United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Secretary
Jonathan Shih
Fellow delegates, welcome to the TAIMUN XXIV! I’m Jonathan Shih, a junior at Pacific American School in Hsinchu. It is an honor to serve as your president of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) this year. TAIMUN will be my 21st conference and 10th time chairing. For me, MUN is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities, as it combines the thrill of debate, the challenge of problem-solving, and the joy of representing diverse perspectives on a global stage. My journey into MUN began with a simple nudge from a friend. What started as a casual suggestion has blossomed into a passion that has profoundly enriched my academic and personal life. After attending my first MUN conference in 7th grade, I slowly discovered that MUN has not only perfected my public speaking and negotiation skills but also deepened my understanding of international relations and the complexities of world politics.
Whether you are an experienced delegate or a first-timer, I strongly encourage everyone to be very active and not be afraid of approaching the podium. I also recommend experienced delegates to help out those first-timers in order to have a very smooth and enjoyable debate.
Here are some fun facts about myself. Besides MUN, I also enjoy watching baseball, F1, and planespotting. Lastly, I hope this year’s TAIMUN will be memorable to all, and hopefully, this conference will motivate you to enjoy MUN! Please don’t hesitate to contact me for any questions or concerns! P.S. Good luck to anyone who’s preparing for AP exams after the conference.
Chair
John Weng
Greetings Delegates!
My name is John, a freshman at the American School in Taichung, and it is with the greatest honor that I serve as your Deputy President of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at TAIMUN XXIV. This marks my eleventh conference and second time as a chair.
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I began my MUN journey in sixth grade with gradual encouragement from my friends and family, when I was just another timid delegate representing Albania in TASMUN. The debates were intense and fruitful—but I only gave one speech for the entirety of the conference. As someone who started terrified of public speaking, collaboration, and social interaction, I understand how intimidating it can be to speak in front of everyone on the podium. Because of that, I strive to create an encouraging and inclusive environment in the room and motivate all delegates to safely and confidently contribute to the issue at hand to make the conference enjoyable for all.
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Aside from doing MUN, I like playing sports, grinding my chess rating, and binge-watching sitcoms. If you also have similar interests, feel free to chat with me about those topics!
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I look forward to seeing all of you in March for TAIMUN XXIV!
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Warm Regards,
John Weng
