On October 11, Toronto hosted Canada’s first-ever Model United Nations conference featuring English, French, and Chinese languages, attended by over 150 students from the Greater Toronto Area and Montreal.
The event was organized by Suan High School in Toronto, bringing together students from various schools, ethnic backgrounds, and age groups to simulate UN proceedings. Participants engaged in discussions on themes such as security, environmental issues, and topics inspired by “The Three-Body Problem” in separate sessions conducted in English, French, and Chinese. Student delegates were assessed by a judging panel composed of their peers, who evaluated them on factors such as public speaking skills, proposal quality, leadership abilities, and personal charisma. The organizing team also consisted of students from Suan High and partner schools.
Ian Botnick, the principal of Suan High School, shared his enthusiasm about the event, highlighting the strong turnout and commitment from participants. He noted that all topics for discussion were student-driven, allowing them to take on the roles of ambassadors for different countries, engage in debate, learn from each other, and make new friends.
In preparation for the conference, students underwent targeted training. The lead coach, Nirupan, emphasized the importance of helping students express themselves confidently in public settings. Students were also taught about the various components and processes of MUN, along with an understanding of global issues. Nirupan acknowledged that the rise of online learning and technology could hinder students’ face-to-face interaction skills. He stressed the need for students to overcome their anxiety and pressure to engage in meaningful in-person communication.
Jin Jiaxin, a 12th grader and former member of the Suan High team that won the Best Delegate award at a global MUN competition in Beijing last August, served as the Secretary-General for this conference. She believes that participating in MUN enhances students’ communication skills, critical thinking, and leadership abilities.
Yang Xiaobo, the Chinese principal at Suan High School, remarked that students in MUN are both competitors and organizers, gaining diverse training experiences. He pointed out that many Chinese students tend to struggle with self-expression or assertiveness. Activities like this foster their communication skills and leadership potential, shaping them into future global talents.
