by Isabel '27 and Mahi '27

Earlier this month, Notre Dame Model UN (MUN) students hosted their first-ever Model UN Conference (NDSJMUN), welcoming over 80 delegates from Notre Dame and six other Bay Area high schools. This event marked an exciting milestone for the ND MUN team, who, together with Speech and Debate Director Mariel Cruz, spent months organizing what they hope will become an annual tradition. 

It was an honor to have San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan as the conference’s opening speaker. Mayor Mahan welcomed the conference attendees, congratulating the students on their dedication to civic engagement and community involvement through MUN. In his keynote address, he encouraged students to stay active in the local community, reminding them that civic engagement is key to maintaining a healthy democracy. 

Following a memorable opening ceremony, delegates participated in committee sessions focused on a range of pressing global and historical issues, including gun violence, the ethics of biotechnology, the use of cryptocurrency in developing nations, sustainability in digital infrastructure, and the history of the Congress of Vienna and the Napoleonic Wars. 

The Notre Dame MUN team would like to thank all the attendees for joining them for the inaugural NDSJMUN. The conference was a huge success, filled with great enthusiasm and a sense of accomplishment. NDSJMUN looks forward to welcoming more delegates next year!