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
Mario Castiel Marrero
Secretary-General
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. A recent graduate of NYU, he was an active member of the NYU Model United Nations travel team, where he had the opportunity to compete in collegiate conferences at Cornell, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and the University of North Carolina. He also chaired at various NYU conferences, was on the directorate board for NYU's collegiate conference in April, NYUMUNC, and most recently served as PURMUN's Head of Committees. Outside of MUN, he likes to read books on politics or history as well as find new recipes to cook.
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 General
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!
Mariana Algaze González
Under-Secretary-General of Logistics
Mariana Algaze González was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and is currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Relations at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras. Her experience with Model United Nations began at The Baldwin School of Puerto Rico, where she was an active member of the MUN team for six years, serving on its council on multiple occasions and eventually as Under-Secretary-General during her senior year. As a delegate, she represented her school at international conferences such as NAIMUN and YMUN. Beyond her school’s MUN chapter, Mariana also served on the board of La Liga Independiente de Naciones Unidas de Puerto Rico, one of the island’s regional MUN leagues. Through her MUN experience, she has developed a strong interest in international affairs and diplomacy, and remains passionate about fostering opportunities for students to engage with international relations through MUN. Now, as USG of Logistics for PURMUN, she hopes to bring students an experience that fosters the same passions that have shaped her own journey for so long.