Who are you and where are you from?
Hi, my name is Julie, I am 20 years old and I live in the Netherlands. I am a law student at the University of Groningen. In my free time I love to play volleyball or hang out with my friends.
How did you get to know the OLMUN?
At my high school I followed a program that included participating in MUNs. During my last years of attending high school, I participated in several MUNs with delegates from all over the world. Together with some classmates I also organized a MUN myself.
Have you participated at the OLMUN before this year?
My first and last time participating as a delegate was in 2019. I applied to be a chair for OLMUN 2020 but sadly due to COVID-19 it got canceled and the alternative program did not include a real committee session.
What was your motivation for becoming a Chair?
The only experience in terms of MUNs that I missed was chairing experience. After participating in MUNs I thought it was time to make the next step, chairing a conference. Even though the conference is digital this year, I am very honored to be chairing the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS).
What are your hopes and dreams for this year's conference?
I hope that everyone will have a good time and that some amazing resolutions will be formed. For many delegates this is their first MUN experience and I hope that this conference motivates them to attend even more MUNs.
What is the most challenging part about your job?
I believe the most challenging part to me is the fact that this conference is online. Since we are all just sitting down behind our laptops there is way less socializing between us and the delegates as well as between the delegates themselves.
What advice would you give people interested in becoming a chair?
If you think you are interested in becoming a chair, just apply. It is such a unique experience and it is nothing like participating as a delegate. Yes, it does take some time to prepare but to me personally, it is all worth it.
What is your greatest memory from your past OLMUN experiences?
During OLMUN 2019 it was incredibly hot, so it was hard to sit around and attend the sessions for that long but looking back it was so much fun. There were so many interesting debates and of course there were some great punishments as well making it all come together.
What advice would you give new delegates in your committee?
When I started participating in MUNs, I really did not know what it was all about. I did not understand the rules, nor did I really know much about the topic. I was super scared to speak in front of that many people. Looking back, I know I should just have done it. I think that is some of the best advice I can give the delegates of my committee, just speak up and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The best way to learn it is by doing it!
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