ABOUT US
Canadian High Schools Model United Nations Conference (CAHSMUN) is the largest high school conference of its kind in Western Canada. Organized annually in Vancouver, Canada, CAHSMUN attracts experienced and new Model UN participants from high schools all over Canada.
The conference was founded in 2005 as a grassroots project aimed at introducing Model UN to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to participate in this worthwhile experience. As CAHSMUN expands, we seek to reach out to more high schools of all types from all parts of the country to encourage greater participation in an activity that brings together knowledge in international relations and interpersonal skills.
Past Secretaries-General:
2005: Stanley Xiao*
2006: Firas Moosvi*
2007: Linda Dong
2008: Nuwan Rajapakese
2009: Denise Chau
2010: Eve Rindje
2011: Matthew Gu
2012: Sunny Huang
* as Richmond Model United Nations
Conference Philosophy
When CAHSMUN first started in 2005, our initiative was clear. To combine and unite the minds of youth, and bring young people acquainted to the complexities around the globe. Sure enough, through this one weekend, young adults have been able to open their eyes, increase awareness, and participate in the process of making the world a better place. They have found a place to increase their knowledge of international affairs, practice their public speaking/negotiation skills, and enhance themselves as citizens of the world.
Today, the goals of CAHSMUN are unwavering, and we continue striving to connect young minds. Our aim continues to be bringing delegates together for a rewarding weekend packed with insightful discussion. Since our inception, CAHSMUN has grown to be the largest high school conference in Western Canada, and continues to attract students of all backgrounds. We continue to invite students from other parts of the country, and other parts of the world, to connect with similarly-minded peers and to understand the world in which we live.
SECRETARIAT
The CAHSMUN Secretariat is a group of high school students in Metro Vancouver who, with the support of the Board of Directors, organizes the conference each year. Individually and collectively, they have substantial Model UN experience at the high school level.
Toby Roper
Secretary-General
Born in Southwest London, spending much of his childhood in Singapore, and then eventually moving to Vancouver in grade 9, Toby’s engagement and interest in international politics and MUN are hardly surprising. Now in his grade 12 year at Mulgrave School, Toby sees his position as the CAHSMUN Secretary-General as the grand finale of his high school MUN 'career'. Outside the committee rooms, Toby is an avid athlete, counting Soccer and Rugby among two of his greatest passions. Having visited every continent except Antarctica, Toby is well acquainted with cramped aeroplane seats, but relishes these travelling opportunities to expand his thinking, explore fascinating culture and of course try new, exotic food. Toby feels privileged to be a part of CAHSMUN 2013 and looks forward to working alongside a handpicked group of outstanding secretariat and staff to make CAHSMUN an unforgettable experience for all involved.
David Chen
Deputy Secretary-General
David is a Grade 12 student at Mulgrave School. He has lived in four different countries (New Zealand, Australia, China, and Canada) in the past decade and as a result, developed a passion for political science and international relations. He is the Founder and President of Mulgrave's Model UN club. David has participated in numerous Model UN Conferences and won the Outstanding Delegate Award in the Historical Security Council at Berkeley Model UN. CAHSMUN 2010 was David’s first Model UN conference and he also staffed at CAHSMUN 2011. When he isn't in the swimming pool or on the basketball court, you can find him involved in youth parliament or playing the piano. Some of David's interests outside of Model UN include automobiles, aviation, public speaking, golf, badminton, and cross-country. David believes that this year's CAHSMUN will be the best one yet and wishes all delegates the best of luck at the conference.
Chris Seo
Director General
Chris Seo is currently enrolled as a senior at North Surrey Secondary School. His discovery of Model United Nations in his 10th Grade was an eye-opening moment that essentially shaped Chris into the kind of person he is today. Chris has been the president of North Surrey’s MUN Club since his 11th grade and has led his small delegation of new and inexperienced members to win more than twenty awards in total during his first year as president. With his experiences and knowledge from his role at North Surrey and as a professional debate coach on the side, Chris will serve as the Director General of the 9th annual session of the Canadian High Schools Model United Nations Conference. By emphasizing CAHSMUN’s philosophy, he hopes to convey and deliver the true essence and merits of MUN to all its participants. As the Director General, Chris will ensure that the delegates walk away with a more profound understanding of intricacy of the predicaments around the world.
Eric Yang
Chief of Staff
Eric Yang is a grade 12 student at University Hill Secondary. He has been to numerous conferences since grade 10 and most of his memories are from the UNSC. Model UN has taught him important skills, such as diplomacy and the power of rhetoric. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies and playing tennis. Eric is delighted to serve as your Chief of Staff and hopes all delegates have a memorable conference!
