Model United Nations allows students to challenge themselves and develop lifelong skills that can be applied to any situation. One of the opportunities for a leadership role is to become chair of a committee. First-time chair members of the Human Rights Council (HRC) Sabrina Nabizada (left), Isabella Harrison (middle), and Maritza Velasco (right) of San Jose State University give insight on their experience from delegate to chair. 

The San Jose bunch was inspired by last year’s chairs and the encouragement of their professor, Dr. Danijela Dudley, to become more involved in the MUNFW. Duties of the committee chairs include picking and researching issue topics and moderating meetings.  In order to prepare for the conference, chairs meet almost a year in advance carefully choosing the themes and topics. The panel explained that the process of writing the issue books gave them a chance to explore their passion for international relations as well as help ignite the fire in others. This year’s HRC touched on displacement due to environmental degradation, mitigating the impact of disruptions to education, ensuring access to services for victims of human trafficking which they all felt were important to advocate for in today’s political climate. They explained that mock sessions with nearby schools helped immensely when it came to creating a sense of decorum. When it came time for the real stimulation, the chairs found that tensions would rise between delegates but remaining calm helped settle disputes and pass resolutions effectively. Their leadership was praised by delegates who appreciated them balancing serious matters but also creating an enjoyable experience. 

The trio encourage anyone who is thinking about becoming a chair to take the leap of faith and join the Secretariat. Although the work may be exhausting, it is extremely rewarding with the relationship created, memories made, and lessons learned. Summed up by Velasco as “an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.”

Breanna Reyes
World Press Reporter
California State University, East Bay