Harvard WorldMUN 2012 - Vancouver, Canada
The Harvard WorldMUN conference 2012 was held in Vancouver, Canada, from March 11th to 15th, 2012.
The delegation of the University of Heidelberg is proud to have represented the Swiss Confederation during the Harvard WorldMUN 2012 conference.
Head Delegate Team:
| Rima-Maria Rahal Economic and Financial Committee Field of Study: Psychology Language Skills: German, English, Spanish, Latin, Chinese Having taken part in WorldMUN 2011 in Singapore, I am excited to renew this overwhelming experience and to share the skills I acquired with my fellow delegates. I am utterly excited to participate in WorldMUN because it offers a unique opportunity to engage in discussions and decision making, to share visions and ideas to make changes happen while meeting delegates from all over the world. Moreover, I find it to be highly educative, on the one hand facilitating the understanding of the complex processes involved in international relations, and on the other hand allowing me to explore a new setting of expectations, tasks and challenges, which will contribute to and sharpen my personality. |  |
| Shubei Wang Special Summit on Water Field of study: Medicine Language skills: German, English, Mandarin Chinese WorldMUN provides an opportunity like no other for students from all over the world to work together towards a common purpose. Having had the great fortune of participating in the conference last year, I feel that the experience contributed immensely to my personal growth. It also provided me the chance of a lifetime to network and exchange ideas with students from a myriad of nationalities, cultures and backgrounds. Needless to say, I look forward to the conference in Vancouver tremendously! |  |
| Tobias Henz Economic and Financial Committee Field of Study: Physics, Music Language Skills: German, English, French, Latin My fascination and enthusiasm to be part of the Heidelberg delegation for the WorldMUN 2012 in Vancouver is twofold. First of all there is the unique opportunity to discuss today’s as well as tomorrow’s problems in a global context and with an exceptionally broad perspective, made possible by the participation of students from various cultural as well as scientific backgrounds. In addition to that, being a member of the team will provide a platform to gain and develop negotiation, presentation and language skills, all while enjoying the hospitality of the host city together with young people from all over the world. |  |
Delegates:
| Elena Allendörfer Legal Committee Field of Study: Global History Language Skills: German, English, French Having participated once in a national Model United Nations‘ simulation, I was immediately engrossed by the spirit of the conference, the internationality of the students and their enthusiasm in debating global issues. I am convinced that going to Vancouver with 2000 students from all over the world provides an excellent opportunity for us to learn and understand why political, economic and social issues can only be solved together on an international level. This conference will not only help us to improve our knowledge of international relations based on our European-centered understanding of politics but hopefully also puts us in the position to adapt a new perspective on current crises management that will eventually lead to the solution of the most urgent global challenges. |  |
| Patricia Ann Wiley Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee Field of Study: M.A. in Translation Studies Language Skills: German, English, Spanish, French, German Sign Language It is a great honor for me to be chosen as part of the Heidelberg delegation at World MUN 2012 in Vancouver and I am already looking forward to it. As a translation studies major, I focus on words and their meanings every day. At MUN conferences, language is just as important a factor. Even in the heat of debate, it is crucial to always hit the right tone and stay diplomatic so as not to offend a fellow delegate or jeopardize negotiations. This is the personal challenge I am looking forward to the most. More than that, both the preparation phase and the conference itself are wonderful opportunities to assume responsibility, to meet new people and listen to their take on life and then to debate topics crucial to the international community. From a previous conference I know that MUN is a unique experience and I can wholeheartedly recommend trying it out. Just know that everyone can be World MUN.
