Pace Pulse named Model United Nations (POL303A and POL303C) the “Best Class” in this year’s “Pawscars.”

Located only two express subway stops from the iconic United Nations complex on the East River, Pace University’s New York City Model UN program has a 60-year history of excellence in regional, national and international conferences. Model UN at Pace is uniquely integrated into the political science curriculum within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and aims to encourage students to develop wisdom, knowledge, skills and community for global citizenship and vocation.

Model UN for Pace University New York City is listed in the Fall 2013 schedule as POL303A Politics Workshop: International Organization, CRN 70263. It will meet from 6:10-9:00pm on Mondays. There are only 35 spots in the class, so make sure to register as soon as possible. To register you must have taken (or be registered to take) the prerequisite of POL114 Introduction to International Relations, though this may be waived if you have done Model UN or a similar program in high school or at a different university.

There are a variety of other classes offered in the Political Science department (including the Peace and Justice Studies program) next semester that may be of interest to Model UNers. Here is a partial list:

POL101 Politics: Comparative Introduction
PJS101 Introduction to Peace and Justice Studies
POL114 Introduction to International Relations
POL202F Introduction to International Organization
POL206 Politics and the Environment: An Urban Perspective
POL213 21st Century Politics
POL210 Comparative Political Systems
POL219 International Political Economy and Globalization
POL247 International Law and Human Rights
POL249 Feminist Political Theory
POL296J Topic: Ethnic Conflict and Nationalism
POL303F Freedom in the World
POL393 Internship in Government (if you have an internship with an international organization or NGO, you can get credit for it)

There are lots of other interesting courses in other departments that could work well in conjunction with Model UN. In thinking about what classes you want to take, read this article on vocation and global careers.

Pace University New York City Model United Nations students, representing Portugal, Kenya and Uganda, at the 2013 National Model UN Conference, in the General Assembly Room.

Pace University was recognized with nine awards in the United Nations General Assembly Room on 21 March, for its participation in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) 2013 conference in New York City, in which students put skills they learned in the political science classroom into practice in a simulation of global policymaking processes.

“You are part of the largest generation of young people our world has ever known,” wrote UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a special message to NMUN participants. “By participating in this Model United Nations, you will sharpen your negotiating skills and gain insights into what it takes to achieve consensus and progress. Armed with these assets…you can make your voices heard and drive political and social change.”

The conference, themed “Change Your World”, brought together more than 2,500 students, half from outside the United States, to play the role of diplomats engaged in deliberations on crucial international issues in committees and councils of the UN. Students are expected to engage in formal debate, caucus in informal negotiations and write and vote on resolutions.

“In Pace University New York City‘s Model UN program, surrounded by the vast diversity of our urban campus, we aim to teach young global citizens the knowledge, capacities and skills needed to change their world,” said Dr. Matthew Bolton, Model UN faculty advisor for Pace University New York City and assistant professor of political science.

Pace University was tied for seventh in terms of number of awards received, out of almost 90 participating universities (Brigham Young University received 22; Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and Wright State University, 13 each; California State University, Chico and Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, 11 each; University of Magdeburg, 10; Japan Model UN/New Mexico State University, Texas Christan University and Pace University, 9 each).

“Winning awards is not the primary purpose of our participation,” said Dr. Bolton. “But recognition at the National Model UN conference is a validation of the excellence of a Pace education in preparing students for international policymaking.”

Michael Zona ’13 (second from left), Pace University New York City Model United Nations head delegate, representing Portugal in a simulation of the Security Council at the 2013 National Model UN.

Pace University Westchester students, representing Japan, were commended with an “Outstanding Delegation” award for effectively representing Japan’s values and interests in the simulation. Pace University New York City students represented Portugal, Uganda and Kenya. The Uganda delegation was recognized with an “Honorable Mention” award.

“I feel the Model UN class and simulation has exposed me to an interest and a passion that I was not previously aware of,” said Pace University New York City student Hannah Liot ’15, who, along with her delegation partner Jacqueline Kelleher ’15, was singled out for particular commendation as “Outstanding Delegates in Committee” for their representation of Kenya in the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. “This experience has definitely encouraged me to pursue a career in international work and human rights.”

