National Model United Nations (NMUN) is the largest and oldest ongoing intercollegiate Model United Nations (MUN) in the world. The organization’s annual NMUN meeting was held November 5-7 in Washington, DC, the first time in nearly two years that an in-person meeting took place. To ensure a safe conference, NMUN-DC required that delegates be vaccinated and wear masks throughout the entire proceedings. The excitement for face-to-face interactions was palpable this year, as attendees from various colleges throughout the nation and from Colombia came together to discuss global issues affecting the planet.

The hard work that SPC Model UN students and faculty put into preparing for NMUN over the last few months paid off. At NMUN-DC, the team was one of a few colleges to receive the top honor of Outstanding Delegation. MUN delegation awards are generally divided into three categories: Honorable Mention Delegation (top 20 percent); Distinguished Delegation (top 10 percent); and Outstanding Delegation (top five percent). All students were thrilled to receive the Outstanding Delegation distinction, even for those few students who attended previous (virtual or in-person) conferences prior to COVID-19.

On top of receiving the Outstanding Delegation honor, two students, Angela Li and Yadira Rivers, were recognized by members of their committee as Outstanding Delegates in Committee. Altogether, the team came back from NMUN-DC fully satisfied to have brilliantly represented SPC. Indeed, one student declared that the 2021 conference exceeded her expectations, as they met amazing people from around the country, considered various perspectives on global issues, problem-solved, collaborated, and learned about the world.

SPC-MUN faculty and NMUN-DC traveling team

SPC Model United Nations faculty is comprised of six professors: Drs. Douglas Rivero (Lead Faculty), Roberto Loureiro, Bledar Prifti, Bill Fleming, Randy Lightfoot, and myself, Gyldas Ofoulhast-Othamot. This year’s conference was led by me, Gibbs Campus advisor, and Dr. Randy Lightfoot, Tarpon Springs. Student attendees included Zhon Butterfield, Yadira Rivers, Felix Nickel, Nile Jordan Nickel, Therese Simoneau, Alyvia Hallock, Angela Li, Duke Panagiotis, Hunter Hise, Alexandria Lanni, and Mia Newsom. Angela Li and Alyvia Hallock served as head delegates for the team. Unfortunately, one student, Caitlyn Pagano, trained with the SPC MUN team, but was unable to attend because of a conflicting schedule.

Contrary to past years when SPC-MUN was able to visit the embassy of the country they were representing, unfortunately, due to the global pandemic, this year’s team could not uphold that tradition. Regardless, before departing for Washington, DC, the team received well-wishes from embassy representatives.

SPC-MUN representing New Zealand in DC

At this year’s conference, SPC-MUN represented the country of New Zealand. Since the fall semester began, students learned about New Zealand and its foreign policy. Under the guidance of the faculty, they simulated their future participation at the conference through various hands-on activities and virtual meetings, including with the University of New Haven’s MUN team. Overall, SPC-MUN team represented New Zealand in the following UN committees: GA 1 (General Assembly-First Committee); GA 3 (General Assembly-Third Committee); HLPF (High Level Political Forum); UNDP (United Nations Development Programme); UNEA (United Nations Environment Assembly); UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women).

Some of the topics for discussion that conference delegates tackled included: Eliminating Human Trafficking of Women, Girls, and Gender and Sexual Minorities and The Right to Privacy in the Digital Age (GA3); Gender, Climate, and Security and The Digital Revolution: Implications for Gender Equality and Women’s Rights (UN Women); and Building a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy and COVID-19 Recovery: Building Back Better (UNDP). 

Next step: New York

The year of SPC-MUN is not yet over. Beginning in January 2022, faculty will start recruiting students for the next MUN conference, which will be held in New York City in April. That conference, NMUN-NY, remains one of the world’s largest MUN conferences. There is no doubt that with the recent reopening of US borders to international travel, delegates from all over the world will be attending.

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the success of SPC-MUN since its inception over a decade ago could not have been possible without the support of the college and Dean Joseph Smiley, as well as the overall campus community. SPC-MUN is looking forward to carrying out the college flag and enhancing SPC’s national and global reputation in future years.