Guest Speaker
Brian Allemekinders
Embassy of Canada in Vietnam
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Brian Allemekinders (B-Ed University of Alberta, 1995; Master Pacific International Affairs, University of California, San Diego, 2002) joined Global Affairs Canada in 2002 and is currently the Head of Cooperation for Canada’s International Assistance Program in Vietnam. Brian has a long history working, studying and living internationally. Brian held positions at HQ on the Mainland Southeast Asia Division (Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) and in the Deputy Minister’s office (transformation, corporate reform). Brian was most recently on Canada’s International Assistance programs in Tanzania and Bangladesh, serving as the Deputy Director, Analyst in Tanzania and the Deputy Director, Operations in Bangladesh for 4 years each. Having previously served in Hanoi from 2006-10, Brian is thrilled to be serving a second time in Hanoi and experiencing the kindness and warm hospitality of the Vietnamese people. Prior to joining GAC, Brian also worked extensively in South Korea (1 year) and Japan (3 years). Brian and his partner have four children together: 29, 27 and 17 year-old sons, and a 16-year-old daughter.
Guest Speaker
Lynne Gadkowski
Embassy of the United States in Vietnam
Ms. Lynne is a Senior Foreign Service Officer dedicated to advancing U.S. foreign policy goals. With expertise in finance, digital economy, cyber security, environment, trade, climate, energy, and investment policies, she has consistently achieved mutually beneficial outcomes throughout her distinguished career spanning over two decades.
At the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, Ms. Lynne is currently in charge of a 25-person economic team and is a key advisor on Indo-Pacific economic priorities. Her senior advisory position and strategic direction include interagency cooperation, bilateral and regional economic engagement, and a particular emphasis on digital economy projects. She has accomplished a great deal with her extraordinary crisis management abilities, strategic planning, and leadership abilities. During Vice President Harris' visit to Vietnam, she was able to secure a $400 million investment and start a new bilateral dialogue.
In several diplomatic positions, she has significantly assisted in U.S. policy change regarding climate change, crisis management assistance, and the advancement of economic interests. Her capacity to create alliances, adapt US policy to regional contexts, and accomplish common goals has been instrumental in bringing about constructive change in international relations and diplomacy. As a highly respected Senior Foreign Service Officer who is committed to advancing U.S. foreign policy, Ms. Lynne has a wealth of knowledge and significantly contributes to global engagement and cooperation.
Following her experience in the Security Council and the Second Committee focusing on peacekeeping operations and sustainable development, respectively, throughout her engagements, she emphasized the importance of gathering diverse perspectives and fostering flexibility among delegates to achieve common goals. Ms. Lynne recognized the noble objective of the UN, which aims to bring together 93 perspectives to make the world a better place.
She highlighted the need to navigate differing perspectives, anticipate long-term implications, and find creative solutions to overcome challenges in reaching consensus. Additionally, Ms. Lynne emphasized the significance of building alliances, fostering personal relationships, and appreciating the cyclical nature of UN work, where progress may not always be immediate, but revisiting issues in the future can yield different outcomes due to evolving administrations and political landscapes. Her pragmatic and patient approach underscores her understanding of the iterative and often slow-paced nature of international diplomacy.
Thank you Ms.Lynne for being our guest speaker!
Chair Mentor
Ms. Fleming
The first mentor I met was Ms. Fleming, an MSHS Counselor at UNIS Hanoi. In our discussion, I asked if she had any MUN experience as a mentor or student, in which Ms. Fleming replied how she did not have any prior Model United Nations experience, but was a part of a robust debate program back in a school in Lima, Peru as a World Schools Debate Coach & Judge. However, Ms. Fleming didn’t have any MUN experience during her time as a highschooler due to it not being available.
In terms of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Fleming’s partner is a Humanitarian working in non-governmental organizations for 20+ years, specifically girls & women’s rights. Ms. Fleming states that her experience is limited compared to her partner; “In some sense I’m connected because it’s something we talk about everyday; we talk to our children about it & try to live our lives valuing human rights.”
In the context of the question of the protection of the right to protest, Ms. Fleming mentioned that she lived in Jordan for 3 years & wasn’t allowed to participate in any protests due to it being illegal for non-Jordanian citizens, however Ms. Fleming also adds that she feels uncomfortable to protest against a state for which she is not from, however she witnessed protests all the time (still supports them) due to the Syrian Refugee crisis happening and she also stated how her partner worked with the refugees during their stay in Jordan. In terms of the question of the right to privacy, Ms. Fleming agrees that the right to confidentiality is an extremely crucial role in human rights, especially as a MSHS Counselor. She states in her counseling training that holding someone’s space in a confidential and safe fashion is key.
Chair Mentor
Ms. Gibbons
Ms. Gibbons is an MSHS Individuals & Society and IBDP Psychology teacher. In terms of MUN and/or Debate Club experiences, she recalled back in high school that she was a part of her school’s House Debate Competition and was previously a mentor for UNISMUN 4-5 years ago.
