Honorable Delegates and Advisors,
On October 14, 1960 at around 2 a.m., Senator John F. Kennedy addressed more than 5,000 University of Michigan students from the steps of the Michigan Union. He asked the students to serve their country and work toward world peace; this idea would grow into what is known today as the Peace Corps. In less than a year, each and every one of you will walk up the steps on which the President Kennedy stood that cold October night and announced his vision for global change. In the spirit of this event, it is with great pleasure that I invite you to the 26th Session of the University of Michigan Model United Nations (UMMUN), which will be held January 17-20, 2013 at the Michigan Union in Ann Arbor, MI.
Each year, UMMUN welcomes approximately 450 high school students from across the nation, providing them with the opportunity to come together to debate, discuss, and find solutions to some of the world’s most serious crises and issues. Your directors, advisors, and your fellow delegates will challenge you to search for peaceful resolutions to war, famine, and even a revolution. Throughout your research and the conference weekend itself, I challenge you to take on President Kennedy’s challenge to actively participate in global change. Furthermore, I challenge you delve deeper into your understanding of international politics and diplomacy.
On behalf of the entire staff and Secretariat of UMMUN XXVI, I welcome you for what I am sure will be a weekend of thought provoking debate, competition, and fun. We look forward to seeing you in January!
Sincerely,
Melissa Burns
Secretary-General
UMMUN XXVI