Ten cadets from the Model United Nations (MUN) team traveled to New York City to participate in the Columbia Model United Nations conference (CMUNNY) hosted by Columbia University. This conference is among the top ranked in the Model U.N. circuit. CMUNNY presented the West Point MUN team with the opportunity to develop public speaking skills, gain knowledge of international affairs, and represent the U.S. Army and USMA in a professional and positive way to a civilian school audience.
Cadets participated in many interesting debate topics including but not limited to the development of democracy and economic development in the Fifth Republic of Korea, a historical simulation of the Final War of the Roman Republic as contemporary military and political leaders, and conflict resolution measures in the South Sudan and Myanmar via the United Nations Security Council.
Attending cadets had a unique opportunity to hear from the U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.), Jonathan Cohen, and to build relationships with the nation's future civilian leadership in social events hosted by the conference. The MUN team earned the highest-ranking award, Best Small Delegation, that the team was eligible for. This marks the first time that the West Point MUN team has ever won first place at this conference and places the team in a strong position for national rankings as the opening conference of the Model UN conference season. In addition, multiple individual awards were given to cadets.