About Committees

Letter from our USG of Committee Affairs, Valeria Fonseca Ortega

Dear SSUNS 2025 Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 33rd edition of the Secondary Schools United Nations Symposium (SSUNS). My name is Valeria Fonseca Ortega, and I am honored to serve as the Undersecretary-General for Committee Affairs. Alongside Joshua Kertesz, the Deputy Undersecretary-General of GAs & ECOSOCs, Paul Rafael Malpartida Durroux, the Deputy Undersecretary-General of Specialized Committees, and Rian Reichel, the Deputy Undersecretary-General of Crisis, we have been working diligently to curate a diverse and engaging range of committees for this year’s conference.

This year’s committee offerings cover a wide variety of topics, addressing both global disputes and region-specific challenges. For example, one of our historically focused committees, A Fresco of Fire and Fortune: The War of Chioggia, 1376 (JCC - Republic of Venice vs Republic of Genoa), offers a deep dive into Renaissance cultural conflict. On the other hand, we also have regionally focused discussions such as The 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States, and a particularly unique committee, A Sticky Situation: Producteurs et productrices acéricoles du Québec (PPAQ) - The Maple Syrup Cartel. In addition, this year we are excited to introduce an innovative Ad-Hoc Specialized Agency, which combines elements of both the General Assembly and Crisis , as well as a beloved favorite—The Ad-Hoc of the Secretary-General.

Team Committees have worked hard to ensure we accommodate delegates with varying levels of Model UN experience. True to the educational nature of SSUNS, we will offer a beginner committee for newcomers to MUN, where we will focus on teaching MUN Rules of Procedure, provide extra guidance and ensure dias focuses on delegate growth. Simultaneously, we have advanced committees designed for more experienced delegates, with complex background guides and non-traditional components, categorized as “advanced” in all three portfolios. We also aim to provide all necessary resources, including background information and tools for both delegates and Faculty Advisors, which will be available on the website prior to the conference, ensuring that delegates feel fully prepared and confident.

A bit about myself: I grew up in Mexico City and first began participating in public speaking competitions in my second language in 8th grade. My first MUN experience was at age 13 at TECMUN in 2018, which sparked my passion for diplomacy and advocacy. Over the years, I have received immense support from my middle school coach, high school debate teacher, and university head delegates, who have helped me gain confidence in my voice. Conferences like SSUNS have provided me with a platform to be heard, and I understand the importance of the time and effort that Faculty Advisors invest in shaping the next generation of leaders. As such, I am committed to creating a conference that helps delegates develop their oracy skills, critical thinking abilities, and empowers them to become the leaders our ever-changing world needs.

Thank you once again for joining us this year and entrusting us with the responsibility of providing a powerful forum for debate.

We look forward to seeing you in November!

Valeria Fonseca Ortega- Undersecretary-General of Committee Affairs, SSUNS 2025