Read all about the hard-working staff of CalsMUN 2023 here!
Jurre van Rietschote
Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
Lmuna 2021! This was my first ever MUN and ever since I went there, it has inspired me to take part in the MUN scene to the best of my abillity. Due to that one time I took a step out of my comfort zone to go to a MUN, I am now motivated to make that little bit of impact on the world and also to motivate others to do the same. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Malala Yousafzai Why is this your favorite person? Malala Yousafzai is an important person to me. She is well known for fighting in favour of women rights. In 2009 she got on the news after keeping up a blog on the BBC website about the cruelties of the taliban. 3 years later, while going back from school to her house, a target terrorist attack was launched at her and she got shot in the head. She was transported to a hospital where they saved her and even after all this, she kept fighting for the rights of women. This all together makes her one of my most favourite people in the world, considering she took the saying "Dont stop fighting till the end" very literal. Quote "Without trust, we cannot face the difficult challanges in our world today." António Guterres, UN Secretary General |
Aniek Geurts
Deputy Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was when I was giving a speech against women rights while presenting as the delegation of Saudi Arabia. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Michelle Bachelet Why is this your favorite person? Michelle Bachelet is my favorite person who fights for equality. She was the president of Chile and currently she is executive director for the UN Women. She is a role model to many young girls who are still fighting for their education rights. "Quality education for all is the way to tackle inequality" is my favourite quote of her. Quote "Equality implies individuality" Trey Anastasio |
Tom de Bont
Deputy Secretary General Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was Cals MUN 2022, because I learned a lot from the foreign students and overall it was a very fun and educational MUN. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Martin Luther King Jr. Why is this your favorite person? Martin Luther King is very inspiring to me. He fought for equallity in the world, even when things got tough he still kept pushing forward. He is an inspiration to me. Quote "The time is always right to do what is right" Martin Luther King Junior |
Arthur Westerhof
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was when we renamed the security council 'The Jedi Council'. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Joe Biden Why is this your favorite person? Joe Biden is my favorite person who fights for equality. Joe Biden works hard on taking action to advance racial equity and he supports underserved communities. Quote "Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids" Joe Biden |
Ilham Gutale
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience and my most special one has to be my very first MUN. I remember not knowing anyone and I had no idea what to expect, but it turned out to be an amazing weekend! I had such a fun time, met a lot of new people and of course found a passion for debating. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Malala Yousafzai Why is this your favorite person? My favorite person who fights for human rights is definitely Malala Yousafzai. As a teenager she stood up for little girls who were not granted education. Since then, she has gone through a lot, but has never stopped fighting for woman and children rights all over the world, which is why I have always looked up to her. Quote "When I look at a person, I see a person - not a rank, not a class, not a title" Criss Jami |
Sven Klein Gunnewiek
Conference Manager Favourite MUN experience
I would say that my first MUN was also my favourite experience. It was fun and I got to know a lot of new people. Without this first MUN, I would not be in the position where I am today. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Martin Luther King Jr. Why is this your favorite person? Martin Luther King Jr is my favorite person, because he had a lot of exceptional skills and was able to inspire a lot of people with his movement. Since he was one of the best advocates of nonviolent social changes, he should be an inspiration to everyone. Quote "Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice." Nelson Mandela |
Sara Aksakal
Master of Ceremonies Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was when I was with a very big group and we played the game 'werewolves' until 03:00 o' clock in the morning and then had to get up a few hours later for our second conference day. It was chaotic but fun and I'll never forget it. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Malala Yousafzai Why is this your favorite person? Ever since I heard Malala her story I've looked up to her. I think she is so brave for standing up against the Taliban and fighting for what she knows is right and even after she got shot, it didn't silence her and she continued to fight for the right of education for girls. Quote "As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest." Nelson Mandela |
Emily Pleij
Master of Ceremonies Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was CalsMUN 2022. The chairs of my committee made us write poems to each other as punishments and it led to a lot of very funny love poems from one delegation to another. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Tarana Burke Why is this your favorite person? Tarana Burke is my favorite person, because she created the metoo movement! The purpose of "Me Too", as initially voiced by Burke as well as those who later adopted the tactic, is to empower sexually assaulted people through empathy and solidarity through strength in numbers, especially young and vulnerable women, by visibly demonstrating how many have experienced sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace. Quote “Behind every great fortune is a crime.” Honoré de Balzac |
Zera Steiginga
Head of Administration Favourite MUN experience
My favourite MUN experience was the Crisis Council at CalsMUN 2022! I helped as an admin there. During the debate, we put garbage bags all over the windows and lit candles, because of the solar flare theme. It was very chaotic but a lot of fun! Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Aletta Jacobs Why is this your favorite person? Aletta Jacobs fought for women's rights and was the first woman to attend a university and become a doctor in the Netherlands. Later, she also opened the first birth control clinic in the world. Personally, I think this is amazing and therefore she is my favorite human rights activist. Quote "Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all." Emily Dickinson |
Carlijne Vons
Deputy Head of Administration Favourite MUN experience
I have not attended any MUNs just yet, but I am excited for what is coming! Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Ruby Bridges Why is this your favorite person? I chose Ruby Bridges, because she has been fighting for human rights for a very long time and even formed a foundation to support oppressed people. Quote “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.” Marsha P. Johnson |
Sophie Kempees
Head of Housing and Hospitality Favourite MUN experience
CalsMUN 2020! During this conference, one of my best friends and I were in the same committee and we kept sending each other notes and gossips, so at the end of the weekend we had a whole bag full of little pieces of paper. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Martin Luther King Jr. Why is this your favorite person? Martin Luther King, because of his peaceful protest that still made a great difference to the world. For example, he was largely responsible for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Quote "Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we’re opened, we’re red." Clive Barker |
