Debate // Connect // Grow
Announcement
KULMUN 2024
The secretariat
The secretariat are the two individuals responsible for guiding the content of our conference. Our conference managers have taken a great deal of time selecting the best team for the job to ensure our reputation for quality is continued. We would like to introduce our Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-general for KULMUN2024!
Secretary-General
Ilka Mattes
Hello! My name is Ilka. I am 21 years old and studying political science and sociology with a minor in law at the University of Bonn.
I started to participate in MUN’s my first year of university and immediately found a passion for it. I have participated in many conferences since then and have been a part of the BIMUN 2020 Executive Committee and organized the 2020 BIMUN/SINUB conference. I started to chair conferences at KULMUN and it is a great honor to come back to KULMUN 2024 as the Secretary-General and work together with our amazing Deputy Secretary-General and organizing team to create a great conference for all the participants.
Outside of MUN’s, I enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and going on hikes with my dog. If I am not doing that, you can most likely find me curled up somewhere with a book. I am looking forward to meeting you all in Leuven next year.
Deputy Secretary-General
Lara Simonovski
Hi! My name is Lara. I am 23 years old, and I am originally from Slovenia, but I have lived in the Netherlands for the last 13 years. I have just completed my LLB International and European Law at the University of Groningen, where I also obtained a Bachelor in Philosophy with a specialisation in Philosophy of Political Science. This summer I will be moving to Leuven, where I will be starting the Master of European Studies: Transnational and Global Perspectives.
I was introduced to the world of MUN all the way back in 2016, when I attended MUNoM with my high school. Since then, I have participated in a number of conferences throughout Europe as a delegate, chair and an organiser. In 2021/2022, I was part of the TEIMUN Board of Directors, which organised the GrunnMUN 2022 and TEIMUN 2022 conferences. Last year I was introduced to KULMUN, where I chaired the European Parliament committee, and where I also met our lovely Secretary-General, Ilka.
When I am not MUNing, studying, or working, I love to read (mostly fantasy mixed with literary fiction), and I’ve just recently taken up guitar lessons.
The Chairs
The chairs are the individuals responsible for guiding your committee during KULMUN 2024.They will support you on your way to research the topics and will make sure that there is a sense of order or decorum during the debates. Don't hesitate to ask them any questions you have about how to MUN, especially if you are new to the process.
Chair WHO
Fatama Jabin
I am Fatama Jabin, 22 years old and will be serving as your WHO chair. As a 7th grader, I walked into my first MUN conference at my school in Riyadh and fell in love. Since then, I have participated in conferences in many countries.
Currently, I am studying economics at the University of Bonn and so far it's been the longest time I’ve lived in one place.
I grew up trilingual, being equally fluent in Bangla, German and English. I love a good debate, discussing solutions to problems, teaching, making videos, trying (and failing) to make new recipes and feeding my tiny house obsession (small houses, oftentimes on movable trailers).
Chair WHO
Alex Koval
Hey, I am Alex and I am from the Czech Republic. I am a second year International Relations and International Organization student at the University of Groningen. I have been interested in Model United Nations since middle school and have attended around 15 different MUNs.
I have been a delegate, a chair as well as a part of the organisation team of different MUNs. I am currently the Vice-Chair of the TEIMUN Society based in Groningen. MUN has been a large part of my middle school and high school days and is one of the main reasons I chose to study IRIO as I have always been passionate about diplomacy and international relations. This will be my first time chairing the WHO Committee and I am beyond excited to witness some fruitful debates.
I cannot wait to meet you all and hear what you have to say!
Chair UNEP
Ondrej Toloch
I am a civil servant with a background in Scottish Law and European Legal Studies. I served on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry before joining the Scottish Government in 2019. I currently work as Policy and Programme Team Leader for Children’s Services Reform where I advise ministers on the future of delivery of children’s social care and social work services and contribute to the development of a new National Care System.
I love travelling, tasting new, exotic dishes, and cooking at home. I enjoy reading books, but I am also an occasional Netflix binge-watcher and a proper theatre enthusiast (when in London, Cabaret is a must see!).
I believe that MUN is a place where like-minded people can come together, make friends, and find their voice. I am therefore keen to draw on my personal experience to make sure that everybody’s participation in KULMUN 2024 is pleasant, entertaining and memorable!
Chair UNEP
Christine Langman
Hello! I'm Christine Langman, I'm 19 years old and I am from Panama City, Panama. I study Fine Arts at the university of Salamanca, and am currently a member of the Executive Committee for its MUN association (viva MUNUSAL!).
I started MUN when I was 13, in 2017, and over the years I have had the privilege of participating in over a dozen conferences as a delegate, chair, or excom. I credit MUN for helping me come out of my shell and make me find my love for public speaking and meeting new people.
