Political Science Students from Cal State Long Beach Recognized at International Model United Nations Conference in Bonn, Germany

Five political science majors from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) last week returned with distinction from the Bonn International Model United Nations (BIMUN) conference, where more than 130 students from 41 countries all over the world gathered for the invitation-only event.

Leading the way for CSULB was Jean-Paul Navarro, known to his teammates as “J.P.” Navarro received the Distinguished Delegate award for his knowledge and application of international law in the conference’s International Criminal Court. In addition, Jose Ramos received an honorable mention for his representation of Iran in the Model U.N.’s General Assembly.

“This kind of achievement is particularly distinguished in a Model UN compared to other kinds of conferences because you are there four days, day in and day out, for eight hours a day,” said Larry Martinez, a CSULB political science professor and faculty advisor who accompanied students to the event. “They really get to know you. To get a distinction like this means you wear well with your colleagues.”

The level of competition made the success especially sweet. “These are top-flight students participating in this conference,” Martinez added. “J.P. Navarro won his distinction in competition with a student from Oxford.”

Martinez also applauded Ramos for his accurate portrayal of Iran in the Model UN’s General Assembly. “His challenge was doubly difficult because he was in a bigger group and he had to accurately portray the real policies of a pariah country.”

Two other CSULB students, Drew Schneider and Kristen Goshert, served in prestigious leadership posts as chairs of the Security Council and International Criminal Court bodies. They were selected for those posts based on their participation in last year’s conference. Additionally, Tene Kelly served as vice chair for the World Health Organization on the basis of her help in conference organization.

“Both Drew Schneider and Kristen Goshert drew the highest distinctions for chairing the Security Council and the International Criminal Court, respectively,” Martinez pointed out. “Tene Kelly also achieved distinction in a leadership role in her first year participating in a Model U.N.”
Organized by students at the University of Bonn, BIMUN is designed to give participants a realistic view of the work done by various committees of the United Nations as well as discuss international political issues in a multinational dialogue. Each participant chooses a country and role to represent, like a delegate to the United Nations.

This year’s topic was “Health and Environment – Global Challenge for International Security. Focusing on that theme, the discussion and activities centered around six simulated U.N. and EU committees – the General Assembly Plenary of the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council, the U.N. Economic and Social Council, the International Criminal Court, the World Health Organization and the European Council.

This success shows that CSULB has the kind of program that produces outstanding students, Martinez said. ”We’re able to provide a program that attracts this caliber of student and train them in a world-class competition.”

Media Contacts:
Rick Gloady, (562) 985-5454, rgloady@csulb.edu
Shayne Schroeder, (562) 985-1727, schroede@csulb.edu