Jaqueline Kelleher (second from left), Pace University New York City student at the 2013 National Model United Nations conference.

Pace students spent the semester preparing for their roles, learning about the UN, studying their country assignments and honing their public speaking and negotiation skills. Much of their grade depends on their preparation, in teams of two, of detailed two-page policy brief — called a position paper — outlining their country’s position on their committee’s agenda.

“I like that it is hands on, I felt like the skills we learned in class I got to use during the conference,” said Tzionah Miller ’15, who represented Uganda in the UN General Assembly Economic and Finance Committee (ECOFIN).

“Model UN is more rigorous than most classes at Pace. You have to do a lot of research and a lot of work, but you learn practical skills that will be beneficial to have in the real world,” agreed her partner Monique Rivera ’14.

“Model UN is different than other classes because it is interactive,” said Annamaria Watson ’17, who, along with Emanuela Pepaj ’14, represented Kenya in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “Instead of sitting in front a professor for three hours, we are expected to take an active part in our own education through conference participation.”

NMUN commended students it judged had written particularly cogent analyses of their country’s policies. Angelica Razak ’14 and Lindita Capric ’17, Pace University New York City students who represented Kenya in the UN General Assembly Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), were commended with an “Outstanding Position Paper” award.

Pace University New York City students Jennifer Granovsky ’15, Bushra Anwar ’15, Angelica Razack ’14 (front row, left to right) and Lindita Capric ’17, Ashley Espinosa ’16 and Joao Fonseca ’14 (back row, left to right), in the General Assembly Room at the 2013 National Moden UN conference.

“Model UN has not only helped me in writing papers, but has also helped me with projects and assignments for my internships,” said Angelica. “Unlike other classes that narrowly teach a specific topic, Model U.N. combines international politics, public speaking and persuasive writing into one class,” added Lindita.

“Model UN has definitely helped me improve my researching skills,” said Jennifer Granovsky ’15, who, along with her partner Bushra Anwar ’15, represented Kenya in ECOFIN. “The first several weeks of class are allocated for the purpose of extensively researching a country.”

Gohar Chichian ’15 and Jessie Meredith ’17, representing Uganda in the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) also received an “Outstanding Postition Paper” award, as did Nour el din Moussa ’17 and Luke Froude ’15, representing Uganda in the Economic Commission for Africa. The Pace University Westchester team was also given two awards for “Outstanding Position Papers” for representing Japan in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the Commission on the Status of Women.

Nour el din Moussa ’17 and Luke Froude ’15, Pace University New York City students at the 2013 National Model UN conference.

“Model UN is definitely a class worth taking. It is fast-paced, which may seem challenging, but it more than prepares you for what you will face at conference,” said Gohar. “Model UN has helped me improve my research skills and speaking skills as I prepared for conference. I learned how to write a position paper, write impromptu and planned speeches, and deliver my point across to others.”

“The class also provides students with a chance to practice and enhance their diplomatic skills by interacting with people of different opinions,” said Rumsha Zahid ’16, who represented Kenya in the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice with her partner Andreas Poppe ’13. Courtney Taskovitz ’13, who was partnered with Joao Fonseca ’14 in representing Uganda in the Human Rights Council, agreed: “I improved my abilities in making myself, and my ideas, heard.”

“Without a doubt, my interpersonal skills improved tremendously throughout the conference,” said Spencer Lopresti ’17, who, partnered with Caitlin Boley ’17, represented Uganda in the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. “The conference allowed me to reach outside my comfort zone.”

Following four days of debate and deliberation in hotel conference rooms near Times Square, Pace students were then given the opportunity to vote on their committee’s proposed resolutions and attend a closing ceremony in the awe-inspiring General Assembly Room at the UN.

“After participating in Model UN conferences I learned that reaching an agreement is both challenging and rewarding,” said Jaqueline Kelleher. “The best moment of conference is when your committee has passed a resolution you worked on and you feel that a whole semester of hard work and research has paid off.”

In addition to offering training in policymaking skills through the preparation and simulation, NMUN also provided opportunities for students to hear from and interact with actual global policymakers and learn about ways to pursue vocations in international affairs.

