In recognition of their exemplary performance at the 2018 National Model United Nations (NMUN) in Washington D.C. last November 9 to 11, DLSU’s delegation bagged a total of seven awards, including its Honorable Mention Delegation Award. The group also earned distinction at each committee level, garnering several Outstanding Position Paper awards and Outstanding Delegate awards.
On the other hand, the delegation’s position papers for the General Assembly First Committee, the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Economic and Social Council Plenary, and the International Organization for Migration were recognized as Outstanding Position Papers.
Finally, Pio Alfonso, Dave Mayo, Selena Gonzales, and Patrick Ranchez were awarded as Outstanding Delegates. Alfonso and Mayo were representatives to the Security Council, while Gonzales and Ranchez worked in the HRC.
Photo courtesy of NMUN DC 2018 delegates
The road to DC
Prior to the event, the delegation underwent five months of training under the DLSU Model United Nations Society (MUNSoc). Nikki Santamaria, MUNSoc President and one of the people in charge of the delegation’s training, explained that they focused on honing the delegates’ individual skills across four key areas: research, writing, speaking, and negotiating.
Although the training team regularly executes a variety of activities to gauge the delegates’ progress, the delegates needed to do their part as well to ensure both their individual success and that of the whole delegation. “No matter how much we try to motivate the delegates, initiative is something they have to sustain themselves and it’s crucial to have that when preparing for the conference,” Santamaria emphasized.
Head Delegate Frances Castro shared Santamaria’s sentiments, even going as far as to say that the “trainings were so crucial that missing just one session is like missing a major class as well.” Additionally, the delegates’ commitment to their work made it challenging to balance academics, other extracurricular activities, and time with family and friends.
At the end of the day, Castro would be the one to encourage the delegation to keep going: “I have to be the first person to snap out of it and remind the delegation—even myself—the reason why we joined NMUN D.C., and that is for growth and fulfillment.”
The 10-man delegation composed of Mel Racela, Margarita dela Cruz, Joshua Cruzada, Ma. Charla de Vera, Victoria Lagera, Alfonso, Mayo, Gonzales, Ranchez, and Castro collectively represented the United Kingdom across the different committees. Allen Surla and Patrick Kahn, meanwhile, served as the team’s faculty advisers.
This year’s delegation is the fifth batch of DLSU students to be sent to NMUN DC, which brings together more than 900 university students from around the world. The event gives delegates the opportunity to participate in simulated UN committees, tackling pertinent international issues. Other NMUN conferences are also held in New York, China, Germany, and Japan.
