Former President Takes on the Future of Diplomacy

Photo via National High School Model United Nations

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​​ National High School Model United Nations, also known as NHSMUN, ended its 2025 conference on a powerful note, featuring some notable figures. 

NHSMUN is held annually in New York City, hosting participants from over 130 countries. Throughout its 51 years of debate and diplomacy, NHSMUN has been coined the largest and most diverse high school Model United Nations conference. NHSMUN gathers ambitious secondary-school students to compete and receive mentorship from its dedicated staff, who serve as the pillars of its impact. 

NHSMUN is run under the International Model United Nations Association, or IMUNA. Founded in 1975, IMUNA is a United States 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is associated with the United Nations Department of Global Communications. With IMUNA’s impact spanning nearly 200,000 students worldwide, NHSMUN 2025 has inspired and engaged delegates and staff alike.

Staff members are typically high school graduates and college students seeking to challenge their abilities to lead committees of delegates or navigate leadership over other staffers. Some staffers are students at our very own Fordham University. The immersive experience is jam-packed with training sessions and one-on-one guidance with other staffers, ensuring delegates of NHSMUN receive the most substantive and skilled mentors possible. From the United Nations Security Council and the International Court of Justice to the Disarmament & International Security Committee, NHSMUN has it all. 

For collegiate-level students, NHSMUN offers them the opportunity to develop leadership experience, facilitating and moderating the delegate experience. For secondary students, they connected with other like-minded delegates in an academic setting. In NHSMUN committees, students practice their skills in public speaking, debate, and diplomacy. It is of utmost importance to curate spaces in which the next generation can learn to understand international relations, as well as interpersonal relations in a meaningful matter. As the world continues to evolve, it’s important to continue practicing listening, as well as speaking. Positive, and productive communication can create strong solutions to many of the issues the world continues to grapple with.

Photo via National High School Model United Nations. 

What makes it especially impactful is its ability to inspire delegates and staffers. During the opening ceremonies of both sessions 1 and 2 of NHSMUN, delegates heard a couple of remarkable voices. Virginia Gamba spoke about her role as the special representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict. Former president Joseph Biden expressed his hope for the future of international politics, saying, “As I look across the room, you are the reason why I remain optimistic about our future. Your vision. Your commitment. Your engagement.” 

Needless to say, NHSMUN 2025 was one to remember.

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This article was edited by Eve Salazar.