What is YMUN Dubai, anyway?
YMUN Dubai is a three-day international Model UN conference designed for high school students, set to take place in the vibrant city of Dubai. Delegates from around the world will convene to engage in a dynamic exchange of ideas, utilizing debate and diplomacy to address some of the most intricate global challenges of our time. At YMUN Dubai, delegates will step into the roles of UN representatives, policymakers, and influential figures, immersing themselves in the inner workings of global politics and collaborative problem-solving. Throughout the conference, they will explore a wide array of topics spanning international and national security, political and economic development, human rights, sustainability, and more. This immersive experience will empower delegates to navigate the complexities of international negotiation, embrace fresh perspectives, and collaboratively craft comprehensive solutions to pressing global issues.
YMUN Dubai aspires to provide delegates from around the world with an exceptional opportunity to partake in a dynamic, educational, and enriching experience that hones and showcases their abilities. It is this unwavering dedication, commitment, and attention to detail that establish YMUN as one of the foremost Model UN conferences on a global scale, and we eagerly anticipate your participation in this inaugural event in the heart of Dubai.
Here’s What to Expect:
An unparalleled conference experience,
YMUN Dubai is poised to become your most cherished Model UN experience, and we guarantee that our committee topics and dynamic debate format will be truly unparalleled.
a supportive group of Yale students
Our Secretariat, which is comprised entirely of Yale students of all majors and class years, is stoked to help you unlock your potential over the three days of the conference. We will try our best to challenge you to think critically and deeply about the world’s most pressing issues.
& a phenomenal, unforgettable weekend
We know that you are high school students, and that this experience, while educational at its core, is meant to be one that you treasure and deeply enjoy. We will be offering you plenty of opportunities to mingle with other delegates and meet students from all around the world!
Meet the Team
SECRETARY GENERAL
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Fawzaan Hashmi is majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and sees his post as the Secretary-General as the much needed solace in his pre med life. Fawzaan is a longtime YMUN chair and was a Training Director for MUN camps in China in addition to serving as the Director-General of Committees of the inaugural YMUN Dubai conference. When not handling YIRA affairs, he lends a hand at the HAVEN Free Clinic, performs immunobiology research at the Yale School of Medicine, and serves as a FroCo for Saybrook College. Fawzaan understands himself as a budding Urdu poet and is questioning his previous mission to try every pastry at local coffee shops. He is eagerly awaiting your emails at secgen@ymundubai.org!
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OUTREACH
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Shan Lateef (he/him/his) is a senior in Grace Hopper College and Under-Secretary-General, Outreach of YMUN Dubai II. He is from Manassas, Virginia, and is majoring in Neuroscience and Global Health Studies. Academically, Shan is heavily involved in translational neuroscience and global epidiemological research. Moreover, Shan has previously served as Co-Director of South Asian Youth Initiative and Co-Editor-in-Chief for the Yale Undergraduate Research Journal. With Shan's previous leadership experiences, he cannot wait to serve on the YMUN Dubai team this year. In his free time, he can be found cooking, swimming, or watching Bollywood movies with friends. Shan is so excited to meet you all at the YMUN Dubai conference. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to him at outreach@ymundubai.org.
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF DELEGATIONS
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Deewa (she/her) is a sophomore in Timothy Dwight College from Portland, Oregon. She is majoring in Political Science and is this year's Under-Secretary-General of Delegations. Deewa is currently involved with YIRA as a member of the secretariat for the YMUN conference held on Yale’s campus. Outside of YIRA, she is a TD aide and Director of Migration Alliance at Yale. In her free time, she likes baking or a day at the beach. Deewa is excited to meet everyone! You can reach out to her at dels@ymundubai.org!
DIRECTOR
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Bilal is a sophomore in Pierson College and Director of YMUN Dubai. He was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, but his family originates from Syria. At Yale, he is majoring in Global Affairs and History. Bilal has been involved in YIRA since his first-year, where he served as the Director of Professional Development on the Executive Director's board. He also serves as a Research Assistant at the Center for Policing Equity and Vice President of the Yale MENA Student Association. In his free time, Bilal loves playing basketball, trying new restaurants around New Haven with his friends, and hanging out at the MENA house.
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF OPERATIONS
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Shalina Effendi (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Global Affairs. She has been involved in various YIRA programs, including MUNTY, YMUN Singapore, and YMUN Dubai. In her free time, she loves traveling, eating good food, and spending time with her friends. Feel free to reach out to her at admin@ymund.org with any questions!
