental, and Corporate. After all, without the support and contributions of generous sponsors and stakeholders, our conference and associated shindigs cannot be made possible.
As for me, I am a second-year Arts student at UBC hoping to major in Economics and International Relations. In my spare time I can be found tearing up the bunny hills of Cypress Mountain on my snowboard and being caught in the rain.
See you all in 2012!
MARK ANTCZAK
Director of Volunteers
Hello WorldMUNers !
My name is Mark Antczak, and I was given the amazing opportunity to be the Director of Volunteers for the 2012 Vancouver Host Committee. Originally from the suburbs of Hamilton, Ontario, I moved to UBC to open myself up to opportunities such as this one. I’m a third year psychology major studying gender and sexuality, with a minor in political science.
I applied for this position because working with volunteers has essentially been the center of gravity during my high school and undergraduate career. It’s something that helps keep me grounded and connected to the communities that I’m part of. I’ve worked with the UBC Orientations Team since my first year on both a national and international level, and as the volunteer director via Vancouver Pride and Outgames. Having never been involved in WorldMUN before, I’m excited for the experience, the challenge, and the friends that I’ll make in this unforgettable journey.
During my spare time I’m surfing in Tofino, snowboarding in Whistler, or enjoying the downtown city nightlife. I hold an unconditional love for BC and I take every opportunity to brag about the mountains and oceans in my backyard. I also enjoy collecting loose leaf teas from around the world and listening to dubstep. Above all I’m excited to meet you ! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, or just to say hi!
Cheers!
Mark Antczak
HASSAN BHATTI
Director of Academic Resources
Greetings WorldMuner’s
My name is Hassan Bhatti. It is my utmost pleasure to welcome you all to the beautiful city of Vancouver for WorldMUN XXI. I can assure you Vancouver is a pretty cool place to visit in March.
I am a rising sophomore at University of British Columbia pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Business. I grew up in Pakistan and moved to Vancouver last year for University. I have been involved in Model UN since start of high school; from being a delegate to a chair and a Host Committee member. This is my second WorldMUN – my first one was in Singapore and I have very fond memories of it. Other than Model UN, I love to travel to exotic places, am a huge cricket enthusiast, have a strong interest in Renewable/Clean Energy research and love to talk about new ideas. I am excited by the idea of meeting some budding entrepreneurs at the conference. So feel free to stop me at the conference for a chat. Meeting delegates from all over the world is one of the most exciting things at WorldMUN.
Cheers,
Hassan Bhatti
MIEKA BUCKLEY-PEARSON
Director of Public Relations
Dear WorldMUNers,
My name is Mieka Buckley-Pearson and I am thrilled to be a part of the UBC Host team for WorldMUN 2012 as Director of Public Relations. I could not be more excited to have the incredible opportunity to be a part of this prestigious conference in the great city of Vancouver that I know and love! This is my first WorldMUN and I plan on bringing all of my previous experience and knowledge in communications and development work to the conference and to my post.
I will be graduating this May with an Honours in Political Science with International Relations and a minor in African Studies. Throughout my university career my interest in international relations and development has taken me all over the world, including Southeast Asia, as well as seven countries in Africa. Now it has brought me back home to Vancouver and the organization of this fantastic event.
I look forward to meeting everyone in just a few months!
Cheers,
Mieka Buckley-Pearson
VALERIE SONG
Director of Brand and Creative Services
Hello World,
And welcome to Vancouver, WorldMUN 2012!
I am very excited to be a part of the design team fashioning various visual experiences for this year's conference as the Director of Brand and Creative Services. As a new member of the family, I will be working just as hard and am looking forward to what will become of our diligence.
As for my personal life, I'm part student (second year at the UBC Sauder School of Business ) and part movie-watcher extraordinaire. My biggest passions are music, writing and design, but I'm still on a constant search for my academic passion within my faculty. Hopefully WorldMUN will be a part of my self-discovery!
I can't wait to meet you all.
Till then,
Stay hungry, stay foolish.
ISABEL GONZALO
Hospitality and International Resources Coordinator
Hello WorldMUNers!!!
My name is Isabel Gonzalo and I would love to welcome you all to the beautiful city of Vancouver! I am the Hospitality Coordinator for WorldMUN 2012 and as such I will be taking care of all accommodation related matters for this conference. This will be my first year involved with WorldMUN but I have been attending MUN and MNATO conferences for about 3 years now.
