Letter from the Secretary-General
Dear Delegates,
It is with immense privilege and profound honour, that I, Aaditya Agarwal, Secretary-General, extend a heartfelt invitation to each of you to the 29th Annual Edition of Cathedral Model United Nations, CMUN. Since its inception in 1996, CMUN has had the distinct privilege of providing a platform for diplomacy, conversation and policy making to the leaders of tomorrow. In a world where neo-authoritarian regimes flourish and pseudo-democracies have become the norm, it is more important than ever to remind ourselves of the founding principles of the United Nations - the principles of collective security, sovereignty, and naturally, diplomacy. As the United Nations seems to grow increasingly dysfunctional, it is easy to lose sight of the importance of it as an institution, and by extension, Model United Nations too.
The United Nations is far from perfect; however, the UN is also the last defender of the principles of global co-operation, world peace, and fundamental humanitarian rights that grant some semblance of stability in an ever volatile world. In 2023 alone, the United Nations provided food to 152 million people who were wholly dependent on their aid, vaccinated 133 million children against the life-endangering measles, and provided 36 million people access to safe water. These are people who otherwise had no alternative, and the United Nations rescued them when they needed it most. To this extent, the United Nations enjoys tiny victories everyday – with every aid package they deliver, every starving child they feed, and every village they provide clean water to – they fulfil their goal.
However, the question still remains - what does this mean for each of us, why do we take part in Model UN? If you haven’t already, I implore you to consider this question now – why do we, at a time in our lives where every moment is valuable, find fulfilment participating in Model United Nations conferences? This question has shaped my high school MUN journey, as each conference has left me with more answers than the last. At first, like most of you, I thought it was to make me a better public speaker. A few conferences later, I was convinced that MUNs were important only to facilitate on-the-spot and creative thinking. Thus, over my 5 years of doing Model United Nations in high school, I was confident that every answer to this question had crossed my mind. From MUN helping me sharpen my diplomatic skills by communicating with people not just across India but also from all around the world, to facilitating my ability to craft logical arguments – or even drafting solutions for the most relevant problems of the past, present and future, I sincerely thought I had discovered every benefit there was to MUN.
I now see, however, that CMUN means a lot more. It’s where people find their voice and passion, whether for economic policy or ancient history, and it’s where friendships that last a lifetime are forged. CMUN was the first time I discovered my passion for public policy - somewhere between the hours of debating the intricacies of my first directive on drug trade in Liberia, to my Draft Resolution failing by one vote, something clicked. CMUN 2025 will be my 5th and final CMUN. Only after having completed my 20 MUN tenure, involving countless flights, word documents, and chits, that I can clearly see what Model UN really means. Model United Nations, like most great things, is what you make of it. For the last 5 years, I have witnessed friends, juniors, and seniors participate in CMUN and other MUNs with unwavering enthusiasm and passion unparalleled to any other extracurricular. Even in my own life, it would be an understatement to say that MUN has played a fundamental role in who I am today, leaving me with friendships that have lasted years, and memories that will last even longer.
As an 8th grader, the decision to join Symposium, Cathedral’s MUN Club, was arbitrary. As I listened to the seniors who once ran this conference introduce MUN as an epitome of diplomacy, lobbying and public speaking, I signed up as any ambitious child would. If someone stopped to tell me at any point in the 5 years that one day, I would enter my last committee, give my last GSL, or write my last communique – I would not understand the weight of those statements, I never did until now. As one of my favourite quotes of all time says - “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” As each of you invariably get lost in the seemingly infinite moderated caucuses and open floors, moving from one committee session to another, I urge you to do what I wish someone had told me to do. Take a step back, recognise and appreciate the privilege each of you has in being part of this enriching platform, not just at CMUN, but in your schools, and MUN clubs alike.
This conference is not only a culmination of months of work leading up to the committees that see, but for the entire Secretariat and myself, it is our final act in a 5-year-passion for MUN. If there’s one thing you should take away from this letter, it should be to thoroughly enjoy this conference and make the most of it, in other words: Carpe diem, seize the day - trusting as little as possible in the next one. Each Director, Moderator and Assistant Director at CMUN has worked tirelessly to be able to provide you with an unforgettable, and transformative experience. Whether it be to discuss the fall of the Roman Empire, your favourite composer, the masterpiece that is Good Will Hunting, or of course, our glorious committee - as conference approaches, and anticipation grows, feel free to reach out to me at secgen.cmun@cajcs.in.
Viva la Vida,
Until August,
Yours truly,
Aaditya Agarwal,
Secretary-General,
Cathedral Model United Nations 2025.
Letter from the Deputy Secretary-General
Ansh Bhansali
Deputy Secretary-General
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"Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives - choice, not chance, determines your destiny."- Aristotle
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To Those Who Question, Challenge, and Shape the World with Words,
It is with profound pride, extreme enthusiasm and immense honour that I, Ansh Bhansali, Deputy-Secretary General, welcome you to the 29th Annual Edition of the Cathedral Model United Nations. Being the largest high-school conference and the oldest MUN in India, CMUN preserves an unparalleled, undying and unyielding legacy; a tradition that time cannot rival. From having only one committee - The Asia and Pacific Council - in 1996, to inviting out-of-state schools in 2005, to organising CMUN outside of the Cathedral School in 2010, to bringing CMUN to life virtually even in the face of extraordinary and unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, CMUN 2025 remains steadfast, persisting with the purpose of epitomising the spirit of excellence, as I believe MUN should.
