HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY

Dear Delegates of the Hofstra University Model United Nations Conference, 

My name is Jacob Bass and I am a graduate Education student here at Hofstra University, as well as your Under-Secretary-General for this year’s HUMUNC conference. It will be great to meet all of you soon! 

I have been involved with Model UN ever since ninth grade in high school. Model United Nations is a concept that has always fascinated me, combining my love for global affairs with a unique way to practice speech and debate. I had my first experience with the Hofstra Model United Nations Conference three years ago as a backroom member of a crisis committee, as well as serving as co-chair for a NATO committee two years ago and a co-chair for the SPECPOL committee last year. Throughout my experience over those days, I was able to see just how this conference can be eventful, fun, productive, and educational. 

For a long time, I have loved social studies; it is my favorite subject in school with math close behind. I have found my love for it growing in various ways over the years, and it has become obvious to me that becoming a teacher is something I truly desire to do. I want to make learning social studies more interesting and not the stereotypical “boring” subject in school. We are living history every day — even when we are not thinking about it — and the study of global affairs can be our way of studying history as it is happening. During this conference, you will be doing just that, involving yourself and making history in the present! 

But be aware that this will not be an easy task to complete, as the committees ahead of you provide intense challenges to navigate complex geopolitics and even galactic politics. You will have to make difficult decisions and forge alliances with other delegates in order to make the kinds of changes that you want to see in the world. Regardless of your background, you are encouraged to use your experience to shape unique resolutions and, in the process, learn what it means to be a delegate of a committee. Whether it’s your first time here or yet another tour back at Hofstra’s conference, all are welcome in order to make this year’s event one with diverse participation and equal enjoyment for all. 

Good luck to all involved, and I can’t wait to see what you have to offer! 

Stay excited, 
Jacob Bass
Under-Secretary-General

HUMUNC 2027  

 Hello Delegates! 

Welcome to HUMUNC 2026! My name is Raven Bateman, and I have the absolute pleasure of serving as your Crisis Director for the Historical Crisis Committee! 

I am a senior at Hofstra pursuing a double major in Biology and Political Science, with minors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Global Studies. I am also a part of the direct entry BS/MS 5-year program that Hofstra offers. Outside of the classroom, I work in Hofstra’s Chemistry Lab stock room and am President of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity. Aside from academics, I am a lifelong dancer. I’ve been a hula dancer (think Lilo and Stitch!) for more than fifteen years and was competitive for about five of those years. At Hofstra, I dance with the non-audition team transcenDANCE (where I serve as vice president!), as well as copy editing for The Hofstra Chronicle and participating in SMACS (Student Members of the American Chemical Society) club. 

This will be my eighth year doing MUN, after participating as much as I could through high school despite Covid interruptions. With Hofstra MUN, I have participated in five crisis committees so far. I also served as Secretary General of HUMUNC last year and co-chaired for the World Health Organization the year prior. I got my start with HUMUNC in the back room for the Historical Crisis Committee in my freshman year, so I am excited to return to where I started one final time! MUN has taught me so much about the global order and the issues we face as an international community, so I hope that HUMUNC can be as much of an opportunity for you as it has been for me to learn such valuable lessons. 

This committee means more to me than simply existing as a historical crisis. As someone who all but grew up in hālau and surrounded by Hawaiian culture, I also experienced an education system that frequently and systematically disregarded Polynesian history, voices, and contribution. The TMT protests on Mauna Kea in 2021 briefly put Hawai’i in the breaking news spotlight, but it also highlighted the deep-rooted connections to their land that Hawaiians have been fighting to protect since Captain Cook stumbled upon the islands. I hope this committee allows you to learn something new about our reluctant 50^th state and the trials and tribulations that we often overlook. 

As your Crisis Director, I am always here as a resource for you – before, during, and after the HUMUNC weekend – whether you have questions about anything MUN-related or are simply curious about college life and beyond! I know that this committee may be difficult at times, but I hope that together we can make the challenging aspects rewarding. 

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you soon and having a great time at HUMUNC!  Me ke aloha pumehana, 
Raven Bateman 
Crisis Director, Historical Crisis Committee

HUMUNC 2027
rbateman1@pride.hofstra.edu

Hello Delegates!! 

I am honored to welcome you to HUMUNC. My name is Aarushi Chauhan and I will be your Chair of the Historical Crisis Committee . I am a sophomore pursuing Economics and Philosophy here at Hofstra University but I am originally from New Delhi, India. 

As an international student I have always been intrigued by the art of diplomacy and its necessity in international relations, making Model UN a natural fit for me. I attended my first conference virtually during freshman year of high school amid the pandemic, and that experience solidified my passion for Model UN. 

