UPMUNC BOARD MEMBERS 2012- 2012
PRESIDENT:
Saskia Knight,
Originally from Calgary, Canada, Saskia was raised on the ocean for 6 years, circumnavigating the globe on a sailboat & tall-ship. Saskia holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Philosophy and a post-graduate diploma in Intercultural Education & Training from the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. In 2011, Saskia was part of the International Labor Organization's Youth Employment Network (YEN) Associate Program on placement with the government of Ghana's National Youth Employment Program (NYEP). She is currently pursuing her M.A. in International Law & the Settlement of Disputes at UPeace. She brings 4 years of Model United Nations (MUN) experience to the organization of the conference. As part of the University of Victoria MUN club's executive board, Saskia participated in 9 conferences as a delegate, head delegate, director and chair of various committees. She loves to make jewelry, snowboard, develop new connections, and laugh until it hurts.
VICE-PRESIDENT:
Jorge Tortos
Jorge is a student from Costa Rica with a background in Political Science, and experience supporting NGOs and volunteering the fields of education, environment and human security. He also has professional experience in an academic intergovernmental institution in Latin America as a member of the Secretariat of FLACSO. Jorge is currently pursuing an M.A in Environmental Security and Peace at UPeace. He has participated in several simulations of the Organization of American States as well as Model United Nations both inside Costa Rica as well as Internationally in the capacities of delegate and head delegate. Jorge strives to bring a cross-cultural lens to his MUN participation in both the academic debate and the establishment of idealistic objectives. He enjoys outdoor activities, eco-trips, collecting post cards and beverages with good company.
TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR
Ju Li Khing
Ju Li is pursuing her MA in Responsible Management and Sustainable Economic Development at UPEACE. Born in Malaysia, she left her country to study at the United World College of Hong Kong and has been travelling since, both for academic pursuit and cultural exchange. She graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor's degree in History and International Relations. As an undergraduate student, she participated in and co-organized a variety of UN simulations. In her spare time, she interns for the Peace and Conflict Monitor at UPEACE. Prior to coming to Costa Rica, Ju Li held a position working with urban young adults in the United States. She believes that amazing food makes for great company. In her spare time, she enjoys comparing different news sources and making jewelry.
TRAINING CO-ORDINATOR
Ohad Sternberg
Originally from Ra'anana, Israel, Ohad Sternberg has lived on the East Coast of the United States, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Ohad is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served the Republic of Moldova for more than two years. His passion is Community Development and Economic Growth. Working closely with United Nations organizations in the past two decades, Ohad brings to the conference his capacity building skills and extensive track record working within corporate America and with various NGOs. Ohad is currently pursuing his M.A. in Sustainable Economic Development at UPeace. He loves to travel, make new friends and enjoy mid-day siestas.
LOGISITICS CO-ORDINATOR
Toshihisa Nakamura
Toshihisa was born and raised in Japan. He is a scholar of the Asia Leaders Program, and was awarded a full scholarship by the Nippon Foundation. Toshihisa is currently a graduate student in the International Law Department at UPeace. He earned his undergraduate degree in International Relations at International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo in 2008. From 2008 to 2011, he worked for Recruit, Co. Ltd as a human resource consultant. Toshihisa also worked for an international human rights NGO, Human Rights Now, as a research intern in Japan from 2011 to 2012. In this role, he wrote several original proposals of its statement regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Power Plant Accident in Fukushima. Toshihisa loves to play tennis, work out, go to the beach and eat Sushi.
CO-COORDINATOR FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING
Aya Terasawa
Aya was born in Okinawa, Japan. She was awarded as a special active student from her university in Japan for founding the fair trade club and promoting fair trade inside and outside of the University as well as for participating in the SIFE (Student In Free Enterprise) regional competition as the first women's university participant in the SIFE competition history in Japan. She was a participants and organizer of an International Youth Exchange Program held by cabinet office, government of Japan. She had an internship at Oxfam Japan as a volunteer coordinator for Trail Worker. Aya also participated in ABS protocol negotiation of Convention on Biological Diversity as a delegate for civil society organization. She is currently an M.A. candidate in International Law and Human Rights at UPEACE as part of the Asian Leaders Program, batch six. Aya likes eating, sleeping and chatting.