“You are the next generation of ambassadors, legislators, peacekeepers, humanitarians, international law experts and international civil servants, and it is you who will bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the global issues and problems that we grapple with every day,” Zainab Hawa Bangura, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict and former Sierra Leone Minister of Foreign Affairs, told students in the Opening Ceremony.

NMUN students also heard speeches from Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the UN Department of Public Information and a range of expert panels on hot topics in global policymaking.

Pace University students Michael Zona ’13 (left), Annamaria Watson ’17, Lorena Battaglia ’16, Gohar Chichian ’15, Dardan Gjonbalaj ’14 (back row, left to right), in the General Assembly Room at the 2013 National Model United Nations conference.

“Taking Model UN is without question one of the best decisions I’ve made during my four years at Pace,” said Dardan Gjonbalaj ’14, who, partnered with Calvin Wauchope ’13, represented Kenya in UNCTAD. “Even though I may not stay in the field of international relations, the conference really reinforced my desire to work in politics.”

Earlier last month, 13 Pace University New York City students were recognized with four awards with at the UN University for Peace Model UN conference in Costa Rica.

Located only two express subway stops from the iconic United Nations complex on the East River, Pace University’s New York City Model UN program has a 60-year history of excellence in regional, national and international conferences. Model UN at Pace is uniquely integrated into the political science curriculum within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and aims to encourage students to develop wisdom, knowledge, skills and community for global citizenship and vocation.

Pace University New York City students Nour Moussa El Din ’17 (right) and Luke Froude ’15 (second from right), representing Uganda in a simulation of the Economic Commission for Africa at the 2013 National Model UN Conference. Photo by NMUN.

The 2013 National Model United Nations (NMUN) here in New York provided its participants with great awareness of global issues. Specifically, in our committee, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), delegates realized that the conference was not about whose paper would pass, and whose would fail. Rather, success was about collective cooperation and compromise that would eventually lead to a solution that leaves a majority happy.

The conference also gave delegates an opportunity to understand international political theory. As an international student myself, I always enjoy meeting people from all around the world. Aside from the actual conference, I got to socialize with people from Germany, France, Belgium, England, Nigeria, Italy, Russia, Taiwan, China and many other countries. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, NMUN 2013 will always be something I remember.

To read more about Pace University’s successful participation in NMUN 2013, click here.

- Nour el din Moussa ’17, who, along with his partner Luke Froude ’15, was awarded an “Outstanding Position Paper” award for representing Uganda.

Participants at the 2013 United Nations University for Peace Model UN Conference in Costa Rica. Photo by UPMUNC media, used with permission.

The preamble of the United Nations Charter states that its purpose is “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war” and enable the peoples of the world “to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours.” At Pace University in New York City, surrounded by the vast diversity of our urban campus, we aim to teach young global citizens the knowledge, capacities and skills needed to promote peace. 

Last month, 13 students and two faculty from Pace traveled to Costa Rica to attend the 2013 UN University for Peace Model UN Conference. Joined by a a mix of 150 college, graduate school and high school students from 49 countries at the most diverse ever UPeace conference, they discussed in depth ”The Path to Peace in an Increasingly Connected Global Society.” Their effort and engagement was recognized by the conference organizers with four awards for diplomatic ability and representation of civil society perspectives.

“Award-seeking is not the primary purpose of our participation in Model United Nations conferences — we are there for the experiential education students receive in global policymaking,” said Dr. Matthew Bolton, Model UN faculty advisor for Pace University New York City and assistant professor of political science. “But the awards demonstrate Pace’s excellence in training the next generation of diplomats, policymakers, media professionals, advocates and peacemakers.”

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica, where 13 students and two faculty from Pace University participated in a Model UN conference focused on peace issues in March.

In addition to the focus on peace and social justice issues, the organizers of the UPeace conference tried to run the committees in ways that modelled broad-based and collaborative global policymaking.

“Many Model UN conferences have a hyper-competitive or cavalier edge that unfortunately undercuts the educational experience,” said Dr. Bolton. “But the UPeace conference was by far the best I have seen at maintaining awareness of the seriousness of the topics under discussion.”

