About Us
Puerto Rico Model United Nations (PURMUN) is a nonprofit international organization founded in 2024 by a group of students and teachers from Puerto Rico. Their shared vision is to promote the values and principles of the United Nations among the youth of Puerto Rico and the world. But PURMUN is more than just an organization: it's a vibrant community.
PURMUN empowers students to practice diplomacy while developing public speaking, problem-solving, debate, and ethical skills through an educational model of the United Nations and other similar scenarios. Each year, PURMUN organizes conferences, workshops, and training sessions that bring together students, teachers, and advisors from different schools and universities. These participants engage in simulated committees and discussions on a range of global issues, making a real impact on the world stage.
However, PURMUN's impact is not limited to its own community. It fosters a spirit of collaboration, working with other organizations and institutions that share its vision of fostering global citizenship and social responsibility. This collaborative spirit makes PURMUN a powerful force for change and a community that values and respects the contributions of all its members. It's a place where everyone is welcome and their contributions are valued, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Meet The Secretariat
Julia García Galindo
Secretary-General
Julia García Galindo is a recent graduate of Harvard College, where she studied Sociology with a minor in Educational Studies. She is currently a Pre-Doctoral Fellow in Management & Organizations at NYU Stern. Julia’s Model United Nations experience spans more than a decade. While at University High School (UHS), she competed in Model United Nations all six years, winning multiple awards, including Outstanding Delegate at MIMUN in both 2020 and 2021, as well as Congreso Delegate of the Year in 2021. She also served in UHS’ MUN board for three years, leading recruitment and training efforts. At Harvard, Julia chaired committees for both Harvard Model United Nations and Harvard Model Congress. She served as Chief of Staff for PURMUN’s first-ever Board. Outside of MUN and research, Julia enjoys contra dancing, swimming, and reading (ask her what she’s currently reading at your own peril). She’s always happy to connect and answer questions!
Andrea Archilla Rodríguez
Chief of Staff
Andrea Archilla Rodríguez is an undergraduate student at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, where she pursues a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medical Studies. As an alumna of Robison School, she was an active member and Parliamentarian of the Model United Nations team, earning honors such as Outstanding Delegate and Distinguished CENUPR Delegate 2023-2024. Andrea is passionate about mentoring emerging delegates, which is why she has coached multiple novice committees and workshops across MUN competitions in Puerto Rico. As PURMUN’s Chief of Staff, she is always happy to assist with any questions about committees.
María Fernanda Santos Irizarry
Director of Operations
María Fernanda Santos Irizarry was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She first became involved in her Model United Nations chapter at her school, University High School, where MUN was a central part of her experience, as she gained lifelong friendships and skills. It also provided her a space to grow personally and professionally, as she was able to travel with the team and meet people from various continents, broadening her perspectives and her aspirations for the future. With the MUN team in High School, she was able to travel to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Mexico City, and Chicago, where she gained hands-on experience in large-scale conferences. She would later apply these skills as Secretary General of UHSMUN for two consecutive years, where she served as chapter president. She is currently a third-year student at The George Washington University - a full circle moment, as it was the first school where she competed internationally in MUN - where she is pursuing a degree in International Affairs. She loves to run, play soccer, watch films, and drink good coffee. She is eager to meet and help delegates have a great experience at PURMUN!
Mario Castiel Marrero
Head of Committees
Mario Castiel Marrero was born in raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. MUN has been a part of his academic development ever since he first joined the club almost 10 years ago in the 7th grade. Now in his senior year at NYU, he is an active member of the NYU Model United Nations travel team, where he has had the opportunity to compete in collegiate conferences at Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of North Carolina. He has also chaired at various conferences that NYU hosts, and is currently on the directorate board for NYU's collegiate conference in April, NYUMUNC. Outside of MUN, he likes to read books on politics or history as well as find new recipes to cook.
Alejandro Madero Fidalgo
Undersecretary for Technology & AI
Alejandro Madero Fidalgo is a freshman at Tufts University studying Mechanical Engineering. He was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and attended Saint John’s School, where he competed in MUN for 6 years, winning several awards and eventually becoming the club’s president. Aside from academics and MUN, he likes to play piano and ride his bike.