Welcome to VAMUN XXXVIII

Letter from the Secretary General

Dear Sponsors, Delegates, and Friends,

It is a true honor and pleasure to welcome you to the thirty-eighth annual iteration of Virginia Model United Nations, a conference which offers students the chance to learn more about the world and themselves. The Secretariat team is working around the clock to bring you fast updates in regards to conference dates, committees, and improved schedules. Centered around the landmark Rotunda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and beautiful Grounds, which have inspired some of the brightest minds in history, I am confident that the University and Charlottesville will serve as a stunning backdrop for VAMUN.

Model United Nations itself can be a transformative activity as it affords delegates the opportunity to explore foreign affairs and debate in an immersive, interactive setting. Here at VAMUN, that opportunity is particularly unique because our staff members give delegates both the chance to problem-solve and impact their own committees’ directions, and a supportive and respectful environment in which they can do so. The effect Model UN has had on each delegate's life is nothing short of extraordinary; VAMUN hopes to only add to the experience in an impactful way. For the past thirty-seven years, we have strived to build a rigorous, academic conference environment, and this year will be no exception.

From larger General Assemblies to smaller Crisis Committees to midsize Specialized Agencies, VAMUN prides itself on its diversity of issues, geographic regions, and timelines. While specific committees are in the process of being finalized, delegates and sponsors alike can look forward to an immersive and exciting weekend full of memories and experiences. The Wilson Global Systems Simulation, a six way Joint Crisis Committee, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Commission on Peace, a GA system designed to face one broad topic through multiple lenses, will be returning this year. Through all facets of this conference, we hope to have a committee that challenges and interests each delegate that attends this fall.

We excited to improve and bring more online training modules for delegates this year, open up communication between Head Delegates and Secretariats, and as a whole improve with a focus on delegate conference experience. Every Secretariat member, Chair, Crisis Director, and Staff member is entirely committed to ensuring that VAMUN is a worthwhile and fulfilling memory for all involved – please do not hesitate to let us know how we can serve you to this end.

On behalf of the International Relations Organization and the hundreds of U.Va. students building this conference, we are incredibly excited to welcome you to an unforgettable weekend. Please check this website and our Facebook page, Virginia Model United Nations, for conference updates, or feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely,

Adi Sapre

VAMUN XXXVIII, Secretary General