Words Of Goodbye
Honourable Chairs, distinguished Delegates, dear friends of HamMUN,
It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing the official cancellation of HamMUN 2020 today.
The Covid-19 pandemic continuously poses challenges to the MUN circuit like none before. And like many partners and friends of ours we too are affected by the outbreak.
Together with our team we have been continuously assessing the situation over the past months and tried our best to prepare for every contingency in facing the pandemic. We have been monitoring university policies on the Covid-19 outbreak as well as government regulations. And planned for every possible scenario we could possibly think of. However, having to cancel HamMUN 2020 entirely remained on a different page for us.
Over the past few weeks, we have been in contact with the administration office of the University of Hamburg and our partners in order to find a common solution ensuring everyone stays safe over the next few months and most importantly during the conference.
Up until now we have been organising HamMUN 2020 as per usual. While doing so, it has been our utmost priority to ensure that every one of us stays safe and healthy. In the view of the recent developments we can no longer continue with our approach.
Recently we have been asked by the university president’s office to cancel HamMUN 2020 entirely. Under the current situation as well as the anticipated developments it is no longer possible to hold the conference this year. Even though Germany, like many other countries in Europe, is in the process of easing restrictions, while calling upon people to remain alert and limit contact with other people, the universities in Germany are preparing for another digital semester with the vast majority of courses being held virtually. As communicated in the exchange with our university, HamMUN cannot take place under these circumstances and therefore we have to cancel HamMUN 2020.
HamMUN 2020 will not take place in a digital format. The hammunique experience that we aim to share with all our participants it is unlikely to be transmitted via video call. This journey includes not only formal debates, but conversations during coffee breaks, sharing time at socials, taking pictures together to save as memories, form new friendships and reunited with old friends and so much more that cannot be described in words...
We want to express our deepest gratitude for everyone that has shown their interest and support of HamMUN by applying for Chair, Director, and Secretariat positions. You are the ones that shape not only the academic aspects of HamMUN. We appreciate the time that you have invested in your applications, the preparation for the interviews, and your commitment to HamMUN. It is deeply appreciated and it has been an honour to meet you.
We are incredibly thankful for your trust in our organising team. Not only in taking over the legacy of this more than two decades old project of MUN-passionate students but us handling the Covid-19 crisis responsible and with the greatest care.
On behalf of the organising team of HamMUN 2020 we would like to thank you for your interest and support of our conference. This is a very unfortunate situation to be in and we are saddened by the fact that neither you nor our amazing team is now going to see the result of their dedication and hard work.
We have been incredibly excited to welcome you all to the 22nd edition of HamMUN and host you for yet another amazing weekend full of challenging debates and fun socials. We sincerely hope that with better circumstances, we will be able to see you next year.
All the best and stay safe!
Madeleine Dietzel & Laura Espitia Murillo
