Letter from our Secretary-General,
João Pedro Howes Veiga, Secretary General
Distinguished delegates,
Some like to write these letters like they are an epitaph conjugated in the future tense where they would write “here lies this conference: such and such people will take part and such and such good things might hopefully happen”. This is not such a case, this message is part information and part vision of what the 2027 conference will be. I am JP Howes and I am delighted to serve as the Secretary General for the third iteration of DCMUN.
The 2027 conference will remain a gathering of passionate students and delegates. To entertain this inquisitive crowd we will be offering nine committees going from general assemblies about neocolonialism to Ghibli studio inspired crisis. Moreover, this year's conference will host for the first time an exciting new committee: an ICJ! We hope to have exposure to all types of tastes if we can.
As has always been the case, the third iteration of DCMUN again pays tribute to the authentic delegate. The authentic delegate is someone who explores the topic in depth and does not limit oneself to superficial statements or repetitive clichés and MUN truisms about the issues in committee, someone who brings forth innovative discussions, engages with the ideas presented by other people and meaningfully elaborates the themes of the background guide. If you are the type of delegate to try and solve world hunger with AI, starlink, and blockchain/cryptocurrency technology… That's fascinating, but let’s talk just about anything else.
In line with our continuous focus on making MUN not only a fun experience but also an enriching one, delegates are not only expected to come with the portrayal of a competitor but with that of a student as well. A dual mindset of growth and competition if you will. The education system is often good at instructing us and imbuing us with information—but not always as performing when it comes to critical thinking. It can often give information without intelligence. As such, we have sought a conference prioritizing the elaboration of free thought and the decline of uncritical thinking.
Finally, on behalf of the entire secretariat I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to our faculty advisors Nancy and Julian for motivating and supporting us in keeping DCMUN alive and continuously improving. Moreover, we are incredibly thankful to all the Dawson students and conference staff who help bring this conference into fruition.
We enthusiastically await all delegates and look forward to having you participate in this carefully concocted experience. Come to Dawson with the frame of mind to make this event a hallmark of your educational path and a fond memory of a good time spent with friends and peers.
Cheers,
JP
Land acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge that Dawson College and by extension the 2026 DCMUN conference takes place on the unceded ancestral territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka nation. We would like to recognize the Kanien’kehá:ka nation as the custodians of this land. Throughout history, Tiohtià:ke, known today as Montreal, acted as a pivotal center for the trade and diplomacy of various Indigenous communities. Today, Tiohtià:ke is home to diverse populations consisting of Indigenous and other communities alike.
As we come together for this conference, we honor the enduring presence and contributions of Indigenous peoples, and we reflect on the responsibilities we share as guests on this territory. At DCMUN, we are committed to learning from the past, engaging respectfully in the present, and building a future rooted in partnership, understanding, and reconciliation.
Reconnaissance des territoires traditionnels
Nous aimerions commencer par reconnaître que le Collège Dawson et cette conférence sont situés sur les terres ancestrales non cédées de la nation Kanien'kehá: ka. Nous reconnaissons cette nation et les divers groupes qui s’y rassemblent comme les gardiens des terres et des corps d’eau qui forment l’archipel d’Hochelaga / Montréa..
En nous réunissant pour cette conférence, nous honorons la présence et les contributions des peuples autochtones et nous réfléchissons aux responsabilités que nous partageons en tant qu'invités sur ce territoire.
Pendant cette conférence du Modèle des Nations Unies de Dawson 2026 et dans le monde qui nous entoure, il est notre devoir de s’engager avec les principes de coopération, de justice et de solidarité pour innover et travailler vers la réconciliation avec les peuples autochtones.