Manhattan had much to celebrate at the 2017 National Model United Nations New York conference in April. The College team brought home a Distinguished Delegation Award for representing Turkey. It seemed a fitting tribute to Pamela Chasek, Ph.D., professor and chair of government, whose participation marked 20 years as Model UN adviser at the College and 25 years as co-founder and executive editor of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin, an independent reporting service on United Nations environment and development negotiations.
Chasek commemorated the occasion by giving closing remarks on behalf of the National Model United Nations Board of Directors, in the UN General Assembly Hall. Her speech addressed the importance of multilateralism in challenging times, and encouraged students to take action on their campuses and in their communities:
Please maintain the momentum from this week, and keep the hope and promise of the UN alive. One immediate thing you can do is support the Sustainable Development Goals — in fact, look and see how you can implement them in your communities and schools. Think globally but act locally. You will be surprised about what you can do: address sexual assault on campus, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, install solar panels, feed the hungry and build houses for the homeless, reduce food and other solid waste, and conserve water and energy. All of this can contribute to implementing the 2030 Agenda and contributing to the future of multilateralism.
Watch the full closing ceremony (Chasek’s statement begins approximately 21 minutes into the webcast.)