For example, most Model United Nations conferences effectively have a “time-freeze” the day of the conference and only deal with what has happened in the past. By contrast, the UPeace conference had an ongoing “real-time crisis” dimension, a dynamic simulation of conflict in the Korean penninsula. This made a particular difference in the conference’s simulation of the UN Security Council, which had to respond to the developing situation while overcoming significant political gridlock.

“This conference was the most professional and challenging I have been to,” said Jean Dorak ’13, who represented the People’s Republic of China in the Security Council. “The crisis dimension was exciting and gave me greater insight into more aspects of public policy.”

Pace University students take a tour of the UN University of Peace in Costa Rica before their participation in a Model UN conference in March.

Four other Pace students participated in the Security Council simulation: Michael Zona ’13, a head delegate who won a “Most Diplomatic” award for his representation of Russia; Kelsey McGhee ’14, Australia; Brandon Snively ’14, Argentina; and Nathaniel French ’15 (Azerbaijan). To read more about Pace University students’ participation in the UPeace Security Council simulation, click here.

Adding to the complexity of the conference, students dealt not only with fellow delegates representing UN Member States, but also those playing the role of media professionals and civil society advocates. Pace head delegate Kimberly Alonso ’13 was part of a team who provided regular “news” updates to the committees, grilled other students on their countries’ policies and filed stories by strict deadlines. Similary, Michelle Gallo ’13, representing Amnesty International, pushed participants to maintian high standards in the resolutions they adopted.

Opening Ceremony of the 2013 United Nations University for Peace Model UN conference in Costa Rica, attended by 13 Pace University New York City students in March. Photo by UPMUNC media, used with permission. 

“The world has changed greatly over the past few decades, with one of the main achievements being the rapid pace of communication and increased levels of connectedness between states and peoples,” said Michelle, whose work was recognized with a “Civil Society Award.” “As a result, NGOs are playing a more important role in the response to global problems.”

To read more about Pace University students’ representation of media and civil society at the UPeace conference, click here. To read Kimberly Alonso’s in-depth reflections on her experience at the conference, click here.

Michelle was specifically assigned to the conference’s simulation of the Human Rights Council, along with head delegate Elena Marmo ’15, who was recognized with a “Most Diplomatic” award for her representation of Belgium; Cassandra Stimpson ’13, voted Best Overall Delegate in the committee for representing Uganda; and John Ciccarelli ’15, Switzerland.

To read more about Pace University student’s participation in these discussions of contemporary challenges to human rights, click here. For Elena’s in-depth reflections on the committee, click here.

Pace students had an advantage in the Human Rights Council simulation. Prior to the conference the 13 Pace students received a three day certificate course on “Contemporary Challenges to Development and Human Rights” taught by UPeace faculty.

“The course helped put the critical issues surrounding human rights into perspective for me,” said Elena. “I was able to use this knowledge in the Human Rights Council, understanding the gravity of the issues, while also representing Belgium.”

Pace University New York City Model United Nations students at the Monument for Disarmament, Work and Peace on the UN University for Peace’s campus in Costa Rica.

Led by Mihir Kanade, Director of the UPeace Human Rights Center, the course gave students an intensive look at the role of international financial insititutions, legal norms on forced migration and humanitarianism in conflict. It included a field visit to La Carpio, a settlement of Nicaraguan migrants in San Jose, where students interacted with the community and met staff and volunteers of the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation.

For Elena’s reflections on the human rights training, click here. She also wrote about what she learned from the visit to La Carpio, to read her blog on it, click here.

The UPeace conference also made an especial effort to ensure participants were aware of cultural, linguistic, national diversity. Students were encouraged to be inclusive and sensitive to difference.

The UPeace conference opened with an address from US Ambassador to Costa Rica, Anne Slaughter Andrew, who told participants that she looked forward to the day that diplomats like her would not be introduced as the “first woman ambassador to Costa Rica.” The Model UN simulation, she said, offered an “great opportunity” to gain experience in “how challenging it is to cross cultures” and the skills for international service.

This was particularly true in the simulation of the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), in which students were challenged to take seriously the gender dimensions of international politics.

