Ayala Gate. Under-Secretary General for Community
Hi guys! I’m Ayala, the Under-Secretary-General for Community Building and I’m going to explain a little more about my responsibilities and my role in the conference. I absolutely love what I do and hopefully by the end of this blog you’ll understand why - if you have any questions about my job please feel free to come and have a chat in November!
In general, I am called USG for Community because I try to make sure all of our delegates feel that they are part of the Oxford Global community. MUN is so special because it is more than just committee sessions - it is a weekend where you can find your people, make friendships that last a lifetime and feel like you have a home in Oxford. My job is to connect you to each other and also to Oxford University.
Recruiting Speakers
One of my favourite things about Oxford Global is that we have speakers to address each individual committee, as well as the keynote speaker to address the conference during the Opening Ceremony. These are experts in their fields, some from Oxford University and some recruited from elsewhere. We hope that the opportunity to hear from and speak to these academics will allow delegates to connect to the topic and think about the issues from a new perspective. It’s also a chance to think about the real-world implications of the topic, outside of the confines of an MUN conference. These speakers will be announced in the run-up to the conference, so once you find out who your speaker is you can start thinking about some possible questions to ask them!
I am in charge of the speaker search and I am doing my best to find people who will challenge and inspire you, as well as give you an insight into what it’s like to pursue a career in academia or related to the UN. Hopefully, this adds some excitement and interest to your committee sessions and give you a peek into the community of experts which you may one day join!
Organising Oxford Tours
On the first day of the conference, there will be a chance to see Oxford while on an engaging walking tour, which will be happening on Friday during the registration period. This is a great way to get acquainted with the city before the busy days of the conference, and also to get to know other delegates while on the tour!
Planning the Delegate Social!
The part we’ve all been waiting for - the Delegate Social! This will take place on Saturday night at Oxford’s incredible Natural History Museum. It’s always one of the highlights of the conference, and a fun evening where you can relax, unwind and party with your fellow delegates. I am so happy that I get to organise this night of fun for you and I hope you leave with great memories that will last a lifetime. I can’t wait to see you all on the dancefloor - if you have any song requests let me know!