Pace University New York City Model United Nations students demonstrated diplomatic excellence at three conferences this year:

  • Pace students received five awards at the 2018 National Model UN conference in Washington DC (NMUN DC). Read more about their experience here.
  • Seven students participated in the Model UN conference in Rome, Italy (MUN Rome), receiving a “Diplomacy Award” for their representation of the People’s Republic of China. Read more about their experience here.
  • 24 Pace NYC students participated in the 2019 National Model UN conference in New York City (NMUN NY), receiving an “Honorable Mention” delegation award and an Outstanding Position Paper award. Read more about their experience here.

At NMUN NY, Political Science and History major Kannon West spoke passionately about the importance of education from the same UN podium from which heads of state address the world. You can watch the UN WebTV video of him here.

The Model UN experience was one of education and growth for many students. Here are a few indicative reflections from this year’s students:

  • “Model United Nations pushes your limits, tests your morals and encourages you to overcome your fears. Each time I spoke at the podium, each time I was given the chance to amend our resolution to the needs of my country, and each time I negotiated about diplomatic issues, I improved my personal and career development. Model UN discusses global issues that go above and beyond individual needs and individual countries, and that’s why, although it was hardest course I’ve had in my college experience, it was the most valuable and the most influential experience” — Elisona Kadriu
  • “Model UN taught me that you are a lot more capable than you believe, it also taught me the amount of work and time that goes into making international decisions. I think the most important take away for me from MNUN is the notion that you can do whatever you put your mind to and that even things such as foreign policy and debate isn’t that far out of your reach.” — Jacqueline Lemay
  • “After taking this course I not only appreciate the UN in its historical context but now I appreciate it as an institution to be used to promote peace and justice in our world today and the future” — Eli Gernert-Weiler
  • “I have learned that being kind and listening to people’s ideas can do a lot when trying to negotiate and come to a shared understanding and solution. MUN showed me that the only way to get a good solution is to put ideas out there and work through them” — Paige Gilbert
  • “I have gained a lot more confidence in myself and my position as a student. I enjoyed taking part in something bigger than myself and being able to share this experience with students who are from distinctive backgrounds and cultures but have similar aspirations” — Camila Amaya

Numerous Model UN students have posted more detailed reflections on their experiences in Model UN in blogs on this website. Here are a few highlights:

On NMUN DC:

On MUN Rome:

On NMUN NY:

Several past and present Model UN students were able to intern and volunteer with organizations working in and around UN headquarters in New York this year. Students also learned about public and social service careers from guest speakers.. Many of the panelists were Pace NYC Model UN alumni.

The Model UN program is very grateful for the service and leadership of its Head Delegates, students who act as peer leaders and co-teachers of the class: Joseph Colella, Mary-Lynn Hearn, Katherine Ketterer, Seneca Forch.

Faculty advisor Dr. Matthew Bolton is going on sabbatical in the 2019/2020 academic year and so he will be handing over leadership of the Model UN program to Professor Paul Londrigan, who currently advises the Pace Pleasantville Model UN program.

The Model UN program also benefited from support from the New York City Political Science department, including the chair, Dr. Amy Freedman, who also accompanied the trip to Rome. Dr. Aileen Cardona helped accompany the students to NMUN DC; Dr. Kiku Huckle, helped with NMUN NY. The program would not be possible without the generous funding from Pace University’s Dyson College of Arts and Sciences.

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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 65-year history of excellence in regional, national and international conferences. Model UN at Pace is a class, 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 vocation and citizenship.

Pace’s involvement in Model UN is indicative of the university’s broader engagement with the UN. Notably, Pace students and faculty participated in the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize-winning advocacy of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).  In the last few years, students and faculty have  also worked closely, particularly with civil society, in the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Commission on the Status of Women, Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, UN General Assembly First CommitteeConvention on Certain Conventional Weapons and Arms Trade Treaty. In 2016, Pace University was featured in a report by then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, recognizing its “growing role in disarmament education.”