Baylor Model UN Named Outstanding Delegation at National Model United Nations Conference in Washington, D.C.

December 13, 2019

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-710-4656

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by Cerenity Austin, student newswriter, Baylor University Media and Public Relations

WACO, Texas (Dec. 13, 2019) — Baylor University’s Model United Nations (MUN) team was named an “Outstanding Delegation” at the 2019 National Model United Nations Conference, Nov. 8-10 in Washington, D.C.

This team recognition is the top-level team award given at MUN conferences, and eight of the team’s 12 members received “Outstanding Position Paper” or “Outstanding Delegates in Committee” awards. Baylor’s team has been named “Outstanding Delegation” consecutively for four semesters at national conferences.

“We are always delighted when our students are recognized with awards by conference staff and their peers,” said Rebecca Flavin, Ph.D., senior lecturer of political science and Baylor Model United Nations faculty advisor. “These awards are especially noteworthy, as this is the team’s first time attending the fall NMUN-D.C. conference.”

The conference brought together approximately 900 university students from around the world to simulate U.N. committees in which they played the role of diplomats and crafted resolutions on topics such as:

• The impact of climate change on global food security
• Ending the use of Improvised explosive devices, landmines, cluster munitions and other explosives
• The link between women’s empowerment and sustainable development
• Preventing marine plastic pollution through sustainable consumption and production
• Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory
• Strengthening peacebuilding to mitigate conflict

One of these topics was chosen by the committee during the opening session for debate during the conference.

“NMUN D.C. showed me how students from across the world could combine shared expertise and research with individual perspectives to solve problems the world currently faces,” said Sophia Fulton, junior Baylor Business Fellow and Baylor MUN Co-Assistant Head Delegate. “To be successful at NMUN D.C., participants must work together for the good of the body, not just the member state they represent.”

Baylor’s team was tasked to represent Kuwait in six committees. Students spent three weeks researching and writing position papers on two assigned topics.

“The rigorous academic preparation for [the conference] and professional development provided by the conference are what the students celebrate most about their MUN experience,” Flavin said.

NMUN conferences provide a platform for students to expand upon the fundamental knowledge of international concerns while offering opportunities to grow their personal leadership skills.

“MUN offers students a fun yet effective avenue to develop skills necessary for their future careers, from clearly writing and speaking on policy proposals to graciously leading their peers in the work,” Fulton said. “NMUN D.C. encourages students to be the very best version of people, taking the skills they learn during the conference out into the world and using them to advocate for others and lead their world into a better future.”

Esther Ihowa, international exchange student at Baylor from France, encouraged people to strive for their dreams despite language, race or origin barriers, as it may only take one step of courage to realize that the world needs them.

Outstanding Delegations in Committee

• SC: Ben Hunt (Senior, University Scholar), Jennifer Nguyen (Freshman, Biochemistry and Political Science).
• FAO: Jonathan Chew (Junior, Baylor Business Fellow), Preston Heard (Senior, History).
• UNEA: Glenn Buchanan (Sophomore, International Studies), Raquel Nunez (Senior, University Scholar).

Outstanding Position Paper Awards

• GA 1st: Sophia Fulton Co-Assistant Head Delegate (Senior, Baylor Business Fellow), Lauren McLane Co-Assistant Head Delegate (Sophomore, Professional Writing and Rhetoric and International Studies).
• SC: Ben Hunt (Senior, University Scholar), Jennifer Nguyen (Freshman, Biochemistry and Political Science).
• UNEA: Paper drafted by team alternates Evan Armstrong (Junior, Environmental Science), Jerin Barling (Junior, Political Science), Carter Anne Jones (Senior, International Studies and Russian) and Shelby Toles (Senior, International Studies). Traveling team members also provided editorial assistance on the final draft:
• Glenn Buchanan (Sophomore, International Studies)
• Raquel Nunez (Senior, University Scholar)

For more information about the conference, including the full list of participating schools and award winners, visit www.nmun.org. For more information about Baylor’s Model UN team, visit the Baylor University Model United Nations website .

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.