Meet the WHO Chair
Joao Pedro
Drechsler, this year’s World Health Organization (WHO) Chair, was born and
raised in Porto Alegre, Brazil. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in
Economics at Yale University and hopes to pursue a career in the International
Development field. Joao is involved in a myriad of activities that include
being involved in Yale International Relations Association (YIRA) and serving
as president for the Brazil Club in Yale. During his free time, Joao works as a
consultant for the Elmseed Enterprise Fund, which is a student organization that
provides consultant and microfinance services to small entrepreneurs in New
Haven. According to Joao, "It's a great way to bridge the gap between the
University and the city!"
In high
school, Joao was always actively participating in Model United Nations. “I was
a big MUN-nerd in high school”, he explained. According to Joao, his best
memory of a Model UN was his last conference before he graduated high school. “My
partner and I represented Israel in the Security Council. Because it was our
last conference, we took larger risks, and it was more enjoyable overall.” However,
when asked if there were any embarrassing moments during an MUN, he escaped by
saying, "I think I'll defer this question for now..."
This is
Joao’s first time being involved in YMUN Korea. He wanted to join this
conference as the WHO Chair after he saw that one of the topics was polio
eradication. “Because Brazil had a pretty successful polio eradication
campaign, I thought it would be interesting to join the conference and help in
understanding issues as complex as organ trafficking and polio,” Joao said. When
asked when and how he was first introduced to the WHO, he replied, “Although I
was first introduced to the WHO in high school, and during MUN conferences, my
interest in the organization was truly sparked by a class I am taking at Yale.
This graduate level class at the Yale School of Management is called Economic
Strategies for Doing Business in Developing Countries, and my group project is
exactly about enhancing some public health initiatives pertaining to Neglected
Tropical Diseases.”
Joao’s interests make him a good fit for the role of the WHO Chair. Not only is he excited to be in Korea, but he hopes that this year’s WHO delegates gain an in-depth knowledge of the topics that they will be debating in the conference. He added, “They should feel free to approach me at anytime during the conference to ask any questions pertaining to the topics!”
Joao’s interests make him a good fit for the role of the WHO Chair. Not only is he excited to be in Korea, but he hopes that this year’s WHO delegates gain an in-depth knowledge of the topics that they will be debating in the conference. He added, “They should feel free to approach me at anytime during the conference to ask any questions pertaining to the topics!”
by Janette Rhee
