By Carlota Marcoartu Jauregui (BIR 2018)

Last week members of the IE Model United Nations Club, had the opportunity to participate in the Universidad Complutense Model United Nations 2016. All of our participants in this MUN did a great job, representing IE University and walking away from the conference feeling their achievements after the challenge it had posed to themselves.

Our delegates have had the opportunity to take part in this competition as representatives of states in committees such as Joint Crisis (UK representatives), European Commission, Euro Group, Security Council, Peacekeeping Operations Committee and UN Women. IE team was comprised of Renata Villafuerte Co-Chair of ONU MUJERES committee, Carlota Marcoartu Chair of Peacekeeping Operations Committee and thirteen students who participated as delegates. For the majority of IE students this MUN has been their first of many more yet to come. In spite of this, four IE students walked away on Friday 18 with more than just the participation diploma, the award to Best Delegate from the Euro Commission went to Elizabeth Prieto and three mentions were given to Elena Balrod who competed in the Euro Group, Xénia Elena Greenhalgh and Layan Al-sayeh, delegates in the European Commission. Thus all the IE students who participated must be congratulated, for their hard work and dedication.

As students, their participation in this Model United Nations allowed them to share their past MUN, debate experiences as well as acquire knowledge and skills that will help them in their future careers. This conference has enhanced their abilities while experiencing diplomacy. Furthermore it has been a chance to promote a better understanding of what the United Nations is today and a way to gain further experience in this field, to broaden horizons while enhancing a career profile. Being an opportunity to put into practice all the knowledge they have now the pleasure to know.