CONTINUITY OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AT MUNFW

By Alex Gryciuk

Correspondent for Agence Mauritanienne d’Information of Mauritania, reporting for MUNFW World Press

Agence Mauritanienne d’Information (AMI) is Mauritania’s official state news agency, disseminating government statements and reporting on national developments, regional affairs, and international relations in Arabic, French, and English.

Agence Mauritanienne d’Information is a state-owned news source that serves as the official mouthpiece of the Mauritanian government.

As the 75th session of Model United Nations of the Far West (MUNFW) comes to a close, delegates look toward next year’s session, which will be hosted by the California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Representing the institution, Kiera Sladen has been named as Secretary-General (S-G) for the 76th session.

Offering some insight for the theme of next year’s conference — “Overcoming injustice, addressing the obstacles to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda” — Sladen illustrated goals to challenge delegates in creative diplomacy.

“We wanted to pick a topic where people could come up with radical solutions and then hone them down into diplomatic solutions with consensus,” she said.

Considering her own experience as S-G for the 60th session of MUNFW, Kelcey Negus explained not only the importance of the role for representation, but also as a means for personal growth.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for schools to have a direct impact on how the conference substance is formed. Both in deciding which committees are chosen and what the topics discussed are going to be,” shared Negus.

She continued, “I think it’s a great opportunity to both combine, like flexing your leadership skills and doing more behind the scene organizing of the conference.”

The alluring position does not go without its obstacles. Reflecting on her experience as the 75th S-G, Piper Lowinger elaborated on the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the Secretariat role.

“It has been at times a difficult two years because of the load that goes into creating the conference, thinking about the theme, coming up with the agenda topics, bringing other school partners into the discussion and making sure that they feel seen,” she reflected.

Though difficult, Lowinger emphasized that the experience has been overall exciting and fulfilling.

“Its really a collaborative effort and it has been so rewarding to work with so many schools,” she said.

In line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5: “Gender Equality,” MUNFW represents the inclusive nature of the conference; allowing all participants to explore their skills as leaders and delegates.

“There are lots of opportunities for students to be involved here, and because we create this ideal of the world, the sky is the limit for anyone to participate. We have so many women, strong women, who see that opportunity to step into a role [...] It’s just been quite a women-led conference, like year after year,” commented Lowinger.

Beyond the conference, despite women making up 49.72 percent of the global population, representation in global leadership falters. Within United Nations (UN) multilateral organizations, women hold 46 percent of leadership positions. And, only 8 percent of women serve as Heads of State or Government.

Though projections estimate that true gender equality will not be reached for another 130 years, Alex Lohman, S-G for the 60th session of MUNFW, has hope for the future of female empowerment.

“Change really happens when people push the systems. There might be one of you in the simulation who has the ripple effect of taking a progressive simulation and changing a conservative institution in the future,” Lohman added.

Extending optimism to the 76th session, Lohman left words of encouragement for Sladen. She stated, “If you have a clear vision of who you want to be and the creativity flows, people will go with you. Lead with kindness.”

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