Model UN Earns 12 Awards at NAIMUN

Before last weekend's North American Invitational Model United Nations (NAIMUN) at Georgetown University, faculty co-moderator Mr. Carl Cardozo says he cautioned the students that at such a large event--it's the largest Model UN conference in the country--it was unlikely that they would walk away with any awards.

"I have never been so glad to be wrong," Mr. Cardozo says.

After four days of debates on such topics as the energy crisis in the Pacific, a meeting of the early Christians in the time of Paul, and a 2024 meeting on outer space as a conflict-free zone, 12 Gonzaga students brought home awards.

Special congratulations to Ian Christensen ‘22, who was awarded the World Bank Innovator's Award. Presented by a representative of the World Bank who attended the conference, the award is given for creating innovative solutions to major world problems. Ian worked on the UN Commission for the Status of Women and drafted a resolution addressing the intersection of women and climate change, as well as economic empowerment of women in developing countries.
 
Congratulations as well to the following students for winning individual awards: Kevin Reese '23, August Van Geertruyden '23, Benji Garland '23, Ian Christiansen '22, Michael Lesstrang '22, JP Felmlee '22, Tyler Kaczmarek '22, Pedro da Silveira '21, Josh Maggiano '21, Timmy Shaheen '21, Thomas Policicchio '20, and Jack Garland '20.

Says Mr. Cardozo: “This conference, and our season, has demonstrated that Gonzaga Model UN is a force to be reckoned with and can compete against the best of the best!”
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