I love reading and I am a big fan of classic Russian literature. My favorite book is Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Lately, I have been trying to explore more nonfiction, and I am currently reading To Lose a War by Jon Lee Anderson, which examines the rise and fall of the Taliban in Afghanistan. In my free time, I enjoy exploring different dance forms. I have been learning Kathak, a classical Indian dance form, since the age of twelve and I love performing on stage. Other than that, I like cooking, making coffee and listening to “Blonde” by Frank Ocean on repeat. 

I am super excited to be your co-chair and looking forward to connecting with all of you. I hope to help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute, engage and collaborate. As your Chair, I am always available to answer any questions you might have. Please use me as a resource and reach out to me with any concerns. 

I cannot wait to see you all! 

Thank you, 
Aarushi Chauhan 
Chair, Historical Crisis Committee 
achauhan1@pride.hofstra.edu 

Dear Delegates, 

Welcome to HUMUNC! My name is Nene Dzaveluri, and I am incredibly excited to serve as your Chair for the United Nations General Assembly First Committee (Disarmament and International Security Committee), or DISEC. 

Model United Nations provides a unique opportunity to step into the role of diplomats and confront some of the most complicated challenges facing the international community. What makes MUN especially interesting to me is that there is rarely one clear solution to these issues. Every country enters the room with different interests, priorities, and perspectives, and it will be up to you as delegates to find areas of cooperation and still represent the interests of your assigned nation. 

This year’s committee will focus on two issues that are becoming increasingly important to international peace and security: the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in autonomous warfare and Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS), and the need to strengthen international cybersecurity and preventing AI-driven cyber warfare. Both topics raise difficult questions about how the international community should respond to technologies that are developing faster than the laws and institutions designed to govern them. Throughout the committee, you will have to balance consideration of national security, technological innovation, state sovereignty, humanitarian concerns, and international cooperation. 

As Chair, I am especially looking forward to seeing how each of you approaches these challenges. Some countries will enter the committee advocating stronger international regulation, while others may prioritize national sovereignty or technological development. Successful delegates will not simply argue their country’s position but also work with others to build realistic solutions capable of gaining broad international support. Debate, negotiation, compromise, and coalition-building will therefore be essential throughout the conference. I also recognize that delegates will enter this committee with different levels of Model UN experience. Whether this is your first conference or you have participated in MUN for several years, my goal is to create a committee environment that is engaging, competitive, and welcoming. Do not be afraid to speak, ask questions, introduce ambitious ideas, or challenge the proposals of other delegates. Some of the best moments in Model UN come from taking risks and becoming more involved in debate than you originally expected. 

Most importantly, I hope you use this conference as an opportunity to meet new people, develop your skills, and enjoy the experience. I am looking forward to seeing the research, diplomacy, creativity, and solutions that each of you brings to the committee. I cannot wait to meet all of you and officially call our first session to order. Good luck with your preparation, and welcome to DISEC! 

Sincerely, 
Nene Dzaveluri 
DISEC Chair 
HUMUNC 2027  

 Greetings comrade delegates, and welcome to HUMUNC 2027. My name is Teuscher Ganir (he/him) and I will be your crisis director for this committee. I am a junior here at Hofstra University, majoring in Philosophy with a double minor in Political Science and Creative Writing. 

This will be my third HUMUNC conference and second time holding the position of crisis director. For those of you returning, I ran the cold war Berlin committee last year and in the year prior, I was a crisis assistant for the Seven Years’ War committee. But now I have the honor of running something completely new: a Star Wars-themed committee. 

As a Star Wars fan, as I’m sure many of you participating in this committee are, I was excited by the opportunity to run the very first Star Wars-themed committee that HUMUNC has ever hosted. Research for this committee led me to pore over Star Wars lore, from essential story elements while trying to avoid getting lost in an asteroid field of unnecessary knowledge and side tangents. Building a unique story for this committee has been a passion project and I am truly grateful for everyone who has helped make it possible. That includes you, dear delegate. Thank you for your preparation and participation, I look forward to seeing new faces and returning ones. Best of luck delegates, as rebels and traitors to the Empire, you’ll need it. 

Sincerely, 
Teuscher Ganir 
Fictional Crisis Director

Dear Delegates, 

Welcome to HUMUNC 2027! My name is Jacob Iacobovici, a junior at Hofstra University and I will be your Secretary-General for Hofstra’s Model United Nations Conference 2027. I am a Political Science major with minors in English and European Studies and I hope to pursue a career in international relations. 

Model UN has served me and many others as an outlet to learn more about the world, as well as hone  public speaking ability and the diplomatic skills that will be essential later in life. This conference, and the skills you gain from it, will help contribute to our overarching theme of “Leadership in an Era of Uncertainty”. 

