Overseas crisis on campus: Behind UTM MUN’s first on-campus conference 
Recounting the club’s journey through delegations and dreaming of a better world.

Only the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Model United Nations (UTM MUN) would bring together the United Nations (UN) First Committee, the UN Security Council, and the Pirates of the Caribbean in a conference.

The conference was a major stepping stone for UTM MUN. In an interview with The Medium, UTM MUN President and Secretary-General Mary Avanessian shared, “The club has started something new that could keep growing from here on.”

MUNs are a critical component of academia and understanding international relations. The UN especially emphasizes that “many of today’s leaders in law, government, business and the arts—including at the UN itself— participated in Model UN as students,” according to their website.

A determined comeback 

UTM MUN was active in their campus involvement. However, like most clubs, its activity slowly died down during Covid-19. 

In 2025, UTM MUN reorganized and culminated in an online conference for both high school and undergraduate students. This was followed up in the summer by a pair of hybrid events hosted by the UTM Real Estate Club.

As one of several clubs invited to speak, UTM MUN primarily spoke on tenants’ rights. Zainab Khalil, UTM MUN’s vice-president and deputy-secretary-general, explained that the topic of housing is not only important to address for the well-being and academic success of students, but it is also an opportunity for the exploration of policy and international relations.

 “When the Real Estate Club approached us and decided to collaborate with us alongside other clubs, we were excited to contribute,” said Khalil. 

In the summer of 2025, UTM MUN was also driven to expand, especially through networking. They set up a system for growing their social media platforms, which included a spreadsheet with weekly follower goals and a regular posting schedule for events they were hosting. 

This January, under-secretary-general media France Landicho met with the group’s marketing and conference teams to begin not only attracting views for the flagship event, but recruiting chairs and delegates for the crucial committees. 

“A lot of the work went to marketing the conference, getting signups ready, reaching out to professors, contacting schools and delegations, and setting up the website,” Avanessian explained, “and since Model UN conferences often built their reputation over time, there was always that uncertainty of whether people would actually come.”

On the other hand, Sarah Sheikh, who was recruited as chair of the conference’s United Nations Security Council, worked tirelessly until the morning of the conference. 

Sheikh described, “From the moment I was recruited, it was my responsibility to comment for the committee, work on the background guide, make training videos, assign delegates and respond to their emails.”

Aside from the United Nations Security Council, the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) and the Pirates of the Caribbean also participated in the conference. Ultimately, Pirates of the Caribbean was set as the conference’s fictional crisis committee. 

According to Sheikh, chairs were given free rein to select the topic. While DISEC focused on “reducing escalation risks arising from foreign military bases and overseas deployment,” the United Nations Security Council sought to “stabilize the situation in Yemen.” 

Sheikh added, “The planning behind the committees came down to being cognizant and sensitive about everything happening in the world. All the while keeping things light and fun so everybody can enjoy.”

Memories created with passion 

Many memorable moments stood out over the nearly 10-hour span of UTM MUN’s inaugural conference.

Khalil recalled that during the closing ceremonies, one of the delegates from Pirates of the Caribbean came up with a rap song. “He presented it to everyone, which was super cool to watch. Seeing his passion come to life and presenting it to everyone was really amazing.”

Meanwhile, Landicho marvelled at the event as a whole. “While moving between different committees to take photos during the conference, I could see the hard work everyone put in.”

Landicho continued, “And I think that’s really what Model UN is all about—being able to come together, network with students who are passionate about delegation and bring your A-game.” She shared that it was amazing to witness delegates forming connections through communicating in person.

The success of UTM MUN’s conference demonstrates the fulfillment that university connections and events can provide. It represents another step toward the development of global leadership within UTM. 

“UTM’s first in-person conference is more than just an event,” said Sheikh. “It’s the creation of an open on-campus space. Students from any program can come together and apply what they’ve learned while engaging with current global issues.” 

For Avanessian, what stood out most was the hard work put into the event. “The executive team spent so much time planning, organizing, and hoping people would enjoy it. So, seeing delegates engage and genuinely having fun was really rewarding.”

If you are interested in making meaningful connections and having rewarding growth, be sure to follow UTM MUN on their Instagram @utmmodelun to stay posted about upcoming events.