Model United Nations Club Recognized at National Conference
Marist Model UN Club at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York City. Source: Courtesy of Marist Model UN
The Marist Model UN Club received an Honorable Mention and Distinguished Delegation Mention award at the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference.
Traveling to the conference in New York City, the 11 Marist students split up into six different committees as representatives of France. During the conference, students represent different countries and must solve a problem with other delegates around the world. The goal of the conference is to build students’ skills in research, public speaking, collaboration and critical thinking.
“I believe that participating in NMUN was one of the highlights of my college career,” said Marist Model UN President Cezar-Mihai Ungureanu ‘22. “It enriched the knowledge that I obtained throughout my time at Marist and made me grow into a better leader and political scientist.’
The issues discussed at the conference relate to politics and various current events happening around the world. In the first General Assembly Committee represented by Ungureanu and Aaron Newirth ‘23, France won the outstanding delegation award out of 193 countries and 386 delegates.
The topic discussed in the General Assembly Committee was countering the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Marist Model UN team wrote a definition of IEDs and negotiated with other delegations to contribute and compromise on the definition.
In the Second General Assembly Committee, represented by Leo Goldshmid ‘22 and Andrew ”AJ” Daddio ‘22, the topic discussed was biodiversity and sustainability. After receiving the topic, the committee formed a caucus to gather support for their agenda.
Another topic discussed at the conference was inclusive and sustainable recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue was part of the Commission for Social Development and was represented by Nandini Narula Bajpai ‘25 and Navkiran Pandher ‘23.
“In 40 minutes, our committee wrote three working papers, from which I started and sponsored one, and France was a signatory on the other two,” Bajpai said. “When we hit the end, we emerged not only as delegates in the same committee but also as friends excited to stay in contact for the years to come.”
The Commission for Narcotics and Drugs (CND) was represented by Addison Schwing ‘25 and Jacob Butchko ‘22. The partners made cross-bloc partnerships and allies to come to a successful resolution with other delegations at the end of the conference.
“Our resolution passed with nearly unanimous votes in favor, and only one vote against,” Butchko said. “Being a member of CND enhanced my interpersonal skills and made me a more confident public speaker. In addition, I caucused with delegates from around the world, which expanded my global horizons and enriched my experience with varying perspectives.”
The final two committees that Marist Model UN represented were the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbeans and the Economic and Social Council. The first council was represented by Diana Kazarian ‘25, who focused on the topic of developing and financing sustainable natural resources in Latin America. The Economic and Social Council was represented by Justice Seymour ‘25 and Grady Zeigler ‘25, who worked on issues of sustainable development in less developed countries.
“My partner and I were able to become sponsors on both final resolutions passed at the end of the final committee session,” Zeigler said. “Representing République française, I contributed a worldwide view from the perspective of a leading developed global nation and ensured that the respective views of France were adequately represented during discussion.”
In addition to winning awards at the National Model United Nations Conference, the Marist Model UN Club also presented its research findings at the Celebration of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (CURSCA).
“The NMUN Conference enriched the knowledge of the club and aided the character of all the participants, not only in diplomacy but also as individuals,” Bajpai said. “Considering the conference housed students from more than 50 countries, this was a culturally enriching experience that connected us to the international community.”