Dear delegates, directors, and guests,
It is my honor to welcome you to this year's Berlin Model United Nations conference. Over the past two decades, BERMUN has grown from a small regional MUN event to a three-day conference with over 500 participants from all corners of the world. Since 2005, I have been an active member of this unique experience proud to serve as Secretary General at my final BERMUN conference.

Over the past four years of Model UN, I came to realize many different aspects of the program. Not only have I gained comprehensive insights into world politics and the functions of the UN, but also I learned valuable lessons that no math or English class could teach. Primarily, I realized that it does not take a native speaker to voice an opinion. We all have the responsibility to raise our voice and to utter our opinion on issues, regardless of difficulties we might have with a foreign language. We should make those mistakes in grammar or pronunciation but we will learn from them and avoid repeating them in the future. We all grow with each conference; we improve our language skills, develop rhetorical aptitude, and master the process and difficulties of political compromise. MUN offers an environment of sophisticated cosmopolitism, cultural diversity, international socializing -in all a unique learning experience. Be an active delegate - you will not only benefit on an academic level, but enjoy MUN on a personal basis.

On behalf of the entire BERMUN team, I wish you all the best for your preparation, success during deliberations, and a pleasant stay in Berlin. Use the unique setting of this international conference to grow academically, socially, and politically. Raise your voice and make your country?s opinion be heard while assuming global responsibility for current world political issues.

I sincerely look forward to meeting you in November.
Kind regards,
Max Jürgens
Secretary-General

Dear BERMUN Participants,
It is my honor to welcome you to BERMUN 2009 as Deputy Secretary-General. I am 19 years old and currently attend the 13th grade at John F. Kennedy High School in Berlin. This year?s conference will be my twelfth MUN conference in total, and my third as a Student Officer. During my participation in numerous MUN conferences, I have debated a great variety of conference topics. However, I find this year?s theme of ?Global Ethics: Rules for Global Welfare? especially suitable and interesting in view of current political affairs. Hopefully you as delegates will be able to use this to your benefit and engage in prolific debate, regardless of your native language. See BERMUN as a great opportunity to encounter youth from all over the world and let your voice be heard!

My interest in MUN was sparked a few years ago, when I participated in my first conference here in Berlin. Since then, I have passionately engaged myself in large as well as smaller-scale conferences worldwide. In my free time, I enjoy surfing, making music, working out and socializing.

I take great pleasure in travelling abroad and getting to know different people and cultures. Having lived in Belgrade and New York has taught me to be outgoing and open to new experiences. Moving around a lot has also made me somewhat of an expert on making friends very quickly, which is why I truly look forward to meeting you in November.

See you then!
Ina Fischer
Deputy Secretary-General

Dear Participants of BERMUN 2009,
At this year?s BERMUN Conference, I have the honor to serve as the Deputy-Secretary General. I currently attend the 12th grade at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, and I am glad to once again form a part of BERMUN.

Most of us are citizens of democracies and therefore we have a responsibility to further promote, guard and ensure democracy. At BERMUN, we aim not only at strengthening rhetorical and social skills but also at deepening political awareness amongst youth. BERMUN helps participants to develop a global perspective on political - social issues and encourages them to think beyond their everyday personal needs and concerns.

I am eighteen years old and enjoy playing percussion in our school?s Symphonic Band. In addition, I very much enjoy soccer. I hope that every single delegation, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, will make use of the opportunity to speak up and share their knowledge and critical thoughts at this year?s BERMUN conference.

I am looking forward to meeting you in November.
Marcel Starfinger
Deputy-Secretary General

Dear Directors, Delegates and Guests,
It is my honor as President of the General Assembly to welcome you to the Berlin Model United Nations Conference 2009.

We the youth of today have both the chance and the responsibility to shape the world we want to live in tomorrow. This year?s theme ?Global ethics: Rules for Global Welfare? especially concerns our generation?s future.

I started participating in the MUN program and BERMUN three years ago and since then have experienced many of its great aspects. I realized that, even as a non-native speaker, you can voice your opinion and let yourself be heard. I gained valuable insights into world politics and have come to understand current global issues. Most importantly, I was able to meet and interact with culturally diverse people from all over the world.

