Model UN Team Makes Good Showing at Conference

BY: Jessica Budin and Dr. Paul Vasquez 

From September 16^th -19^th, University of Central Florida’s Model United Nations team visited Florida State University to participate in NoleMUN I, where UCF’s delegates had an exciting and enriching experience.  While in Tallahassee, team members participated in activities that ranged from investigating the role of multinational corporations in the development of the global south to debating the development of outer space to crashing the Holy Roman Empire’s economy. NoleMUN I was the first ranked conference of the year and Florida State University’s first time hosting this conference, which was hosted by FSU’s World Affairs Program and brought delegates from all over the Southeastern circuit together to debate and learn while participating in various committees.  Our delegates participated in four of the seven committees: “General Assembly, The Special Political and Decolonization Committee (SPECPOL)”, “Avatar the Last Airbender: The Blitz of Ba Sing Se”, “Court of Archduke Ferdinand I: Council of State 1535”, and “Ad Hoc of the Secretary General”.

Kyle Tavoletti was named Outstanding Delegate as Paku in the “Avatar the Last Airbender: The Blitz of Ba Sing Se” Committee.

Although this was the first conference held in-person for almost all the delegates, and the very first one ever participated in for some, all UCF delegates in attendance performed admirably, and they learned from the experience.  A few Knights received official recognition for their performance.  Kyle Tavoletti, a double major in Political Science and Secondary Education, was named Outstanding Delegate as Paku in the “Avatar the Last Airbender: The Blitz of Ba Sing Se” Committee.  Additionally, Eric Hardman, an International and Global Studies Major and Executive Vice President, received a verbal commendation for his representation of German banker Lord Anton Fugger, in the “Court of Archduke Ferdinand I: Council of State 1535” Committee. In addition to these and other individual characters who were represented, the team members also represented the countries of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and France in the General Assembly at NoleMUN I.

With an eye toward upcoming events, the Model U.N. teams will be hosting KnightMUN from October 15th-17^th, and volunteers for it would certainly be appreciated.  Also, they are preparing for the Southern Regional competition, SRMUN, in Atlanta, Georgia from November 18th-20^th.

The Model U.N. team, led by Team Captain Eric Hardman, seeks to help students apply their knowledge and skills practically, developing their public speaking, debate, research, quick thinking and writing talents while having a lot of fun and networking with other similarly inclined students in the process. The team is organized within the United Nations Association (UNA) chapter at UCF, directed by President Jessica Budin, an International and Global Studies Major and Mass Media Minor. The club is open to students of all majors, levels of interest and experience, and new students are welcome to join.  On Tuesdays, the UNA chapter has its general meetings from 7:00-8:00 PM in Room 213 of Building Administration 1 (BA1).  On Wednesdays, the Model U.N. team members meet to train and practice in Room 204 of the Math and Science Building (MSB) from 7:00-8:00PM.

To keep up to date with the UNA Chapter and the Model U.N. team, their updates and announcements can be found at the following site: https://discord.gg/hFUfMeYqh8.