The setting is the McGill University Conference Hall in Montreal. Delegates from around the world debate intensely over global issues such as peace and security, human rights, and globalization. Is it a United Nations session in progress? Well, not quite.
This scene is from the 2005 McGill Model UN Conference, where our very own U of C team battled it out and emerged the champions over top Ivy League schools and teams from as far away as Germany, Philippines, and India.
“With only 17 members, we barely made the category of a large delegation team,” said David Ata, Model UN President who was presented with the Best Delegate title. “But despite our team size, not only did we beat 90 other teams of 200 members each to win first place, but we also bagged The Best Large Delegation Award.”
The U of C team’s dedication and hard work paid off, as the delegates effectively advanced the national policies of their pre-assigned countries. Rigorous simulation exercises familiarized team members with the conventions of the Model UN Conference, and the demands of representing special committees concerned with issues of labour and social welfare, peace negotiations, and international criminal proceedings.
“Our forte is our ability to leave all personal differences aside and work together as a team,” said U of C Model UN Media Officer, Sarah Boyce, barely able to contain her pride in her team’s achievement.
Her sentiment was echoed by Ata.
“What set the U of C team apart from larger teams was its cohesiveness and ability to relate on a personal level,” he said
Congratulated by senior members of the Model UN Organizational committee for their exceptional performance, both Boyce and Ata commended the commitment and enthusiasm of their team mates and extended their gratitude towards their various sponsors and supporters among the U of C faculties and departments, as well as the United Nations Association of Canada.