Model UN team once again in the Top 10

FIU’s award-winning Model UN (MUN) team has for the 13th consecutive year has placed in the Top 10 nationally. The program is based in the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs.

This past year, the team competed in 13 conferences - hosted by schools as diverse as the University of Chicago, Boston University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, New York University and the College of William & Mary - and delegates received more than 40 individual awards. More than a quarter of the latter were for first place.

“There were three things that set us apart this year from the other schools we competed with: recruitment, training and strategy," said Marek Kong, program coordinator. "One of the most impressive elements of our training strategy was having at least three simulations each semester. Simulations are basically practice runs for real conferences where delegates compete against each other to hone their skills and demonstrate their standing."

FIU’s MUN team was comprised of almost all new students; out of 50 students, 80-90% were freshmen and sophomores.

“As a team, we are all making memories together,” said Camila Flores, a liberal studies major. “We’re anticipating what awards we will win,” she added of the excitement members glean from the competitive nature of conferences, for each of which they prepare hours and hours beforehand by studying their world history and geography.

MUN participants, referred to as delegates, are placed in committees and assigned to represent countries or sometimes country-based organizations. They assume personas and debate the issues as if they were the actual representatives. Practice and participation allow students to attain and refine their skills in public speaking, analytical writing, negotiations, critical analysis and research. 

Participation on the team is open to FIU students majoring in any subject. Four of the team’s head delegates assist in training and representing FIU at the conferences: Mia Rodriguez, Michael Ojeda, Mikele Mancuso and Carlos Santiago. 

“I’m proud of the continued achievements of our talented and immensely dedicated Model UN students,” said Shlomi Dinar, dean of the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. “Model UN is not only about great competition, achievement, and performance. It provides them with an opportunity to build professional skills they can put to use as they grow and become leaders.”