Model United Nation Team represents HSU at third Dallas-Fort Worth Model United Nations conference

(ABILENE, Texas)– On Sept. 21, the Hardin-Simmons Leadership Program’s Model United Nations (MUN) team attended the Dallas-Fort Worth Model United Nations (DFWMUN) conference at UT Dallas. Two HSU students returned to campus having received individual honors, and the entire team represented Hardin-Simmons with excellent problem-solving, communication, negotiation, diplomacy, conflict resolution, teamwork, and leadership skills, which the program emphasizes.

The conference was DFWMUN’s third annual conference and provided local universities to compete against other Texas MUN teams. At the one-day conference, HSU students Alex Hudson and Noah Jones were awarded Distinguished Delegate in the Security Council and Outstanding Delegate in the General Assembly, respectively.

Students from around Texas arrived at UT Dallas on Saturday morning and participated in a full day of debate, research, and discussion. According to their Facebook page, “DFWMUN is dedicated to educating students on the international negotiation processes used by the United Nations regarding important international affairs.”

Preparing for Success

Each year, the Leadership Studies Program hosts the Texas Crisis Simulation Workshop, which allows HSU students to participate in a Model United Nations experience.

“The reason why I decided to begin doing MUN is that I believe the skills you use in these conferences are incredibly valuable in the world outside of college. Conflict resolution and people skills are key,” says Jones, a junior at HSU.

Jones is highly active in local politics. “With politics,” he states, “I have always had a strong desire to improve the world around me, and I see politics as the best way to do that on a large scale.” For students around the world, Model United Nations is a way to learn about politics and gain experience if they wish to pursue political careers later in life.

HSU Model United Nations

The HSU MUN program has a long history on campus. After a hiatus in the 2000s, the Leadership Studies Program reinstated the MUN team for the 2012-2013 school year. Through the MUN program, students learn how the United Nations operates and what roles it plays in international affairs. Participants also research and debate global issues dealing in Health, education, economics, law, security, and human rights at MUN conferences around the world.

“Through the MUN experience, students practice working together to derive solutions to complex geopolitical problems, develop an appreciation for cultures and national differences, and gain an understanding of careers in diplomacy and international affairs,” states the Leadership Studies page of the HSU website. “The MUN experience has proved itself to be a valuable addition to the Leadership Studies Program at HSU.”

To learn more about the Leadership Studies Program, visit the HSU Leadership Studies page.