The University of Lynchburg’s Model UN delegation, representing Sierra Leone, has won an honorable mention for its efforts.
The National Model United Nations, held from April 1-5, is the world’s largest intercollegiate Model UN simulation. It brings together almost 5,000 students from around the world, with more than half coming from outside the United States. Lynchburg has sent a delegation for almost 50 years.
“Led by Head Delegate Samantha Schatzman ’25, the students participated in four days of diplomacy and negotiation with other university students from around the world, including schools in Europe, South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa,” said Dr. David Richards, associate professor of international relations and political science.
Lynchburg’s delegates were split among different committees focused on various problems. In the Security Council, Kyle Thaller ’25 and Jennifer Twark ’27 sponsored four resolutions and helped pass two additional resolutions.
Matthew Glass ’24 and Oluwatimilehin Mayowa ’27 made written contributions to both of the resolutions passed in the International Atomic Energy Agency committee. Ellie Simmers ’27 was one of six members who submitted the first draft resolution in the UNEA, which was passed by consensus.
Fernanda Evangelista ’27, Tucker Davis ’24, Spencer Newman ’24, Lyeba Sehgal ’26, Sofia Huajardo ’25, and Yujan Dulal ’27 all contributed to final resolutions in their respective committees.
“I was excited to go there,” said Dulal, who had participated in Model UN conferences in his home country of Nepal. “Out of my 41 Model UN experiences before this, I had never represented Sierra Leone and I was excited for that.”
The team began working months ahead to prepare for the conference. “Starting from the winter break, we had already started doing research about the country and … we already had our topics revealed,” Dulal said.
“I believe that I’ve learnt a lot about negotiation, research, [and] public speaking. Since I also want to be a diplomat in the future, I believe that having this experience under my belt has helped me see the side of international relations that I was missing.
“My favorite moment from the week was when we went to the United Nations General Assembly Hall for the closing ceremony.”
