Despite being the smallest team present, the U’s Model United Nations team won the most awards during a semi-annual conference in Denver on March 30.
The seven MUN members who attended the conference took home nine awards, including six Outstanding Delegate awards and three Outstanding Research awards.
Six universities from across the nation participated in a mock session, in which each student represents a different country in the United Nations.
Erik Allen, a junior who is triple majoring in political science, economics and sociology, said that students had to demonstrate knowledge of the parliamentary procedures of the country they represented.
“We also had to maintain the position and policy of our countries while acting diplomatic and compromising with other delegates,” Allen said.
This year, the U’s MUN team represented France, Israel and Tanzania and debated their policies through speeches and compromises during a general caucus.
Compromising was an important facet of the exercise, said Max Trifan, a freshman in physics. Trifan said the awards were given to those delegates who were most diplomatic.
“Those who could negotiate compromises between disagreeable parties and could remain in character throughout the conference performed better,” he said.
MUN isn’t just about receiving awards, however. Danial Hoepfner, president of the U’s MUN team, said that, at the conference, he attained more than just the accolades that come with a successful showing.
“I learned to have better speaking skills and more knowledge about international politics and some of the technical aspects of diplomacy,” the senior in political science said.
Shane McGarry, a senior in international studies, said that attending the conference reinforced his motivation to study politics.
“I realized that there are many conflicts and debates on the international stage and only so many meetings to address these issues,” McGarry said. “Therefore, what happens when the leaders of nations do meet becomes that much more important.”
Students interested in participating in the upcoming fall 2006 conference can contact Hoepfner at [email protected].