Katie James ’14, Pace University New York City Model United Nations head delegate, discusses her countries’ positions to a ‘journalist’ in a simulation of UN Women at the 2013 UN University for Peace Model UN conference in Costa Rica. Photo by UPMUNC Media, used with permission.

“This semester, I was enrolled in a feminist theory class, where I learned about the political implications of feminism, which has made me interested in the role of the United Nations in promoting women’s rights,” said Katie James ’14, a head delegate who who was recognized with the award for “Most Diplomatic” delegate for her representation of Switzerland in the UN Women simulation. “I found the conference a gateway to learning more about understanding the importance of a world perspective.”

Also in the UN Women committee were Amanda Orcutt ’13, representing Djibouti and Fatima Mustafa ’15, Saudi Arabia. To learn more about their discussions on the protection of the rights of women and other civilians in conflict, click here.

“We are deeply grateful to the University for Peace for welcoming us to their campus and organizing such an impressive conference,” said Dr. Emily Welty, director of peace and justice studies at Pace University New York City, who co-led the trip with Dr. Bolton. “Our experience at UPeace was an excellent complement to our efforts at Pace to educate students about global peace and justice issues.”

The United Nations University for Peace is a UN-mandated university founded in 1980 to “provide humanity with an international institution of higher education for peace.” Its location just outside San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica has symbolic meaning. Costa Rica has been a global leader in peace and social justice issues since it abolished the death penalty in 1882 and its army in 1942.

Located only two express subway stops from the iconic United Nations complex on the East River, Pace University’s New York City Model UN program has a 60-year history of excellence in regional, national and international conferences. Model UN at Pace is uniquely integrated into the political science curriculum within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and aims to encourage students to develop wisdom, knowledge, skills and community for global citizenship and vocation.

Pace University New York City Model United Nations head delegate Kimberly Alonso ’13, on the campus of the UN University for Peace at their 2013 Model UN conference in Costa Rica.

The Pace University New York City Model United Nations program has always inspired me to challenge myself and to learn about the world from a different perspective. At the 2013 University for Peace Model United Nations Conference I decided to adopt a new challenge. Instead of participating as a delegate for my fourth time, I chose to attend as a journalist playing the role of representing the Huffington Post.  

I had never competed as a journalist in any conference, but as a communications major, I wanted to explore a role that related to my passion of media and its role in international relations. With mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement, I began my first day of conference with a slow start. Instead of passionately debating my country’s policy, I walked around committees and watched others debate. While committees set their agenda topics, I was free to create my own.

This new role was confusing, yet I quickly began to enjoy the power to report whatever the Huffington Post wanted. By the second day of conference, I found myself devoted to reporting as many updates as possible about the crisis simulation. Throughout the day, I was leading press conferences in the Security Council and challenging delegates in the Economic and Social Council to answer tough questions about the crisis.

On the final day of conference, I was comfortable in my new role and sad to see the experience come to an end. Prior to this conference, I have always stressed the importance of media in international relations. As a journalist at the UPeace conference, I certainly learned the power the media can have in international politics. As a member of the Pace Model UN team, I continue to tackle every challenge with excitement and an open mind.

To read more about Pace University’s participation in the UPeace conference, click here. For more about the role of media and civil society representatives in the UPeace conference, click here. To read Kimberley’s reporting from the UPeace conference, click here.

– Kimberly Alonso ’13, Pace University New York City Model UN head delegate.

Pace University New York City Model United Nations students watch a presentation by members of the La Carpio community, dramatizing their migration from Nicaragua, at the Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation. March 2013.

Before participating in the 2013 University for Peace Model United Nations Conference in Costa Rica, UPeace faculty gave Pace University New York City Model UN students a three-day training in contemporary human rights issues. This included a trip to the Nicaraguan migrant neighborhood La Carpio on the outskirts of the capital San Jose, which was an enlightening experience for me.

Having watched many documentaries about poverty and structural violence, I had prepared myself for our trip by expecting the stereotypical image of poverty that is depicted in documentaries and advertisements for charities and humanitarian organizations. When we arrived, I was a bit taken aback by the community because it changed the way I view poverty.