Hoping that you will have similar experiences, I encourage you as delegates to be open to different opinions, to speak up even if English is not your mother tongue, to act responsibly, and to work together to reach compromises and sustainable solutions.

Apart from participating in MUN, I enjoy singing, learning Spanish, and completing various voluntary jobs at my school. Travelling and spending time with my friends are also among my favorite pastimes.

I wish all of you good luck in your preparations and look forward to welcoming you in Berlin in November!

Alisa J. Priess
President of the General Assembly

Dear BERMUN Delegates,
Four years ago, I too was a first-time delegate, as some of you may be today. I remember how nervous I was when first asked to speak in front of my committee. Over time, I understood the fun and great advantages of the MUN program. While we may not necessarily ?save the world,? participants usually leave the conference more informed and knowledgeable in the fields of diplomacy and international politics.

This will be my fifth MUN conference, in which I will serve as President of the Security Council. Charlotte von Streit, the Deputy-President of the Security Council, and I will give our all to make this conference a magnificent experience for you, both academically and interpersonally. BERMUN 2009 will provide the opportunity to improve your public speaking skills and hopefully fuel your interest in politics. Speaking from personal experience, it is natural for anyone to be nervous initially, but our teamwork and cooperation will make the conference a wonderful learning experience.

Let me introduce myself: I am 17 years old and in the 11th grade. My mother is American, my father German, and I have lived in Berlin and attended the John F. Kennedy School all my life. In my free time, I like to sing, spend time with friends, and travel. I especially enjoy exploring the city of Berlin, which I am excited to share with you in November.

See you soon!
Leah Wiedenmann
President of the Security Council

Dear Delegates,
I am honored to serve as Deputy-President of the Security Council at this year?s BERMUN conference. After having participated as a delegate in several conferences, this will be my first chairing opportunity. I am 17 years old and in my last year at the John F. Kennedy School (JFKS). Prior to settling in Berlin, I had the opportunity to move around throughout Germany. During an exchange year in New Zealand, I was introduced to MUN. Once back in Berlin and enrolled at JFKS, I began to participate actively in weekly debates. Having friends from many different cultures awakened my interest in the issues discussed at our weekly MUN debates and led me to want to learn more about their political, social, and environmental concerns.

But there are other things in my life besides MUN. I play the saxophone, and love sports like hockey, sailing, swimming, and running. Another thing I really enjoy is travelling, which I have been doing somewhat too much in the recent past, at least that is what my parents say.

This year's topics before the Security Council are "The question of Palestine" and "Reviewing the application of economic sanctions as an effective means to enforce UN resolutions." These are current issues on the UN agenda and will, due to the diversity of opinions, be interesting to debate.

I am looking forward to spending the four days in November with you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Charlotte von Streit
Deputy-President of the Security Council

Dear Delegates,
It is an honor for me to welcome you to BERMUN 2009! To me, MUN is not only about politics and diplomacy, but also about meeting new people from all over the world. Debating current political issues make MUN an incredible learning experience. I discovered for myself that with every conference I attended, I learned more about delivering speeches, researching, lobbying, and of course debating. By actively taking part, you will get to appreciate the excitement that goes along with every debate. Additionally, MUN conferences bring together people from all over the world with different and often times very interesting backgrounds. I am happy that I have maintained many of the contacts made at different conferences, and believe that this is a great opportunity that we, as MUNers, should definitely take advantage of at BERMUN 2009.

This BERMUN conference will be my tenth MUN conference, in which I will serve as President of the Economic and Social Council. I am 19 years old and attend the 13th grade at the John F. Kennedy School. When I started MUN in 10th grade, I was overwhelmed by the other students' ability to speak and act spontaneously. I was intimidated, but soon discovered that with some courage and preparation it is easy to actively take part in debate. This experience raised my political awareness and allowed me to profit from all that such a conference has to offer.

