Social, Cultural, & Humanitarian Committee

SOCHUM Chair - Iman Elshazly

Dear Delegates,

My name is Iman Elshazly, and I am co-chair of the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian (SOCHUM) committee. I am thrilled to be able to oversee and work with you all. This year’s conference will be exciting, no doubt, and each creative solution that is made will be one step further into optimistic prospects of ingenuity and perception.

I am in the middle of my sophomore year here at Hofstra University, and am a psychology major as well as a political science minor. I am also a student of Legal Education Acceleration Program (LEAP), studying political science and philosophy to better my legal threshold. Aside from my studies, I am secretary of the Deaf Education and American Sign Language Club, a diversity and inclusion chair of the Residence Hall Association, as well as a part of Hofstra Filmmakers’ Club.

I began participating in Model UN while in high school as I was fascinated by the ability to skillfully examine international problems and suggest solutions with others. During my first Hofstra University Model UN Conference in spring of 2020, I served as a dais to the Food and Agriculture (FAO) committee. It was such an incredible experience, I yearned to take part in the next conference; as a co-chair for the first time. Model UN at Hofstra has truly made me appreciate just how innovative one can be when they have a sincere passion for restoration and peace. 

At the upcoming conference, SOCHUM will be debating two topics. The first being the ongoing Yemen Civil War and Crisis. This conflict has been going on for years, with Yemeni citizens suffering from dire food insecurity, severe health problems, and economic straits – now worsened with the onset of COVID-19. The second topic that will be covered will be the effects of COVID-19 on the Syrian refugee population. I am quite excited to hear the differing proposals suggested by everyone concerning these topics!

Sincerely,

Iman Elshazly
SOCHUM Chair
HUMUNC 2021 

Dear Delegates,

I am Rachel Potula and I will be one of your chairs for the Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee (SOCHUM). I am super excited to run this committee alongside my co-chair, Iman.

I am a sophomore majoring in finance and originally from Chicago, Illinois. Outside of Model UN, I am the president of the Hofstra American Marketing Association, vice president of SheEOs, DECA treasurer, social media director of Hofstra International Business Association, member of Long Island CHAARG, and a senator on the Student Government Association (SGA). Additionally, I work part time as a student aide in The Lawrence Herbert School of Communications. I also love doing beach cleanups and bonding with my brothers in Alpha Phi Omega - the national service fraternity on campus.

My first experience in Model UN was my freshman year of high school, in which I attended the high school conference at Brown University and won a verbal commendation. It sparked my commitment to staying updated on world affairs and continuously working towards strengthening my leadership skills. As I continued my Model UN participation throughout my high school career, I went on to win Best Delegate and Outstanding Delegate. Now I'm in my sixth year of being a part of Model UN and second year at Hofstra. I am so ecstatic to have the opportunity and responsibility of being your chair.

The committee will be finding solutions to the Yemen Civil War and humanitarian crisis. We will also examine how COVID-19 has affected refugees fleeing conflict in Syria and what approaches the United Nations can take to safeguard this vulnerable population. I am very excited to see what delegates come up with in committee!

Sincerely,

Rachel Potula
SOCHUM Chair
HUMUNC 2021