CO-COORDINATOR FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING
Mariko Ishii
was born and raised in Hiroshima, Japan and has been passionately working as a member of the global community to make this planet nuclear-free. She completed her bachelor's degree in American Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, focusing on the socio-political issues of native Hawai’ian and Japanese immigrants in the U.S. She worked as a project coordinator for Peace Boat, a Japanese international NGO that works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment. Aside from that, she has spent several years as an independent journalist and interpreter and translator of English and Japanese. She has given speeches at various conferences and events in Japan and abroad to promote nuclear-free movement, as well as having organized several events herself. She is currently enrolled in the Media, Peace and Conflict studies at University for Peace.
CHIEF MEDIA COORDINATOR
Belen Satorre
Belen graduated with Honours in Journalism as well as a diploma in International Relations and International Public Law at Complutense University of Madrid. She spent her senior year at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Belen is currently an intern at UNHCR in Costa Rica. Her previous professional experience includes the Ethnic media department at the Think Tank Center for American Progress in Washington D.C. and research internship positions at UNAM University (Mexico) and FLACSO University (Ecuador) conducting two cooperation development projects sponsored by the Government of Madrid. Furthermore, Belen has a background in financial journalism and has worked for several media outlets in Spain such as El Mundo newspaper, La Ser Radio and El Ciudad de Alcoy. She has lectured at several conferences at UNAM University whilst participating in the Socio - Legal Congress at UNAM Law School. Belen also lead the 'Africa Exist' Congress at Complutense University. During her free time, Belen loves Latin dance and Zumba, cooking Spanish dishes for friends or just packing her luggage to her next destination. Sometimes she thinks her life is luggage!
MEDIA COORDINATOR
Kalkidan Shawel
Born in Ethiopia, Kalkidan Shawel is currently pursuing her Masters Degree in Media Peace and Conflict Studies at UPEACE. She studied her undergraduate degree at the Addis Ababa University in Political Science and International Relations. Working for National Ethiopian Television, she started her career as a News Journalist and then worked for a weekly program that promotes the country's cultural assets. Kalkidan later joined the City Government of Addis Ababa as an International Relations Officer, which was a great opportunity to acquaint her with various other cultures around the world. In her position at the International Relations desk, she helped promote the city's endeavors in various international events and also acquired a good experience in organizing international events hosted by the city of Addis Ababa. Kalkidan values interpersonal communications and learning the cultures of others. She is a big fan of music, movies and the amazing sea.
CO-COORDINATOR FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Nchimunya Michelo F Silenga
Nchimunya is a Strategic Planning expert and an elections specialist. She currently engaged as a Policy Analyst/Advisor to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). Nchimunya is a certified BRIDGE Master Trainer in Voter Registration, Voter Education, Conflict Management, Media and Elections. She trains officers involved in elections reporting, registration of voters, voter education and elections. Nchimunya holds a BA in Public Administration and Mass Communication from the University of Zambia and an MSC in Strategic Planning from Edinburgh Business School. She is currently pursuing an MA in Sustainable Urban Governance and Peace at UPeace. She loves swimming, travelling and reading.
CO-COORDINATOR FOR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Reem Mougheith
Reem is a graduate of the British University in Egypt and Loughbrough University in the UK. She also holds a bachelor's degree in Political science and Economics. After her graduation, Reem worked in the field of human rights. She interned with an NGO in Brazil for women's rights, and then after coming back to her country of origin, Egypt, she worked with Oxfam in a project for strengthening the civil society in the Arab world. Later, Reem joined the Arab organization for human rights (AOHR). After volunteering with the AOHR, she worked in The World Health Organization of the Eastern Mediterranean region office in Cairo, in the Libyan and Syrian crisis project in emergency humanitarian action (EHA) and the Logistics support program (LSP).
Reem played water ballet for 11 years, she was only devoted to water ballet and was crazy about it. Reem loves travelling, reading, exploring new things and Psychology. She believes that Psychology is the core of everything.
