Economic and Social Council

Dear Delegates,

Welcome! I am Kat Medler and I am extremely pleased to welcome you to the Economic and Social Council and Regional Bodies, the most complex, profound, life-changing, and realistic organ of Harvard National Model United Nations 2011.

The issues you will address in committee are some of the most controversial and pressing topics of the world today. Some of the arguments that you present in your speeches and resolutions are the same ideas that diplomats are currently working on, others will be entirely new. Each committee aims to engage you in a stimulating environment for rapid and substantive debate of the highest caliber. Some of your Directors and committee members will go on to write theses or concentrate in areas they debate during HNMUN. It is an exciting opportunity to engage intellectually with other college students from 50 different countries, all of whom are passionate about international relations and diplomacy. With this in mind, I hope you will all accept the challenge that lies ahead; to seek a sophisticated level of knowledge, to improve on your ability to negotiate and advocate a specific position, and above all to contribute towards a solution that has the potential to affect millions of lives.

I am incredibly excited to see all of you pursue your passions and embark on this adventure. This year the EcoSoc bodies will be more innovative than ever, requiring you to open your mind and push the limits of your imagination. I would like to urge you all to learn from your dais staff and fellow delegates, who you will have the opportunity to interact with informally and befriend throughout the course of the conference. Your experience in EcoSoc at HNMUN 2011 will be a truly unparalleled experience. A chance to meet people from all over the world and contribute to dynamic debate that will hone your skills for speaking, problem solving, and leading.

By simply taking on this challenge you represent the future of diplomatic relations and international cooperation. So, congratulations on becoming leaders in a world of leaders. And thank you for participating in the most impressive committees of HNMUN 2011. I cannot wait to see what you will accomplish!

Sincerely,

Katherine P. R. Medler
Under-Secretary-General for the Economic and Social Council & Regional Bodies
Harvard National Model United Nations 2011

United Nations Human Rights Council
Director: Dustin Poore

UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
Director: Rediet Abebe

UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Director: Sydney Sawyier

UN High Commission on Refugees
Director: Frankie Wong

International Monetary Fund
Director: Alex Zhang

Non-Governmental Organizations Program
Director: Jirka Jelinek