Apart from that, I hope to bring some of the (incredible!) good vibes over from our association, to you in KULMUN. Other than MUN, I love art, hiking, travelling and hanging out with my friends. Hope to see you soon in the beautiful city of Leuven!
Chair European Parliament
Titi Habicht
My name is Titi Habicht, I am 21 years old and I am a student of international relations from Ljubljana, Slovenia. I first got in touch with the MUN world two years ago, at KULMUN 2022; it was intimidating and scary and I almost did not speak at all, but I also met many people who made this experience extremely valuable.
With time I realised I am capable of more than I had imagined and MUN became one of the favourite aspects of my life. Coming back to Leuven for the conference also made me fall in love with the city, which is why I chose it for my Erasmus exchange.
Although I spend a lot of my time doing MUN related things for my home association, I also enjoy going to the gym, dancing at raves, cuddling with my overweight cat and catching up with friends.
Chair European Parliament
Michael Gatt
I am Michael Gatt, 19 years old and studying Law at the University of Malta. My journey in student activism began with the Mini European Assembly, which I participated in, and eventually organized amongst other projects as the Project Lead Coordinator at the National Student Travel Foundation.
In the past year I have participated in several conferences namely EUDC, MEUS, ConSIMium, the JCI European Debating Conference, and the events which initiated my passion for MUNs, PolMUN, MUNUSAL, and my first chairing experience MaltMUN.
My interests include football, basketball, debating, and travelling. I believe that Model United Nations serves as the perfect platform for students to debate within a unique framework, while facing different challenges and making new friendships. Above all, I look forward to taking part in KULMUN in a committee I treasure immensely!
Chair NATO
Shari Langner
Hello there! I am Shari, a 22-year old student from Germany, currently studying political science at the University of Hamburg, Germany and I will be one of your NATO-chairs. I first got into MUN-ing in highschool, but then took a break for a few years. My first MUN at university-level was in Münster, Germany in 2021, where I studied at the time.
That reignited my passion for MUN-ing and I have attended conferences in various countries after that. My very first chairing experience was at KULMUN last year and with KULMUN having a very special place in my heart, I am excited to be back!
If I’m not at an MUN or studying, you will probably find me reading a book. However, I also enjoy photography and a few different sports like basketball and track and field.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in Leuven!
Chair NATO
Dominik Palkovič
Hi, I am Dominik. I am originally from Slovakia, but I study International and European Law at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands.
I genuinely like what I study and I found myself in the field of law. But law is not my only interest. I love to hang out with my friends over a cup of coffee or cook some (according to my friends) delicious meals for them. Apart from that, I am a party person and I love to just go out and dance in some clubs with my friends.
I am very excited to come to Leuven for KULMUN to meet y’all, and I am hoping we will chit-chat a bit more even outside of the sessions!
Chair Arctic Council
Raoul Cardellini
I'm Raoul Cardellini, and my pronouns are they/them. I am half-Italian and half-German.
I am currently pursuing an Advanced Master in Air and Space Law at Leiden University, and I hold three more Master's degrees, respectively in Law, European Legal Studies, and Space Institutions and Policies. I have been involved in Model UN for several years, occupying various roles, from Delegate to Chair, Secretary-General, and Organizer.
Additionally, I serve on the Governing Board of KULMUN itself. I have a strong passion for reading, writing, and conducting research, all of which have fueled my interest in pursuing an academic career. With nearly five years of involvement with KULMUN, I am eagerly anticipating this edition of the Conference!
Chair Arctic Council
Patrik Marčetič
My name is Patrik Marčetič and I’m a 2 nd year master’s student of International Relations at the University of Ljubljana. I entered the MUN world’s “black hole” a few years ago, at my home conference SALIENT, and have participated in conferences as a delegate, chair, and organiser ever since. In my academic life, I am interested in theories of International Relations, hegemony, and ethics.
I love discussing anything that is remotely international and political and will debate it with anyone. Outside the world of MUN and studying, I am an avid basketball enthusiast and a professional basketball referee.
In my past conferences, I was most fond of topics discussing security and geopolitics, so I believe the debates in the Arctic Council will be interesting and fiery. I am looking forward to KULMUN 2024, and I believe it will be the best one yet!
Chair Crisis Front
Neele Hartel
Hi! My name is Neele, and I am 24 years old. I just moved to Berlin, where I am pursuing my graduate studies in International Relations and am working part-time at the Munich Security Conference.
I started with MUNing during my undergraduate studies at the University of Bonn, where I joined the BIMUN/SINUB association and became part of the team organising the BIMUN/SINUB conference 2021. I am very happy to return once again to the KULMUN conference as a chair, as it was the first conference I ever chaired at. I look forward to joining (and guiding) you in making the Crisis Committee unsafe, plotting against each other, and (hopefully) surviving somehow.
Apart from MUNing, I spend my free time with my camera - taking photos of everything that gets in front of my lens - or in my kitchen - baking various cupcakes and cookies.
