What is YMUN Latin America, anyway?

YMUN Latam is a three-day international Model UN conference designed for high school students, set to take place in the vibrant city of São Paulo. 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 Latin America, 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.

In its inaugural year, YMUN Latin America 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 bustling city of São Paulo.

Here’s What to Expect:

An unparalleled conference experience,

YMUN Latam 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

Sophia Chin McManus

  • Sophia Chin McManus (she/her) is a sophomore in Timothy Dwight college majoring in Comparative Literature on the film track and potentially doubling in Psychology. As a São Paulo native, she is honored and so excited to serve as Secretary-General of YMUN Latin America 2024. Sophia has previously been a part of the YMUN Korea and YMUN Taiwan teams. Outside of YIRA, she is also a member of the Undergraduate Catholic Council, on the board of Brazil Club Yale, sings with acapella group Pitches & Tones, and works for the Center of International and Professional Experience as a student ambassador. In her free time she enjoys writing, translating and practicing kung-fu. Feel free to reach out to her with any questions at secgen@ymunlatam.org.

Wei-Ting Shih

  • Wei-Ting Shih (she/her) is a senior in Grace Hopper College majoring in Political Science and History. She is from Taiwan and Nicaragua, having lived in the latter country since she was eleven months old. Though she is now mainly focusing on her theses, Wei-Ting has been involved in publications, research and the innovation ecosystem at Yale. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, exploring new coffee shops and watching sports (especially to cheer on her favorite baseball team, the Yankees). Wei-Ting is thrilled to serve as Director General of Committees for YMUN Latin America, and looks forward to seeing committee topics come alive in São Paulo. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to her at: dg.committees@ymunlatam.org.

Samuel Bowles

  • Samuel Bowles (he/him) is a junior in Timothy Dwight College studying History and Global Affairs. Born in New York to Bolivian parents, Sam moved to Brazil and lived in Sao Paulo for 10 years, falling in love with foreign affairs and the United States’ historical connection to the wider world. At Yale he works as a research assistant for Professor Ian Shapiro, investigating the correlation between economic growth and strong democratic institutions. Sam is also the treasurer of the Brazil Club at Yale, International Outreach Coordinator and a member of the Studies in Grand Strategy program. In his free time, Sam plays tennis, watches football (vai Palmeiras) and enjoys the occasional chess game. Feel free to contact him at sam.bowles@yale.edu.

Samad Hakani

  • Samad Hakani (he/him) is a sophomore in Davenport College majoring in Political Science. He plans to attend graduate school and study American political economy. He loves learning more about economic cooperation between nations and the interconnectedness of the global economy. In his free time, he loves to hike and watch comedy shows. At Yale, he's involved in The Yale Record, the Yale Daily News, and the Yale Community Kitchen. He previously served as Director for YMUN Dubai I. Feel free to reach out to him at conferece@ymunlatam.org with any song recommendations or questions about the conference!

Madeleine Megal

  • Madeleine Megal (she/her) is a junior in Hopper College studying Political Science and pursuing a certificate in Data Science. Her academic focus rests on how political sensationalism affects financial markets, especially in Latin America. While she is a proud Panamanian, she's quick to share just how much she loves her hometown, Milwaukee, WI. At Yale, Madeleine spends her time debating with the Yale Political Union, working on Wisconsin political campaigns, and conducting research at the Yale Institution for Social and Policy Studies. You may also find her cooking up a storm in the Hopper Buttery or drawing up artwork for Claro Que Sí, Yale’s Premier Latine Magazine. She is so excited to serve as YMUN LATAM’s USG of Outreach. For inquiries, please reach out to her at outreach@ymunlatam.org.

Kate Foglesong

  • Kate Foglesong (she/her) is a first-year in Branford college from Atlanta, Georgia. She plans to double-major in Ethics, Politics, & Economics and Spanish. Kate was an Assistant Secretary-General in the YMUN New Haven conference, and she did Model UN in Spanish and English throughout high school. On campus, Kate is also involved in the Yale Undergraduate Consulting Group, Bridges ESL, and Club Swimming. In her free time, she loves reading, trying new restaurants, and going on walks. Kate is very excited to serve as the USG of Committees and to work with everyone throughout this conference! You can reach her at committees@ymunlatam.org.

Felipe Tomaz Tancredo

  • Felipe (he/him) is a first-year at Benjamin Franklin college and a prospective Ethics, Politics and Economics major. Born in Torres and raised in Porto Alegre, he is Brazilian and a bona fide gaúcho. Having been immersed in so much of the MUN ecosystem in his home country, he is beyond excited to lead the branch of domestic delegations. Beyond the conference, he also serves as head of the Turing Fellowship on the Yale AI Policy Initiative, works for the Student Technology Collaborative and goalkeeps on intramurals. In his free time, he likes to read, write, lift, and go on philosophical tirades. You can reach him at delegations@ymunlatam.org

Yvonne Agyapong

  • Yvonne Agyapong is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin College majoring in Cognitive Science as a pre-law student. She is a Ghanaian-American, born in New York and raised in New Jersey. Yvonne loves all things fashion, film, and food! Outside of the conference, Yvonne is Director of Programming for the Yale Foreign Policy Initiative and works on their Global Human Rights Research Project. She is also Treasurer and a founding member of the Yale Black Pre-Law Association, and a Co-Director of Mentorship for the Yale International Relations Association student teaching organization, Hemispheres. She previously served as a Director for YMUN India and is currently USG of International Recruitment for the Yale Model African Union. Reach out to her at delegations@ymunlatam.org.