From my visit to La Carpio I now understand that poverty is not only defined by the poorest of the poor or by a baseline. Instead, poverty has many levels, tiers, and complex intricacies. As Dr. Emily Welty, Pace University New York City’s director of peace and justice studies, helped me understand, we should not define poverty as those who do not have what “we” have. In understanding poverty, we must recognize that people in different areas of the world need different things and that there is no single standard for evaluating poverty.

Aside from this theoretical insight, I also found that the trip to La Carpio helped put the many topics we often discuss in Model UN into perspective. A difficulty of the Model UN simulation is that participants do not always feel connected to the topics. Without this, it is easy to forget the reality of them.

The trip to La Carpio helped me understand the gravity and humanity of all the topics we discuss in committee on a personal level. While sitting in a committee room it is easy to debate over semantics and lose sight of the actual issue. When confronted with the reality of poverty I was reminded that the issues concerning international institutions affect real people every day.

To learn more about Pace University’s participation in the Human Rights Council simulation at the UN University for Peace, click here. To read more about Pace University’s participation in the UPeace conference, including other committees such as the UN Women and the Security Council, click here.

– Elena Marmo ’15, Pace University New York City Model UN head delegate.

 If you wish to apply, you must turn in your application form by midnight Monday 8 April 2013 by email to mbolton@pace.edu

The candidates who are eligible to run will then give speeches and answer questions from the Model UN participants on Monday 15 April, when we will also hold our ballot. The top candidates in the election will be interviewed over the following week. Model UN participants will also have the opportunity to sustain (or not sustain) currently serving head delegates.

If you have further questions about this process please contact Dr. Matthew Bolton, faculty adviser, mbolton@pace.edu, 212 346 1828

Elena Marmo ’15, Pace University New York City Model United Nations head delegate, at the 2013 UN University for Peace Model UN Conference in Costa Rica.

As a political science major and peace and justice studies minor, issues regarding human rights are very important to me. Before participating in the 2013 University for Peace Model UN Conference in Costa Rica, UPeace faculty gave Pace University New York City students a three-day training in contemporary human rights issues. The course, provided by UPeace’s Human Rights Center was an amazing experience. Because I am passionate about learning and am interested in going to graduate school, I was grateful that the University arranged for a group of undergraduate students to learn from professionals working in the field that they teach in. The material was also very relevant and interesting for me as I then represented the Kingdom of Belgium in a simulation of the Human Rights Council. I felt privileged to learn about many critical issues and ideas that individuals on a graduate level study. I am extremely thankful that I was able to spend time on the UPeace campus engaging with material that is relevant to how I interact with the world. I know that I will continue to engage with the ideas presented to me during my time at UPeace and hopefully conduct more research and learning independently or with our faculty at Pace University.

To learn more about Pace University’s participation in the Human Rights Council simulation at the UN University for Peace, click here.

For more about Pace University’s participation in the UPeace conference generally, including other committees such as UN Women and the Security Council, click here.

– Elena Marmo ’15, Pace University New York City Model UN head delegate.

Pace University New York City Model UN students (left to right) Brandon Snively ’14, Kelsey McGhee ’14, Nathaniel French ’15, Jean Dorak ’13 and Michael Zona ’13 participated in a simulation of the UN Security Council at the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica.

When the United Nations Security Council meets to deal with the most pressing political issues of our era, time does not conveniently stop until negotiations have been concluded. The world’s most intractable problems are constantly changing, they shift rapidly, becoming more complex, adding new dimensions, or even coming to resolution. By contrast, most Model United Nations conferences effectively have a “time-freeze” the day of the conference and only deal with what has happened in the past.

However, the 2013 Model UN conference of the UN University for Peace, attended by 13 Pace University New York City students, had an ongoing “real-time crisis” dimension, a dynamic simulation of conflict in the Korean penninsula. Participants were given regular “news” updates that they had to respond to in their debates and negotiations. In addition, several students — including Pace student Kimberly Alonso ’13 – were given the role of broadcast, print and web media professionals, who held participants to account for their statements in interviews and peppered them with questions at press conferences.

