Letter from the Secretariat

Dear Esteemed Delegates and Faculty Advisors,

It is my pleasure to welcome you all to Kennesaw State University’s 39th Annual High School Model United Nations Conference! My name is Derya Aydin and I have the distinct honor of serving as your Secretary-General for this conference. Alongside me, my Under-Secretary-General Emily McCarthy, Director-General Isaiah Donaldson, and our conference staff have been working hard to ensure that this conference will be an engaging and meaningful experience that challenges your skills and abilities and inspires you to display your full and true potential.

As you all prepare for the upcoming conference, we ask that the delegates remain mindful of the theme in your writing and research. Our theme this year is based around Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Striving for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies, Sustainable Development, and Access to Justice for All, at All Levels. The United Nations SDGs were introduced to provide a “blueprint” of global challenges that must be addressed by both developed and developing states in order to build a more sustainable future for all. Given the current state of the international system, it is now more imperative than ever that we must focus our attention on peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts in order to build more effective, inclusive, equal, accessible, and sustainable societies and institutions. Reflect on why each of these components is essential for a stable and prosperous society and consider the steps that Member States can take to achieve them. Our world today is the most unstable it has been since the Cold War. In the past two years, there has been an over 50% increase in conflict-related civilian deaths. During a time of such strife, what actions can the international community take to increase peacebuilding and diplomatic efforts, and how can they develop institutions that equitably, adequately, and accessibly serve their people? How can governments protect their citizens from harm, violence, and insecurity, protect their rights, and uphold the rule of law? The promotion of peacebuilding and non-violence efforts can reduce crime and conflict, fostering harmony among different social groups. Having access to justice and legal recourse, as well as codified protections of human rights, are all crucial for a stable society.  In a globalized world, where interconnectedness is inevitable, it is crucial for Member States to recognize that their own prosperity and security are inexplicably bound to the well-being of others. By advocating for the needs of their people, they can also foster cooperation and collaboration among nations. It is through such collective efforts and shared responsibilities that we can work towards a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future.  Put yourselves in the shoes of your Member States and advocate for the needs of your people, work together with your fellow delegates, and achieve what many decry as a pointless endeavor to find harmony in a world without rules. This life that we live and the privileges and freedoms that we enjoy only exist thanks to the tremendous effort of people around the world willing to work together. Let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolution.

Returning delegates, we encourage you to reflect on your past experiences at KSU HSMUN and challenge yourselves to be more diplomatic and engaged in the issues you are presented with. Remember -- you are a delegate representing your Member State! New delegates, you can prepare yourselves for this experience by learning and striving to understand more about different ways of life and thinking that may not match your worldview or be familiar to you. Our hopes and intentions for this conference are to impart unto you the skills necessary to engage in debate, negotiation, and constructive diplomacy. These skills are essential for the preservation and endurance of democracy and diplomacy. 

Please check this website for updates from the Secretariat, details concerning registration, position paper submissions, and delegate preparation. We strongly encourage both students and faculty advisors to review the resources we have provided here to ensure your success and enrich your experience. For any questions, comments, concerns, and/or feedback regarding the 2025 KSU HSMUN conference, or MUN in general, please feel free to contact the Secretariat at ksuhsmun2025@gmail.com.

I, the KSU HSMUN staff, the Kennesaw State University School of Government and International Affairs, and the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences look forward to seeing you all on conference weekend. We hope that you all will find this conference to be one positive experience among many in the new year.

Sincerely,

Derya Aydin, Secretary-General
Emily McCarthy, Under-Secretary-General
Isaiah Donaldson, Director-General