Diplomacy Society: First Year Representative

I’m standing for First Year Rep because I know many of you - especially First Year students who are still deciding on future plans - are interested about diplomacy, and I want to make sure it’s accessible to everyone, not just those aiming for careers in foreign affairs.

Diplomacy society isn’t just about talks and debates; it’s about creating a space to connect that is open to your ideas, even if you are a First Year student, regardless of your academic background.

My goal is to ensure first-year voices are heard and to create opportunities like "First Year Networking Events", for example, designed for First Year students to meet with older members of the society or professors. This could be a chance for first-years to ask questions, hear career stories, expand their networks and be truly included in the society.

I would be glad to bring your ideas to the committee and ensure first-years are involved in event planning and networking opportunities within the society.

Above all, I’m here to listen to you — your ideas, your concerns, and your ambitions. 

If you want a First Year Rep who will bring more people together by engaging First Year students, ensure your voices are heard and create opportunities to connect, I’d love your vote.

I am Joe Yiu Ip, a first year in Politics and International Relations and a contributor to the Diplomacy Review. As part of my manifesto, I would like to:

1. Advocate for events that will provide opportunities for first-year students to get involved with diplomacy and develop skills for applicable sectors; e.g. workshops on writing and research skills on current affairs.
2. Increasing promotion and attendance of events amongst first-year students and liaising with course reps to promote the society through social media and in-person recommendation
3. Bring first-years’ voices to the committee and ensure they have the tools to fully engage with events and diplomatic dialogue.

I’ll also advocate for more socialising events so first-years can socialise with upperclassmen and other politically minded students to promote friendship and connection so they can learn and gain tips from them.

Previous experience

1. Welfare President at my Sixth Form, I worked on charitable events for 1,400 students, providing better experiences and events for them; and communicated the concerns of ~200 sixth formers with leadership.
2. Coordinating the sixth form newspaper and taking feedback from members to implement into the leadership team including revamping the design input process and mediating tensions.

All this and more will be explained further at hustings, and I hope to greatly improve relations for first-years in the Diplomacy Society and cater more events and opportunities for them. Please vote for me for rep!

Hi everyone! My name is Ananya, and I’m running for the First Year Representative role at the Diplomacy Society.

From debating issues like the India-Kashmir conflict with my cousins to starting an initiative supporting rural women in Thailand (today4tomorrowblog.com please check us out) - politics has always been a big part of my life. My passion for diplomacy deepened when I was selected as a student ambassador and traveled to the United Nations HQ in New York, where I actively participated in workshops on diplomacy and the SDGs.  

As your representative I will:

1. Advocate for first year perspectives: Run surveys, informal chats, set up feedback sessions to understand how the society can better serve first year students.
2. Organize events tailored to First Years: networking sessions, workshops on topics like public speaking, career paths in diplomacy, etc. Aside from academics, I will also try to help you settle into the opportunities from society.
3. Enhance engagement and participation: Develop creative ways to encourage first-year involvement in society activities, such as icebreakers, or start a buddy scheme which pairs first years with second/third years! 

Of course that’s not the end! I will be coming up with more ideas on how to represent my fellow first years the best. As your rep, I will work tirelessly to support the diverse interests of our community and bring my enthusiasm to build a collaborative environment for us all. 

Vote for me!

Hi, I am Theodore Lin, a first-year student in PIR. I was involved in all sorts of activities in high school, from in-school activities to extracurriculars. I am very motivated to help out my peers and help improve our whole experience here at UCL, and especially in UCL Diplomacy Society as a First Year Representative. For starters, I was the co-coordinator of the prom committee council in my high school, where I was responsible for directing, planning, and executing the prom for over 450 students. During this time, I learned how to find common ground between what students want and what the school wants and how to listen to their voices and pitch them to the school executives. Other than that, I am more than motivated to help my peers. I launched a free tutoring initiative in high school for underclassmen in IB to improve their grades. At the same time, I also hosted free college application webinars for students worldwide to better understand the college application process. Other than that, I also went around elder homes with my band for free performances to accompany the elderly, hosted charity concerts to raise money for blind people and training of guide dogs.

Nevertheless, I am driven to improve students’ lives here at UCL and ensure we all have the best experience. Thank you!

I am standing because I believe this society, more than any other, offers the opportunity to its members to learn about the lives of people all around the world. While I am not set on a career in diplomacy I am fascinated by the world around me. I am a Member of Chatham House and I enjoy listening to prominent individuals in the world of diplomacy and politics speak about issues affecting the world. Notable individuals I have heard speak in person include Nancy Pelosi (Former Speaker of the House of Representatives), Radoslaw Sikorski (Foreign Minister of Poland) and I recently heard Yulia Navalnaya speak at Royal Festival Hall in London. To further demonstrate my interest, I am also a writer for The Diplomacy Review and I have just completed my first article.

I hope by standing for position in this society that I can gain a greater understanding of the world of diplomacy and of this society. I have attended many events, my favourite being the North Korea talk and I have also signed up so far for two embassy visits to the Chinese Embassy and the Italian Embassy. I hope I can contribute and be of use and make this society a place not just for future diplomats to enjoy but for all to learn and understand the world of diplomacy.