Read all about the hard-working staff of CalsMUN 2021 here!
Sol Zeev
Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
For sure has to be the plenary session in LEMUN’19. With two of my friends, we made up the delegation of the United States of America. Needless to say, we had a great time going against the whole plenary session. We got obliterated, but it was fun. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change the Us vs Them mentality. I think it’s more important for everyone to understand that we all have a common humanity: that despite who we are on the outside, on the inside we all love, we are all struggling and ultimately we are all human, unless we all already live in the ex machina type future and we don’t know it ;). Quote from a young person who inspires you With guns you can kill terrorists, with education you can kill terrorism. Malala Yousafzai |
Willemijn van de Ruit
Deputy Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
I find this a hard question to answer, simply because I have enjoyed every MUN I attented. Something specific that came to mind was that at one of the parties, it was a casino-night. I was tired, we were almost leaving and I did not want to play anymore, so I decided to go all in, knowing that the chance of losing was very big. Against the odds, however, I won the jackpot and went home with a chocolate bar. :) If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change the fact that people are always willing to judge each other, because I simply do not see the point. Why judge someone else because they choose to be the way they are. It is not your place to tell them to change. Why not all encourage each other instead of pushing each other down? Why not judge yourself and try to improve, instead of depending on bringing others down to feel better about yourself? It is not effective. It is not helpful. And it is not necessary. Quote from a young person who inspires you I'm 17. I haven't won a Nobel Prize, I haven't solved inequality or poverty. I haven't done any of the cool things. But I know that I could. Kate Simonds |
Anna Schellekens
Deputy Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
I’ve been participating in MUNs for quite some time now, however, my first ever MUN would still be my favourite one. It was an eye-opening and fun weekend and I met some really cool people. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Solving inequality in all its forms would be truly incredible. However, this sadly enough seems to be a so-called Mission Impossible. That’s why for now all I am asking is for Shrek the Musical to return to Dutch theatres. Quote from a young person who inspires you idk either man Anna Schellekens |
Nienke van de Wall
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience would have to be Lemun 2019, where I had a lovely committee and we ended up making a really cool resolution from practically scratch. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? The one thing I'd like to change is the absence of equal rights for all persons around the world. All types of minorities are persecuted for various reasons, and I'd like to see this ended. Women are still treated as inferior, people of colour are killed on racist bases, the lgbtq+ community still is denied basic human rights, etc. These are not the terms on which we should be living today. Quote from a young person who inspires you Spit on it Tony Lopez |
Tom Ghijsen-Cohen
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience would be LEMUN 2019 as I was blessed with an amazing committee that could switch up the serious debates with some jokes in between. We ended up solving the forest fires in South America by dropping Greek Feta Cheese above the forest. The Cals delegates that went with me were also great which made this one of the best weekends of that year. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would want everyone to get the same career chances and the same opportunities to get successful. Quote from a young person who inspires you There’s no key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone. Ed Sheeran |
Laura Lai
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
I honestly don’t have a favourite MUN experience, all of the MUNs I have participated in were very different from each other. Being part of the OC for CalsMUN 2020 for the first time was also definitely one of my favourite experiences of my MUN “career” so far. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change people’s greed. Most of our world problems are caused by humans, such as climate change, war, plastic pollution etc. Almost all of those problems were caused because of power and money, and I believe that if humans weren’t so greedy it could have prevented a lot of these problems. Quote from a young person who inspires you We showed that we are united and that we, young people, are unstoppable. Greta Thunberg |
Donna den Breejen
Master of Ceremonies Favourite MUN experience
To be honest, I don't have a favourite anymore because all my MUNs have been fun in their own way. LeMUN 2019 was really fun because together with the EU, I made Vietnam a waste dumping nation in the resolution. CalsMUN 2020 was also a highlight because it was my first time in the OC. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Making education rights equal for everyone in every nation. Quote from a young person who inspires you I’m very outspoken. I will ask a silly question, but I really am deadly serious. I want to know the answer. Millie Bobby Brown |
