Meet the Presidency:
Bali Cuthbert
American School of Warsaw Dear Delegates, Welcome to ZYGUM 2022! I am extremely honored to serve as your president for this year's conference. I’m a junior at the American School of Warsaw, and I’ve been doing MUN since I arrived in Warsaw, which was about four years ago. Ever since I started MUN I have attended several conferences including BERMUN, JoMUN, ZYGMUN as well as others. This is my second time chairing at ZYGMUN, but my first time chairing the Human Rights Council. MUN has been a very fulfilling experience for me, immersing me in the world around me, and has forced me to consider many different perspectives on the world's issues. During this year's conference I hope to create a comforting atmosphere, where delegates feel welcomed and can openly express their countries views on the topics. The topics which we will be debated in the Human Rights Council at this year's ZYGMUN are “Protecting LGBTIQ+ Refugees” and “Protecting the right of religious expression of Muslim people in Western countries.” Both very relevant and different topics, which I’m really interested to see what debate and resolutions come from these topics. I recommend, to ensure ZYGMUN is a worthwhile experience, that all delegates come prepared to the conference with a strong understanding on both topics as well as knowledge on their countries perspective and involvement with each topic. Being knowledgeable on the topics will make debate and creating resolution much easier for you and for the committee as the whole. I’m very excited to meet you all during the conference. Sincerely, Bali Cuthbert President of the Human Rights Council |
Seoyeon Choi
American School of Warsaw Dear delegates, Welcome to ZYGMUN and to the Human Rights Council! I am truly honored to be serving as one of the chairs for this committee. At this year’s conference, we will be debating upon the topic of protecting LGBTIQ+ refugees and protecting Muslim minorities in Western countries. These two topics are connected to the theme of the conference which is ‘Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development’. Although there are some existing regulations and policies regarding these topics, it is important that all member states cooperate and act towards finding sustainable ways to solve these issues. Moreover, the first topic was provided by the UNHCR this year to encourage students to actively debate the issues related to refugees, which shows that it is closely related to the modern world. To share some of my MUN experience, I have previously participated in various conferences such as BERMUN, ASMUN, and ACMUN, and this is my second time participating in ZYGMUN. I started MUN in middle school and from then I learned a lot about global issues around us. Currently, I am a freshman in the American School of Warsaw, and this is my first time participating as a chair, so this will be a new experience to me. I hope to see some creative and effective resolutions, and I look forward to meeting you all at the conference! Seoyeon Choi President of the Human Rights Council |
Alexander Velichkov
Anglo-American School of Sofia Dear Delegates, I feel honored to serve as chair of this year's Human Rights Council at the ZYGMUN Conference! I am a junior at the Anglo-American School of Sofia in Bulgaria. Some of the hobbies I enjoy are tennis, skiing, singing, playing the piano, MUN of course, and even as simple as meeting up with friends and enjoying the Sofia nightlife. I have been a part of the MUN club at my school for the last two years but I have participated in and enjoyed debate competitions and conferences for the past 7 years. Arguing is my forte and I enjoy nothing more than arguing with my relatives about all sorts of things, utilizing my MUN and debate skills. Being a debater means you need to be prepared and have all of your facts straight, or can you even call yourself one. From all that has been going on with the world for the past year, I feel the need to thank each and every one of you for continuing to show the good in humanity. All of us have started to think about the future of the international community just by participating, no matter for the first or for the 100th time. International cooperation and diplomacy are the keys to a prosperous future for the globe and that is exactly what we are doing here, even if we are just students. And even if right now we might not be physically present in Warsaw, we are still as determined to carry out HRC’s mission statement “to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all”. I hope that you speak up, and use this experience for your benefit, because even if it is a cliché, practice makes perfect. I wish you an amazing conference, and I will see you very soon! Alexander Velichkov President of the Human Rights Council |