Students from Florida Atlantic University's Leon Charney Diplomacy Program traveled to New York City from April 5 to 11 to participate in the National Model United Nations conference. During the week, Tzili Charney met with the delegation, while Dr. Luisa Turbino Torres, Associate Director of the program, accompanied and supported the students throughout the competition.
Representing Brazil and Latvia across twenty-three committees, each addressing two real-world topics, the delegation earned the Distinguished Delegation award along with multiple individual honors for academic excellence. Tzili Charney spent time with the students, listening to their experiences and sitting in on committee sessions to see their work firsthand. Students shared how Leon Charney’s people-centered approach continues to shape their understanding of diplomacy and collaboration.
Mathieu Ceccaldi, from France
At NMUN New York, I learned to escape my comfort zone, to talk to people, draft papers, make speeches, and discovered that, with enough effort, even a single delegate like me could shift a committee’s entire direction and achieve success. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the Leon Charney Diplomacy Program, which gave me the opportunity not only to participate in this amazing event, but also to thrive in it, thanks to the teaching of my professor and peers.
Sebastian Diaz, from Homestead, Florida
My time in the Florida Atlantic Leon Charney Diplomacy Program further enabled me with a level of respect for international assembly. Spending time in committee, writing resolutions with folks from around the world, reminded me of the responsibility we hold as students and future diplomats to do more listening than speaking.
Benjamin Skinner, from Palm Coast, Florida
National Model United Nations provides a foundational experience for students seeking knowledge in diplomacy, international relations, and collaboration amongst people who may oppose them. Through conferences in Washington, DC and New York, it offers vital experience in working with people from different regions across the world, creating lasting friendships whilst teaching valuable lessons in negotiation and compromise. Those who seek experience in diplomacy and the process of collaboration will find participation highly valuable, with the lifelong learning that accompanies it.