Preston Lim
Under Secretary-General of Delegate Affairs
Preston Lim is a grade 12 student at St. George’s School. He has participated in Model UN since grade 6, and is a regular attendee at conferences such as VMUN. He has staffed at a number of conferences and has won delegate awards from conferences such as MUNUC (University of Chicago). In his spare time, Preston is an avid art enthusiast, cellist and historian; at school, he is involved with science fair, the yearbook, debating and service. He looks forward to an exciting and memorable conference, and looks forward to meeting all of the delegates in person.
Shervin Yousef-Zadeh
Under Secretary-General of Committees
Shervin began his love affair with model UN mid-way through high school after growing tired of debate and desperately wanting to expand his horizons. Combined with his passion for international relations, Shervin’s love of public speaking propelled him to snag both awards and staff positions at countless MUN conferences. He is also one of the heads of his school’s MUN club at Fraser Heights Secondary, spending hours every week teaching youngsters the basics. In his off time, Shervin enjoys listening to questionable music, playing pop ballads on the piano, and volunteering for worthy causes. He is honoured and excited to serve on the secretariat, and promises that CAHSMUN 2013 will be an unforgettable experience.
Avineet Randhawa
Under Secretary-General of Marketing 1
Avineet Randhawa is a grade 12 student studying at Fraser Heights Secondary School where he is extensively involved in the Fraser Heights MUN club. Avineet’s introduction to MUN came when he entered grade eleven, and he hasn't looked back yet. After attending numerous conferences, MUN has become what some may call an all too large part of his life. In his spare time, Avineet enjoys Frisbee, Electro music, stand-up comedy, and being deathly afraid of all insects and arachnids. Avineet is thrilled to be on the Secretariat of CAHSMUN 2013; the very conference he attended in 2012 that was paramount to cementing his love for MUN.
Maddy Turner
Under Secretary-General of Marketing 2
A grade 12 IB student at Mulgrave School, Madeline is relatively new to the world of Model United Nations but has always sustained a passion for community development and global interactions. In attending her first conference she left highly motivated by the energy and passion involved in each of the debates, inspiring her interest to continue participation in the MUN community. Aside from MUN, Madeline volunteers both locally and on global terms. A recent service trip to Kenya has made her think about a future in studying global development. In her spare time between school and work she enjoys photography, creating films, travelling and spending time with her friends. Madeline is honoured and excited to serve on the 2013 Secretariat, and looks forward to working with everyone on the organizing team to make this years conference a huge success!
Chanakya Upmanu
Under Secretary-General of Sponsorship
Now in his final year of high school, Chanakya has been involved with Model United Nations since grade 10. In this time he has attended a diverse array of conferences in this short period of time, taking on new roles and responsibilities every step of the way. However, don’t let his late introduction to MUN, huggable personality and suave good looks trifle you. Chanakya has been infatuated by the concept of the UN and public speaking since his early years as a child. He claims to credit this fiery passion to the Indian Embassy of Kuwait, reminiscing about his first experience with international diplomacy as the Embassy's personal juice boy at the age of four.
George Yuan
Foundations Director
George Yuan is serving as the Foundations Director for CAHSMUN 2013. He is currently a grade 11 student enrolled at Prince of Wales Secondary pursuing sciences. Nonetheless, a keen interest in international affairs has coerced him into the vast world of high school MUN. Through the endless enthusiasm and support of select veteran MUN'ers and key role models, George has worked to develop his arsenal of Model UN experience. With no less than 9 conferences under his belt, George will work endlessly to create an amazing foundations program for the 2012-2013 school year. For someone who enjoys developing the progressive growth of Model United Nations in Vancouver, a passion for educating new delegates comes naturally. Through actively working on other organizations and youth outreach programs, George hopes to impact the collective experience of newer delegates not only at CAHSMUN but all conferences.
Jade Chen
Chief of Administrative Affairs
Jade is a grade 12 student currently attending Crofton House School. She has been actively involved in Model United Nations since grade 9. Her favourite memories of Model United Nations include staffing at all of the local Model United Nations Conferences, and meeting the great number of passionate and motivated Vancouver "MUN"ers as well as international ones. In her spare time, Jade is most likely chewing on novels and historical text to avoid doing her homework, or listening to strong beat music to determine the next song to rock out on the drum set. Jade is extremely excited to serve as the Chief of Administrative Affairs for CAHSMUN 2013 and looks forward to providing an interactive and enjoyable experience at CAHSMUN 2013.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors assumes the legal personality of CAHSMUN, establishes goals for future growth, and maintains continuity between each conference.
MD, McMaster University 2013
M. Health-Economics, University of Queensland 2011
MD, University of Queensland 2015
MA, University of Ottawa 2011
MSc, University of London 2013
MA, McMaster University 2013
As part of our mandate to foster leadership, we are proud to announce that Amy Lu and Hwan Jeon will serve on the Board of Directors for the 2012-2013 period. Amy and Hwan have extensive experience working with CAHSMUN and other conferences. We hope that they will bring their unique insights to CAHSMUN 2013.