September 5th & 6th

Days until SSMUN 23nd Edition 2026

Letter from the Secretary-General

My MUN journey began in 2021: my mom found out about a “debate club” where one of my closest friends was in. Hence, she encouraged me to join. It was the middle of the pandemic and the only way to learn about MUN was via zoom, one of the most inefficient ways to teach high school students. That Wednesday afternoon, I lasted 5 minutes in the training: the only thing I left with that day was the question of what was a motion. It was until one year later that I decided to try again. Once I gave that second opportunity to MUN, I never stopped relishing it. However, what compelled me to try one second time was not my family but my friends. Having someone who will always cheer for you and support you during training is what I needed. Within months, I began gaining confidence in my words. Every single sentence that I acclaimed did not come out with a nervous tone but a firm voice. For that, I am eternally grateful to my peers who now form part of the SSMUN staff.  

Model United Nations has not only taught me public speaking, and history but has given me values: I firmly believe that navigating disagreements with people of differing viewpoints  has coached me to be flexible and have respect towards other opinions. That is what I expect from every single delegate. We must never permit our enthusiasm to blur our ethics. I am confident that this will be an enriching experience for all. Even if it is not your first conference, every new one is a place for self-improvement. This SSMUN conference strives to show a dynamic between delegates beyond what the MUN curriculum expects. This is not a competition to reward who speaks with more confidence but who addresses each issue with wisdom, diplomacy, and integrity. Charles Darwin once stated that, “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.” As attendants of this conference, whether you are a delegate or not, the key to knowledge is humility. We must not fight for being correct but combat for our perspectives to expand. 

For this 23rd edition, you can expect a dedicated staff poised to make your experience undoubtedly unique. I cannot properly articulate my excitement for this weekend. These ongoing months have been demanding but I know our efforts will result in giving you the best experience possible. I genuinely wish for all delegates to exceed themselves beyond expectations and to show their passion for this exceptional activity. Model United Nations is not just  a simulation but a discussion about real-life problems. Remember that this is just the first step on your journey of leadership, diplomacy and self-discovery. 

See you there!

Catalina de la Puente

cdelapuente88@sansilvestre.edu.pe