A group of six Elizabethtown College students attended the 2023 National Model United Nations Conference in New York City on April 2 through 6. Etown’s delegation of Timothy Mackall ’24, Ryan Horst ’24, Kayla Schultz ’23, Aaron Ghee ’25, Jamie Hallman ’24, and Misaki Yamaguchi ’24 represented the Republic of Cyprus with each student serving as a Diplomat in separate committees.

“These students’ can-do spirit, sense of responsibility, as well as excellent interpersonal communication skills ensured that our delegation did their best to represent the Republic of Cyprus and helped pass resolutions that addressed many of the contemporary problems that we face in the international community,” Elizabethtown College Professor of Political Science, Endowed Chair of International Studies Oya Dursun-Özkanca said. “They were able to hone their verbal and written communication, negotiation, bargaining, and teamwork skills, which are transferable skills that can be used in any post-graduation context.”

Etown’s student delegates at the conference were all members of Dursun-Özkanca’s PS 332 – Model United Nations course this spring. In preparation for the conference, the students studied the history and the organizational structure of the UN as well as delved into a detailed study of the history, government, economics, and foreign policy of Cyprus.

“At the Model UN Conference, I learned that leadership is a skill available to everyone,” Head Delegate for Etown Timothy Mackall ’24 explained. “We all come with different strengths and abilities, and the key to being a good leader is seizing the opportunities that play to your strengths and having the humility to recognize situations that demand the strengths of others. It is a personally and professionally beneficial lesson because it allows people to practice leadership in the most efficient, practical, and comfortable way possible.”

National Model UN (NMUN) is one of the oldest and the most prestigious national Model UN conferences in the U.S. This year, more than 2,500 student delegates from around the world attended the conference with the closing ceremony being held at the prestigious United Nations General Assembly Hall. 

This experiential learning opportunity provides participants with a simulation of the negotiations that take place in the leading committees of the UN and allows students to gain first-hand insight into the UN’s decision-making procedures on a variety of topics ranging from rural economic development to disarmament.

“My favorite aspect of the trip would be getting to meet other delegations from different parts of the world,” Ryan Horst ’24 said. “It was a genuinely fascinating experience to get to work with other delegations from outside the U.S. and learn how their cultures and beliefs differed from our own. Being able to participate in this conference and getting the experience of working in a legislative body will better help me prepare for participating in local or state politics, which is what I aim to achieve as a part of my career goals.”

Etown’s participation in the conference was made possible through the financial support of the 

Center for Global Understanding and Peacemaking (CGUP), which develops and facilitates programs advancing global understanding, international engagement, and non-violent conflict transformation.