International Affairs Association Press Release
On the heels of a Distinguished Delegation award from NWMUN-Portland 2024, Western’s MUN team earned an Honorable Mention at the National Model United Nations last week. Sponsored by the International Affairs Association, we competed with 150 other universities across four days of sessions. Paired in teams of 2, the delegation represented Malta in 7 committees, ranging from the General Assembly Committee on Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Issues to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Olivia Morrow and Conor Lincoln won an Outstanding Delegate award for their performance in the Security Council, negotiating two passing resolutions on Sudan and South Sudan in addition to facilitating a press and presidential statement on a simulated crisis involving Venezuela and Guyana.
Each team gave speeches in front of dozens, if not hundreds, of other delegates advocating for Malta’s positions. Writing internationally competitive position papers on their committee topics, the delegates spent countless hours in training and research with the Association and their committee partners. After tireless diplomacy in the concrete work of negotiating, speaking, and writing, we spent our final day in New York City at the United Nations itself, attending the closing ceremonies in the General Assembly Hall. Our team heard the encouraging words of two UN ambassadors speak on the UN’s upcoming “Summit for the Future,” where the international community will convene to address the pressing issues of innovation, youth participation, and equity across the world.
Despite the hectic pace of committee work, our team found time to enjoy the city. Our members spent time in Brooklyn, the financial district, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Natural History Museum. One of the highlights of the trip over spring break was eating at some of the city’s excellent restaurants. Thanks to the Political Science Department and the University’s funding, the trip was affordable for all our delegates with lodging, travel, and conference fees all provided for. The International Affairs Association will be competing at NMUN next year and meets weekly at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Later this quarter, we’ll be holding special events and simulations designed to introduce more Western students to the learning and skills involved in global affairs and MUN.
Looking forward to April 29th, IAA will be hosting the State Department’s Diplomat-in-Residence in Payne Lounge from 3:15-4:00 p.m. for an informal discussion of political affairs in modern diplomacy! We’ll have snacks and refreshments available and are excited to continue our educational efforts in international affairs and diplomacy with this event!
Conor Lincoln
IAA Vice President of Model United Nations
mun@wwuiaa.com
Sunday, March 24th – Delegates attended opening ceremonies where they heard remarks from the conference Secretary-General. They also listened to an inspiring address from Kehkashan Basu, whose Green Hope Foundation and leadership has empowered thousands of young changemakers around the world from clean energy to agricultural sustainability and more.
Monday, March 25th – The Security Council discussed topics ranging from humanitarian conditions in Sudan to a hypothetical crisis event in Latin American international security.
Thursday, March 28th – Our team enjoyed closing ceremonies in the prestigious UN General Assembly Hall, taking in the significance of the location as the world’s meeting place for critical global issues.
Thursday, March 28th – Our team of 14 delegates in front of images of previous UN Secretaries-General in the 20th century.