Student Leadership on the Global Stage at Abbotsford Senior Secondary
At Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, students recently hosted the largest Model United Nations conference in the Fraser Valley, bringing together young delegates from across the region for a powerful, student-led learning experience.
The Abby Model United Nations (Abby MUN) conference began in 2019 as a small, beginner-focused event. In its first year, it welcomed about 30 students from two Abbotsford schools. Today, it has grown into a major regional conference, hosting 130 student delegates from nine schools across Abbotsford, Surrey, Burnaby, Vancouver, and North Vancouver.
A Student-Led Extracurricular Success Story
Abby MUN is an extracurricular, student-run program, giving students the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom. Senior students lead conference planning, committee development, logistics, and delegate support.
Throughout the year, club members meet regularly to build skills in:
- Research and critical thinking
- Public speaking
- Diplomacy and negotiation
- Collaboration and leadership
The program has also seen strong participation from younger students, including a Grade 9 delegate who earned a Best Delegate award at this year’s conference.
The club is supported by sponsor teacher Ms. Harrop, who has been involved with Model United Nations at Abbotsford Senior Secondary since 2019 and continues to mentor students as they plan and lead the conference each year.
Recognition Beyond the District
In the 2025–2026 school year, Abby MUN received official recognition from Harvard Model United Nations, which presented formal awards to top-performing delegates. The organization also awarded two fully funded delegate packages to Harvard MUN Toronto, each valued at $800.
These honours reflect the high level of professionalism, preparation, and academic excellence demonstrated by Abbotsford students.
Community and PAC Support
A key focus of Abby MUN is equitable access. The conference remains free for all participating schools and students, made possible through student-led fundraising and the strong support of the school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC).
PAC involvement has played an important role in helping the conference grow, ensuring students can participate regardless of financial barriers and supporting meaningful, real-world learning opportunities.
Keynote Address from MLA Korky Neufeld
The conference also welcomed Korky Neufeld, MLA for Abbotsford West, who attended as a keynote speaker. His address highlighted the importance of student leadership, civic engagement, and opportunities that connect classroom learning to real-world issues.
Advancing the Strategic Plan: Student Success
Abby Model United Nations supports the district’s Strategic Plan by helping improve core competencies so students can achieve career and life goals, improve student sense of well-being, increase student participation in extra-curricular activities, and increase parent and community engagement.
Through initiatives like Abby MUN, students are not only learning about global issues, they are building the confidence and skills needed for success beyond graduation.