I was born and raised in an island off the coast of Venezuela called Margarita and I have been living in Vancouver since 2008. I am currently a second year student at the University of British Columbia studying Political Sciences and Latin American Studies. Outside of classes I am a part of the Debate team, the International Relations Students Association club and the UBC BC Young Liberals club.
If you have any questions regarding accommodations please do not hesitate to contact me.
Cheers,
Isabel
SHADYAR SHIRMAST
Volunteer Coordinator
To all the WorldMUNers!
My name is Shadyar Shirmast, and I will be serving as one of the Volunteer Coordinators for Harvard WorldMUN 2012. I am currently in my second-year at UBC studying International Relations and Sociology. In my spare time I like to read, cook, and watch as many documentaries as I possibly can. My Model UN experience is limited to high school and local conferences so I cannot fully express how excited I am to be involved with WorldMUN 2012. The opportunity to meet thousands of politically engaged students from all over the world in a setting as beautiful as Vancouver is indeed a rare opportunity that I am incredibly thankful for. I would absolutely love to meet every single one of you, so please feel free to find me on Facebook.
See you all in 2012!
CHAEREAN KIM
Venue Manager, Event Services
Hello, my name is Chaerean Kim, and I am one of the venue managers working under the event services to coordinate WorldMUN 2012’s exciting social events. It is great pleasure and honor to be part of the WorldMUN 2012 Vancouver Host Committee. As it is my first time being involved in WorldMUN, I am all the more excited to participate.
I am an International Relations major going into third year at UBC. In my spare time, I like to paint, write songs, and create music! I also like to be involved with charity organizations and social justice is one of my greatest passions.
Although I grew up in Manitoba, Vancouver felt like a second home. It is hard to find another part of the world that has such an incredible mixture of beautiful geographical landscapes, friendly people, and rich diversity of cultures. One of the things that most inspire me about Vancouver is that it accepts people for who they are and its diversity allows anyone to fit right into the community. In other words, food, music, arts, festivals, people…Vancouver has something for everyone! I welcome all of you who are visiting our great city for this exciting experience, and I look forward to making WorldMUN 2012 the best!
Cheers,
Chaerean
HOWARD KIM
Academic Coordinator, Specialized Agencies and Crisis
My name is Howard (Kyungmin) Ko, and I have the distinct honor of serving as the Academic Coordinator – Specialized Agencies and Crises for WorldMUN Vancouver 2012! Born in South Korea, I am currently pursuing my second year in studies in economics and psychology at the University of British Columbia. Since first stepping into the vast realm of Model United Nations in grade 8, I’ve had the chance to attend 8 MUN conferences, locally and internationally. In 2011, I harbored responsibilities of Director of ECOSOC at Vancouver MUN, USG of Committees at Canada High Schools MUN, and Chief of Staff at Connect MUN. Evidently, my passion swims in international relations, and 2012 WorldMUN experience will exponentially whet my zeal for Model UN.
My main responsibilities at WorldMUN 2012 lie in recruiting highly-qualified assistant chairs, devising effective staff training sessions, and thinking incessantly on creative methods to bolster staffs’ WorldMUN spirit. As I am in charge of specialized agencies and crises, innovation is the quintessential recipe for success, and I can’t be any more excited to fruitfully employ my creative (must I admit sometimes fantastical) outlook on international issues.
Apart from MUN, I devour daily doses of the Economist, give impassioned harangues about American ‘capitalism’, lose myself in thought peregrinations on Kurzweil’s Singularity, religiously pour faith in Canucks, bang away Rach-Concerto No.2, and avidly pursue movie-sesh with friends.
Cheers,
Howard Kim
NIDHI JOSEPH
Head Artist, Brand and Creative Services
Hello everyone!
Iʼm Nidhi Joseph. I am really excited about being part of the Host Committee as Head Artist of the Brand/Creative Services Department. I was born and brought up in Bangalore, South India and am now enjoying being a part of Vancouverʼs multicultural atmosphere. I am a second year undergraduate and am pursuing a BSc in psychology here at UBC. In my spare time I do a lot of sketching, painting, cooking and I absolutely love exploring Vancouver. It really is an amazing and incredibly beautiful city.
I was the Head Artist for the bid committee, and really enjoyed making those city sketches for our conference look. Next year I will also be a psychology tutor and be part of the International Peer Program and the Vice-Presidentʼs Emerging Leaders Program.
Cheers,
Nidhi Joseph