Washburn University Team Wins Distinguished Delegation Award at National Model United Nations Conference

Topeka, Kan. – The Washburn University Model United Nations team forged a path toward positive global change at the annual National Model United Nations (NMUN) New York Conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. The team won a Distinguished Delegation award for their work as delegates for Romania, a country assigned to them by the NMUN a year in advance. This is the second highest honor available at the conference.

“Winning a Distinguished Delegation award at the New York conference is a testament to our students. They capitalized on lessons learned from previous conferences, put in the work and used this opportunity to gain more experience and expertise,” said Dr. Kris Ailslieger, faculty advisor for Washburn Model UN and adjunct instructor for political science, Washburn University.

This is the third conference the Washburn team has attended since it became an official organization in 2022. The team gained experience at the 2023 NMUN Germany Conference in Erfurt, Germany, and the 2023 NMUN New York Conference.

Elizabeth Cox, political science major from Dodge City, Kan., said, “As a political science major who wants to be a lawyer, joining the Model UN team has helped me refine a variety of skills, like research, public speaking and teamwork, that will be useful throughout my life.”

In preparation for the conference, the nine-member team researched Romania and the various issues currently affecting the country. The students then submitted written position papers to the NMUN detailing Romania’s stance on each issue.

While in New York City and before the conference, the Washburn team met with personnel from the Romanian Mission to the UN, including deputy ambassador Dr. Andreea Mocanu. Members of the Romanian delegation provided feedback on their work, utilizing it with other student-led delegations to create solutions and improve ideas to benefit multiple countries.

The Washburn team focused on topics such as human rights and the protection of children in conflict areas, implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a plan that was adopted at the 2022 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, and international politics.

Emma Anderson, political science major from Lincoln, Neb., said, “Every time I go to these conferences, it always amazes me to see the brilliance of my generation working together and transcending differences to find a middle ground.”

Anderson continued, “The experience has bridged the gap with what I learn in the classroom. I’ve gained so much more knowledge about how the UN works and how international policies are created.”

The NMUN is the world's largest, most prestigious and diverse university-level Model UN organization. The organization hosts conferences multiple times a year in a variety of countries, which draw participants from more than 100 UN member states. The NMUN offers three award categories of recognition: Outstanding, Distinguished and Honorable Mention. Roughly 20% of the delegations are recognized in each category.

“The Washburn Model UN team did a great job representing the country of Romania at the conference in New York. They have spent countless hours studying issues being considered by the UN and writing and presenting impactful and persuasive position papers,” said Dr. Bob Beatty, professor and chair of political science, Washburn University.

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