Ms. Gibbons added that she deeply values the right of privacy, especially as a Psychology teacher, she brings up the ethical aspects of privacy. “For example, if a patient had medical records of mental illness, health insurance companies might charge you more money if they see you as more vulnerable.” She said, It could be out in the big world, and you might not know about it. She also states that it depends on your perspective on privacy, but how it can be used against people and how it can be used positively she thinks are the two angles to look at this topic.
When I asked Ms. Gibbons about the third topic, the question of the right to self-determination, and her experiences with that, she mentioned that our viewpoints can often be skewed by our experiences and culture. She also brings up that most of the countries she has lived in are democratic. Ms. Gibbons stated that she also lived in India for a bit, and mentioned that it was still democratic, but then how “democratic” is viewed differently amongst political parties. “In terms of a nation-state—I approach this with my Western perspectives of what democracy is—-I think it’s more about: what do the people in that nation-state want? But you also have that conflict between the state and the citizens. It’s difficult.”
Head Chair
Ina Choe
Honorable directors, fellow chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,
My name is Ina Choe and it is my utmost honor to serve as your Head Chair for the Human Rights Council.
As a junior at Seoul Foreign School, this marks my 4th year of participating in MUN, and I am incredibly excited to witness the fruitful discussions and debates UNISMUN will foster this year, once again.
The theme for this March 2024 conference is “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?” As today’s world shifts and transforms at an overwhelming rate, it is important to address the nuanced impacts and challenges of societal change. Employing multilateral diplomacy to forge compromises that stem from collaboration and coopetition is paramount in navigating through these obstacles of rapid change.
The Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental body within the United Nations, serves to promote and protect human rights universally. Delegates of HRC will be encouraged to engage in diplomatic discussions about pertinent issues regarding human rights.
For this conference, HRC will be focusing on three agendas for debate:
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The question of the right to privacy,
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The question of the protection of the right to protest,
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The question of the right to self-determination.
Delegates are highly advised to remember this year’s conference theme when researching or debating on these topics to consider multiple perspectives and nuanced arguments.
I am eager to hear your diverse perspectives and fruitful contributions to HRC this March. I look forward to seeing you all at the conference!
Deputy Chair
Parami MacArthur
Honorable directors, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,
My name is Parami MacArthur. I am currently a junior at the United Nations International School, and I will be your Deputy Chair for the Human Rights Council in this year’s UNISMUN March Conference. This marks my 6th UNISMUN conference, whilst being my 2nd as Chair.
The theme for this conference is “How can we use multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change?”. This highlights the potential of collaborative international efforts to exchange ideas and resources to tackle shared challenges amongst the different councils.
Furthermore, in the upcoming UNISMUN March 2024 Conference, HRC will be addressing three main areas to be debated upon: “The question to the right of privacy”, “ The question of the protection of the right to protest”, and “The question of the right to self determination”.
These topics are all of significant importance in shaping and safeguarding the principles of individual freedom, democratic societies and maintaining human rights. The right to privacy ensures personal autonomy and protects individuals from unwarranted intrusion. The protection of the right to protest allows for the expression of diverse voices and promotes civic engagement within a healthy democracy. Lastly, the right to self-determination addresses identity, colonialism, and minority rights.
In the United Nations, the Human Rights Council acts as a global platform for discussion of human rights concerns with civil society and UN member states. Pertaining to the topics that will be tackled in this council, it’s my expectation that delegates will be capable of handling these topics with care, confidence, and determination for a formidable outcome.
UNISMUN provides students to build confidence in their collaboration, research, public speaking and negotiation skills. These abilities can all be enhanced during the conference in a safe and structured environment. I'm honored and delighted to be selected as your Deputy Chair for the expected conference, and I'm looking forward to an insightful debate!
Procedural Chair
Hoi Tran Minh Khuat
Greetings distinguished delegates, esteemed guests, and fellow chairs,
My name is Hoi Tran, a senior at St. Paul American School Hanoi, and I will be serving as the Procedural Chair for this year’s March UNISMUN Human Rights Council. This is my second year in the MUN community, and this March UNISMUN conference will mark my 4th MUN conference and my second time as a chair.
The theme for this March Conference is related to using multilateral diplomacy to surmount the challenges of rapid societal change. The United Nations Human Rights Council is responsible for addressing all issues threatening human rights; hence, HRC aims for cross-regional cooperation in ensuring mechanisms for human rights protection and the reporting, monitoring, and denouncing of human rights violations. This theme is highly intriguing because rapid societal changes inevitably come with the neglect of human rights in certain areas of the world that requires the collaboration of nations to resolve.
The HRC will focus on 3 main issues in the upcoming March conference. The first issue regarding the right to privacy tackles a prominent issue in recent days when social media has become easily accessible everywhere.
The second issue concerns the protection of the right to protest. As freedom of speech is greatly emphasized in today’s world, standard-setting for the extent to which this right is given to everyone is necessary to ensure this human right to all.
The final issue considers the right to self-determination. First enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, self-determination denotes the legal right of people to decide their destiny in the international order.
With such compelling issues that concern people of all backgrounds, I look forward to fruitful debates and delegates during the conference.