An Invitation from the Secretary-General
Dear Delegates and Sponsors,
On behalf of the International Relations Organization at the University of Virginia, it is my distinct privilege and honor to invite you to attend and enjoy the 32nd annual session of Virginia Model United Nations! For more than 65 years, the United Nations has served as the forum for the world, engaging nations from around the globe in order to secure peace and prosperity. At the center of the United Nations is the idea of sharing cultural experiences and solving problems through genuine discourse. For 31 years, VAMUN has provided high school students from around the country and the world with the opportunity to put those ideas into practice.
At the beginning of 2012, the world is confronted with the threat of imminent war, broad food crises, and the spread of deadly diseases. These are problems that will reoccur again and again, and it is imperative that today's students are prepared to face these issues in the future. VAMUN provides the practice ground for these skills. Bright students from a diverse array of backgrounds are challenged to communicate, criticize, and create, all while making authentic and durable friendships.
I can think of no better setting to host such a conference than the Grounds of the University of Virginia, founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. The University was created to nurture and protect what Jefferson called "the illimitable freedom of the human mind." Since its founding in 1819, U.Va. has hosted many of the world's greatest political and diplomatic figures as students, professors, and visitors, including James Monroe, James Madison, Woodrow Wilson, Robert F. Kennedy, the Dalai Lama, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Rather than being contained in a conference center or hotel, VAMUN is held around Grounds, allowing students to explore the Rotunda (a UNESCO World Heritage site), libraries, and gardens. Interacting with the University's rich history is a unique and intellectually stimulating experience that is central to VAMUN.
VAMUN XXXII will feature an challenging group of committees, including General Assembly, Specialized, and Crisis committees set in a variety of historical and modern contexts. The conference will accommodate delegates of any and all levels of experience, including committees tailored to novices and the Jefferson Committee for Diplomacy for the most advanced veterans of Model UN.
If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me, and I look forward to welcoming you to Charlottesville in November for an awesome weekend!
Sincerely,
Elsa Schultze
Secretary-General
Virginia Model UN XXXII