HSC Model United Nations

HSCMUN is an academically rigorous, supportive conference that prioritizes skill-building and inclusivity. In every aspect of our conference, we strive to uphold the United Nations’ core values of peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet. 

HSCMUN is an excellent opportunity for delegates to gain experience, knowledge, and insight into global social and economic issues, while developing essential skills such as diplomacy, critical thinking, public speaking, research, and negotiation. 

HSCMUN is open to students in Grades 5-12 who register as part of either a school delegation or as an independent delegate (high school students only). 

HSCMUN is proud to offer a diverse range of committees, designed for delegates of all skill levels. From beginner double delegations to advanced-level crisis simulations, each committee will be chaired by highly experienced HSC alumni and supported by current HSC students, ensuring engaging and well-facilitated debates. Our academically rigorous background guides are co-created by the alumni committee directors and the student assistant directors. 

HSC is dedicated to building a more sustainable campus by caring for the land, water, and resources we rely on every day. Through thoughtful planning and ongoing improvements, we aim to support our campus ecosystem and model responsible environmental practices for our students and beyond.

Biodiversity
Our campus has been thoughtfully designed over the last two decades to create space where biodiversity can thrive, with ecosystems and corridors that support a wide range of habitats for engagement, wellness, and learning. The Hamilton area’s unique post‑glacial geography around the western end of Lake Ontario, along with diverse water systems, aquatic habitats, and transitional bioregions, forms a national biodiversity hotspot with over 1,100 plant species that sustain local food webs. Key on‑campus examples include the Willow Landing Outdoor Classroom, the Oak Savannah, and the Junior School Garden, which showcase naturalized spaces for teaching and ecological stewardship.​

Energy
The college is transitioning to renewable energy with a strong focus on solar power as part of its climate pledge, beginning with 36 panels installed on the transportation building roof in 2016 and expanding to about 900 panels on the Senior School rooftop in 2024. Plans include integrating additional renewable systems such as geothermal energy and applying energy‑efficient design principles across campus master plans to further accelerate climate goals. The school also tracks its carbon footprint against a 2019 baseline, monitoring electricity, gas, water, and paper use, and aims eventually to electrify its vehicle fleet and account for off‑campus emissions from activities such as school trips.​

Water
The school emphasizes that safe water is a finite and valuable resource, even in communities like its own that have reliable access, and therefore focuses on how water is used, managed, and returned to the environment. Stormwater is managed through low‑impact development features such as green roofs, permeable surfaces, and other infrastructure because the campus is part of the Chedoke Creek watershed, where runoff ultimately affects sensitive areas like Cootes Paradise and downstream communities. Partnerships with local organizations, including conservation authorities, support efforts to improve stormwater quality, while campus features such as the Miyawaki Forest, garden rain barrels, and the HSC green roof demonstrate practical water stewardship solutions.​

HSCMUN gives back! Each year, the secretariat collectively selects a charitable partner from our community that will be promoted throughout the conference. All conference proceeds and related fundraising will be donated to this year’s charitable partner, Empowerment Squared, E2. Founded in 2007 as a means to respond to the needs of the newcomer community in Hamilton, E2 has since expanded its scope of impact and activities. E2 now supports newcomers to Canada across Southwestern Ontario, as well as some exciting projects in West Africa.  

HSCMUN II Awards & Recognitions 

• The L. Johnson Award for Diplomacy

• • • The L. Johnson Award for Diplomacy will serve as HSCMUN’s HarvardMUN Canada Tournament of Champions qualifying award in the two qualifier committees, UNODC and CESCR. 
  • The A. Givens Award For Innovation
  • Honourable Mention
    • The honourable mention from each committee will be named a Special Envoy and will serve as the plenary speaker at the closing ceremonies. 

• The Y. Reitmeier Award for Citizenship

All delegates are required to submit a position paper to be eligible for awards, including those serving on crisis committees. However, Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, cannot be used to write position papers. The inclusion of any written content prepared by an AI tool is considered unethical and will disqualify the delegate from consideration for awards. 

Our directors are looking to see delegates actively collaborating with other delegations and building consensus to:

• • Accurately represent their country/character assignment
  • Communicate their ideas professionally and respectfully in both moderated and unmoderated caucuses, ensuring their tone reflects the nature of the issues being discussed  
  • Advance the policies and goals of their character/country assignment
  • Propose feasible, economically viable solutions to the challenges outlined in the background guide
  • Demonstrate that they have carefully read the entire background guide and conducted meaningful additional research, prioritizing the use of UN sources, particularly those related to their committee
  • Address the guiding questions provided in the background guide

• In double delegations only: work together as an effective team during moderated and unmoderated caucuses 

Delegates participating in an HMUN qualifying committee are encouraged to examine the additional criteria outlined on Page Nine of their background guide.

Please note: Directors are expecting delegates to move beyond the gimmicks sometimes used as speech hooks at other conferences. Instead, we encourage delegates to use statistics and facts to engage the audience and showcase their strong grasp of the issues at hand. Additionally, to avoid any concerns related to conflicts of interest, Assistant Directors will have no influence on award selection. 

    Pearl N. 

   My Model UN journey began differently than most. I had signed up for Model UN in my grade 10 year, eagerly awaiting the second term when I could finally participate. Just before winter break, I got an unexpected email from my faculty advisor inviting me to NHSMUN, one of the most prestigious conferences globally. I was placed into the CMS committee, where we discussed the shark migration patterns in the Pacific Ocean. From then on, I was hooked. I would never have chosen that topic myself, but I became captivated by the research, debate, and the shared drive between every delegate to find feasible solutions.

   Now, in my Grade 12 year, I am incredibly excited to step into this role as Co-Secretary General and help create the same enthusiasm that once inspired me.

    Kerrington J. 

   Unlike my counterpart, Pearl, my Model UN experience bears a closer resemblance to that of the average delegate. I was never able to travel for MUN, so I embraced opportunities at local conferences and OxfordMUN. I got my start in a women’s committee tackling HIV and AIDS prevention, an inspiring introduction that drew me into the world of all things Model UN. It sparked a love for the feminist lens, which I’ve continued to pursue in much of my academic and personal inquiries.

    Since that first conference, I’ve had the privilege of leading in both Senior and Middle School Model UN, as well as HSCMUN I, and I am thrilled to step up as Co-Secretary General alongside Pearl for the second iteration. I couldn’t be prouder of what we have created, and can not wait to see you all at HSCMUN II.

    Elaine X. 

    My Model UN journey began back in Middle School, but it was not until high school that I became extensively involved. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege to attend both international and local conferences, including SSUNS and NHSMUN. These experiences have truly been transformative. From topics on renewable energy to climate-proof infrastructure, Model UN has truly opened my eyes to different perspectives on these global issues.

    It is with great pleasure that I am able to serve as your Chargé d’Affaires this year, and I look forward to seeing you all here!

    Avery R. 

    Model UN, unlike some of my fellow secretariat members, wasn’t always a part of my life. I joined, much like Pearl, in my grade 10 year and completed new delegate training in the second semester. I wasn’t involved until my faculty adviser reached out to me about attending SSUNS in 2024. During that conference that I absolutely fell in love with MUN. What I love and appreciate most is the ability to research and gain more knowledge about topics I am passionate about. I had the privilege and joy of serving as deputy chair of UNEP at HSCMUN last year.

    This year, the secretariat and I have been working tirelessly to create a fantastic conference for you, and we look forward to seeing the amazing discussions and debates that will take place.