Canterbury Model UN Team Shines at William & Mary Conference

Congratulations to the following:

Olivia T. '25 and Chris M. ‘25: Olivia and Chris represented the Kingdom of Spain at the prestigious William & Mary Model United Nations Conference in the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC). As sponsors, they demonstrated exceptional leadership and collaboration by spearheading discussions, drafting innovative solutions, and rewriting legislation on pressing global issues. Their efforts culminated in the adoption of their resolution, PEACE Among the STARS (Policy for Equal Accessibility on Celestial Exploration + Security, Technology, and Accessibility for Responsible Stewardship). Working alongside Greece, Indonesia, and the Philippines, Chris and Olivia championed equitable access to space exploration, sustainable environmental policies, and international cooperation to prevent the weaponization of outer space and nuclear proliferation. Their resolution garnered widespread support from an extensive list of signatories, including major global powers such as China, Germany, and the UAE, reflecting its universal importance. Among its many initiatives, the resolution proposed cutting-edge solutions like space debris recycling platforms, international seminars on sustainability, and the creation of oversight bodies like SOAR (Space Oversight and Arms Regulation) and COSMIC (Collaboration for Oversight, Strategy, and Mediation in International Compliance). It also called for the modernization of key treaties like the Outer Space Treaty (OST) and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) while addressing funding inequities to support developing nations in managing space-related challenges. Chris and Olivia’s achievements in DISEC not only highlighted their mastery of international diplomacy but also showcased their dedication to fostering collaboration, security, and responsible global unity, leaving a lasting impact on the conference and their peers. Their exceptional diplomacy earned them the Outstanding Delegate award in the largest committee of the entire international conference! Congratulations, Olivia and Chris!

Anayah C. '27 and Natalia R. '27: Anayah and Natalia represented the country of Argentina. They actively participated in discussions on atomic radiation, ensuring that Argentina’s voice was heard in every aspect of the debate. By taking control of unmoderated caucuses, they facilitated productive dialogue and guided the committee toward concrete solutions. Their speeches resonated with delegates, presenting Argentina’s commitment to balancing innovation and safety while emphasizing the need for international collaboration on radiation management. As part of their contributions, they helped create a block named Radiate, uniting nations around a shared goal of addressing atomic radiation through sustainable practices and equitable resource sharing. Radiate became a focal point for ideas and solutions, bringing together nations with diverse perspectives. Anayah and Natalia collaborated closely with Portugal, Canada, and Singapore, strengthening ties and exchanging innovative ideas. They also engaged with the USA, Switzerland, Panama, and many others to broaden their coalition and ensure widespread support for their initiatives Through their leadership, diplomacy, and teamwork, Argentina played a significant role in driving progress during the conference!  They were awarded Honorable Delegate for their efforts! Well done, Anayah and Natalia! 

Mehereen C. '25 and Azriela C. '27: Mehereen and Azriela proudly represented South Korea in the World Health Organization, tackling Topic B: Vaccines. They championed transparency by proposing the establishment of an equitable oversight board, ensured legitimacy through a vaccine index, and prioritized education by advocating for mentorship programs and regulations to combat brain drain. As leaders of the VAXIT bloc, they played a pivotal role in the authors' panel and Q&A sessions. During 2-for-2 debates, they skillfully defended their paper while addressing inconsistencies in others. 

Kyle F. '25: Kyle represented the  Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Russian side in the JCC Hunt for Красный Октобрь committee. Kyle demonstrated strategic skills during the U.S. vs. Russia crisis. He established a network of spies to monitor his comrades, orchestrated a covert Democratic Revolution, and ultimately secured his bid for the presidency after successfully eliminating his target.

Rachel S. '25: Rachel took on the role of Frankie in the Community Crisis, where she achieved numerous goals and brought creativity to the committee. She orchestrated a paintball war between City College and Greendale College, sparking chaos in the Front Room. Additionally, she launched her own food franchise, successfully overtaking Greendale Community College in the process. 

Lauren T. '26: Lauren played Ramon Walker in the Game Over: Five Nights at Freddy’s committee, where she achieved numerous goals and brought creativity to the group. She led a thorough investigation into the animatronics' malfunctions, uncovering hidden sabotage within the system. Additionally, she devised an innovative safety initiative that not only protected employees but also saved the company from financial ruin. 

Zoe M. '26: At William and Mary, Zoe represented Switzerland in the committee focusing on the Arctic Council where countries and Indigenous communities came together. Switzerland debated land and sea rights in the Arctic as well as regulating and using sustainable resource extraction methods. Switzerland’s plan to establish a neutral body under the Arctic Council focused on regulating and monitoring Arctic resource extraction was widely accepted and was included in all versions of the committee’s resolution plan. The unique neutrality position that Switzerland holds allows Switzerland to play the role of key advisor within the body when negotiating terms between countries with a vote in the Council and the observer Indigenous councils. Switzerland also implemented a global certification system for sustainably sourced Arctic resources — similar to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for sustainable timber — that would apply to oil, gas, mineral, and fisheries in the Arctic. Switzerland also collaborated with other countries and councils to create the Arctic Climate and Indigenous Resilience Fund (ACIRF) which supports climate resilience and indigenous adaptation projects in the Arctic through contributions from nations and corporations with Arctic interests. These projects would protect the environment and biodiversity while strengthening indigenous infrastructure, culture, and livelihoods. Overall, Switzerland was a major advocate of protecting the environment and indigenous communities while addressing geopolitical tensions. 

Phoebe M. '26: Phoebe represented Ranna in the And They’ve Got Spices: Tamil Kings committee. She helped sponsor and pass directives to defeat Raja Raja I, maintain and strengthen trade in the kingdoms of Tamilakam, and unite Eastern and Western Chalukua.

Violet S. '26: Violet represented Fanny Price in the Jane Austen Zombies committee, where she adeptly managed the turmoil of Regency-era England overrun by the undead. Through strategic directives and a well-crafted resolution paper, she demonstrated leadership and creativity in restoring order amidst the chaos.