About GALCON
The second Galilee Convention (GALCON) is Retorika for Multiculturalism’s home conference, welcoming schools who are affiliated with Retorika and its Model UN courses. The conference will take place on March 24th, 2026 at the Golden Crown Hotel in Nazareth.
GALCON is Retorika’s new conference of innovation with special committees and topics. Our aim is to foster the delegates’ critical thinking and research skills in committees that discuss important and interesting topics. GALCON will also allow Retorika’s eighth graders to experience their first conference in an optimal setting of an eighth-graders’ beginner committee.
Retorika thanks the advisors who have worked throughout the year in the Model UN courses to prepare the students for the conference. Last but not least, thank you to you, teachers and students alike, for trusting us with this journey.
We hope you enjoy the research process ahead of the conference as well as your experience in it.
Meet the Team
Rawi Jahshan
Secretary General
MUN is truly exceptional. It gives you the ability to express yourself, to define who you are, and most importantly, to understand the power of words; how something as small as a single sentence can have a gigantic impact and even change the course of history. Throughout my MUN journey, I’ve experienced it all: joy, pressure, sadness, and most importantly, that indescribable feeling when you take the podium and transform your ideas into words. Along the way, I’ve met incredible people, many of whom have become some of my closest friends. This journey has been deeply inspiring to me, and I hope it will inspire you, the next generation of delegates. As your Secretary-General, I look forward to delivering you the same wonderful experience that made me fall in love with MUN, the experience that taught me invaluable lessons and showed me that anyone, even myself, can impact through words. I hope GalCon 2026 gives you the opportunity to discover that for yourselves.
Azal Abu Baker
Assistant SG
Distinguished delegates, honourable chairs and esteemed guests, it is a great pleasure to welcome you all as the Assistant Secretary-General of GALCON 2026. My MUN journey began four years ago, fuelled by my passion for politics, love of heated debates, and a deep desire to impact change. Throughout this journey, I have attended several conferences, won many awards, and chaired some of the most interesting committees. What I cherish the most are the lifelong friends I’ve met along the way, and the countless special memories that I made on this journey, from the late night preparation sessions to the intense discussions and pure laughter. Now and at last, it is my turn to give back to the community by helping to create an exceptional experience for our delegates; one that is even more meaningful and inspiring than the ones that once inspired me. Come prepared, charged with excitement, and hopefully together, we’ll make this conference an unforgettable one.
Tatiana Abu Ahmad
Deputy SG
Esteemed delegates and faculty advisors,
It is my honor to welcome you to the second Galilee Convention. My name is Tatiana Abu Ahmad, and I am delighted to serve as the Deputy Secretary-General of Academics in GalCon 2026. Model UN has been a significant part of my life since my freshman year of high school. It has given me unforgettable memories, lasting friendships, and invaluable lessons that shaped who I am today. Through MUN, I’ve gained skills and insights that go far beyond the classroom. That’s why we place such importance on the delegate experience. Our goal is that you leave this convention with a deeper understanding of international affairs and a renewed perspective on the world around you. By engaging in creative and challenging committees, you will have the opportunity to become architects of a better world. With that being said, looking forward to seeing you all in March!
Maria Hajj
Deputy SG
From an Admin four years ago to a DSG of Academics, my MUN journey has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life, shaping me in ways I never imagined and bringing out a side of me I never knew existed. Throughout my time in MUN, I have met wonderful people who inspired me, formed lifelong friendships, found my passion, my voice, and the courage to use it with purpose. I am honoured to welcome you all to GALCON 2026, where we host a welcoming diplomatic environment for all participants, to push themselves to learn and grow, to look at things from a new perspective, and to collaborate with others; and most importantly, to engage in debates that can make a difference because as Roald Dalh beautifully put it: “somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.” I hope this conference will be an unforgettable experience that makes you fall in love with MUN as much as I have.
Tala Shukha
Deputy SG
Hello Delegates !!!
Welcome to GALCON 2026
It’s an incredible honor to serve as a Deputy Secretary General, where I can help ensure that every delegate experiences an amazing conference full of opportunities.
My MUN journey has been a truly magnificent experience that I will always hold onto. It taught me countless lessons and shaped my personality in many ways, helping me grow into a better version of myself. I’ve failed, learned, changed and improved with every step. Through MUN, my social skills grew, my debating style developed, and my self-confidence boosted. Every conference has given me unforgettable memories and friendships that I will treasure. Come with a positive spirit and a smile. Make mistakes, learn, and grow. Don’t be afraid; believe in yourself because you can do it. Shine in your own way, and most importantly, have fun! I hope this conference gives you wonderful memories that you’ll carry and talk about forever.
Loor Shaheen
Deputy SG
Welcome to GALCON 2026! It is with incredible excitement and honor that I welcome you as the Deputy Secretary-General of this conference. My journey to this position has not been an easy one. When I went to my first conference as a ninth grader, I was too nervous even to dare to speak; however, I decided not to give up on myself and tried each conference to participate a little more and a little more until MUN became the most challenging, joyful, and enlightening experience of my life. A big contributor to my experience in MUN has been GalCon. Through this amazing and creative conference, I’ve grown, changed, and met many wonderful people whom I now call my best friends. Now, being a part of the team who is creating such an experience for you, delegates, is a whole new sense of accomplishment. So please come prepared, stay curious, and make the most of this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.
Mennah Ali Saleh
Deputy SG
Dear delegates, advisors, and future diplomats,
I am truly honored to serve as the Deputy Secretary-General of Crisis for a conference that upholds the values of education, excellence, and teamwork. My MUN journey began four years ago, and since then, I have proudly survived and thrived through enormous conferences, taking on roles as a delegate, chair, backroom member, and director. Each position has shaped my understanding of diplomacy, quick decision-making, and the art of collaboration under pressure. Crisis committees have always been where my passion lies; the adrenaline, creativity, and strategy they demand make every session a story worth remembering. As DSG of Crisis, my goal is to ensure every delegate experiences that same thrill: to think fast, act smart, and embrace chaos with confidence and composure. I look forward to witnessing each of you bring your unique energy to the committee, challenge yourselves, and make this conference an unforgettable experience.
Ayob Farah
Co-Director
Ayob Farah first became involved in Model United Nations in 2010 when he joined the MUN club in St. Joseph Seminary and High School. He has worked as a debate and MUN instructor in different capacities, both in schools and at universities for the past eight years. In 2018, he became the president of the Haifa University MUN Society; and since 2021, he has taught MUN courses run by Retorika for Multiculturalism. Currently, he is Retorika’s Head of Pedagogy, developing MUN materials and educational activities for Retorika’s MUN courses, assisting in the management of said courses, and co-directing Retorika’s two MUN conferences, GALCON and GALMUN, alongside Lily Shehady.
Lily Shehady
Co-Director
Lily Shehady is a poet, translator, and educator. Her work focuses on language, identity, culture, and belonging, and has been published in Tupelo Quarterly and Zócalo Public Square, among others. She earned an MFA in creative writing from Bar-Ilan University, and is an experienced Waldorf English teacher and debate/MUN instructor. Her latest work, The In-Between, a joint publication with two women writers, is forthcoming in a bilingual English-German edition with Verlagshaus, Berlin. She has recently joined Retorika for Multiculturalism as a representative and co-director of the EXCEL Teacher-Training Institute in partnership with Jerusalem Peacebuilders; and as the Head of Programs for Retorika’s MUN courses, assisting in the pedagogy of said courses, and co-directing Retorika’s two MUN conferences, GALCON and GALMUN, alongside Ayob Farah.