Chair Crisis Front
Tomás Branco
Hello! My name is Tomás Branco and I am a 20-year-old law student from Lisbon, where I was born and raised for most of my life. I am currently a member of both LisboMUN and the Lisbon School of Law MUN Society.
I only started participating in MUNs in 2020, but in that short period I have done over a dozen MUNs, as either delegate, chair or organiser.
After my participation in KULMUN 2022 as a delegate, I fell in love with the conference, the city and its people and so I return in 2024 hoping to relieve that amazing experience. I am focused on helping to make this conference fun for everyone involved and hope that everyone will come to love it as much as I do.
Chair Crisis Director
Johanna Fietze
My name is Johanna and I am a 24/23-year old political science and history student from Bonn, Germany. After joining BIMUN/SINUBs ExCom in 2021 and organising the weekly events of the association between 2022 and 2023, I now advise the current board as the Deputy Advisory Board Spokeswoman of BIMUN/SINUB.
As my passion in MUNing has always been Crisis, I am honoured to serve as your Crisis Director at KULMUN 2024 where Delegates can expect a new take on Historical Crisis. Apart from MUNing, I am very interested in TV shows and movies, like to embody my hometown spirit during carnival season and beyond, running in forests and over fields to one day do a half marathon and visit more interesting cities and places. Academically, I’m focusing on Alliance Theory in International Relations in my thesis.
So 90 seconds are up, let the race to KULMUN 2024 begin!
Chair Crisis Back
Nico Joel Polleichtner
Dear MUNers,
I'm Nico, 21 years old and currently in my third year of studying Politics & Law with a specialisation in International and European Law at the University of Münster and KU Leuven, as well as Protestant Theology in a double degree.
During my past experiences as a participant in single and double delegations to Crisis Committees, UN Security Councils and many more. I have adapted to the intricacies and challenges with my co-delegates among in Brussels and New-York City, while meeting brilliant aspiring minds in diplomacy and the politics of tomorrow.
My own interest in international politics and concepts of international law developed from my first exposure to international organisations in high school and hasn't let go since. I have also tried to share my interest and experience by chairing, educating youth and organising seminars and workshops on topics of transnational cooperation and academic exchange, which has brought me ever closer to MUNs.
Chair Crisis Back
Daniel Kahn Sasso
Hello! My name is Daniel, I was born in rainy Panama City, Panama and I am a third-year Global Studies student at the University of Salamanca, Spain. I found my passion for Model UN over seven years ago, having played several roles in conferences: being a delegate, chairing, and organising them. Thanks to this, I have gotten the chance to participate in conferences all over the Americas and Europe, including in New York, Bonn, Santo Domingo and Lisbon. All of these experiences have given me the opportunity to meet incredible people and further understand the at- times convoluted world of international affairs. I am currently the President of my home association, MUNUSAL, after serving as its Secretary in 2022/2023.
Apart from Model UN, I am a massive specialty coffee enthusiast, and enjoy watching movies from all over the world, mixology, film photography and discussions on Latin American history and politics.
Chair Crisis Back
Miha Persyn
Hi! My name is Miha Persyn and I am a student of international relations at the Faculty of Social Sciences in Ljubljana. I am Half Belgian and half Slovene.
Growing up in an international environment allowed me to meet lots of interesting people from all around the world through the work of my parents, something which I continue to do through the world of MUN. I am interested in politics and the workings of international organisations and see my future as a diplomat. I discovered MUN in the last year of high school and fell in love with it as soon as I started.
KULMUN will be the 8th conference I will attend and my second time chairing. I hope to see many of you soon ;)
Editor-In-Chief
Viola Parma
Hi everyone, I am Viola, a political science and psychology student from Bonn, Germany. I started participating in MUNs in my first year of university and have not stopped since, filling several positions. Currently, I serve as Advisory Board Spokeswoman in my home association BIMUN/SINUB.
Apart from university I play the piano and dance ballet, all while my stack of books is growing steadily. I love to discover new music and learn (fun) facts about animals.
I am beyond excited to be a part of KULMUN again in a position I wholeheartedly love. Be assured that together with my Co-Editor I will do the most to provide you with an unforgettable experience, full of memes of course.
Editor-In-Chief
Ana Dorma
Hello everyone! My name is Ana Dorma.
My MUN journey started in 2018 as a delegate at TEIMUN Society, and since then, I've immersed myself in the debating community as a trainer, participant, and organiser. In the past, as the President of the TEIMUN Foundation, I had the enriching experience of organising two international MUNs in the Netherlands, and recently another one in China!
Besides my MUN endeavours, I have a BA in International Relations and am pursuing an MSc in Banking and Finance in Utrecht (NL).
I am thrilled to contribute to the KULMUN conference this year! I am eager to see the delegates engage in a fruitful debate and address the many challenges concerning the topic at hand. I am confident it will be an exciting and rewarding experience for all of us!
