Canterbury MUN Team Shines at NHSMUN Conference in New York

A standout moment came during the Plenary Session, held just before the closing ceremony. Being selected as a plenary speaker is a tremendous honor, signifying that you were your committee's most effective and eloquent speaker. Remarkably, three of Canterbury’s dual delegations were chosen as plenary speakers — an extraordinary achievement. Additionally, our overall delegation was recognized with the Award of Excellence!

Our students had the opportunity to hear from two esteemed leaders. Jean-Pierre François Renaud Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations at the United Nations, addressed the delegates during the opening ceremony. The following day, they attended a "Fireside Chat" with Joe Biden, the forty-sixth president of the United States — an unforgettable experience.

A huge thank you to Dr. Young and Ms. Frank for chaperoning this incredible trip!

Mehereen C. ‘25 and Chris M. ‘25 – Represented Afghanistan in the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL), where they drafted a comprehensive resolution to protect journalists in conflict zones. Their innovative solutions included MEMO (a secure platform for citizen journalists), the UN News Agency to promote unbiased reporting, and the Journalist Safety Index (JSI) to track endangered journalists. They also proposed Press Protection Bootcamps, a Red-Yellow-Green Zoning System for risk assessment, and increased PTSD treatment and digital security training. Their diplomacy earned them the Award of Distinction (First Place) and selection as plenary speakers at the closing ceremony. Amazing work, Mehereen, and Chris!

Anayah A. ‘27 and Natalia R. ‘27 – Represented Afghanistan in the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), focusing on the illegal exploitation of African elephants. Leading the “ROAM” bloc of 38 countries, they addressed habitat destruction, climate change, and human-elephant conflict while highlighting the role of terrorist groups in wildlife trafficking. Their resolution passed successfully, earning them a Merit Award (Third Place) and the honor of representing their committee as plenary speakers. Fantastic job, Anayah, and Natalia!

Olivia T. ‘25 and Zoe M. ‘26 – Represented Afghanistan in UN-Habitat, addressing sustainable construction. They introduced the Better Urban Infrastructure for Long-Term Development (BUILD) plan and merged it with the EARTHS initiative to create a unified, sustainable vision. They also developed the BUILD App to track infrastructure projects and proposed the RYG Zoning System to prioritize development needs. Their leadership secured passage of the BUILD EARTHS and TRAIL plans, and their eloquence earned them the honor of being plenary speakers and securing Fourth Place in a committee of 200 delegates. Excellent work, Olivia and Zoe!

Rachell S. ‘25 – Served as the Executive Director of the UNODC, leading global efforts to combat organized crime, corruption, and drug trafficking within the African Union. She advocated for increased funding for anti-corruption initiatives, enhanced intelligence-sharing, and comprehensive reforms. Rachell skillfully balanced diplomacy and decisive action to strengthen the UNODC’s influence and drive meaningful change. Incredible leadership, Rachell!

Kyle F. ‘25 and Alex E. ‘25 – Represented Afghanistan in the International Organization for Migration (IOM), focusing on immigrant integration and workforce challenges. They worked with NGOs and governments to develop policies supporting migrant communities, and balancing economic growth with social inclusion. Well done, Kyle and Alex!

Vivianne S. ‘26 and Norbi H. ‘26 – Represented Afghanistan in UNCAC, tackling corruption and press freedom. They co-founded the D.O.M.E. bloc, which introduced an AI-based fact-checking system and secured funding to support nations with limited technological infrastructure. Their resolution also prioritized protection for female journalists. Their strategic policymaking led to the successful passage of the D.O.M.E. resolution. Outstanding work, Vivianne and Norbi!

Lauren T. ‘26 – Represented Iran in the Historical Crisis Committee, simulating the cabinet of the Imperial State of Iran in 1952. Playing the role of National Economy Minister, Lauren defended Iran’s sovereignty over oil resources and negotiated complex political and economic tensions with British representatives. Excellent work, Lauren!

Congratulations to all our delegates for their hard work, diplomacy, and leadership! Your achievements reflect the strength and spirit of Canterbury’s MUN program.