When I'm not busy with schoolwork or MUN, you are likely to find me playing sports. Soccer, cricket, basketball, or cruising on my skateboard allow me to relax. But just as frequently, I roam the streets of Berlin with my friends. I was born in Berlin, but my family moved to London shortly thereafter. I returned to the city after only a few years and stayed there for most of my life, apart from half a year in Malaysia. I think all of you are going to have a great time discovering this lively city with its enormous cultural variety.

Looking forward to seeing you in November,
Tenzin Sekhon
President of the Economic and Social Council

Dear Delegates,
It is my pleasure to serve as Deputy-President of the Economic and Social Council at this year?s BERMUN conference. I am 17 years old and this will be my last BERMUN before graduating at the end of this year. As it will be my first time chairing, I am especially excited to share the MUN-experience with you.

Aside from political debates and diplomatic acting, MUN gives us the unique opportunity to socialize with participants from different countries and cultures. This creates the pleasant atmosphere I especially enjoyed at past BERMUN conferences.

As I am not a native speaker myself, I want to encourage delegates that may not be absolutely fluent in English to nevertheless voice their opinions. This will enable you to improve both linguistic and debating skills and ensure that multisided debates take place in our committee.

Outside of MUN, I explore Hamburg?s cultural diversity with my friends by visiting plays and attending concerts.

I will do my best to support every delegate?s well-being before, during, and after the conference in order to contribute towards an unforgettable conference. I look forward to meeting you all in November!

Feline Moje
Deputy-President of the Economic and Social Council

Dear Delegates,
At BERMUN 2009, I will be serving as Rapporteur to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). I am 15 years old and currently a sophomore at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin.

My interest in MUN was sparked in 2007, when I represented Ghana in the BERMUN Environment Committee. Although my English was at the time still ? shall we say ?unpolished? - and I did not have a lot of political knowledge, listening to the debate and other delegates encouraged me to learn more and to participate actively in the discussions. Since then I have had the privilege of attending many MUN conferences throughout Europe, and I have acquired a great deal of experience and background knowledge concerning international affairs.

This year?s BERMUN will be my first conference as a Student Officer, and I look forward to working with you. As Rapporteur, it is my duty to assist you in any research - and topic-related questions.

Aside from focusing on school and activities, I enjoy listening to music, playing the piano, doing sports and socializing.

I wish you all the best for your research and look forward to a great time in the ECOSOC.

Bernard Reifeld
Rapporteur to the Economic and Social Council

Hello Honourable Delegates,
At this year's BERMUN conference in November I will have the honour to serve as the President of the Special Conference. MUN has broadened my understanding of political issues and helped me develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. I therefore strongly encourage you to take an active part in the conference and speak up in the debates. By doing so, you will make it the best possible experience for you and others.

I am currently a senior at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, Zehlendorf. I have lived in Berlin since 1998, and really appreciate the multicultural atmosphere of the city. Outside of school, I enjoy playing Lacrosse and rowing on the Wannsee. In my remaining free time, I spend time with my friends, listening to music or reading.

I am excited to serve as a chair and look forward to a very successful conference,
Carl Kühl
President of the Special Conference

Dear Delegates,
It is with great honor that I welcome you to the Special Conference at BERMUN 2009. In my position as President of the forum, I will work towards creating an enjoyable and productive conference for all of you.

To me, Model United Nations is about more than just politics. Model United Nations is about experiencing something different and unfamiliar and learning from this experience. It is through experiences like BERMUN that we become well-rounded and cultured individuals. I cannot encourage you enough to become an active, not a passive participant in this year's conference, both for your benefit and for the benefit of your fellow delegates. Although I have never been to an international MUN conference before, I am excited at the prospect of being a Student Officer this year. I am active in the Model United Nations club at my school and function as a member of the student governing body.

I am 17 years old and currently a senior at Xaverian High School in Brooklyn, New York. I was born and raised in New York, and I have never lived anywhere else. In addition to keeping up with my schoolwork, I am on the varsity American football team at my school, as well as the environmental club, the mock trial team, and the student coordinating council. In my spare time, I enjoy reading books, watching movies, and visiting new places. But enough about me, the rest you'll find out come November. I hope to see you then!

