Dear Delegates,

Welcome to UPMUNC! I am Vidya Pandiaraju, your co-Chair for the Canadian House of Commons. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, making this committee particularly meaningful to me. Together with Sahil, I am thrilled to witness the debates and resolutions that will emerge from our sessions.

Allow me to share a bit about myself: I am a rising sophomore at the College of Arts and Sciences, currently undecided on my major but considering a combination of Economics and Neuroscience. When I'm not moderating caucuses, you can find me writing for The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn's newspaper, covering politics, or organizing social events as a Board member for the Assembly of International Students. Lately, I've developed an interest in older horror films, so feel free to recommend any favorites you may have!

In the past, I have gravitated towards being an ECOSOC (and at times, crisis) delegate, which is why I am excited to observe your progress in the committee setting that I have grown to love. As a chair, I value enthusiasm, creativity, adaptability, and thoughtful note sending in delegates. I enjoy connecting with participants and providing feedback on these aspects, so please feel free to approach me during breaks or after sessions to discuss your progress. 

My primary goal is to foster a productive and enriching environment where each of you can grow, whether it's through your skills in collaboration, public speaking, or negotiation. If at any point our committee room feels anything less than safe and supportive, please inform myself or Sahil immediately. Your enjoyment of UPMUNC is integral to my own.'

Whether this is your first or fifteenth Model UN conference, rest assured that we are working tirelessly to ensure UPMUNC is an incredible and vibrant four-day experience. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to me at vidya22@sas.upenn.edu. I eagerly look forward to meeting all of you in January!

Best regards,

Vidya Pandiaraju

Chair