We sit down with Rolando Kattan, the president of the Yale International Relations Association (YIRA) and a third-year student at Yale. Kattan takes us through the journey of YIRA, Yale's largest student organization known for its significant contribution to the Model United Nations (MUN) community. He sheds light on the origins, missions, and expansive reach of YIRA's flagship project, YMUN, emphasizing its role as a global platform for projecting Yale's educational values.

Kattan details the structure of YIRA as an independent, nonprofit student organization, highlighting its various branches, including academic journals and outreach programs like Hemispheres. He discusses the logistical and financial challenges of expanding YMUN internationally, the strategic decision-making behind such expansions, and the organization's dedication to making MUN accessible to students worldwide through substantial financial aid.

The conversation transitions to Kattan's personal journey from a high school MUN delegate to becoming the president of YIRA, exploring the skills and experiences that have shaped his leadership. He stresses the importance of Model UN in developing critical skills applicable beyond the conference rooms and acknowledges the pivotal role of MUN advisors in students' lives.

This episode not only celebrates the impact of Model UN on fostering diplomacy and global awareness among young leaders but also highlights the unsung heroes behind the scenes, inspiring listeners with stories of ambition, challenge, and community.

Podcast Notes:

Guest: Rolando Katan, President, Yale International Relations Association (YIRA)

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to YIRA: Overview of Yale's largest student organization and its mission to extend Yale's educational mission globally.
• YMUN: Insight into YIRA's flagship project, its history, impact, and the expansion of the YMUN conferences around the world.
• Organizational Structure: Discussion on YIRA's unique status as an independent, nonprofit student organization and its various branches.
• Challenges and Expansions: Kattan shares the challenges faced during the international expansion of YMUN conferences and the strategies implemented to overcome them.
• Personal Journey: Kattan discusses transitioning from a high school MUN delegate to the president of YIRA, including the skills and experiences that influenced his leadership.
• The Role of MUN Advisors: A tribute to the significant impact of MUN advisors on students' personal and professional development.
• Financial Accessibility: YIRA's commitment to making MUN accessible through financial aid and the importance of diversity and inclusivity in MUN participation.

Key Quotes:

• "Model UN as a platform for projecting Yale's educational mission globally."
• "The essence of what we do is to make Yale education more accessible."
• "Leadership in YIRA involves navigating challenges with a focus on diplomacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution."
• "MUN advisors are the unsung heroes in the Model UN community."