The Board

Damian Vassilev

President

president@mun-mannheim.de
B.A. Political Science, 3. Semester

I like most to defend and represent countries and positions that are in (almost) full contradiction with my own views, learning to accept different value-systems and opinions, and to even understand those that I have very little in common with.

I have too many best or favourite MUN moments to say certainly, but one of them that is still very present was when I held a couple of speeches as the Islamic Republic of Iran on the topic of weapons of mass destruction at one of my first sessions organised by the MUN Mannheim club. In one, I told the story of a suffering child, in another, I took my shoe of and pounded on the table. It was very emotional and funny and it showed me that there is no shame in talking in front of people and “embarrassing” oneself.

To learn more about the UN as a whole and to learn to speak in front of others, while gaining more confidence. Understanding the other side is crucial at that, and meeting many new, cool, and exciting people that for sure will become one of your best friends.

It has black stripes of course. As one can see, a zebra has a primarily white belly, meaning that as most of its body is white, the black is as if “painted” on top of the white.

The modern slave trade and the inhumane conditions people work in, be it in mines or other facilities, for us in developed economies to have all conveniences that we have, such as the most modern iphone or piece of clothing.

Victor Egenti

Vice President

vicepresident@mun-mannheim.de
B.A. Political Science, 3. Semester

What I like most about MUN is the connectivity with other delegates, the possibility to broaden one´s horizons and to learn more about the world around us.

MUN broadens your comfort zone. Debating with other delegates about international issues will give you additional knowledge about the world around us as well as getting to experience all kinds of people, cultures, and places.

My favourite MUN moment is my first delegates ball during KaMUN 22; everyone getting together, showing off their beautiful attire as well as dancing the night away till dawn.

The diversity and the endless possibilities the city has to offer – especially for students.

Obviously black stripes on a white background.

Any Way the Wind Blows (The Simon Snow Trilogy) by Rainbow Rowell.

I would like to address the issue of our education system and the need to rebuild and adapt it to the children of tomorrow.

Ann-Sophie Kolkhorst

Head of Public Relations

press@mun-mannheim.de
B.A. Political Science, 3. Semester

What I Iove most about MUN is the fact that it opens various doors. Due to that you meet many interesting, special and charming people from all over the world. MUN also opens doors to diplomacy, the international debating world, new cultures, great experiences and much more beyond diplomacy. The fact that you earn new perspectives on global politics and at the same time on your own rhetorical possibilites while networking with people from all over the world is just awesome.

My favourite MUN Moment was definitely at MaMUN 2023, where I participated as a delegate for the first time in the UNHCR as Bangladesh. Our committee was debating the topic of internal displaced people in the Southeast Asian region and since Afghanistan was not present the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom decided to invite the Taliban as a guest speaker. After the motion did pass the meme channel of the conference just exploded with funny UNHCR memes.

MUN is the best place to think outside of the box and learn actual skills you might need in life. If you like to be creative and play with words and sentences or just improve your rhetorical skills, this is the right place. On top you will meet awesome people, have enriching debates about global politics and make many new experiences.

Mannheim is a city which can surprise you day by day. People are special and if you think someone has boundaries they just say f** it I´ll do it and people don´t even wonder about stuff like that anymore. In moments like that I like to say “Don´t question it, this is Mannheim.”

I tend to say white stripes, cause I googled that some time ago, but no guarantee of correctness.

I think I would make them remember that we are all human and everyone has the right to be and make mistakes.

Konstantin Mihaylov

Head of Finance

finance@mun-mannheim.de
B.Sc. Economics, 3. Semester

Honestly, there are too many things to name, but if I got to be selective, I would start with the fruitful and comprehensive debates we have. Every week we discuss the problems of the world in a challenging, yet friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It invites us to put our public speaking skills to the test and simultanesly try to understand different perspectives on matters of great importance.

Secondly, the friends we made along the way. I met some of the most intelligent, ambitious and friendly people in our club and abroad, during the various conferences I have attended to. Members of the Model United Nations community are truly the bedrock of the world of tomorrow.

Last, but not least, the wonderful moments we have had together. Our club here in Mannheim is one big family, we have shared quite the few adventures around Europe and beyond, attending conferences, debating serious issues and generally having fun.

Couldn’t list one, it is the debates, the people and the overall diplomatic atmosphere I enjoy so much.

Students should try MUN because it offers a unique opportunity to develop essential skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, negotiation, and diplomacy. It helps students broaden their global perspective, understand complex international issues, and fosters teamwork and leadership abilities.

According to Madagascar 1 and 2 (I think this issue was debated there) a zebra is black with white stripes. I will stick to that :)

I would address the ongoing global instability and urge the nations of the world to work together for the common goal, achieving a peaceful world of no wars. As banal as it may sound, that is the primary goal of the United Nations as an organization and nations should be reminded of that.