Message From The Secretary General

Dear Prospective Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the website of the seventeenth edition of the Secondary Schools' United Nations Symposium (SSUNS). Held annually in Montréal, Québec, SSUNS has grown exponentially from the small conference of a dozen students sixteen years ago to one of the premier Model United Nations conferences in North America.

Our theme this year, Global Impact from Local Initiatives, seeks to emphasize the individual contributions that the youth of today can make in order to make far-retching changes in not only the current world climate, but also for future generations. Over the last decade, the impact of grassroots organizations everywhere, from NGOs in developing countries to presidential campaigns, has underscored the influence that young leaders today can have.

This year's SSUNS seeks to continue in its tradition of innovative and exciting committees, ranging from simulations of the General Assembly bodies of the United Nations, such as Disarmament and International Security, to smaller regional crises that highlight the negotiations of current and historical national cabinets. The diversity of our 20 simulations, including an increased number of crisis committees by popular demand, ensures that all delegates can participate in debate they find engaging and educationally stimulating. In addition to the reputable SSUNS committee experience, delegates are offered a chance to experience some of Montréal's finest attractions including tours to McGill University and dining at some of the city's finest culinary establishments in picaresque Vieux-Port. The weekend will conclude with the delegate gala on Saturday night, an always largely attended and anticipated event.

Our conference continues to make education a cornerstone of its organization. Delegates will have the opportunity to interact and debate with their peers from across the globe, both in and outside of committee session. The Secretariat is proud to continue to offer its Curriculum Component, an innovative way to further the educational value of the conference by incorporating the international relations and current affairs learning opportunities into activities and topics of discussion in a classroom setting. SSUNS prides itself on unparalleled professionalism; our staff of 300 dedicated and approachable staff of university students will be working tirelessly to ensure that your Model UN experience is unforgettable. Located in the Delta-Centreville hotel, delegates and faculty advisors alike will have access to one of Montréal's finest conference facilities.

These are just some of the many reasons we hope that SSUNS will be among your conference choices when planning your upcoming school year. Please browse through our website, and should you have further queries, please feel free to contact the organizing committee at any time.
We promise to make every effort to ensure the best conference experience possible and look forward to hosting you in November.

Sincerely,

Sheisha Kulkarni Secretary-General