A whole new world
LR delegation attends Southern Regional Model UN Conference
In March, Cynthia Combs, Ph.D., adjunct professor of political science and Model United Nations club sponsor, brought her global issues class a unique opportunity – a chance to attend the 2024 Southern Regional Model United Nations Conference (SRMUN) in Charlotte, NC, and spend three days experiencing the world diplomatic process.
“I am very proud of the team of students who participated at SRMUN. Only one of the students had experience with a conference such as this, but as they worked together, they not only moved out of their comfort zones, they took a massive step towards becoming global citizens,” Combs remarked. “Thanks to the team members’ diverse backgrounds, they were able to build skills and interests that could lead to monumental changes in the long term.”
Model United Nations combines the principles of the United Nations – collaboration, diplomacy, compromise, and justice – with skills such as public speaking, writing, time management and collaboration. Delegations, or teams, can come from high school, undergraduate or graduate programs. The SRMUN mimics the structure of the United Nations and includes versions of the Security Council, General Assembly, World Trade Organization and World Health Organization.
“There were lots of engaging opportunities at SRMUN Charlotte 2024. In addition to networking with leaders from other colleges & universities, I helped to resolve real-world concerns,” said human-resource management major Jose Rico-Martinez ’25. “I am excited for future Model UN experiences and thank Dr. Combs and my peers for providing me with the opportunity to participate in this conference. It was so eye-opening.”
LR delegates prepared for the conference by researching topics, drafting resolutions, and practicing simulations and committee etiquette. At the conference – representing the Dominican Republic and St. Vincent & the Grenadines – the delegates put their skills to work with students from around the country to address topics such as cybersecurity, drug-based crime, environmental sustainability, climate change, and international security.
Politics and international relations major Anna Vielman ’25 shared, “Model UN is an experience that I encourage everyone to pursue at least once in their lifetime. SRMUN is an ideal outlet as it provides students with an accessible way to explore diplomatic peace, network with students from so many universities and enjoy the fulfillment from being immersed in an environment like this.”
For Vielman, the connections she has made with Model UN students from other institutions have proven especially valuable.
“I have made so many friends – ones I still text with – from these conferences. Many I met as their country delegation before knowing their name, which is fun to have that memory,” she shared. “You meet people from so many different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and experiences. It’s such a beautiful melting pot.”
In April, members of the university’s Model UN team will attend a week-long conference in Salamanca, Spain, where four students will be traveling with club advisor and Spanish professor Eric Schramm, Ph.D. This conference will address climate change, economic development, refugees, and other global challenges. In November, the team will be traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to participate in the fall SRMUN conference.