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF BRANDING
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Sahra is a sophomore in Pierson College from Queens, New York. She is this year’s Under-Secretary-General of Branding. Outside of YIRA, she is a Yale College Council Senator and Advocacy Chair of the MENA Student Association. In her free time, you can find Sahra stargazing or watching adventure films. She is excited to meet everyone at YMUN Dubai II! Feel free to reach out to her at branding@ymundubai.org.
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF PROGRAMMING
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Samad Hakani (he/him) is a junior at Yale University majoring in political science. He plans to attend graduate school to study American political economy. He loves researching how the preferences of individual citizens are translated into policy at the state and national level. In his free time, he loves to hike and explore local restaurants in New Haven! At Yale, he’s involved with the Yale Daily News and other Yale Model UN conferences. Feel free to reach out to him with any questions or concerns at programming@ymundubai.org!
DIRECTOR
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Vidhi Bhartiya is a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College and one of the Directors of YMUN Dubai. She is from New Delhi, India and is majoring in Economics and Global Affairs. Vidhi has been an editor in YIRA’s international affairs journal, YRIS, since her first year. This year, she’s involved with the Yale Debate Association and the Yale Policy Institute! In her free time, you can find Vidhi reading a book or rewatching old Indian movies. She’s very excited to see you all at YMUN Dubai! If you have any questions regarding the conference, the ICJ committee, or just want to share book recommendations, please don’t hesitate to reach out at vidhi.bhartiya@yale.edu!
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF COMMITTEES
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Netra Easwaran (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Yale University, majoring in Political Science, and serves as the Director-General of Committees for YMUN Dubai II. Netra competes on Yale’s Model United Nations Team and Yale’s Debate Association. She has previously served as Crisis Director for YMUN Europe and Assistant Secretary-General of Committees for YMUN 50. Netra has also been involved in projects for the Yale Policy Initiative and Undergraduate Legal Aid Association. She is a Board Member of the South Asian Youth Initiative, a Contributing Reporter for the Yale Daily News, and Events Chair for the Hindu Students Organization. Netra’s academic specialty lies in Asia-Pacific diplomacy and security studies, having researched for Dr. Claire Yorke under the Global Compassion Coalition. She is also passionate about government and public policy, having interned for Senator Chuck Schumer and former Congressman Mondaire Jones. In her free time, Netra enjoys traveling (she has lived abroad in India and Singapore) and learning languages (she’s a polyglot!)
UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL OF COMMITTEES
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Layla Hedroug is a senior in Morse College majoring in Global Affairs and Arabic, concentrating her studies in the Middle East. She is from Chicago Illinois and will be the USG of Committees this YMUN Dubai. She also served as the Executive Director for YIRA and the President of the Arab Student Association. Beyond her advocacy in prison reform and policy work, she enjoys watching films, learning the piano, and spending time with her two cats. Layla is excited to meet you all at the second iteration of the YMUN Dubai conference. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to usg.committees@ymundubai.org.
DIRECTOR
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Ishnan is a sophomore in Hopper College and a Director of YMUN Dubai. She is from Hamden, Connecticut, majoring in Global Affairs and Ethnicity, Race, and Migration. Outside of her academic commitments, Ishnan works as a Peer Liaison for the Chaplain's Office and serves as the Social Media Manager for Amnesty International at Yale. In her spare time, you would find her spending time at Yale's cultural centers and museums. She is excited to meet all the delegates at YMUN Dubai and create an unforgettable experience for everyone. Feel free to reach out to her at ishnan.khan@yale.edu.
DIRECTOR
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Maddi Brown (she/her/hers) is a junior in Pierson College. She is from a small town in Wirtz, Virginia and is majoring in Physics. This is Maddi's third year with her involvement with YIRA; she has chaired multiple committees for YMUN in New Haven, Connecticut, and she is thrilled to continue to be able to continue her involvement by serving as a director for YMUN Dubai. On campus, Maddi is a STARS I peer mentor, a program dedicated to providing guidance for underrepresented first-year students in STEM. She also enjoys working for the Pierson College buttery and serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Liaison for the Yale Society of Physics Students. Outside of academics, Maddi enjoys exploring new cities, live music and concerts, and trying new foods! With all that being said, Maddi is eager to meet everyone and listen to the ideas and thoughts that delegates have during the conference. If you have any questions about YMUN Dubai, Model UN, or anything else, please do not hesitate to contact her at maddi.brown@yale.edu.