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Model UN delegates tackle global issues at Toronto conference
  • Model UN delegates tackle global issues at Toronto conference

From February 9th-12th, the Trinity College School Model UN Delegation attended the University of Toronto’s Model United Nations (UTMUN) conference. This was the first-ever MUN conference for all the delegates, and it was an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience for everyone involved. From the very first day of the conference, our delegates represented TCS proudly with their confident public speaking, engagement and respectful behavior, displaying their knowledge and passion for international affairs and global politics.

The delegates were enthusiastic and thoughtful in their contributions to the various committees they were assigned to. They engaged with their fellow delegates, listened intently to the chair and their peers, and thoughtfully debated the issues at hand. The delegates showed great focus and dedication in their participation, and we are proud of the efforts they made to represent TCS in such a positive light.

Jack Sheppard represented Aristeidis Stergiadis in the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) on the topic of the partition of the Ottoman Empire in 1919. This committee was composed of the Allies on one side and the Turkish Revolutionaries on the other. The goals of the two sides were diametrically opposed, with one trying to create an independent state, and the other trying to claim lands for their own empires. Delegates were in charge of attaining a wide range of goals, including shifting troops and resources, drafting legislation and engaging in negotiations with the opposition.

In the Protecting Animals, Species and Terrain Against Abuse (PASTAA) committee, Malinka Kwemo represented Malta and Catherine Hu represented Luxembourg. The committee took into account significant human activities like deforestation and poaching, while also discussing precedents set forth in maritime or conservation laws and acknowledging historical treatment of Indigenous populations. Since the earth's resources are limited and are becoming scarcer, it was crucial for the PASTAA delegates to develop sustainable solutions to the problem of resource scarcity.

In the UN International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Jayne Acharya represented Uruguay and Ayaan Chaudhary represented Cuba. The committee looked specifically at the issue of child marriage and child poverty. The committee was entrusted with locating resources to assist such children and to make sure they received the resources to thrive, regardless of whether they experience malnutrition, are victims of adolescent crime, or struggle with limited access to school.

Hebe Lu represented Belarus in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Delegates were given the responsibility of first addressing how to empower women in the workplace, examining existing obstacles that limit their prospects, and coming up with ways to encourage increased representation of women in professions where they are currently underrepresented overall. In order to address the elements that shape young girls’ future roles in society, delegates then switched their focus to the early socialization of young girls. They concentrated specifically on the social cycles and stigma that prevent girls from accessing various professional opportunities, and the availability of equal educational opportunities for children of all gender identities, with a focus on young girls.

At the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Arjun Sharma represented Haiti. This committee discussed how to lessen the effects and difficulties of chemical weapons both historically and currently, and also looked for ways to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Despite this, the potency of nuclear weapons is unmatched by any other weapon of its sort, necessitating the consideration of disarmament and security by the delegates.

In addition to the engaging debates, our delegates also had a chance to explore the city and take part in various social activities. The evening social hosted on Friday night was a great opportunity for the delegates to connect with each other and get to know their fellow delegates from around the world, and form lasting friendships.

The TCS MUN Delegation did a fantastic job demonstrating their leadership abilities and capacity to engage in critical thought, and develop answers to some of the world’s most pressing problems. They were all quite passionate and enthusiastic about the subjects they were debating. All in all, the TCS MUN Delegation had a great weekend at the UTMUN conference. We would like to thank the UTMUN university team for making the conference an unforgettable experience, and we look forward to taking part again next year.

We are confident that our delegates will only grow from this experience and will become even better public speakers, debaters and overall ambassadors of TCS. We are proud to have been a part of this experience, and we hope that our delegates will continue to make us proud in future conferences.

Warm thanks to Mr. Myke Healy, Ms. Sheri Gardiner, Ms. Ashley Collings and Ms. Olga Quick for their support and time in assisting in the oversight of this trip.