It is irrefutable that MUN has always been woven into the fabric of my personality; a part of my high-school life that has left an indelible mark on me. As I reflect on the impact MUN has had on me, I find myself facing a blurred yet deeply resonant image of its influence; hazy, complex and layered. As I continued to introspect I attempted to categorise my MUN career into various years of high-school life to properly shape an image of the effect it has borne. It was only then that I realised how subtly my perception of MUN had transformed over time. Now, through this letter, I hope to convey to you the significance it holds.
“I don’t like MUN, I like winning” - is what a bold and inexperienced, yet ambitious and passionate version of myself would have likely said as a Freshman. I viewed MUN as a medium to thrive; acknowledging my strong drive to excel, I held MUN as the ideal arena to channel that competitive spirit. Graduating to the 10th grade, as my interaction with MUN increased and my involvement in our MUN club heightened, I realised that surely MUN had to have a larger impact than merely serving as a platform for victory thus attaining fleeting satisfaction. I convinced myself that MUN had a greater, lasting purpose; to create lasting memories and forge friendships that endure. To build relationships, learn the art of communication and develop contacts, “after all, this is what life in government, international relations or law would probably be like,” I wondered. But as I progressed to the 11th Grade, I realised that MUN surely transcends victory or relationships - MUN empowers each individual with a voice, one that truly matters, thus allowing discourse and the exchange of viewpoints. However, as I attended another closing ceremony or read another Letter from the Director, these ideas seemed cliche, recurrent and simply put, exaggerated. I concede that, to some extent, MUN likely does foster friendships and cultivates an environment that encourages the sharing of opinions, however, overarchingly, due to its lack of actionability and inability to effect real, tangible change, I believe that the purpose of MUN transcends the impact we can create on others. Alternatively, the true impact of MUN is best understood through the lens of its personal influence. On who we become as individuals. And I recognise that such an effect may not be immediately apparent to those who are not largely invested in MUN, but therein lies its beauty. Perhaps its true allure resides in its ability to bring about transformation in personality, which is only evident at the climax of one’s MUN career.
In the 12th grade, as I finally began to write this letter, I found myself realising why MUN is important to me and what effect it has had. While many may say that MUN’s spirit of civil discourse, compromise and diplomacy is what gives it its appeal, I think that conversely, it is the spirit of competition it fosters that truly elevates its value. 3 days of incessant and uncompromising debate, fervent lobbying, comprehensive draft resolutions and defiant and unwavering speeches - all these facets of MUN epitomise the spirit of excellence and competition it instills in us - which is what its true impact on me has been. It teaches us to be firm and resolute, chase perfection in our speeches and aim for success while lobbying - not only to advance the policies of our allocations, but more importantly so we can succeed as delegates. And in my eyes, it is that precipice of excellence which CMUN is built on, it is that feature which CMUN homes and it is that standard which CMUN aims to maintain at its 29th Edition.
CMUN this year consists of 9 committees, each of which individually pursue unparalleled standards of perfection. I can personally attest to the fact that each and every committee - the foundations of CMUN - is niche, incomparable and unprecedented. From the British House of Commons HOC) discussing Brexit and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) analysing the scale and impact of tariffs, our General Assemblies promise to be thought-provoking and filled with a mix of technical debate and our CMUN special; crises. As for the regionals - The Polar Governance Council (PGC) and Emergency Council of the Kurukshetra (MTECK) will provide equally intense and captivating simulations, examining agendas that span history, from the Mahabharata in 3000 BC to the conquest of the Arctic and Antarctic 20 years into the future. The Specialised committees, the hallmark of CMUN, promise to be equally, if not more engaging and exhilarating. Our Historic Security Council (HSC) will review the Soviet-Afghan war with a balanced focus on technicality and crises, whereas the Indo-Stabilization Emergency Council (ISEC) will address the Indo-Sri Lankan Crisis of 1987 with special emphasis on rising internal tensions in India. Lastly, our super-specialised committees promise to be filled with exciting crises and exhilarating argumentation. The House of Rothschild (THOR) will discuss the various revolutions spanning Europe in the 19th Century whereas The Odyssey; Twilight of the Iliad (OTI) will contemplate the fate of Odysseus’ fleet and their return to Ithaca, amidst the fury of the Council of Olympus. Every single committee at CMUN guarantees a unique blend of stimulating discussions, and immersive experiences that will assuredly captivate and challenge every delegate.
As I conclude this Letter, I find myself reflecting on the memories of the past 4 CMUNs, each a unique chapter in this incredible journey. Subsequently, I encourage each and every one of you to carry with you lasting memories, embrace the experience, and truly appreciate the unique culture that CMUN fosters. But most importantly, immerse yourself in the spirit of excellence that defines CMUN, and let it inspire you beyond this experience.
If you ever see me running across hallways or navigating our committees for feedback, please don’t hesitate to talk to me about anything, spanning from our committees (or my own - OTI) to Suits or House of Cards. I look forward to seeing you in August, but in the meanwhile, please feel free to reach out to depsecgen.cmun@cajcs.in if you have any questions.
Perfectionem semper petere,
(Seek Excellence, Always),
Until August,
Ansh Bhansali,
Deputy Secretary-General,
Director,
The Odyssey: Twilight of the Iliad,
Cathedral Model United Nations, 2025.
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WORLD MAP
CMUN THROUGH THE AGES