Matthew Freeze
President of the Special Conference

Honorable Judges, most distinguished Advocates,
This year will be a special one for the Berlin Model International Court of Justice (BMICJ). We have assembled an amazing team for our committee, which is both highly motivated and extremely qualified for the challenge ahead. It is also due to this challenge that I take the freedom to baptize this year?s conference ?special.? Inspired by the 2009 Model International Criminal Court (MICC) at the Robert College International MUN conference in Turkey, we decided to jump into a totally new concept.

Advocates will play a particularly important role by informing the committee on the intricacies of bilateral treaties and complexities of interpreting and applying international statutes. The Case itself is still in the making, but we are sure no one in the committee is going to be left yawning behind our backs.

Now that I have introduced you to the BMICJ, I would like to introduce myself.

I am a 13th grader at the John F. Kennedy School. So far, this is my ninth MUN conference and my second as the President of the BMICJ. Except for organizing the BMICJ conference this year, other major challenges before me this year include the successful completion of my Abitur and learning Portuguese. I enjoy playing the saxophone, singing, acting, and rowing. Being a person who constantly opts for new experiences in life, I looked for something else the MUN program had to offer after having been a delegate at various conferences. ICJ was the answer. Since then, I have participated in the ICJ at several MUN conferences throughout Europe. I believe this ?obsession? is contagious and that we will succeed in infecting you as well during your stay in Berlin!

I hope for fruitful deliberations and look forward to meeting you.
David Heim
President of the ICJ

Hello Delegates,
I am delighted to be one of this year's presidents of the ICJ. Although I have attended several BERMUN conferences, last year was my first ICJ experience and I was extremely impressed. Before the conference, the case we worked on seemed irresolvable - I had a host of questions I thought might be relevant... but then, no idea where to start looking for the answers. When we began deliberating with the help of our legal expert, I felt like I was learning a new language, a whole new way of approaching a dispute. Many times, it was about logical evaluation: whereas some issues involved in the case required lively debate over contradictory opinions, others revolved around different ways to interpret laws and actions.

The ICJ is precisely the kind of project I had hoped to get involved in when I came to the John F. Kennedy School three years ago. I had lived in California the previous eight years and attended a very small international school with few activities. But now I am a senior at the JFKS, am surrounded by an American - international climate, and especially enjoy the multi-cultural experience BERMUN conferences and opportunities like the ICJ offer.

Other school activities I participate in include the student newspaper and various music department classes. I play the piano, read (when I have enough brain power left after long school days), and for a more relaxing past time, go for strolls in the city. I am anticipating another memorable conference, another chance to improve debating, reasoning, and communication skills... and am excited about serving as President of the ICJ.

I look forward to meeting you all! Until November!
Lena Walther< br> President of the ICJ

Dear Participants of BERMUN 2009,
Being a Judge in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has so far been my most valued experience in the MUN program. As a participant of this forum, I gained a closer understanding of the structure of international law. The ICJ also served as a great environment for me to speak up about legal matters and share ideas with fellow participants. I encourage you as Judges and Advocates of this year?s ICJ to come to the conference intending to participate in ardent debate, because in this forum you will definitely be given the chance to do so.

In addition to learning about international law, I enjoy working on art projects, playing the piano and developing my language skills. As an 11th grader at the John F. Kennedy School here in Berlin, I also participate in other school-related activities, such as the Literary Circle and the Philosophy Society.

Given past experiences, I believe this year?s ICJ will spark new interests and ideas in all of us.

See you soon!
Katharina Windemuth
President of the ICJ

Dear Delegates,
At this year?s BERMUN conference, I have the honor of serving as Chair of the Disarmament Committee. Model United Nations has taught me a lot throughout the past years. When I first started participating in the MUN program at our school in ninth grade, I was afraid to speak up in front of my classmates. But after time and confronting my fears, I grew more secure, improved my vocabulary, and started to enjoy participating in the heated debates. MUN let my interest for world politics grow and proved to me that in the 21st century, communicating, debating, and consensus building on a grassroots level is paramount if we are to enjoy a more peaceful and secure world in the coming decades.

I am a senior at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. In my free time, I like meeting friends, listening to music, and doing sports. Also, I love to travel and have had the great opportunity of spending two years of my life in British Columbia, Canada.

