International Relations Wins Award at Model UN 2024

The IR Department is proud to announce that this year’s Model United Nations team, representing the Republic of Armenia and the Arab Republic of Egypt, won a coveted Slanczka Award for Excellence in Diplomacy in representing the Arab Republic of Egypt at the 73rd Annual MUNFW Conference. This year’s theme was focused on human security and the world’s collective responsibilities in the twenty-first century. SFSU IR Delegates staffed the General Assembly, First Committee, IOM and FAO Committees and worked to arrive at solutions in preventing genocide, the threat posed by new generations of nuclear and AI-based weapons systems, maritime security and structural inequality. For the International Organization on Migration, the committee’s agenda included development and maintenance of safe migration pathways, addressing the needs of the forcibly displaced and migrant workers while the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) worked hard to reduce the impact of conflict on food chains, protecting the rights of women in food systems and sustainability.

This year’s team was led by Dan Buschmeyer and included Kenza Idrissi, Roland Petty, Lexy Johnstone, Pich Moni Neath Lay, Adjani DeRook, and Zen Lewis.  Model UN is a key elective for students studying IR and is open to students from all majors.  Students will acquire advanced skills in UN research, writing, debate and collaboration on topics of global importance.  MUNFW is the oldest and most prestigious Model UN on the west coast and held its conference April 19-23 at the Burlingame Hyatt Regency Hotel.  Next year’s conference preparation will commence in late October.  Inquiries should be directed to IR Professor Burcu Ellis at bellis@sfsu.edu