FAU’s Leon Charney Diplomacy Program participated in the 2023 National Model United Nations conference in Washington, D.C., November 9-12. Ninety-four undergraduates made up the university’s delegation, marking the largest delegation in conference history. Established in 1996, the Diplomacy Program at FAU competes in nationals each semester in D.C. (Fall) and New York City (Spring) and also attends international conferences.
At the conference, student delegates from the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program represented ten countries, engaged in simulated diplomatic relations with student delegations from around the world. Before traveling to DC, students prepared for the conference formal through training that focused on honing public speaking skills, diplomatic discourse, and resolution writing, as well as individually researching the topics for discussion in their assigned committees. The preparation allowed students to enter the conference confident in their abilities to lead their working groups, find creative solutions, and engage in diplomatic behavior.
Upon arrival at the conference, students put what they learned into practice, representing diplomatic delegations from a geographically, culturally, and economically diverse group of nations. Delegates participated in simulated committee sessions from the General Assembly, Security Council, United Nations Environmental Assembly, Food & Agriculture Organization, Commission on Population & Development and ECOSOC. Leon Charney Diplomacy Program participants addressed pressing global topics related to sustainable development, humanitarian aid, and international security. Representing Oman in the General Assembly First Committee, Celia Roberts was tasked with developing new methods and frameworks for utilizing information and communication technologies to stem the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons. Her delegation was involved in writing and developing four draft resolutions in the name of international security and peace. Benjamin Cohen, representing Malta on the Security Council, faced pressing issues relating to peace and security in Eastern Europe and the Caucuses and maritime security. By working with almost all of the member states on the Security Council, his delegation contributed to resolutions that effectively used the unique powers granted to the Security Council.
With their preparation through the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program, students’ participation in the conference helped shape their skills for use in the real world. By working with other student delegates, most of whom had never met, student participants quickly learned how to work collaboratively and adapt to situations they had not prepared for. The conference structure also required them to resolve conflicts in multiple working groups, ranging from small groupings to over 50 delegates. FAU Students emerged as leaders from their groups, guided discussions and helped to ensure that all voices were heard while focusing on the end goal of a resolution adopted by consensus. Program participants were exposed to new perspectives on global issues and innovative approaches to developing a more peaceful, sustainable world from the next generation of global leaders and advocates.
With the skills acquired in the Diplomacy Program that were utilized in the National Model United Nations conference, students from Florida Atlantic University not only came out of the conference with stronger academic and diplomatic skills but with numerous awards. Nine of ten delegations received awards. Individual awards included two for position papers. Receiving these awards led to the Florida Atlantic University delegation placing first at the 2023 national competition. If any FAU student delegates were asked about this year's experience, they would all tell you that the 2023 National Model United Nations DC conference was a memorable occasion that aided their academic and personal development. The training provided through the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program was invaluable to their success and will assist them in all of their future academic and professional endeavors.
By By Benjamin Cohen, Senior, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
And And Celia Roberts, Senior, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Benjamin Cohen is a senior in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters at Florida Atlantic University. He is a double history and political science major and part of the Department of History’s 4+1 BA/MA program. His current research focuses on socio-legal interactions within the early modern period.
Celia Roberts is a senior at the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College at FAU’s Jupiter campus, pursuing an Honors Interdisciplinary Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. She has been awarded a Morton Research Forum Fellowship and is researching religious groups' political behavior and impact in Latin American politics and government.