As delegates and as students, there will be a wide variety of global events at this conference for you to learn about and debate – spanning across the frontiers of space and time. Whether it be about the regulation of AI in warfare or the rise of a galactic rebellion – everyone involved will be enthralled by thrilling debate and engaging conversations. In very polarized times, Model UN serves as a way to stay engaged in current and historical events while having a venue for polite discourse with differing perspectives. This conference should be your opportunity to immerse yourself in your committees and be yourself; bring your own touch to every crisis note and every resolution that you choose to write. 

I am excited to see every single one of you show your diplomatic prowess as you elevate each committee with new ideas, brilliant speech, and the resolutions that you bring to the table. I cannot wait to see amazing debates all weekend long. Remember, in Model UN, you write your own destiny. 

Warm regards,
Jacob Iacobovici 
Secretary-General 
HUMUNC 2027 

Dear Delegates, 

Welcome to HUMUNC 2027 and the World Health Organization (WHO) committee. My name is Trisha Painuli and I am honored to serve as your chair for this year’s conference. 

I am a sophomore at Hofstra University majoring in Neuroscience and Pre-Medical Studies with a minor in Cognitive Science. I am also a member of Honors College and hope to pursue a career in medicine. One of the reasons I was drawn to WHO is because healthcare affects everyone, yet the decisions that shape healthcare often happen far beyond hospitals and doctor’s offices. I have always found it interesting how policy can influence health outcomes on both a local and global scale. 

I started Model UN during my freshman year of high school. My high school team mostly attended General Assembly committees, so my first collegiate conference at Hofstra was a bit of a culture shock. Seeing specialized committees and crises for the first time completely changed the way I looked at MUN and pushed me to think on my feet, become a more confident speaker, and enjoy the challenges that come with debate. 

Outside of classes and MUN, I stay pretty busy with other organizations and volunteering as a Crisis Counselor, EMT, or at the hospital. Whenever I get a break, I love making art and have I have been lucky enough to exhibit my work in several galleries. I also enjoy hiking, gardening, and listening to music. My playlists are kind of chaotic, but Future and PARTYNEXTDOOR are definitely favorites. 

This year, we will be discussing strengthening global preparedness for future pandemics and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and essential medicines. These topics may seem intimidating at first, but they are issues that all of us can relate to. Every person in this committee experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, and every one of us has interacted with the healthcare system at some point in our lives. Discussions throughout the weekend will focus on how countries can work together to address challenges that affect people across the world. 

My goal is to create a committee that is collaborative, engaging, and also challenging. Whether this is your first conference or your twentieth, I hope you feel comfortable sharing your ideas, debating respectfully, and learning from one another. Most importantly, I hope you leave committee having had fun and with a greater appreciation for the role international cooperation plays in addressing global health issues. I am looking forward to reading your position papers and meeting all of you at HUMUNC. If you have any questions before the conference, please feel free to reach out to hofstramodelun@gmail.com or me. Best of luck with your research, and I will see you soon! 

Sincerely, 
Trisha Painuli 
Chair, World Health Organization (WHO) 
HUMUNC 2027 
tpainuli1@pride.hofstra.edu 

Hello Delegates! Welcome to the galaxy!

My name is Abigail Tait (she/her) and it is my pleasure to be your chair for the Fictional Crisis Committee. 

I am a sophomore here at Hofstra University and it is actually only my second year participating in Model UN, the first being my freshman year of college. Outside of Model UN, I am a double major in biology and political science, with a pre-med concentration. 

I hope that this conference can be as fun for you as Model UN has been for me, and I hope that you find the topic just as interesting as I do. I also hope that this conference, and your time in the Fictional Crisis Committee inspires you to both examine issues that appear in this setting and see how they can be applied in the real world with more depth and explore ways to sharpen your leadership skills! 

Good luck with your research and preparation, and I look forward to meeting you all in February and seeing what you are able to accomplish at HUMUNC 2027! 

Sincerely, 
Abigail Tait 
Fictional Crisis Chair HUMUNC 2027 

 Dear Delegates, 

Welcome to HUMUNC 2027! My name is Kellsie Verdone, a junior at Hofstra University and I will be your chair of Press Corps for Hofstra’s Model United Nations Conference 2027. I am a double major in Mass Media and History, and I hope to be a librarian someday. 

I started Model UN in my sophomore year of college. I was very unsure at first about what it took to be successful, but I learned to love it through doing conferences and helping behind the scenes at HUMUNC 2026. I am so excited to be chairing Press Corps this year, and I believe the skills it teaches are not only important to stand out at Model UN, but to confront challenges in the world as a whole. 