Karla Perdomo Núñez

  • Karla Perdomo Núñez(she/her) is a sophomore in Stiles majoring in Global Affairs and pursuing an Advanced Language Spanish Certificate. Apart from academics, she is a Peer Liaison for La Casa Cultural at Yale, an interpreter for the Yale Law School, leads the Dominican Student Association and volunteers for the Soup Kitchen at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at Yale. She was born in the Dominican Republic but has lived most of her life in Jersey City, New Jersey. In her spare time she enjoys listening to music, thrifting and knitting/crocheting. Karla is excited to work and engage with delegates at the conference! She previously served in the secretariat for the inaugural YMUN Dubai and is looking forward to her role as the Under-Secretary General of Branding for YMUN Latam. You can reach out to her at branding@ymunlatam.org.

Seung Min Baik Kang

  • Seung Min Baik (he/him) is a sophomore in Branford College majoring in Economics and History. He was born and raised in Guatemala but his parents are from South Korea. At Yale, he sings Bass 2 in the Yale Glee Club (Yale’s principal undergraduate choir), leads the immigration group at the Migration Alliance at Yale, and serves as a Peer Liaison at La Casa Cultural. During his free time, he loves to run, cook, and play piano. He previously was in the secretariat for YMUN Korea and is beyond excited to serve as USG of Branding for the first iteration of YMUN LATAM. If you have any shared interest or questions (related or unrelated to MUN), feel free to reach out to him at branding@ymunlatam.org.

Henry Chen

  • Henry Chen (he/him) is a sophomore in Jonathan Edwards College originally from Orlando, Florida. He plans to study some combination of Computer Science, Economics, and History, but has growing interests in the environment. You can often find Henry leading backpacking trips for Yale First-year Outdoor Orientation Trips (FOOT), conducting carbon credits research with the Yale School of the Environment, flipping quesadillas at the Jonathan Edwards Buttery (one of Yale’s late-night cafes), or (trying) to dance with Yale Danceworks. Outside of YMUN Latam, he was a Chair for YMUN 50 and will be going to Shenzhen for YMUN China this May. He can’t wait to meet you all in Brazil! In the meantime, you can reach him at henry.chen@yale.edu

Dylan Bober

  • Dylan Bober (he/him) is a sophomore in Davenport College originally from Hollywood, Florida. He plans to study Computer Science and Economics, but is also interested in public policy. Dylan also coaches debate to New Haven middle schoolers as part of the New Haven Urban Debate League, and is a member of several political groups. Outside of YMUN Latam, he has helped chair two YMUN conferences. He’s excited to meet you in Brazil, and can be reached at dylan.bober@yale.edu.

Ingrid Rodríguez Vila

  • Ingrid Rodríguez Vila (she/her) is a sophomore in Branford College from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She is currently working towards a Physics and Philosophy major. Most of her time is spent cataloging the rare books and manuscripts collection at the Yale Center for British Art, running algorithms at the Yale Quantitative Biology Institute, rehearsing for student plays, editing pieces for The New Journal, and working on problem sets. She also loves writing, going on walks, watching ballets, and hand embroidery. She has chaired YMUN New Haven’s first-ever Spanish-language committee for the past two years, and is very excited to be a Director for YMUN LATAM this summer! You can reach her with any questions at ingrid.rodriguezvila@yale.edu.

Zakira Bakhshi

  • Zakira Bakhshi (She, Her) is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and Environmental Policy complemented by a certificate in French. Her passion lies in the intersections of climate change, and global peace and security, as well as examining the impact of the environmental crisis in exacerbating war and conflict in frontline communities. Presently, she is employed as a research assistant at the Yale law school and works as an interpreter for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. On campus, she leads the Yale Afghan Student Association and is involved in Yale International Relations, Taekwondo and the ballroom club. She loves poetry, novels, playing piano, exploring local cafes and making chai. She is so hyped to serve as a director for YMUN LATAM this summer :) Feel free to reach out to her at zakira.bakhshi@yale.edu

Clarissa Tan

  • Clarissa Tan (she/her) is a sophomore at Yale, double-majoring in Global Affairs and Graphic Design. She is originally from California, studied briefly in China, and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. On-campus, Clarissa is involved in layout for the Yale Undergraduate Art and Art History Journal, researches international climate policy for the Yale Environmental Performance Index, and is also a USG of Branding for YMUN China. She enjoys painting, digital art, photography, spontaneous travels, and baking anything matcha. She is beyond excited to meet delegates in Brazil this August! Feel free to reach out at clarissa.tan@yale.edu

Rafael Sousa

  • Rafael Sousa (he/him) is a freshman in Morse College originally from Framingham, Massachusetts. He is interested in international affairs, politics, and language-learning, and plans to major in Global Affairs. At Yale, Rafael is the deputy director of dinner discussions at Yale European Horizons, where he reaches out to professors and figures to discuss European affairs. Outside of school, Rafael loves to travel and go on hikes. His father is from São Paulo himself, and Rafael is very excited to meet you all! For any questions, you can contact him at rafael.sousa@yale.edu