The Model UN Society hosted its first general meeting this past week, providing information on upcoming plans for local competition during the next school year. Faculty Advisor Matthias Hofferberth welcomed a group of aspiring diplomats, as both seasoned members and curious newcomers were drawn to the world of international relations and diplomatic simulation. The meeting was led primarily by Secretary General Eden Dill and outlined a packed semester ahead.
Students interested in testing their communication skills will not have to wait long for action. The club announced registration is now open for the upcoming Alamo Conference, hosted at UT San Antonio. This local conference provides an accessible entry point for new members while offering experienced participants a chance to sharpen their debate and negotiation skills.
The club meets every other week for general meetings. From research techniques to general protocol, the first half of the semester will feature a series of workshops designed to build essential Model UN skills. The workshops provided through October and November are meant to prepare new students for the Alamo Conference set to take place Nov. 21-23.
For members seeking the ultimate Model UN experience, Dill announced the club’s most exciting opportunity: participating in the National Model UN Conference in New York City from March 29 to April 2. This prestigious event represents the pinnacle of collegiate Model UN competition, bringing together top delegations from universities across the country.
The conference in New York offers a unique experience for dedicated members to compete on the national stage within the atmosphere of the United Nations’ home city. Fortunately, it won’t be the first time UT San Antonio was represented at the National Model UN conference. In 2023, students competed as delegates from Slovenia.
Reflecting on her experience with the club, Dill highlighted the impact on career preparation and growth.
“Of course, professional development.” she said. “I have become so much more comfortable speaking in front of people. Model United Nations is really all about simulating diplomacy and collaboration. The end goal of a conference is to create a document, a resolution, that helps solve the issue at hand and also serves every nation’s individual needs. So it’s really important that we can understand each other, but also have a good understanding of what you personally need.”
Dill explained that due to the nature of Model UN, it is a great way to make connections with the people around you. “I also made a lot of friends. I think people are really nice, [and] it really built a sense of community. I think that happens naturally, because you’re all working together and collaborating, so you get close to the people you’re with, and it’s a lot of fun.”
The club played a game of “Jeopardy” at the end of the meeting. There are two scheduled social events before the Alamo Conference; the first is on Oct. 7 and the other is on Nov. 4.
With opportunities ranging from local competition to national recognition, the Model UN Society is positioning itself as a premier organization for students interested in diplomacy, international affairs, and global leadership or those simply interested in finding a fun group to have engaging conversations with.
Dill made it clear that anyone is welcome, regardless of major or career interest.
“I’m now a microbiology major, but I have a Global Affairs minor too. I did not start with that,” Dill said, “That came from Model UN, so it kind of helped me see the importance of policy and how much of an impact that makes in the world, which was huge for me.”
The Model UN Society hosts meetings every other Wednesday in McKinney Humanities 02.01.04. Students interested in joining can contact the club through Instagram (@utsa_muns) for information about upcoming meetings and workshop schedules as they prepare for both the Alamo Conference and the potential journey to New York.
