Ro-MUN-tic VMUN Trip

1,600 participants debate global affairs
Twenty-five Shawnigan Model UN team delegates joined 1,600 students from around the world for the 19th annual session of the Vancouver United Nations, February 14-16.

The largest high school student-organized Model United Nations conference in North America, Vancouver Model Nations (VMUN) is one of Canada’s premier educational simulations. The three-day event simulates world diplomacy – complete with a midnight crisis session – and inspires delegates to become more aware, more educated, and more thoughtful global citizens in an increasingly complex world.

Students are assigned a nation to represent in an engaging debate on pressing issues, including global health, environment, security, finance, economies, human rights, and development. This year, VMUN had 20 committees for the students to choose from, including General Assemblies, mid-size specialized agencies, smaller regional bodies, and crisis committees. Opening ceremonies included a keynote session with David Suzuki, founder of the Suzuki Foundation.

Social Studies teacher and Model UN instructor Paul Klassen said of the Shawnigan delegation, “The conference experience required speaking and rhetorical skills, leadership, creative thinking, and the completion of a position paper. Although earning an award is no measure of the value of our delegates’ experience, we were delighted that Beth S. earned the Outstanding Delegate award for her work in representing China in the World Health Organization.”
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We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.