Dear Delegates,
Hello and welcome to BERMUN 2026!
This year, the conference will focus on a problem that is both critically urgent but also immensely daunting: climate change. The number of destructive natural disasters like hurricanes and droughts rise every year in response to increasing global warming, displacing millions worldwide and destroying vital infrastructure. And their occurrence is only predicted to increase. However, unlike regional political tensions or temporary economic downturns, a response to climate change cannot be settled by a handful of countries alone; it is an issue that affects every country on earth, no matter their geographic location or political viewpoints, and it requires every country to meaningfully contribute and commit to its solution.
But not all countries are impacted equally. Many less economically developed countries lack the resources and infrastructure to defend against the effects of climate change, despite contributing significantly less to the problem than their more economically developed counterparts. That is why the 35th annual BERMUN conference will discuss the theme of “Resilient and Sustainable Development to Combat Climate Inequality” to find solutions that are both sustainable and equitable for all.
A common approach is to attempt to mitigate the effects of climate change, focusing on building resilient infrastructure or protecting natural habitats. But, while admirable efforts, they tackle only the immediate symptoms of a deeper problem: the concept of having infinite growth on a planet of very finite resources, an idea championed by the economic system at work across the world. In this spirit, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) at BERMUN will be discussing “Reassessing Market Capitalism for Sustainable and Equitable Growth”. Market capitalism is an incredibly flawed system. Not only does it require said unsustainable infinite growth, it also worsens global inequality, propelling some nations to wealth at the suffering of others. And yet, it has produced unbelievable economic growth and innovation, improving millions of lives worldwide, which begs the question: how can we retain the strong growth of market capitalism while making it sustainable and equitable for the future?
On a more personal note, I am in the 12th grade at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. My passions include the violin, which I have been playing since the age of 6, playing lacrosse, and spending time in the great outdoors. I have been part of the BERMUN program for four years, making this conference my 11th overall and my 7th as a chair.
Can’t wait to see you all in November!
Sincerely,
Keyo Casper