I would like to urge you to use this year´s Conference as a chance to meet new people, actively participate in debate, and last, but certainly not least, to have fun. I am sure that you will then be able to truly benefit from this special learning experience.

Hoping that November will come soon and expecting that you share my enthusiasm,
Paul von Salisch,
Chair of the Disarmament Committee

Dear BERMUN Participants,
I am a 17-year old senior at Robert College of Istanbul, and it is my honor to serve as Chair of the Disarmament Committee at BERMUN 2009.

MUN has constituted an extraordinarily important part of my school life in the last three years. I?ve always been interested in history and politics because I believe that everything in this world is interrelated: mankind ? womankind, the environment, state and societal institutions, and nation-states. History and politics are the cement that bind these elements and regulates the relationships between them. These considerations and interests led me to join our school?s MUN program. The past four years have shown me that MUN helps people increase their awareness, gain acquaintance with political concepts, terminologies and international conflicts and discuss world issues while making friends with peers from all around the world. I have come to the conclusion that not only the suits, dress shoes, and fancy committee rooms make MUN a simulation very close to the real world of diplomacy, but that it is actually the dialogues, negotiations, and compromises which do so.

Now in my fifth year, BERMUN 2009 will be my fourteenth conference and fourth BERMUN. I have previously served as a delegate, ambassador, lawyer, organizer and chair at these conferences. Among all of my experiences, I have especially loved the vibrant city of Berlin and BERMUN for its cozy and fruitful atmosphere. I hope that your visit will also be a memorable one!

Besides my participation in MUN, I am involved in our school?s History Club and Public Relations Club. I take great interest in playing and watching soccer and spending time with my dog, Mexx. Also, I enjoy reading books and have been playing the guitar for seven years.

Looking forward to seeing you in November,
Can Soylu
Chair of the Disarmament Committee

Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the BERMUN conference 2009! I am already looking forward to the many new faces we will see and the exciting debates that will take place. I will be chairing the Environment Committee, an entirely new experience for me.

MUN is a great way to expand one?s horizons. It gives young people the chance to gain an insight into the world?s most pressing issues and introduces us to new perspectives on these problems. After all, one day the world will lie in our hands, and it will be our responsibility to take care of it. I can say that my own awareness about our modern world has grown through my participation in the MUN program. In addition, MUN gives us the chance to meet individuals from all over the world and learn about cultures that differ from our own!

I am in the 12th grade at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin and currently 17 years old. I lived in the United States for 12 years, but am actually German. I have now lived in Berlin for a little more than 2 years. This is a great city and I?m sure you?ll enjoy it when you come! It has a young atmosphere since it is constantly evolving, changing from four divided sectors to a vibrant metropolis. One of my favorite pastimes is exploring Berlin with my friends. I also play tennis, tutor, and enjoy traveling and listening to music.

Remember to speak up, and we will be able to enjoy the full advantages of MUN together!

See you at BERMUN,
Nora Roßberg
Chair of the Environment Committee

Dear Delegates of BERMUN 2009,
In this year?s conference I have the honor to serve as Chair of the Environment Committee. Although I have been involved in MUN for quite a while, having participated as a delegate in several conferences, this is my first time as a student officer. I see this opportunity that has been given to me as an exciting challenge and great experience for the future.

MUN caught my attention because everyone participating received the chance to look at Global issues from a wide variety of perspectives. When representing an assigned country, delegates must show professionalism by advocating not their own opinion but that of ?their? country. In all of the conferences that I have attended, I have observed delegates who were extremely confident about the position they were representing, so much so that it was easy to believe that it was their own! Over time, I learned that this confidence comes from preparation which in turn greatly contributes to interesting and fruitful debate. Participation in MUN shows that one is interested in learning about conflicts of global importance and humanitarian and environmental issues and perhaps most importantly working to find ways to solve them.

Currently, I am a senior at the Berlin Brandenburg International School. I am proud to have contributed to our MUN group by recruiting many new delegates for the upcoming years. As a senior, I hope that in the future many more students develop an interest in MUN and encourage others to join!

