Fresno State’s Model United Nations team received several awards at the 75th Model United Nations of the Far West Conference, held April 17 to 21 in San Francisco.
Fresno State was among 22 universities that represented 52 countries on UN committees that involved negotiation, diplomacy and critical thinking skills to address pressing global challenges.
For the first time, a Fresno State delegation received the Opening Plenary Speaker Award for exemplary pre-conference materials. Republic of Korea delegation member Zoe Stacy delivered the speech, co-written with teammate Pricila Cenobio, on behalf of the team that also included students Amy Gong and Juliana Martinez. Their team also received the Art and Practice of Diplomacy award.
The Security Council delegation, which included Fresno State student Leonardo De Alba, received the Mike McBride Outstanding Resolution Certificate. The award is given to the committee that produced the highest quality resolution and demonstrated excellence in cooperation, creative and critical thinking, and legislative writing.
Other students who participated in the event included: Matthew Anderson, Jayda Brown, Allen Bryan, Jasmine Cortes and Alfonso Elenes Rodriguez.
Fresno State participants represented three countries – Bahrain, the Republic of Korea and Mexico – and served on various United Nations committees.
Many of the 300 students that participated interacted with consular representatives from the countries they represented, as well as with other experts in diplomacy and international relations.
A special opening plenary session featured an address by António Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations. The event was held at the historic Herbst Theatre at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House, where the Charter of the United Nations was signed in 1945. Six years later, the Model United Nations simulation program was created for university students in 1951.
Political science faculty Dr. Nataliia Kasianenko served as Fresno State’s faculty adviser and coach this year, with co-adviser Dr. Melanie Ram also attending. Preparation for the event is tied to the Fresno State Model UN class (PLSI 128T), taught by Kasianenko, who alternates with Ram as the instructor each spring.
One student team member, Anderson, attended last year’s event and helped coach the team. Aidan Boyles, another former participant and who is a Fresno State graduate student, attended weekly class meetings to help coach the students.
“This class is truly unique,” Dr. Nataliia Kasianenko said, “and students with an interest in foreign affairs and international relations cite the Model UN competition as a highlight experience. They gain in-depth knowledge, learn valuable skills of negotiation and diplomacy, get an opportunity to meet real diplomats and build connections that could help advance their careers.”
