Dear Delegates, Faculty, and Affiliates,

On behalf of the Executive Board and staff of Harvard Model Congress Asia, it is my incredible honor to welcome you to the 23rd annual session of Harvard Model Congress Asia (HMCA). My name is Kaitlyn Vu, and I have the honor of serving as President of HMCA 2027. I am a senior at Harvard College studying Government on the Public Policy Track with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. 

My journey with HMCA began three years ago in a small classroom in Seoul, where I served as a Junior Staffer for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving as Faculty Liaison for HMCA 2025, and a Director of Programs for HMCA 2026. Through these experiences, I have gained a deep appreciation for the dedication, preparation, and collaboration required from both faculty and delegates to make this conference truly transformative. I look forward to reconnecting with returning delegates and faculty, as well as welcoming many new faces to our community next January.

Since 2004, HMCA has served as the premier forum for cultural and intellectual exchange across the Asia-Pacific region. Each year, our conference brings together hundreds of students to create a network of engaged, informed, and globally minded future leaders. Building on the momentum of our 2026 conference, we are excited to deliver an even more immersive and impactful educational experience in the year ahead. Delegates will participate in 13 dynamic committees, ranging from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to the World Health Organization, each chaired by dedicated Harvard undergraduates eager to collaborate with and learn alongside you. Over the course of three days, you will learn how to research, debate, and develop real policy solutions to pressing challenges facing Asia, the United States, and the global community. More importantly, you will learn how to engage with perspectives different from your own and to adjust your thinking in real time. This process of discourse and challenging your own views is a more demanding and meaningful way of engaging in our political process — one that matters now more than ever. 

I am also excited to share several updates as we prepare for our upcoming conference. First, the Executive Board is continuing to expand our conference preparation materials, including resources on parliamentary procedure, bill-writing, and more. We hope these materials will better equip delegates in their preparation and broaden access to these resources. Second, we will be developing and publishing updated codes of conduct for both delegates and faculty to ensure our conference remains a respectful and welcoming space for all participants. These guidelines will also address the evolving role of artificial intelligence to establish clear expectations for its appropriate use and promoting fairness across committees. Third, we are committed to increasing transparency in our awards process by building on the success of our Best Delegate Guide. Fourth, we will continue updating and streamlining the Scholarship Application process to ensure that financial aid decisions are communicated in a more timely and efficient manner. 

At a time when the world faces complex civic and political challenges, we hope HMCA will empower you with the tools and confidence to make a meaningful difference in your own communities. For us, this conference is only the beginning — a spark that inspires a lifetime of public service and compassionate leadership.

As we count down to January, please know that the Executive Board, our staff, and I cannot wait to welcome you to HMCA 2027.

If you have any questions about the registration process or the conference itself, please reach out to the Faculty Liaison, Ellyce Butuyan, at faculty@hmcasia.org.

With immense gratitude,

Kaitlyn Vu

President | Harvard Model Congress Asia 2027