Outside of School and MUN, I enjoy playing basketball, sailing and being out with my friends. I always like to discover new things to do, since Berlin offers unlimited opportunities.

I look forward to another year of interesting, gripping and fruitful debates and hope to see you all at BERMUN 2009!

Maha Joana Olschowsky
Chair of the Environment Committee

Hello Delegates!
It is my honor to serve as a chair to the Human Rights Committee at this year?s BERMUN conference. I am currently a junior at the John F. Kennedy School here in Berlin. BERMUN 2009 will be my eighth conference and my third chairing experience.

Aside from discussing international politics, I enjoy singing, dancing, and exploring Berlin city life. Another great passion of mine is travelling. I find it fascinating to get to know different cultures and meet people from all over the world.

Therefore, I am especially looking forward to meeting all of you in November, assured that this experience will be yet another unforgettable one for all of us.

Good luck in your preparations and see you soon!
Katharina Schaper
Chair of the Human Rights Committee

Dear BERMUN Delegates, Directors and Guests,
I am honored to serve as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee at BERMUN 2009. Currently a junior in Robert College of Istanbul, this is my fourth year in MUN; a program which constitutes a very important part of my life. It has become not only a hobby, but a passion for me. BERMUN 2009 will be my third chairing experience, and it is with greatest pleasure that I wish to share my MUN knowledge and experience, guiding the delegates of the Human Rights Committee.

As a freshman, BERMUN 2007 was my first real conference; thus BERMUN will always be special to me. I was a delegate of the Disarmament Committee, and I very much enjoyed the experience. Participation in MUN can help mould our characters and personalities. Looking at myself in retrospect, when I began my MUN career I was naïve and with limited trust in myself and my own capabilities. Over the past years, however, my self-confidence, understanding of politics, and respect for others has grown tremendously.

Acquiring political knowledge, speaking up regardless of one?s nationality or mother tongue, and negotiating with other delegates broaden our horizons and enrich our personalities. I hope all of you will actively participate and help create a productive debating environment. Help us to make BERMUN 2009 an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Besides MUN, I am interested in music. I have been playing the piano since I was five. I take great pleasure in swimming and windsurfing. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends or spending some time alone, reading or taking walks.

Looking forward to meeting all of you in November,
Elvin Bora
Chair of the Human Rights Committee

Dear BERMUN Delegates,
As co-chair of the Political Committee I welcome you to the 2009 BERMUN Conference.

Some people may say that Model United Nations (MUN) is only a game, simulating the United Nations but not making any difference. I think, however, that ?games? are designed to teach people and that MUN instructs us in ways we only become aware of once the experience is past. We learn to put ourselves into somebody else?s shoes. We learn about another country, its culture, its politics, its economic-social circumstances and its human rights record. Moreover, we encounter other students from around the world. In other words, through role playing and interacting with others we expand our own horizon and test the levels of our tolerance and understanding of others whose backgrounds and views might not coincide with our own. We learn to believe in ourselves and speak up but also to negotiate and compromise. MUN enables us to get to know people from different countries, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds, and we become friends. So even though I am hoping that you will prepare well and that we will have a good and productive debate, I hope that you will not forget that MUN is also about you and the people you meet.

I am in my last year at John F. Kennedy School. I was born and have lived in Berlin for pretty much all of my life - apart from my eleventh grade which I spent in the United States as an exchange student. When you come here you will notice that Berlin is an exceptionally diverse and multicultural city, and I hope that you will be able to enjoy all that it has to offer. I likewise hope that you will experience controversial discussions and heated debate, and at the end of the day work with your fellow delegates to reach consensus.

Keep in mind that BERMUN is always what you make out of it.
Looking forward to seeing you in November,
Clara Schröder

Honorable Delegates,
I am very proud to serve as chair to the Political Committee at this year?s BERMUN conference. Without doubt, BERMUN 2009 will be among the greatest experiences of my high school life, and I hope it will be one of yours as well.

I still remember my first BERMUN conference in 2005 very well. My fellow delegates and I were excited and nervous, but had a lot of fun representing different countries, debating world issues and developing fictional action plans, which, and I am pretty sure about that, could have actually helped in solving the issues we debated.

