Esteemed delegates of HRC,

My name is Minju Chung, and it is my deepest honor and pleasure to welcome you to the Human Rights Council at BEIMUN XXXIII. As the international conference where I received my first award back in middle school, BEIMUN holds a special place in my heart, and I’m looking forward to being back in Beijing for another memorable experience.

As we gather for this year’s conference, we must reflect on today’s global humanitarian issues and how we can navigate them through virtue. Women who face gender-based violence and asylum seekers in detention areas are two of countless vulnerable groups that deprive human rights. It is our responsibility at the HRC to address these overlooked humanitarian concerns with virtuous solutions through negotiation and collaboration.

Throughout my 5 years of MUN journey, I have learned the power of maintaining virtue in diplomacy. Bonding with people I meet for the first time and settling conflicts through amendments, speeches, and resolutions, I learned that solutions cannot be brought to life without cooperation. At the HRC, I hope you also learn the beauty of cooperation as you tackle today’s most pressing humanitarian issues with fellow delegates. On behalf of the chairs, I sincerely hope to meet you all soon at the many fruitful debates that will be held in the HRC.