Contributed feature from Valeria Moreno ’22, director of marketing for the Saint Peter’s Model UN team
The Saint Peter’s University Model United Nations (UN) Team participated in the 2020 YLAMUN (Youth Leadership Alliance Model UN) Conference and came back winners! The conference, which was held October 10-11, was hosted in Costa Rica, but due to COVID-19, students participated online. YLA is a youth-focused organization whose purpose is “developing leadership and citizenship skills for a lifelong commitment to service through character-building programs for all that strengthen spirit, mind and body.” The following passionate Saint Peter’s student leaders were part of different committees and represented countries around the world:
Lissette Vasquez ’22 – Germany
Linda Akele ’23 – United States of America
Jamie Suarez ’23 – Canada
Gineen Abuali ’21 – France
Victoria Skalski ’22 – Saudi Arabia
Adjeilyne Akrong ’21 – Russia
Jacob Adelhoch ’21 – Soviet Union
Jili Zhu ’21 – Guatemala
Moueed Haider Mirza ‘23 serves as the team’s Head Delegate. He was also part of the Secretariat for this conference as a member of the Crisis Staff. Two other delegates from the Saint Peter’s MUN Team were distinguished for their leadership and performance. Gineen Abuali ‘21 won an Honorable Mention award and Jamie Suarez ’23 won a Verbal Mention award.
Vasquez, INTERPOL Delegate and assistant director of marketing for the Saint Peter’s MUN Team, was very excited for this great opportunity. “This has been a most rewarding experience. We were strong competitors and learned a lot. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The team received great feedback from the conference leadership and fellow participants. Ginger Gold Schnitzer, J.D., executive director of the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership and team advisor, is extremely proud of the students. “This team is so successful because of the way they always pull together to support each other. While the team has won awards at two of the three conferences in which they have participated, it is not about the awards– it is about the experience.” She added, “I encourage all students at Saint Peter’s who are interested in honing their leadership, writing, speaking and debate skills to join us.”
If you are interested in participating in the Saint Peter’s Model UN team, contact Ginger Gold Schnitzer, J.D., executive director of the Guarini Institute for Government and Leadership, at gschnitzer@saintpeters.edu.