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| Shirin Betzler Disarmament and International Security Committee Field of study: Psychology Language skills: German, English, French, Spanish In our today‘s globalized world, international cooperation in every imaginable field has become entirely indispensable. A profound cross-cultural understanding and respect for the other should constitute the foundation of these processes, features which are incorporated in the spirit of the UN work. Being part of the WorldMUN delegation and working together for such an outstanding organization therefore constitutes a great opportunity for me. I am extremely excited to go to Vancouver and be engaged in the process of transforming refreshing ideas into innovative solutions for a better tomorrow together with inspiring young people from all over the world. |  |
| Frederik Görtelmeyer Organisation for Economic Co-operatoon and Development Field of study: Psychology Language Skills: German, English, Italian, French How can we provide humane conditions of living and equal rights for every person in this world? How can we solve conflicts without wars? And how can we deal with the scarcity of resources and protect our environment? I have always been interested in those questions and in international politics in general. The WorldMUN 2012 therefore is a great opportunity for me to get to know how the people in those committees work - and to develop own suggestions for the solution of momentary problems in the world. Of course, I am also very excited to meet all the other people, to learn something about their culture and their point of view on the world. Last but not least, I am looking forward to spend a great time with the other members of my delegation not only in Vancouver, a city I have never been before, but also during the whole preparation period. |  |
| Stephanie Hanner Social, Cultural and Humanitarian Committee Fields of study: English, Economics and Chemistry Language skills: German, English “The world changes one person at a time – be one of those initiating change.” Wise words I was told when I was sixteen years old and about to leave my life in Germany to go abroad and be an exchange student in Walla Walla, Washington. Five years later, they are still true. WorldMUN, hosting 1700 students from over 65 countries, offers a unique chance to have an open minded debate about current topics, as well as experience other cultures, while also granting a chance to create a more thorough understanding for one´s own customs and traditions. Therefore, I am more than delighted to have been given the opportunity to represent Heidelberg University as a delegate at next year´s conference in Vancouver. |  |
| Matthias Hohmann Legal Committee Field of study: Law Language Skills: German, English, French Motivation: Young people from all over the world coming together and discussing the worlds' most pressing issues: This basic concept of a Model United Nations Conference seems simple - Nevertheless it is utmost exciting and a rewarding experience. This conference might be called a simulation, however, the participants, the discussions, and the written results are real. Personally I look forward to apply my academic skills in an practical environment at WorldMUN, to meet new people and to eventually learn how to make the world a better place. |  |
Klara Hoskova Disarmament and International Security Committee Field of study: History, German Philology Language Skills: German, Czech, English, French, Latin, Russian As a participant of last years' WorldMUN at Singapore, I had the great opportunity to experience the internationality, cultural diversity, great discussions and the debates that are characteristical for the conference. I am very happy to be part of this again, and look forward to a great new enriching experience with a delegation from Heidelberg in Vancouver 2012! |  |
| Tatiana Kakara Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Field of studies: Law Languages: English, Greek, German, French As stated in the preamble of the UN Charter, the aim of the United Nations is “to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors”. I believe that these qualifications can be acquired by all delegates participating at the WorldMUN conference! Apart from that, I hope that the participation at WorldMUN 2012 will help me familiarize myself with international affairs and politics. And finally, the task of working together with delegates from all over the world at the biggest MUN conference will be a great challenge, but also an unforgettable experience for me! |  |
| Lucas Allen Marlow Special, Political and Decolonization Committee Field of study: Law Language skills: German, English, Spanish I am looking forward to the WMUN 2012 in Vancouver because it will offer an opportunity to take a vivid look behind the scenes of the daily work of the United Nations and enhance the understanding of the daily procedures. Furthermore it will be an unique opportunity to meet students from around the world and enable us to exchange experiences, ideas and opinions in an international setting. Last but not least the WMUN 2012 conference will provide a challenging and demanding platform in order to compete and debate amongst some of the brightest young minds worldwide. |  |
| Angelika Rüger Special, Political and Decolonization Committee Field of Study: History, German Philology, Psychology Language Skills: German, English, Spanish, French, Latin I’m really looking forward to be a part of WorldMun2012, because I love to work, debate and celebrate with people from all around the world. In my opinion, we can’t address ourselves to a more important task than furthering our tolerance and our intercultural competence in a globalized world. That’s why I’m excited to get to know people of other cultures and with other ways of thinking, behaving and acting. Furthermore I’m very interested in international understanding and the work of the UN. I think that intercultural communication and the dialogue of the United Nations is the most effective and sustainable way to contain violence and create peace. |  |
| Maike Scharp World Health Organization Field of Study: Medicine Language skills: German, English, Swedish, Spanish, French, Chinese More than 2000 students from over 65 countries discussing the worlds' future in one of the most livable cities of the planet - I am honored to be a part of this exciting opportunity to interact with other cultures, to learn about all our hopes and fears and to get the momentum to start shaping our future. |  |
Faculty Advisor:
| Lutz Mager Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Württemberg |  |