Eva Heus
Deputy Head of Housing and Hospitality Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was CalsMUN 2022, because this was just an amazing conference overall and I had a lot of fun during the whole weekend! Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Malala Yousafzai Why is this your favorite person? I love Malala, since she has had such positive impact on girl’s education and equality in general. She really is my role model. I’ve also read her book multiple times. Quote “When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful” Malala Yousafzai |
Kars Schoonderwoerd
Head of Finance Favourite MUN experience
At LMUNA 2021, we passed an amendment to change the name of our committee to the Jedi Council, and to have the chairs speak like Yoda. This was my favorite experience! Sadly the latter did not happen :(. Nevertheless, debating the amendment itself was a lot of fun. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Mahatma Gandhi Why is this your favorite person? What is so inspiring about Gandhi is that he fought for the rights of the people in his country without the use of violence. Because of this, he is my favourite person! Quote "My idea of society is that while we are born equal, meaning that we all have a right to equal opportunity, all have not the same capacity" Mahatma Gandhi |
Tom de Bont
Deputy Head of Finance Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was CalsMUN 2022, because I learned a lot from the foreign students and overall it was a very fun and educational MUN. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Martin Luther King Jr. Why is this your favorite person? Martin Luther King is very inspiring to me. He fought for equallity in the world, even when things got tough he still kept pushing forward. He is an inspiration to me. Quote "The time is always right to do what is right" Martin Luther King Junior |
Fedde Kamminga
Head of Catering Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was CalsMUN 2022, this is also my only MUN experience. I helped as an Admin during the weekend. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Martin Luther King Why is this your favorite person? Martin Luther King is my favourite person, because he stood up for himself and especially for others. And all of that with zero use of violence and people still remember his speech till this day. Quote "There's nothing complicated about equality" Alice Paul |
Robbin Moorlag
Deputy Head of Catering Favourite MUN experience
My favorite part of MUN is the party! And of course I also like the debates. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Mahatma Gandhi Why is this your favorite person? Ghandi is my favorite person, because he solved violence without using violence himself. He also made a big impact on everyone, since he was slowly dying trying to save the people around him. Such an action takes a lot of courage! He died because he fought for the freedom of his people, he is truly an inspiration to me. Quote "Equal access and equal rights for everyone" Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
Laura Cosentino
Head of Press
Head of Press
Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN was CalsMUN 2022. I liked this MUN so much, because I learned a lot from it! It was an amazing experience. From my first speech ever to meeting new friends, everything from this MUN is worth remembering.
Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights?
Michelle Bachelet
Why is this your favorite person?
Michelle Bachelet is my favorite human rights activist. Michelle was Chile’s first female president, now she serves as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has a long history of activism. In 1975, she was detained and tortured for weeks after speaking out against Chile’s military dictatorship. She went on to serve as Chile’s president from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018. A physician by training, she spent her presidencies strengthening the rights of the country’s most vulnerable, including women and the LGBTQ+ community. Her appointment as the UN’s High Commissioner was well-received by the international community. Michelle Bachelet is an inspiration to me and many other people.
Quote
"Our voices are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen, they can change the world"
Malala Yousafzai
My favorite MUN was CalsMUN 2022. I liked this MUN so much, because I learned a lot from it! It was an amazing experience. From my first speech ever to meeting new friends, everything from this MUN is worth remembering.
Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights?
Michelle Bachelet
Why is this your favorite person?
Michelle Bachelet is my favorite human rights activist. Michelle was Chile’s first female president, now she serves as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She has a long history of activism. In 1975, she was detained and tortured for weeks after speaking out against Chile’s military dictatorship. She went on to serve as Chile’s president from 2006-2010 and 2014-2018. A physician by training, she spent her presidencies strengthening the rights of the country’s most vulnerable, including women and the LGBTQ+ community. Her appointment as the UN’s High Commissioner was well-received by the international community. Michelle Bachelet is an inspiration to me and many other people.
Quote
"Our voices are our most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen, they can change the world"
Malala Yousafzai
Amy Sofogiannis
MUN Director
MUN Director
Our MUN director Amy Sofogiannis has guided enthousiastic Cals students through 7 MUN's already. This year she will once again help us with the 8th 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.
Willemijn van de Ruit
Expert Advisor Favourite MUN experience
The CalsMUN party of 2022 was amazing. It was nice seeing all of the smiling faces after having seen them working hard during the conference itself. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Carmen Barroso Why is this your favorite person? Ms. Barroso dedicated her life to promoting women’s right to access health care – especially sexual and reproductive health care. Last year, she was awarded the United Nations Population Award for her contributions to women’s reproductive health. Because of her great affords women have gained greater political power and influence. Because of this, she is my favourite person. Quote "Don’t go by yourself. Draw on the strength of diversity." Carmen Barroso |
Marah Maintz
Expert Advisor Favourite MUN experience
My favorite MUN experience was the opening of CalsMUN 2022. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Oskar Schindler Why is this your favorite person? Despite the risks, Oskar Schindler fought to protect people targeted during World War II. He is credited with saving the lives of over 1200 Jews. He never sought or received any recognition for his heroic acts. Only after his death, he was acknowledged as a war hero. Quote "It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it." Nelson Mandela |
Donna den Breejen
Expert Advisor 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. Who is your favorite person fighting for human rights? Tim Hoffman Why is this your favorite person? Tim Hoffman is my favorite person, because he fights for a equal future for the teenage generation nowadays. He thinks the world is a mess and will be forever if we won’t fix it. Quote "Inequality is a fact. Equality is a value" Mason Cooley |
Elise Pleij
Expert Advisor |
