Tenth Edition - August 9, 10, and 11
SANTA MARIA MODEL UNITED NATIONS
LETTER FROM THE
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Dear Delegates and Faculty Advisors,
On behalf of the secretariat, it is an honor to welcome every single one of you to the tenth edition of Santa Maria Model United Nations.
My name is Fernando Flores-Araoz and I am the Sec-Gen of this year's edition of SMMUN, which is both an honor and a responsibility. Currently, I am a student in the 5th grade of secondary school. I consider myself as an empathic and charismatic person that is able to see situations through a silver lining. This may not seem like a big deal to you, but the act of giving back is one of the most important assets a human being can embrace, and I've been trying to apply it ever since.
That’s why I am deeply thankful for how MUN has positively impacted and shaped me as a person, cuddling my talents and discovering things I never thought possible. I plan to return the kindness that this amazing platform has given me within the community.
I most definitely believe that my MUN journey has been a remarkable step in forming me as a person. It started in CCMUN 2022, where I was representing Spain in the Human Rights Council. I was really scared of the debate itself and every time I stepped up to make a speech I was literally shaking, but my determination helped me to pave the way. To my surprise, I got a verbal commendation which showed me that I had a good start after all! Moreover, my first international conference, NHSMUN 2023 was a rough learning experience. I missed three sessions because I got the worst fever ever and still got an outstanding delegate award (I have gotten sick at ALL of my international conferences). Well, that was thanks to my partner Mariano Gonzalez, who genuinely demonstrated his efforts and carried me throughout those three entire sessions.
Onto my personal preferences I will always choose a social committee, I absolutely love EcoSoc’s. UNICEF, UNWOMEN, and UNHRC are my personal favorites since most of the time they discuss timely and relevant topics that I am passionate about. Highlighting one of my favorite experiences, my favorite conference so far has been SSMUN 2023, where I represented Venezuela at UNWOMEN. At first, I was unhappy about the country I was assigned, but in the debate I felt very empowered to represent a country that often does not stand out. In each debate I have learned something for the future, and thanks to my coaches I have been able to get the most out of my abilities.
Many times one fails for everything, but this platform has taught me to stand up and speak for myself because I am the leader of my life and the voice of my own. I wish that everyone understands that the most revolutionary thing we can do is just be who we are, and despite the critics we just have to continue dominating our lives with a confident heart and a courageous soul.
I hope you have an extraordinary experience in the 10th edition of SMMUN.
Sincerely,
Fernando Flores-Araoz
Secretary General of Santa María Model United Nations 2024
ABOUT OUR DELEGATION
The first Santa Maria Model United Nations was held back in 2015, years have passed since that first edition. Year after year, conference after conference, the Santa Maria Marianistas Delegation has always tried to improve and be more ambitious, all with the objective of providing attendants the best possible experience.
While we as a delegation were hoping to return to a face-to-face conference, the world has continued to face the challenge that is COVID-19. But at Santa Maria, we were always taught to never give up nor to stay with our arms crossed. Thus, we are once again adapting ourselves to our worldwide context and presenting our second online conference.
SMMUN has always been keen on encouraging students to develop and improve their skills and abilities. This year's edition will not be the exception. That is why our staff is looking forward to keep bringing out the best in each delegate by debating topics of relevance in our society.
The Santa Maria Marianistas Delegation is focused on making everyone enjoy this conference, be it delegates, faculties, or observers, as much as we have enjoyed planning it. The amount of effort and dedication our secretariat has spent planning and preparing to make this conference an unforgettable experience is unmeasurable.
We hope that by the end of this conference, every delegate will leave not thinking whether if they won or not, but knowing they have gained a good experience and made new friends or bonded more with the ones they already had. Because MUN is not about awards and competition, it's about the family we form in the process.
SMMUN Secretariat
