SCMUN: A look into UTSC’s first model United Nations Conference

Informal meet and greet sessions paired with training simulations helped first-time MUN delegates prepare, says executive.

SCMUN went on to collaborate with clubs like Prestige at UTSC to host fashion debates. (Photo credits: SCMUN // Instagram).

University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC) is home to a wide-range of student-led clubs, encouraging people to join for the love of the similar interests, maybe shared commonalities like ethnicity, culture and identity, or simply to broaden their academic life.

The latter best describes SCMUN - UTSC’s very first Model United Nations. A relatively new club, founded by Riya Ahmed Hundal, a former UTSC journalism student. She noticed an absent gap, unlike many other universities who do have a MUN club, UTSC did not. 

Her initiative to start SCMUN led the foundation to be set,allowing a community to form and dive into diplomacy, global affairs and the excitement for a good parliamentary debate. In early November, SCMUN hosted its first ever conference, marking a milestone and creating a day full of open discussion on foreign affairs. Here is an inner look on how the day unfolded.

Morning preparations and opening ceremony 

Saturday, 8 Nov. 2025,  was a bright early morning for SCMUN’s executives. Months of planning, organizing and collective anticipation finally came to life as the team gathered in the Sam Ibrahim Building to complete final checks before the delegates arrived. 

The executives focused on placing namecards, testing microphones and getting any last-minute material printed. The execs went for a brief huddle before go-time sharing a collective understanding across the team, the conference day would not only mark a milestone within the club, but also a step towards the wider Toronto MUN circuit. 

Registrations started around 8:30 am, with delegates receiving their individual lanyards and SCMUN pins, before being guided by the executive team for next steps. All delegates were divided into two committees WHO (World Health Organization) moderated by Aastha Sarwarkar, VP of Public Relations, which centers around Advancing Female Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights.  ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Affairs ) moderated by Rafeal Gracia Rosas, Delegate Trainer focusing on debt relief and financial aid within developing Nations. 

“Delegates were sorted into two committees based on their experience level and preferences indicated during registration and were paired strategically to balance experienced and newer participants,” said Hareem Rasool, Co-President of SCMUN.

Opening remarks followed as executive members created the space to discuss any supportive remarks and outlined conference logistics.

As the first session began, delegates settled into their committees, and commenced the formal Model UN procedure. Moderated debate opened with delegates presenting their respective country’s positions, creating opportunities to build alliances, and develop potential solutions to the global issues under discussion. 

The work behind the conference

Extensive behind-the-scenes planning is required to maintain and develop a successful event. Majority of the coordination, planning and organization was led by Sukaina Syed, SCMUN’s Secretary General and VP of Events. Syed coordinated most of the conference logistics, and ensured operations ran smoothly. 

“I approached coordinating logistics by breaking everything down into clear, manageable pieces and making sure everyone knew exactly what they were responsible for. I tried to also anticipate any potential problems so we could deal with them before they became emergencies. The team was amazing, everyone was fully dedicated,” said Syed.

Glimpse into the setting of the conference, the team and delegates. (Photo credits: SCMUN // Instagram)

For first-time delegates, MUN can be an environment that is fast-paced and intense, giving a push for SCMUN to come prepared in helping delegates by providing them with a cushion to fall on. The team gave “crisis notes” that can aid delegates with tips to stay up to speed and be informed of the information discussed during the day. 

They also helped delegates by hosting training sessions or simulations, weeks prior to the conference, giving delegates more of an idea of how the conference will run. Additionally, the team strived to create  informal connections with the delegates and develop a relationship outside of the club to help develop familiarity with one another. 

“Informal meet-and-greets in multiple settings were conducted to ease nerves and build rapport with delegates – running into them on campus, chatting before or after delegate training sessions, and creating casual opportunities for connection throughout the weeks leading up to the conference,” Rasool explains. 

Mishaps and obstacles naturally occur during planned events, and  the SCMUN team was lucky to run into only one of those. Syed shares her perspective of the resolved hurdle.

“On the morning of the conference, all the rooms we had booked were locked, so Kate, the Deputy Secretary-General, and I were calling every number we could find on campus at eight in the morning on a Saturday. I was definitely freaking out on the inside but trying my best to stay calm because you cannot have a conference without rooms! Kate eventually flagged down campus security and got the doors open, which was a huge relief,” Syed highlighted.

Closing ceremony and future steps for SCMUN

Session three was the final leap for the conference. On both sides, the delegates worked on reviewing resolutions for certain amendments, finalizing their proposals and making their final closing speech and stances, where after, voting on which proposals shall pass takes place. 

The closing ceremony concluded SCMUN’s first conference by reflecting on the achievements of the day by the team and presenting three awards. The best delegate was chosen based on leadership, diplomacy and research. The book award was presented to a delegate that showed strong public speaking, knowledge and negotiation skills, while the final honorable mention award was given to the delegate that made consistent contributions to debate, while being diplomatic.

North American Model United Nations (NAMUN) will take place mid-February. These achievements helped kickstart expansion on the foundation of SCMUN goals and mark its place within the Toronto MUN Circuit. (Photo credits: SCMUN // Instagram)

Though this is SCMUN’s first conference, they did not press pause for a break as Rasool shared the upcoming plans the club had in store back in November 2025.

 “In February, we have NAMUN (North American Model United Nations) hosted by UofT St. George downtown and the Concordia Model United Nations hosted in Montreal We have also organized a crisis conference in late January, expanding to a 2-day format instead of our inaugural 1-day event. We want to collaborate with other clubs at UTSC to create exciting cross-club events and partnerships and continue building momentum and community, we're just getting started." said Rasool . 

Fast forward just two months after, SCMUN pushed for their goals, collaborating with a fashion club — Prestige at UTSC — hosting a fashion debate, while also teaming up with UTSC’S Humanitarian Action Network of Students (HANS) on fundraising for Palestine. North American Model United Nations (NAMUN) will take place mid-February. These achievements helped kickstart expansion on the foundation of SCMUN goals and mark its place within the Toronto MUN Circuit.