The Department of International Studies (IS) hosted the Third Model United Nations in Miriam College from April 7-8 at the Middle School, LMC Building. About 200 undergraduate IS students joined as delegates representing 35 UN Members States in the different committees such as the General Assembly, Second Committee, Fourth Committee, Committee 34 (Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations), Commission on the Status of Women and Human Rights Council.

The delegates assumed the role of diplomats and firmly advanced their country’s national interests throughout the two-day session through speeches, debates, and negotiations as they discuss the theme, The Power of the Powerless: Strengthening the Vulnerable Populations.

One of the highlights was the crisis situation presented to the General Assembly for immediate action. The delegates needed to address the grave threat posed by ISIS to launch a biochemichal attack on various countries. Former delegates of the 67th Model United Nations of the Far West held in San Francisco, CA, USA in 2017 served as Miriam College IS (MCIS) MUN Committee Chairs. They were led by Hazel Marie R. Duya as the Secretary General.

The MUN is a flagship program of the MCIS Hub for Diplomacy and Leadership. DZMM radio anchor and host and MC alumnus (ABIS 1993) Ruel “Ahwel” Paz served as Keynote Speaker during the Opening Plenary Session at the Little Theater.

The MCIS MUN culminated with the Diplomatic Night, attended by the MC administrators and guests from the embassies of Indonesia, Japan, and Mexico. Selected delegations were also presented with a Diplomatic Achievement Awards for demonstrating leadership and excellence in the art and practice of diplomacy.  By Andrea Almonte