Auburn Model United Nations team participates in spring events

The Auburn Model United Nations, or UN, team hosted its inaugural Auburn Model United Nations Invitational in February, bringing students from high schools across the region to participate in a simulation of the United Nations General Assembly. Students were tasked with role-playing as member states of the United Nations and to collaborate on the protection of natural resources both globally and within individual member-states.

Funds raised during Tiger Giving Day 2022 helped support the students’ travel expenses. With a successful first conference under its belt, the AU Model United Nations team plans to host a second invitational in October 2023 with hopes of expanding the event to more schools.

Auburn Model United Nations team members competed in the annual Southern Regional Model United Nations competition held in Charlotte, North Carolina, from March 24-26. Team members were tasked with role-playing as delegates for the nations of Ghana and Mexico on a range of UN committees, including the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly Plenary and the International Organization for Migration. During the three-day competition, Auburn’s delegations were recognized with multiple honors, including Best Delegation for Mexico on the General Assembly Plenary, Best Delegation for Ghana on the International Organization for Migration and Honorable Overall Delegation for the full delegation representing Ghana.

Auburn’s Model United Nations team is housed in the Department of Political Science, which provides funding for travel to competitions. This year’s competing members included team preisdent Mallory Kiger, Eli Burnes, Colby Axelberd, River Dunlap, Hudson Defee, Victor Sutton, Emma Pettey, Sara Barbato, Rafael Olivier, Olivia Addis, Garrett Scott and Max Van Horn. The team’s faculty advisor is Matthew Clary, senior lecturer of political science.