Dear Delegates,

Welcome to UPMUNC! My name is Alana Yang, and I’m excited to be on your chairs in

SPECPOL this year. I look forward to hearing all your fantastic solutions and invigorating

debates on debt-trapping diplomacy and the Pacific Islands' decolonization, two topics that are

incredibly relevant to international diplomacy in the status quo.

First, a little bit about me: I’m a rising junior in the College of Arts and Sciences, studying

History with minors in Sociology and Legal Studies & History. At Penn, I am a member of

Intercol, which is our competitive Model UN team. I also volunteer and chair for Penn-affiliated

Model UN conferences, most recently on the DISEC committee for our high school conference,

ILMUNC. Outside of Model UN, I’m a member of Phi Alpha Delta, which is Penn’s pre-law

fraternity, and involved in the transfer community on campus. I’m originally from Scarsdale, NY,

just 30 minutes outside of New York City, and an avid believer that Westchester is not considered

“upstate New York.”

As someone who had very little Model UN experience before college, but did a lot of high

school debate, I’ve always loved listening to everyone’s speeches and giving my own in General

Assemblies. I’m incredibly excited to see the competitive debates you all will have and the

collaboration you will partake in with your fellow delegates during our time together. Alongside

my fellow co-chair, Mason, we hope to provide you with a rewarding Model UN experience

where you can learn and compete while still enjoying your time!

Whether it’s your first or twentieth conference, I sincerely hope that UPMUNC proves to be an

incredible experience. I know conferences can be stressful, but I hope that after our four days

together, you will have fond memories to take back home. If you have any questions, comments,

or concerns, please reach out to me at ayang25@sas.upenn.edu. See you all in November!

Sincerely,

Alana Yang

Co-Chair