Honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests, 

 

Since 2020, Birkerød Gymnasium has not been able to properly hold its own Model United Nation Conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We all lost the opportunity to hold an international conference, but most importantly, we lost our connections to the local and the international communities. Yet it is by supporting and helping each other, though apart, that we have been able to endure the pandemic. Therefore, it is with great honor that I welcome you to the 12th Annual BIGMUN Conference! 

 

For the upcoming conference, we have chosen ‘Power in Unity’ to be our theme. The BIGMUN 2023 organizing team, and I, decided on ‘Power in Unity’ because it denotes the palpable change humanity can have on occuring issues in our world through collaborative and collective efforts. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”.

 

Throughout history, humankind has demonstrated unity through powerful movements. From the Salt March led by Mahatma Gandhi, the Civil Rights movements led by Dr. Martin Luther King, the LGBTQ+ Rights movements led by thousands of people all over the world, and the Black Lives Matter Movement, each movement showed the power of unity to achieve a common goal. These movements and others like it, have shaped the fabric of society and established a unified front for others to follow. Together, we have the power to strengthen our world socially, economically, and politically by creating a collaborative environment for our hopes and aspirations to blossom. 

 

Although MUN is only a downscaled replica of what is done in the UN, I truly believe that we can achieve greater heights through what we accomplish together during these conferences. MUN does not create the next world leader, on the contrary, it inspires and teaches the next world leader. It teaches them the important values of what they can apply to the responsibilities they may hold in the future, and it gives them a foundation for communication, compromise, and unity. 

 

We could continue to talk about the values that MUN teaches us all, but that time will have to wait until we meet at BIGMUN 2023. We are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to watch all of you diplomatically pass resolutions, debate and discuss your ideas, and solve pressing issues around the world. 

Yours sincerely, 

 - Katherine Cavestany Noriega, Secretary-General