Non-Governmental Organizations
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Can Soylu, Director
Dear Delegates,
It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to Harvard Model United Nations 2012 and to the NGOs Program! My name is Can Soylu and I am honored to be serving as your Director since in this position I will get to know every single one of you and work on pressing global issues.
A couple of words about myself: I was born and raised in Istanbul. Currently, I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and I am hoping to concentrate in Social Studies. I joined the MUN world six years ago, back in 2005, because I had a keen interest in history and politics. I’ve always loved doing it because I think there’s much more to MUN than the suits and fancy committee rooms; I see it as a simulation very close to the real world of diplomacy. Besides MUN, I am involved with the Woodbridge Society, the society for international students here, and I also serve on the student committee of the JFK Jr. Forum in the Institute of Politics at Harvard. All this serious stuff aside, I love playing and watching soccer and in my free time, I enjoy reading Turkish literature and playing the guitar.
Our committee, the NGOs Program, is a rather unusual one in the sense that we will not be doing what every other committee is doing. Our job will be supplementing every other committee. So technically each one of you will not be just a delegate in another committee, but you will have the right to go to all committees and participate in their undertakings like every other delegate. You will be able to speak, and contribute to the documents (e.g. working papers and resolutions). The fact that you won’t have a substantive vote (and only a procedural one), like the NGO’s working in the real UN, will not matter as long as you make good contributions.
I have attended 21 conferences so far; among all of them, HMUN has always had a special place. Despite being one of the largest and most international conferences in the world, HMUN does not only instill in one a good deal of professionalism but also, more importantly, the warmth of a tight-knit community. Being part of HMUN is a very challenging and yet rewarding experience. I hope that we’ll be able to make the conference, which will be the result of months of teamwork, just as valuable and great an experience for you.
If you have any questions concerns, or problems, please do not hesitate to contact me; I will be more than happy to help you. I am looking forward to meeting you all!
Best regards,
Can Soylu
About Me
Class Year: 2014
Concentration: Social Studies
Hometown: Istanbul
Favorite Place: Eminönü
Favorite Food: Mantı
Favorite MUN Moment: THIMUN 2010 Opening Ceremony+ Closing Ceremony of RCIMUN 2010
Why did you choose these topics? N/A
Some advice for new delegates: Don’t shy out! Your voice deserves to be heard. Try to do as much research as you can about your organization’s policy and about the topics you will focus on. Once you do that you’ll be good to go! Most importantly this year our voice as the NGO’s will be heard more prominently, since our role in the conference and our in-committee presence will increase. Lastly please do not hesitate to ask me a question when you need information, before or during the conference.
HMUN is the best because… its participants make it so.