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Representing Denmark at this year’s National Model United Nations Conference, the FIU Model United Nations (MUN) team walked away with the Outstanding Delegation Award, the highest accolade possible. The conference took place April 6-12 in New York City. The FIU team included Michael Alfaro, Anamaria Arias, Ryan Brooks, Ana-Paola Capaldo, Victoria Cueto, Ashley Dewelde, Amanda Fernandez, Raymond Hernandez, Emmanuel Mevs, Robert Myers, Angelica Navarette, Carolina Neves, Jessica Ortiz, Taylor Prohnow, Darwin Rodriguez, Ezequiel Romero, Jennifer Ruiz, Anais Taboas, Walsy Saez. Six of these students are first year delegates and this was their very first Model UN experience. The delegates had only one month to familiarize themselves with Denmark’s various international, regional, and domestic policies before the conference. They also prepared position papers for the committee to which they were assigned stating Denmark’s position on certain topics such as terrorism, AIDS, UN reform, and refugees.
The delegates prepared arduously day and night to understand Denmark inside and out—and it certainly paid off. Not only did the FIU team win the top honor at the conference, FIU also won the Outstanding Position Papers Award and five individual awards within the delegate’s respective committee (Delegates’ Delegate Awards). An actual delegation from Denmark at the event commented on how well the FIU delegates represented their country and that they were “more Danish then we are.”
According to Christian Ochoa, instructor in the Department of Politics and International Relations and faculty advisor to the MUN, “FIU did not just win; we cleaned house. We remain hungry and humble and excited for next year.”
The FIU team also participates every year in the Harvard Model UN Conference, competing against top schools such as Yale, West Point and the University of Pennsylvania. While participation in the Harvard Conference serves as a training ground for the FIU students to hone their skills, in the last three years, FIU has won 12 awards at the conference, including Best Small Delegation.
Under the auspices of the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies in the School of International and Public Affairs, the Model UN Program is a political science course offered in the spring. The class provides an interactive environment that engrosses students in different aspects of the art of diplomacy and international affairs. Students practice skills such as public speaking, negotiating, and policy writing. FIU’s Model UN team has been excelling for more than 15 years, consistently winning top honors at the National Conference.
For more information about the FIU Model UN Program, contact the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship Studies at 305-348-2977 or visit http://www.fiu.edu/~modelun/.
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The Model United Nations Team at FIU this year was really one of the best ever. The continued winning tradition was carried forward as FIU over the past two years has successfully beat teams from the Ivy League to the international collegiate network. The FIU Model UN team brings the international spirit to the competition and shows the international community what is to be a Panther. Hopefully FIU will keep in mind what an asset this program really is as the economy tightens its belt for this is one program that should never be lost!
Completely agree with what the other student said previously. New FIU President Dr.Mark Rosenberg has been given a school of growing excellence, as it is shown by the FIU Model UN team. Let’s support those students that proudly take our name to show the WORLD what the panthers are all about: dedication, commitment, utmost courtesy, and the well-known Miami extroverted personality!
Tremendous effort by tremendous individuals. This program has truly brought prestige and greatness to a such a young school. Keeping up the tradition of success is never a simple task ;however, the FIU Model UN team completes it with ease. Hurrah to such a wonderful year and a wonderful team.