I have previously attended two MUN conferences as a delegate, but this year?s BERMUN will be my first as a Student Officer.

I am currently 19 years old and in my last year of high school at the Johann-Gottfried-Herder-Oberschule in Berlin-Lichtenberg. I have been involved in my school?s MUN program since 2005, interrupted only by a year abroad which I spent in the USA.

But enough of me! I am looking forward to meeting you in November. If you have any question or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to a couple of exciting days in November.
Jens Koschel
Chair of the Political Committee

Dear YA Participants,
Welcome to the 2009 Youth Assembly! Though a part of the BERMUN conference, the Youth Assembly is different from the rest of the committees in that participants represent themselves, not member states. This year, you as Youth Assembly participants will focus on developing individual action plans to fight HIV/AIDS. For four days, you will work together with other young adults from all over the world, giving you the opportunity to learn about the HIV/AIDS situation in their countries. With help from the other participants, you will develop your own individual plan on how to fight HIV/AIDS in your community.

This November, I will have the privilege of serving as Co-Director of the Youth Assembly for the second time, and I am looking forward to this experience greatly. Overall, it will be my fourth MUN conference and my third as a Student Officer.

I am a 16 year old German-American junior at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin, which I have attended for the last three years. Though I was born in Germany, I have spent my life in various European countries - Switzerland, Poland, The Netherlands, and Belgium have all been home to me at some point.

Besides being part of the MUN program, I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, acting, singing, and playing the clarinet.

I am looking forward to meet you all in November!
Helena Hengelbrok
Director of the Youth Assembly

Dear BERMUN Participants,
Let me introduce myself: I?ve been a student at the John F. Kennedy School since the first grade and have always lived in Berlin, Germany. Now 16 years old, I?m starting to discover the beauty and liveliness of Berlin and am developing a true passion for the city. In my free time, I love to meet my friends, listen to music, and be active in the HIV/AIDS Education and Learning Program (H.E.L.P.).

BERMUN 2009 will be my eighth conference. At the past conferences, I was a member of the Youth Assembly, last year serving as Co- Director. This year, it is once again my privilege to direct the Youth Assembly together with my two good friends Helena and Giulia.

Every year, students recognize the serious threat that HIV/AIDS poses to our world. YA participants then take the initiative to fight against this disease. They come together and exchange ideas, opinions, and experiences to create concrete projects for fighting HIV/AIDS. Every year, our YA Members have their ?best BERMUN ever? and leave the conference with not only new friends, but also a concrete action plan to make a change. Being part of the Youth Assembly is truly inspiring and motivating every time, because you spend time with people sharing a common goal and great potential. This combination is the best recipe for success.

I look forward to meeting you in November!
Shadi Saee
Director of the Youth Assembly

Dear Delegates,
Welcome to this year's BERMUN conference! Whether you are active in organs such as the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, or the Youth Assembly (YA), you will all experience thought-provoking discussions and debates. I myself started out in the Economic and Social Council and am now one of the three Youth Assembly directors.

Preparation for the Youth Assembly is similar to other BERMUN organs in that participants likewise come to the conference having completed research, in this case on the topic of HIV/AIDS and then enrich their knowledge through interactive discussions and activities. Unlike these other forums, however, you represent yourself and your own country in the Youth Assembly, which encourages you to defend opinions that are significant to you as an individual. What further distinguishes the YA from other BERMUN committees is its emphasis on the development of ideas and discussions into action through the formulation of an action plan. Such a plan provides YA participants the incentive and mission to combat HIV/AIDS on a local level when returning home from the conference.

Creative and determined minds are put at work to connect their passion with either an awareness or fundraising project combating HIV/AIDS. As for all committees, we want to hear your voice! Your ideas are the foundation of this conference.

As to my passions as a junior at the John F. Kennedy School of Berlin, I enjoy music in the band and choir, reading, interacting with youths from different cultures, exploring foreign languages, and spending time in nature.

I hope that this BERMUN will lead to new friendships and memorable experiences that will leave their mark in future years. See you in November!

Giulia Schäfer
Director of the Youth Assembly