AWARDS
Best Delegate - Roméo Dallaire Award
The Best Delegate Award is presented to the delegate who performs extraordinarily well, or best in the committee in combating the issues at hand. This includes, but is in no way limited to, maintaining decorum, respecting the ROPs, upholding their character, fostering valuable debate, participating in both moderated and unmoderated caucuses, thinking of creative ideas while drafting resolutions/directives, and doing their role in making the committee as enjoyable as possible. With that being said, this award is named after The Honourable Roméo Dallaire. He is an advocate for human issues, a retired Lieutenant-General, a UN peacekeeper, a former Canadian Senator, and an author. Dallaire, as the appointed Force Commander of the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda before and during the genocide, was ordered to withdraw, but stayed on and saved thousands of lives. His work here earned him countless awards and the respect of millions around the world, including the Meritorious Service Cross, the United States Legion of Merit, and the Aegis Award on Genocide Prevention. Whether it be his work in the military, a humanitarian, a senator, or an author, he continues to inspire us all everyday.
Most Outstanding Delegate - Bayard Rustin Award
The Most Outstanding Delegate Award is presented to the delegate who performs well in combating the issues at hand. This includes, but is in no way limited to, maintaining decorum, respecting the ROPs, upholding their character, fostering valuable debate, participating in both moderated and unmoderated caucuses, thinking of creative ideas while drafting resolutions/directives, and doing their role in making the committee as enjoyable as possible. With that being said, this award is named after Bayard Rustin. He was crucial in the civil rights movement, and served as an adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. Throughout his life, Bayard Rustin fought against anti-black racism, playing a crucial role in the 1963 March On Washington, and organizing a one day boycott against New York Public Schools’ racial imbalances in 1964. He was a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation and also established the New York branch of the Congress on Racial Equality. Furthermore, he was arrested in 1953 for his sexual orientation after he was found having sex with another man. Rustin then went on to play a vital role in the gay rights movement, and was finally pardoned for his conviction in 2020. Winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, Rustin’s legacy continues to this day.
Honourable Mention - Ellen Fairclough Award
The Honourable Mention Award is presented to the delegate who performs honourably in combating the issues at hand. This includes, but is in no way limited to, maintaining decorum, respecting the ROPs, upholding their character, fostering valuable debate, participating in both moderated and unmoderated caucuses, thinking of creative ideas while drafting resolutions/directives, and doing their role in making the committee as enjoyable as possible. With that being said, this award is named after Ellen Fairclough. Originally an accountant, she spent much of her time advocating for equal opportunity. Her work earned her the honour of being the first woman to serve in the Canadian Senate. Additionally, she created not only the Dept. of Labour Women's Bureau, but moved to the Dept. of Citizenship and Immigration and became the Postmaster General. Fairclough helped pave the way for marginalized voices at the Federal level, with women making up nearly half of the senate today.
Best Position Paper - Shannen Koostachin Award
The Position Paper Award is presented to the delegate who crafts the best written proposal in combating the issues at hand. They are clear with their motives and their procedure is clearly outlined in their position paper. With that being said, this award is named after Shannen Koostachin. She fought for quality education on First Nations reserves. Growing up in Attawapiskat, her school was run down, to the point where it had to be shut down due to diesel contamination. Sadly, her situation was also a reality for many others. In protest, she launched the Attawapiskat School Campaign. It urged Canadian youth to write to, and demand for change from the Canadian government. Speaking at many conferences and to thousands of people, she emerged as a leader within the community. She passed away in 2010 in a car accident, but her legacy and work will never be forgotten.