The Carleton University United Nations (UN) Society is a student-run organization that strives to promote a better understanding of and appreciation for global affairs and the role of the United Nations. Established in 2003 as a Model United Nations club, the Society has since expanded its mandate to become Carleton’s International Affairs Association.
With over 210 members, the UN Society aims to broaden the horizons of Carleton University student and help them gain a working knowledge of international relations. To this end, the Society organizes and participates in a wide variety of events and conferences that pertain to foreign affairs. These initiatives, which involve cooperation with both on-campus and external entities, provide our members with a beneficial learning environment and enhance their overall university experience.
Model United Nations
Model UN conferences offer students the unique opportunity to simulate the experiences and challenges faced every day by diplomats at the actual United Nations. Our delegates are well recognized for their talent and skill, continually winning awards at various external conferences.
Training: The UN Society provides its members with prospective diplomat training throughout the course of the year. In addition to holding preparatory sessions, the Society publishes a handbook with information on conference preparation and the rules of procedure.
In-House Conferences: Each year, the Society hosts two on-campus conferences. Held exclusively for Society members, these events allow attendees to enhance their public speaking skills, develop lobbying techniques, and practice writing resolutions.
External Conferences: The UN Society participates in conferences hosted by Harvard (HNMUN), McGill University (McMUN), Queen’s University (QMUN), and Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN). Attended by post-secondary institutions from around the world, these conferences provide Carleton delegates with the opportunity to gain a truly global perspective of international issues and crises.
The International Policy Forum
Launched by the UN Society in 2006, the International Policy Forum is Canada’s first student-run foreign affairs think tank. Each year, approximately sixteen students are chosen to participate in developing public policy for a global issue pertinent to Canada. Forum members begin by conducting independent research and consulting with a variety of experts in the field of study. Following this process, the participants meet to debate and draft public policy proposals.
In May 2008, the Forum published its second annual report, entitled Consistency in Crisis Management: A Comprehensive Canadian Approach to Humanitarian Intervention. The Forum will begin its third year-long policy project in September 2008, addressing the question of Arctic Transformation in the 21st Century.
Discussion Series
As part of its mandate to provide students with first-hand knowledge of international affairs, the UN Society regularly organizes speaker events at the Carleton campus. Last year, the Society co-hosted a roundtable discussion on environmental policy, specifically as it relates to the question of climate change. Additionally, the Society held a panel discussion with DFAIT, CIDA, and NPSIA on international career opportunities.
Embassy Visits
Taking full advantage of the University’s capital setting, the UN Society coordinates visits to various foreign embassies located in Ottawa. During 2007-08, the UN Society organized tours and met with officials from the embassies of Egypt, Israel, the United Kingdom, and India.
History
The story of the UN Society dates back to the Winter of 2002, when the Carleton Debate Society (CUDS) decided to attend McMUN. It was during the following year, under the leadership of Aaron Rodericks, that the UN Society was formally born.
In its inaugural Model UN circuit, the Society attended both McMUN and CANIMUN, the latter at which President Aaron won our first award. This initial success carried over into the 2003-04 year, where the Society’s first seven-person delegation to QMUN brought home four awards and our CANIMUN delegates won an additional two awards.
With Matthew Grey at the helm in 2004, the Society continued to expand and took its place as one of the most well respected clubs at Carleton University. We successfully brought home a total of 14 awards from QMUN, our first from McMUN, and further acknowledgments from CANIMUN. The year also witnessed the commencement of the In-House Conferences tradition and our first trip to Boston for HNMUN.
The UN Society Presidency was finally wrested into female hands by Lauren Hunter in 2007-08, under whose leadership the Society surpassed the 200-member mark for the first time in its history. With so many enthusiastic aspirant diplomats, we hosted our largest-ever Fall In-House Conference, attended by over 85 delegates. The Society also partnered with the International Affairs Association at OttawaU to host the University of Ottawa High School Model UN.
