Curtis Shih
Honorable Directors, Chairs, Delegates, and Guests of TAIMUN XXIV
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It is my honor to welcome you to the twenty-fourth annual session of the Taiwan Model United Nations. I am Curtis Shih, a current junior studying at American School in Taichung, and I will be serving as the Secretary General for TAIMUN XXIV. Every year, our colorful village transforms into a realm of diplomacy, a space that invites and welcomes global solutions and breakthroughs. I am ecstatic to have you join us on our journey towards global unity and peace. I would like to extend my gratitude to Ms. Moye, our MUN director, for the immense support she has shown towards TAIMUN and our team. Thank you for the constant words of encouragement and diligent effort in ensuring TAIMUN’s success.
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To Chloe and Jeffrey, my deputy and parliamentarian, for their tolerance and compassion as I learn my way, navigating this path. The responsibility and leadership you both present have been a valuable asset to this conference. As we encounter the pressures of junior year, thank you for being willing to put in time and effort, and most of all for your unwavering support and dedication. I hope we can, in turn, make this a conference into something we can all be proud of.
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To Darius, thank you for your courage and acumen. The knowledge and insights you constantly contribute to our planning have opened new doors that were once unopened. I am extremely grateful for the courage you have demonstrated and the sacrifices you have made to contribute your efforts towards the making of this conference.
MUN might seem like a 3-day simulation of being a delegate; however, it completely transforms when you approach it from the perspective of a global citizen. I want you all to envision yourselves as global citizens- through this lens, you will find yourself discovering countless ways to contribute to this world. I hope that MUN can catalyze discovering ways in which you can embody the role of a global citizen, someone who is a paragon of positive change in whatever field or community you choose to pursue.
Secretary General
Whether your future lies in business, education, arts, or engineering, the skills you develop here at MUN will allow you to address global challenges from any position. MUN is not just about diplomacy; it's about preparing you to be thoughtful, engaged citizens who can make meaningful contributions to our interconnected world, regardless of the path you take beyond these three days.
I hope your discovery of how you can uniquely contribute to the world goes far beyond the number of tally points or Instagram followers you gain from these three days, and I truly hope that you can find the true purpose of your participation.
With hope,
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Curtis Shih
Secretary General
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Taiwan Model United Nations, 24th Session
Dear honorable chairs, directors, delegates, and esteemed guests,
Welcome to the Twenty-fourth Annual Session of Taiwan Model United Nations. My name is Chloe Chen, currently a Junior studying at the American School of Taichung, and I will have the most sincere honor to serve as your Deputy Secretary General of TAIMUN XXIV.
First, I would like to express my utmost gratitude to our MUN Director, Ms. Laura Moye, for her continuous guidance and patience throughout our planning for this conference and throughout my entire MUN journey. The wisdom and experience she has provided is invaluable, which I will cherish far beyond my high school and MUN careers.
Next, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my fellow secretariats, Curtis, Jeffrey, and Darius. While our initial beginnings may have been somewhat challenging, I can confidently affirm that through overcoming these challenges together, it is clear that TAIMUN is in capable hands.
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In recent years, the world has been confronted with pressing humanitarian challenges, which helped us inspire the theme for the theme of this year’s TAIMUN: “Recentering Humanity: Reforming the World Order.” This theme highlights the divisions and corruption among global policies. By engaging with these issues at TAIMUN, I hope that delegates will be
Chloe Chen
encouraged to think creatively and critically, while also reflecting on the moral compass that guides our world.
Regardless of whether this is your first or last conference, I hope that delegates of TAIMUN XXIV can accomplish the goal of connecting and compromising with one another, developing bold solutions fueled by creativity that spark exciting debates, and ultimately fostering a deeper understanding of the issues presented today. See you guys in March!
With appreciation,
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Chloe Chen
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Deputy Secretary General.
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Taiwan Model United Nations, 24th Session
Honorable chairs, directors, delegates, and most esteemed guests,
It is with pleasure that I welcome you to the 24th annual session of TAIMUN.
I’m Darius, a junior at Taipei American School, and I am beyond grateful to serve as one of your Deputy Secretary-Generals at this year’s conference.
I want to thank Curtis, Chloe, and Jeffrey for giving me this opportunity to contribute to something I am so very passionate about. I intensely admire the leadership and dedication of this year’s team and am honored to be a part of it. Your trust, along with your expertise and guidance, has empowered me to share ideas and make a meaningful impact at this year’s conference.
Model UN was my first real window into the unfamiliar world of global politics and diplomacy. It was where I stumbled through my first attempt at drafting a resolution, only to watch it fall apart during practice. It was where I regretted not becoming a main-submitter because my anxious self would not walk up to the podium. It was where I felt too embarrassed by my own inadequacy at public speaking to even raise a POI. Yet, strangely enough, it also became my first attempt at mentorship – where I guided younger delegates who reminded me of myself: nervous, unsure, but filled with an unyielding ambition to stand out from the crowd.
These were the very things that grounded me in empathy and understanding of what MUN in our community looked like.
Deputy Secretary General
Darius Hsu
Today, we live in an era of unyielding paradox: we are more connected than ever, yet we are also increasingly divided. Technologies bring us closer, while ideologies push us apart. International law, the once foundation of policy, is eroding at breakneck speed. States have brazenly dispensed with key pillars of the very same liberal world order they purport to uphold. International tribunals, the ICJ and the ICC, are deemed as 'meritless' or even immoral by these very states, while their own futile actions in resolving crises only call into question the validity of such criticisms. Meanwhile, attempts by the UN Security Council to pass even the most basic ceasefire resolutions are too often paralyzed by the looming threat of a single veto.
All these raise concerns about what it means moving forward today. Amidst shortcomings of today’s governments and policymakers, there is, for one, an undeniable need to rethink and reform judiciously. Still, how do we navigate these tides while keeping humanity at the core of conversations?
This year, I invite you all to seek your answer at the conference. I invite you to engage deeply. To ask hard questions. To listen openly. To challenge assumptions. To learn from new voices. To lead with integrity. To partner with intention. And to leave here not just with contact, but with a renewed sense of purpose and a commitment to innovate.
I look forward to seeing what you will all bring in March.
In unity,
Darius Hsu
Deputy Secretary-General
Taiwan Model United Nations, 24th Session
Jeffery Chang
Honorable Secretariats, Directors, Chairs, Delegates, and Guests,
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Welcome to the 24th annual Taiwan Model United Nations conference. I am Jeffrey Chang, a junior at American School in Taichung, and I am privileged to serve as your Parliamentarian for TAIMUN XXIV. I would like to take this time to express my appreciation to my fellow secretariats—Curtis, Chloe, and Darius—our tireless TAIMUN student officers, and most of all, our amazing advisor, Ms. Moye. While planning for this conference, I’ve learned a lot of valuable skills and lessons from all of you, and TAIMUN XXIV will forever have a special place in my heart.
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I attended my very first MUN conference, STMUN, three years ago. I can still vividly recall feeling so lost when I observed other delegates debate complex global issues as I struggled to understand the most basic procedures. But I realized what MUN was all about after attending a couple of conferences. Not only has it enlightened me regarding international affairs and conflicts, but also sharpened my critical thinking and public speaking abilities.
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I encourage you during this conference to step outside your comfort zone. It is okay to raise your placard and request clarification or a point of parliamentary inquiry when the procedure is not understood. At the heart of every motion, every vote, and every procedure ruling lies the opportunity to develop skills that you will carry with the rest of your life. I hope that you find the true purpose of your participation. See you all in March!
Best regards,
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Jeffrey Chang
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Parliamentarian
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Taiwan Model United Nations, 24th Session
