The University’s Model United Nations (UN) Team competed at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) contest in Washington D.C., through the weekend of Friday, Nov. 9 through Sunday, Nov. 11.
NMUN is hosted by the United Nations, and over 100 universities participated, including domestic universities from all over the United States, and universities from Italy, China, Philippines, France, India, Fiji, and Canada.
The University’s team was led by the following Head Delegates: Daniel Gerdon, a sophomore political science student; Nick Gibson, a sophomore political science student.
Sophomore finance student Teniya Manu and Mckenna Mallory, a junior political science and finance student, accompanied first time competers Katelyn Quino, a sophomore chemistry student; Kayvon Paul, a senior political science student, Nick Boice, a sophomore political science student; and Nicholas Coscarelli, a junior political science student.
Mackenzie Ricca, a co-President of the University’s Model UN team and sophomore political science student, said that Model UN is “an informative, eye-opening experience,” and that being involved in these vigorous competitions surrounded by other talented students helps team members work harder.
To prepare for the conference, Ricca suggested to team members that they prepare binders full of research, elaborate speeches, and competitive policymaking strategies.
“I had a great time competing in the conference and meeting people from all around the world,” said Manu, whose second time it was participating in a Model UN Conference.
She explained that she first joined the team because she was interested in learning more about global events and issues, such as addressing the use of chemical weapons as she did in her committee.
Manu also noted that by joining the Model UN team, she has strengthened her public speaking from debating and has improved her writing skills from drafting working papers and resolutions at conferences.
Kenneth Mitchell, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Political Science and Sociology and an associate professor of political science, travelled with the team to D.C as one of their faculty advisers.
“Monmouth University’s team had a strong performance, with seven of eight students passing their policy resolutions by the final day of the contest,” he said.
Students at the Model UN contest competed on separate committees of around 80 students, representing different countries; the University’s team represented the Republic of Moldova in D.C. Over the three-day contests, these committees worked to negotiate and write policy resolutions on pressing international challenges and crises.
Some topics at the MUNDC conference included preventing gender-based violence, creating global sustainable and reliable renewable energy, and countering the use of chemical weapons, among others.
“Students must research specific policy issues and understand how their assigned country might act at the real United Nations. For example, how Moldova would approach the challenge of limiting chemical weapons worldwide,” Mitchell explained.
During committee sessions, students gave unstructured speeches, negotiate with other country delegations, and practice social networking skills – all of which are critical to careers after graduation, Mitchell noted.
“I think the trip to D.C., was great for our team. With the conference being the first for half the group going it served as a great learning experience,” said Gibson.
“Although beginners, we really hit the ground running with all of us having contributed to working papers,”he noted.
Gibson said that he is pleased to see students take an interest in competitions like the MUNDC and not let the additional work and effort that accompanies such competitions prevent them from joining the team as they compete.
“It was a lot of fun having spent the weekend with our team and I hope to see the group in more conferences going forward,” he added.
Mitchell and the Model UN Team wish to thank Laura Moriarty, University Provost, Don Moliver, Dean of the Leon Hess Business School, and the Department of Political Science and Sociology.
“Their generous financial support made this transformative educational opportunity possible,” said Mitchell.
The University’s Model UN team will be competing in more conferences next semester, including those in North Carolina and Montreal, Québec, Canada.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University
