Originally set up with the objective of being ‘one place where the world's nations can gather together, discuss common problems and find shared solutions.’, the United Nations (UN) is considered today as the world’s largest and most important international organisation. Every year, its 193 member States meet up to debate with the objective of cultivating international peace and security as well as maintaining positive relations between nations to reach global unity. In a modern world filled with constant changes and expanding complexity, it represents a vital institution to help countries adjust; as such, they can improve in a collaborative manner to ensure the world has a peaceful future.

United Nations Women is an “entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.”¹ Four different bodies existed within the UN system that dealt with issues related to women. These were the Division for the Advancement of Women, the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, and the UN Development Fund for Women. In 2010, these institutions merged together to form UN Women, an organisation which covers a plethora of topics approached with a gender-centred perspective.

This year’s conference's theme, chosen by the secretaries general, is "Democracy and Security in a World of Conflict". This topic was selected because it shed light on a crucial issue that is threatening our society today – democracy in crisis. This global issue will thus encourage participants to think critically and engage in meaningful discussions about these real-world challenges.