Anne de Wit
Master of Ceremonies Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience was during LMUNA’19 when we had a fake marriage ceremony in our committee between two delegates and I got to be the best man. The SG and other OC members came to watch as well and it was just a really fun experience. That will be something I’ll never forget. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? The idea that you need to look or act a certain way to fit in. You matter and you are beautiful, if someone doesn’t see that then forget them. What is important is that you believe in yourself. Quote from a young person who inspires you I don’t want other people to decide what I am. I want to decide that for myself. Emma Watson |
Lisa Scheper
Head of Administration Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience has got to be at LMUNA 2019 when I had to fill in last minute for DPRK in the Human Rights Council. To be in such a situation unprepared was stressful but very fun and definitely an experience I would never forget. It was the first time I wasn’t afraid when I gave a speech and it was the first time I realized how fun MUN really is. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I’d like to install a way to introduce free healthcare for all who need it, because even today, many people are still dying from little to none treatment on their illnesses. I hate the fact that those who are already privileged because of the fact that they were born into a family with enough money, are the only ones who don’t have to worry about catching a fever one day and worrying if you will have enough money to buy the medicine or treatment you need. Quote from a young person who inspires you You look how you look. Be comfortable. What are you going to do? Be hungry every single day to make other people happy? That’s just dumb. Jennifer Lawrence |
Dagmar van der Zalm
Deputy Head of Administration, PGA Favourite MUN experience
I got to chair at Lemun last minute on the last day. The committee was amazing and I had a lot of fun. The delegates already discussed the issue I liked most, but they were happy to talk about it more and it was amazing. Then I got to give the main chair speech on stage. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change the fact that people are treated differently for things they are born with and can’t change, such as gender, sexuality, nationality, background, etc. I would like everyone to have equal opportunities and for no one to be judged or denied chances. Quote from a young person who inspires you If it’s stupid and it works it ain’t stupid. Marah Maintz |
Gijs Sleijffers
Head of Housing and Hospitality Favourite MUN experience
For sure when I was the United States in the SC at CalsMUN 2020 and Russia threatened to VETO the amendment we made if we did not agree with their amendment to the second degree. When they did this, I thought of the quote below, and then decided to threaten to VETO the entire resolution if Russia were to VETO our amendment. And it worked, so the amendment passed and I was happy :). If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change the way we look at the climate change problem, because this is one of the greatest threats for the future. So, I would want this issue to become top priority in order to keep the planet habitable for the generations to come. Quote from a young person who inspires you What are your choices when somebody puts a gun to your head? You take the gun, or you pull out a bigger one, or you call their bluff, or you do any one of a 146 other things Harvey Specter |
Marah Maintz
Deputy Head of Housing and Hospitality Favourite MUN experience
Realizing I was hungry the first minute, and was handing out candy to the entire committee the second. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Alter the genetic codes so that greed and self-indulgence would disappear from our earth. Quote from a young person who inspires you Start a journey to a strange new world, leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Close your eyes and let music set you free. Erik |
Floris Murk
Head of Finance Favourite MUN experience
The combination of work hard and play hard; the serious stuff together with the fun gossip box and the party and getting to know new people and making new friends. This is why MUN is an unforgettable experience for me. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? Everyone should be able to go to school and be educated. Without education children can’t get a good job later which causes problems. The people who are not educated will be less happy in their lives and some can do crazy things. Quote from a young person who inspires you I want to show everyone that if you pursue your dreams, they can come true no matter what. That’s what I want to do. Martin Garrix |
Tess van de Rijke
Deputy Head of Finance Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience would be the last MUN I attended, CalsMUN 2020. That is because, I met a lot of people from all around the world and had many funny, but also fruitful debates. I look forward to organizing an MUN just as good, if not better. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would like to change climate change, due to the fact that it is killing our planet and we almost reached the point of no return. It influences not only our society but every living animal and being on this earth. Even parts of the earth we don’t give as much attention to like coral reefs. We, and especially the older generation, seem so ignorant to the impact of the choices of today, in the world of tomorrow. Quote from a young person who inspires you Beep boop. X æ AXii (2021) |
