Economic and Social Council

Welcome, delegates of the Economic and Social Council for HNMUN 2010!

My name is Kerry Yang, and I am the Under-Secretary-General for the Economic and Social Council & Regional Bodies. I am a junior in Winthrop House at Harvard, concentrating in Economics. I come from Rhode Island, where I was born and raised very near the beautiful Atlantic beaches. Aside from helping out with Model United Nations at Harvard, I also choreograph and perform with the Asian American Dance Troupe, and participate in various social and community organizations. Over the past few summers, I have traveled to China and a few neighboring countries, studying Chinese, interning, and working at an NGO.

The committees in the Economic and Social Council organ this year seek to resolve a wide range of controversial and challenging international issues. Topics range from the financial crisis to nutritional diversity and from rights of indigenous peoples to international cocaine trade. Each committee is designed to test your skills for negotiation and cooperation, your knowledge and understanding of international affairs, and your ability to contribute to effective and realistic solutions. HNMUN’s unique Non-Governmental Organizations Program will contribute different perspectives from a wide variety of international NGOs, including Amnesty International and the International Chamber of Commerce, who will be able to lend their expertise to committees throughout the conference.

In preparation for conference, you will open your minds and delve deeply into your respective topic areas. The delegate experience in an Economic and Social Council committee at Harvard National Model United Nations is unparalleled. You will be in a medium-sized committee of between 40-90 delegates, where you will have the opportunity to get to know your dais staff personally, and befriend your fellow delegates who come from 30 different countries around the world. Such a diverse group will surely make for a dynamic, productive debate that will sharpen your skills for speaking, problem solving, and leading, all while you form lasting friendships from around the world!

I hope you are as excited as I am to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues. Welcome, again, to the Economic and Social Council! I look forward to seeing you in committee.

Sincerely,

Kerry F. Yang
Under-Secretary-General for the Economic and Social Council & Regional Bodies
Harvard National Model United Nations 2010

United Nations Human Rights Council
Director: Katherine Medler

United Nations Development Programme
Director: Kevin Fogarty

World Bank
Director: Victor Cruz

UN Commission for Social Development
Director: Natalia Renta

UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Director: Marc Steinberg

Non-Governmental Organizations Program
Director: Alyssa Yamamoto