Dear Delegates,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 42nd annual Ivy League Model United Nations Conference! My name is Jose Gonzalez, and I am honored to serve as the Under-Secretary General of General Assembly Committees. The Secretariat and I have spent many months preparing for this conference, and we hope that the time and energy we have invested will translate into a great weekend filled with engaging debate, meaningful collaboration, and memorable experiences.

A bit about myself: I am currently a junior in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania, pursuing a degree in Systems Engineering with a concentration in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. I also conduct independent research in statistical arbitrage and hedge-conscious investing in the stock market. When I am not immersed in research or coursework, I enjoy playing soccer and tennis, going to the gym, watching movies, and spending time with friends. 

As Under-Secretary General of General Assembly Committees, I am excited to see the debate regarding the GA committees. The GA stands at the core of the United Nations, embodying its inclusive and democratic spirit by ensuring that every member state—and here, every delegate—has a voice in shaping international dialogue. These committees address some of the most wide-reaching and consequential issues, from disarmament and development to humanitarian relief and the promotion of human rights. They provide you with the opportunity to think critically about global challenges, to consider them from diverse perspectives, and to work toward solutions that balance principle with pragmatism. 

I encourage you to approach ILMUNC with both seriousness and joy—with the drive to debate rigorously and the openness to build connections that extend far beyond committee walls. Our world is facing unprecedented challenges, and while none of us can solve them alone, the spirit of collaboration and innovation you will find here is exactly what the future demands. At the same time, don’t forget to enjoy the experience: the late-night conversations, the shared laughter, and the friendships forged here are just as important as the awards and resolutions.

Once again, on behalf of the entire Secretariat, we are thrilled to have you at ILMUNC this year. It is the enthusiastic and engaged delegates like you that make ILMUNC one of the premier Model United Nations conferences in the country, and I look forward to celebrating all of your achievements this weekend.

Best regards,
Jose

Under Secretary-General, General Assemblies
The 42nd Ivy League Model United Nations Conference

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to the 42nd Ivy League Model United Nations Conference! My name is Josh Levine, and I am honored to serve as an Under Secretary General of General Assemblies. Our secretariat has put so countless hours into creating a meaningful, exciting, and memorable conference. During the conference, I encourage you to dive into critical debates with an open-mind and pursue reasonable solutions. I am excited to welcome you to Philadelphia for the forty-second iteration of ILMUNC. On behalf of our entire secretariat, we cannot wait to open debate in January.

I am a current sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania from Needham, Massachusetts planning to major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with double minors in Data Science and American Public Policy. Outside of ILMUNC, I am a Project Lead for Wharton’s Social Impact Consulting Club, an Executive Board Member for Penn Club Squash, and a research fellow for Penn Program on Opinion Research and Election Studies (PORES). I also have a background working in law and business, including two summers with the federal prosecutors in Boston. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my friends, running, and supporting Boston sports.

I am thrilled to direct three engaging committees at ILMUNC. While each committee has its own unique characteristics and topics, the general themes of collaboration and debate will provide meaningful experiences for all delegates. I am excited to see what results SPECPOL, Legal, and OOSA produce by the end of the conference.

Throughout the conference, I want you to focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and keeping an open-mind. These are skills that will serve you well at ILMUNC and beyond. We want to hear what you think about these pressing issues; we want to hear how you build your ideas, why you believe in them, and how you convince others to support your perspective. Also, take ILMUNC as an opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone—whatever that means for you. Speak up, make new friends, and take in all the amazing things ILMUNC and Philadelphia have to offer.

ILMUNC was made with you, the delegate, in mind. We built this premier conference for you to have the best possible experience, and we could not host this incredible event without you. On behalf of the entire secretariat, welcome to ILMUNC!

Best regards, 
Josh

Under Secretary-General, General Assemblies
The 42nd Ivy League Model United Nations Conference

Dear Delegates,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 42nd annual Ivy League Model United Nations Conference! My name is Olivia Roman, and I am honored to serve as an Under-Secretary General of General Assemblies & Specialized Committees. The entire Secretariat has dedicated immense time and effort to ensuring this conference provides an enriching experience filled with meaningful debate and creative resolutions that you can carry with you for years to come. 

A bit about me: I’m a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences studying Economics with a minor in Consumer Psychology. I grew up just outside of Chicago, IL, where I was deeply involved in my high school's Model UN team. Outside of class, I am part of the Jewish Heritage Program, TAMID, and Greek Life. In my free time, I enjoy walking around with friends, listening to music, or trying new restaurants in Philly. 

As an experienced delegate myself, I understand the range of emotions that come with a conference of this scale. There is excitement and anticipation, but also anxiety, and that is completely normal. Our goal is to provide a space where you can showcase the effort and research you have put into your topics while collaborating to develop innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues. Whether you’re a seasoned delegate or attending your first conference ever, know that you will get out of the experience what you put into it. I encourage you to always speak up during moderated caucuses and within your blocs, even if it feels intimidating. This weekend will be filled with unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.  

As an Under-Secretary General of General Assemblies and Specialized Committees, I am excited to have the opportunity to oversee the many dynamic and engaging committees that will be taking place at this conference. These committees offer a unique and invaluable experience to delegates, as you all will be diving deeper into specific topics and areas of interest. Each committee offers a unique perspective and set of challenges that will test your skills.

As we kick off this weekend, I encourage you to approach the conference with both an open mind and a commitment to excellence.The issues you will be debating are real and affect countless lives; during a time in which the world faces unparalleled challenges, your innovative ideas are key to driving positive change. But amidst the hard work, don’t forget to have fun! Make lasting memories, forge new friendships, and take in everything this conference has to offer.

On behalf of the entire Secretariat, we are thrilled to welcome you to ILMUNC this year. It is the spirited and engaged delegates such as yourself that make ILMUNC one of the premier Model United Nations conferences across the country, and I look forward to celebrating all that you accomplish this weekend. 

Best,
Olivia

Under Secretary-General of ECOSOC
The 42nd Ivy League Model United Nations Conference