Rick Zonneveld
Head of Catering Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience is probably the plotting with Gijs in last year's CalsMUN to take out Russia. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? It would be to take away the feeling of rage in mankind, because I think that that's the root of all evil. Without rage there would be no war, only co-operation amongst everyone. There would be less murder and more peace globally. Everyone would then only work for the improvement of mankind in its entirety. Because forgiving is better than forgetting. Quote from a young person who inspires you You will never truly know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Spongebob |
Tijmen Versteeg
Deputy Head of Catering Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience is getting to know many people, whether it is someone who is a fanatic delegate or a moderate participant, I always find it fun to get to know someone and their MUN experiences. Even if we have different interests or opinions, I always find it interesting to discover another person’s perspective on controversial or topical matters. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would change “the system” in a way that it creates more space for free will, creativity and discovery. I also believe that more money should be invested in those who are looking at things in innovation and renovating ways. Leaving space for change could have many possible outcomes, some bad and some good, but I believe that it is wrong to leave the majority of all people in an ever repeating cycle hoping for changes, which by itself is the definition of insanity. Quote from a young person who inspires you I think I am cool. That’s all that matters. Tyler Gregory Okonma |
Annemijn Jekel
Head of Press Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience has got to be performing with my band at the party of CalsMUN 2020. This was an unforgettable experience and it was incredible to see everyone having such an amazing time. However, I must not forget to mention the wonderful time I had as Deputy Head of Press of last year’s CalsMUN. I made many new friends and I was able to do the thing I love the most, which is taking photographs. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would provide freedom of speech and press in all nations, as this should be a universal civil right. It is important that we are able to speak our mind freely and share our opinions with others to expand our knowledge and to become more open minded. Quote from a young person who inspires you It starts in C Major, but we’ll see where it ends up Jacob Collier |
Jason van Otterlo
Deputy Head of Press Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience was CalsMUN 2020. I was a delegate in the Human Rights Council and was accompanied by a great chair and fun delegates. I made a lot of friends and I will never forget the CalsMUN party. The live performances and the photobooth were great and I really had a blast! If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? If there is one thing I could change in the world, it would be the system that our society stands on. It is a flawed system that provokes conflict and inequality. It gives people the power to use others and get rich while doing so. I think the best way to end this inequality is to restructure society in a way that it promotes helping others and redistributes wealth. Quote from a young person who inspires you All the rules in this world were made by someone no smarter than you. So make your own. Jaden Smith |
Selin Gürses
Expert Advisor Favourite MUN experience
I’m not going to be the cliché who says her favourite MUN experience was that time when she was the SG of CalsMUN. So instead, I’ll say that the first conference I attended was one of the most memorable ones. Finding the courage to speak in front of a group of people you don’t know for the first time; making new friends; trying to stay awake during the plenary despite your lack of sleep, and in general just having a great time doing something new is what MUN is all about in the end. If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be? I would give everyone equal access to opportunities. It shouldn’t matter what gender you are, in what country you were born, what religion you believe in, how wealthy your family is or what sexual preference you have. Every human being deserves the right to do whatever they want with their own body and life. If that's a no-go, I’d wish for a 4th Captain America movie. Quote from a young person who inspires you I’m crying, but in a cool way. Harry Edward Styles |
Amy Sofogiannis
MUN Director Our MUN director Amy Sofogiannis has guided enthousiastic Cals students through 5 MUN's already. This year she will once again help us with the 6th edition of CalsMUN! Miss Sofogiannis teaches English at Cals College Nieuwegein and takes care of all the MUN related activities. She truly is the heart of CalsMUN.
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