Model UN students solve international problems at conference in London

Seven Model United Nations (MUN) students, accompanied by Professor Jeffrey Roberg, traveled to London, England to compete in the London International Model United Nations conference on Feb. 20-26.

MUN students and Prof. Roberg in front of Buckingham Palace in London, England. Carthage MUN students were among 1,100 students from almost 100 countries and 60 colleges and universities across the world who worked to solve global problems and tried to “get their way.”

With very little sleep, but good diplomatic skills, the following students participated in the conference:

• Tyler Kelly ’24 represented Turkey in the IMF (International Monetary Fund)
• Michael Malyszek ’25 represented Hungary in the NATO (North American Treaty Organization)
• Greyson Salvadore ’27 represented the United States on the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific. and Cultural Organization)
• Brandon Swensen ’26 represented Australia on the ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council)
• Nathan Swensen ’26 represented Vietnam on the SPECPOL (Special Political and Decolonization Committee)
• Emily Van Dixhorn ’26 represented Singapore on the UNDRR (Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)
• Maya Zenner ’25 represented Djibouti on the ECOSOC

Model United Nations students at the London International Model United Nations conference opening reception. They tackled issues of international importance such as: reforming the IMF, strengthening Euro-Atlantic security with NATO partners in the Indo-Pacific, integrating AI to support sustainable economic development, safeguarding world heritage sites in conflict areas, supporting humanitarian efforts within the Yemeni Civil War, the question of involuntary migration due to climate-induced disasters, and how to use technology in mitigating and preventing climate-induced disasters.

Congratulations to all of our members for their great work! Please congratulate all of these students for their excellent efforts should you see them! They were a great team!

These students represent 13 majors and minors from across the College, including art history, business administration, Chinese, criminal justice, data science, economics, finance, graphic design, history, international political economy, political science, social justice, and social work.

MUN students and Prof. Roberg in front of Big Ben in London, England.

Brandon Swensen ’26 (left) and Maya Zenner ’25 (right) on the ECOSOC.

Emily Van Dixhorn ’26 representing Singapore on the UNDRR.

Nathan Swensen ’26 representing Vietnam on the SPECPOL.

From left to right: Greyson Salvadore ’27, Maya Zenner ’25, and Emily Van Dixhorn ’26.

Nathan Swensen ’26 (left) and Brandon Swensen ’26 (right).

Emily Van Dixhorn ’26 (left) and Maya Zenner ’25 (right).

Front row (left to right): Tyler Kelly ’24, Emily Van Dixhorn ’26, and Greyson Salvadore ’27. Back row (left to right): Michael Malyszek ’25, Brandon Swensen ’26, Maya Zenner ’25, and Nathan Swensen ’26.

MUN students and Prof. Roberg at the London International Model United Nations conference closing ceremony.

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MUN helps students to sharpen their “hard” and “soft” skills through research, writing, public speaking (in front of large groups), and diplomacy (by working in smaller groups). In addition to helping students build and refine these skills, they also see an increase in confidence in presenting their views in a potentially stressful environment. MUN is open to students of all majors.

Sponsoring Department, Office, or Organization:

Model United Nations

For more information, contact:

Jeffrey Roberg: jroberg@carthage.edu