There will be a wide variety of global events from across history to report and interview other delegates about. You will be assigned a committee to report on for the first day, either crisis or general assembly. You will assume the role of a reporter from a specific show on a news network who has a specific style of writing and interviewing. A written report will be presented at the end of the day. The next day, I will tell you when you will switch committees. This will give everyone a chance to cover both crisis and General Assembly sessions. A one- or two-page report will be expected at the end of the second day. Interviews with the delegates in each committee will be conducted during their unmoderated caucuses, and writing will be conducted either as you have time or towards the end of the day. Those in crisis committees will have an opportunity to ask questions to delegates during crisis updates. The final task will be to prepare a video summarizing your findings throughout the two days of reporting. You can include clips or quotes from your interviews or just present commentary yourself.

I look forward to seeing every single one of you show your journalistic and diplomatic prowess and develop a distinct voice as you present this committee with new ideas, insightful interviews, and reports that you bring to the table. 

Best, 
Kellsie Verdone 
Chair, Press Corps 
HUMUNC 2027 

Greetings and Salutations, Delegates!

It is such a pleasure to join you once again for our annual Hofstra Model United Nations Conference. I am beyond excited and grateful to be your honorable Co-Chair for this year’s edition of our conference.

My name is Dayanna Chacon, and I will be your lead Chair for the International Court of Justice Committee. I am a third-year student from West Hempstead, NY, studying Political Science and Criminology with a minor in Civic Engagement. This is my third year being a part of Hofstra’s Model UN, currently serving as the club’s Secretary. Last year I served as Public Relations Chair for the club as well as the assistant Chair for the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL) in HUMUNC ‘26. I am so excited to be back with a very unique committee that I developed.

Speaking of… the International Court of Justice Committee. This committee is specially designed for those aspiring to be lawyers and judges in the future. The roles require the ability to think critically, read and interpret documentation, make clear and concise arguments, and most importantly, be accountable. The goal of this committee is to get you started on your legal or diplomatic career by simulating the work that real international lawyers and judges perform, while doing what you already know how to do: be a delegate.

Like most legal systems, the International Court of Justice is complex, filled with legal jargon and complicated chains of documents; this will be especially evident in regard to the difficult international topics we will be discussing during this committee. However, what makes understanding the law so rewarding is breaking all the jargon down into arguments that explain the case and facilitate decisions or verdicts made by judges. There is no better feeling than to understand a piece of a puzzle, then connect it all together to create your very own work. This is my hope for you all as we engage in legal debate within the Court.

Once again, I am so excited to be your Co-Chair for this special committee. I hope you find that this committee is as fun and unique as it was for me designing it. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to email me.

Welcome to the Court, delegates! May the debates forever be in your favor.

With the Warmest of Wishes,
Dayanna Rubio-Chacon
Co-Chair, International Court of Justice Committee
drubiochacon1@pride.hofstra.edu

Dear HUMUNC Delegates,

Welcome to HUMUNC! My name is Justin Danek, and I am looking forward to serving as your Co-Chair for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Committee. I am a senior who is double-majoring in Political Science and Economics and I hope to pursue a career in public service.

I am interested in the International Court of Justice Committee because of how it aims to foster cooperation and resolve disputes between states. I find it intriguing how it handles both contentious legal matters through advisory opinions, as well as criminal cases against states and leaders. What makes this committee so unique are opportunities to construct alternative outcomes to cases, the chance to make the case for your country’s beliefs, and the ability to explore practical solutions to the most important world issues.

In the ICJ committee, we will be focusing on the issue of global denuclearization. This topic has lasting implications for the global balance of power and raises thought-provoking questions on the ICJ’s jurisdiction, behaviors of different countries, and the ethics of denuclearization. The sessions will focus on the history of nuclear weapons, realistic paths to denuclearization, and the extent of the ICJ’s power. Delegates should know, and be ready to make the case for, their country’s position on nuclear proliferation and international cooperation, as well as the international agreements and treaties that they have signed on to related to these issues.

As Co-Chair, I am excited to work with everyone and see how you all represent your given country. Some people will be judges who decide the fate of the case, and some will be lawyers for countries seeking to uphold denuclearization agreements or seeking more flexibility in pursuing nuclear arsenals. No matter how much previous experience you have with Model UN, I encourage you to engage in conversation, ask questions, and talk to your peers. I hope to see everyone working in teams and collaborating, competing against each other, and making everyone in the room think.

I hope that upon completion of the committee, you will have developed a deeper understanding of these issues and that you enjoy your time developing your skills and meeting your peers. I look forward to reading all of your position papers and meeting all of you. Good luck with preparing for HUMUNC and getting ready for ICJ!

Best regards,
Justin Danek
Co-Chair, International Court of Justice Committee