“The world is a dangerous and volatile place and when its leaders meet with the goal of solving contentious international issues, diplomacy under pressure is absolutely necessary, even as if the situation escalates or slides out of control,” said Michael Zona, a head delegate of the Pace University New York City Model UN program, who was recognized with a “Most Diplomatic” award for his savvy representation of Russia in the conference’s simulation of the Security Council. “The cultures of the world are many in number and form, and in order for different cultures to work together, they must be respectful and forthright.”

Michael, a political science major minoring in history and spanish, from Mission Viejo, California, has been involved in Model UN has a long record of excellence in Model UN conferences. He has been recognized with numerous awards at the University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference (UPMUNC), the National Model UN (NMUN) conferences in New York and in Washington DC, North American Model UN in Toronto (NAMUN), Southern Regional Model UN (SRMUN) in Atlanta and World Model UN in Taipei. He also participated in Model UN all four years in high school. He has interned with several New York politicians, including Mayor Bloomberg, Chuck Schumer, Jerrold Nadler, and Mike Mahon.

Also in the Security Council simulation were Pace students Jean Dorak ’13, Kelsey McGhee ’14, Brandon Snively ’14 and Nathaniel French ’15. The theme of the 2013 UPeace Model UN conference was “The Path to Peace in an Increasingly Global Society.” Participants, a mix of 150 college, graduate school and high school students, hailed from 49 countries, the most diverse ever UPeace conference.

“The crisis dimension of the simulation was exciting as I’ve always wanted to participate in such a conference,” said Jean Dorak, an honors student majoring in political science with minors in queer studies and peace and justice studies. “Representing the People’s Republic of China, I was deeply involved in the negotiations and was quoted in the news updates, which was surreal but gave insight into more aspects of public policy.”

“The experience of seeing how delicate the balance between inside the Security Council and what goes on outside is invaluable,” said Jean. ”I was able to obtain better insight on the relationship between the media, current events and diplomacy and how they affect public policy and negotiations.”

Jean has also participated in Model UN simulations in Geneva, Philadelphia, and Washington DC, where she was recognized with an “Honorable Mention” award. From Commack, New York, Jean is Senior Budget Allocation Advisor on Pace University’s student government and is an intern at the Association for a Better New York.

“It was really interesting to have to deal with an emergency situation and I loved having the media around as it made the simulation that much more real,” said Kelsey McGhee, a political science major minoring in peace and justice studies, from Laurel, Maryland, who represented Australia. “It allowed me to get to know committee members better as we all had to think on our feet.”

Kelsey has been a volunteer with Viziwi, the Diocese of Central Tanganyika Deaf Partnership in Tanzania. She is also treasurer of the New York campus chapter of Amnesty International.

“Being in a crisis simulation enabled me to learn how to prepare impromptu speeches quickly,” said Brandon Snively, a communication studies major from Newark, Delaware, who represented Argentina. “Even though it was higher pressure than other conferences, I enjoyed the  positive work environment and optimistic outlook of the conference.”

Brandon has has participated in Model UN conferences in Philadelphia and New York City, where he won an award for the “Best Position Paper”, representing Tunisia in a simulation of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN. He has been to Costa Rica before, along with several other Model UN students, as a participant in a Semester at Sea focused on the Millenium Development Goals, which also took him to Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Belize last year.

“This conference was simply life-changing and eye-opening,” said Nathaniel French, a political science major from Amesbury, Massachussetts, who represented Azerbaijan in the simulation.

“Participating in a crisis simulation required the utmost diplomacy in every step of the way,” said Nate, Student Government Association president for Pace’s Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, who has participated in Model UN conferences in Philadelphia and New York City, where he won an award for the “Best Position Paper”, representing Tunisia in a simulation of UNESCO. “It enabled me to respond quickly to the situations at hand while also utilizing techniques of we learned in class.”

For more about Pace University’s participation in the UPeace conference, including other committees such as UN Women and the Human Rights Council, click here.

Located only two express subway stops from the iconic United Nations complex on the East River, Pace University’s New York City Model UN program has a 60-year history of excellence in regional, national and international conferences. Model UN at Pace is uniquely integrated into the Political Science curriculum within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and aims to encourage students to develop wisdom, knowledge, skills and community for global citizenship and vocation.