What does it mean to “represent” a country? In diplomacy, representation comes from the medieval concept where someone embodies the sovereign, as in, “I stand for France.” In this way, diplomats help to produce the identity of a state. Each year, for two semesters, a group of BYU students are selected to develop their applied diplomacy, peacemaking, and leadership skills through the Model United Nations course—with direct application to what they are learning across a variety of disciplines. The culminating experience for 40 undergraduates in 2026 was a week-long competition in New York for the National Model United Nations Conference, including at the United Nations this past April where they put into practice diplomacy and represent their assigned countries.
This year BYU Model UN’s delegations performed notably, receiving the top “Outstanding Award” for representing two countries on 16 different simulated UN committees. One of the Kennedy Center program instructors sees the growth driven through this experiential learning each year, from fall through winter semester. Kelly Russell notes that “students begin with nascent skills—but quickly are challenged to research, write, and present their positions as assigned 'countries' in front of their peers and as coursework.” She saw that “as a result, they develop expanded confidence and learn about diplomacy in a new way that builds them up to become even stronger leaders.”
Ali Klassen, a Political Science major from Boise, Idaho, notes, “The actual art of negotiations and diplomacy helped me so much in the conversations relating to political science. We study so much about politics in our courses—but without the ability to have civil, productive conversations and disagreement, it’s hard to apply what we have learned.” She found that her Model UN experience helped to identify and develop those abilities.
Understanding China and the Holy See
The chance to represent two unique countries—China with 30 delegates, and the Holy See with 10—afforded different learning opportunities for BYU’s Model UN students this year. Elizabeth Goodrich, a Political Science major from Mariottsville, Maryland, said that the experience “gave me a greater understanding of China’s role in international politics,” building on her past coursework, and that it “set the stage for my future learning.”
In stepping across campus to the Herald R. Clark Building and participating as an Engineering major, Kayla Sherald developed her policy research skills as she sought out “objective sources that we could use to represent China’s policies—not as an American student, but practicing diplomacy in the interests of our assigned Member State.” She found the experience similar to how she works to play a major role in leading civil engineering projects that rely upon substantial research to address key stakeholders—just like in diplomacy.
During the winter semester, the team is selected and students focus on learning more about their country’s interests, policies, and history. Research preparation includes the creation of a binder through a weekly process of consistent work. Students meet with course instructors for “Research Defenses” where they present their sources, solutions, and original documents for feedback. This helps them prepare for the near-constant discussion at the national competition and learn to be more effective representatives at the conference with other 2500 university students—half coming from outside the United States.
Learning from Experts
Another part of the research preparation includes expert briefings. This year, the BYU Model UN delegations learned from Professor Brent Christensen, former senior diplomat who served as director of the American Institute Taiwan and Charge d’Affairs of the US Mission to ICAO, where he had a unique perch to observe China’s foreign policy priorities. For BYU’s budding diplomats, he delivered a customized briefing that explored China’s core national interests, key UN relationships, and important global initiatives, such as those focusing on development, security, and global governance.
Professor Andrew Reed, Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious Understanding, Associate Professor of Church History, and an expert in interfaith relations, led students through an in-depth discussion of Encyclicals such as Pacen en Terris, which play a major role in Holy See diplomacy work in multilateral settings. He also reviewed Vatican II and Conciliar documents that define how the Church understands itself in relation to the modern world, as well as speeches given by the Holy See from 1965 to present that help BYU students understand the country’s diplomatic positions and interests in complex negotiations.
Applying Diplomacy to Life
Students experienced diplomacy up close and throughout the week, but also had opportunities to develop professional, personal, and spiritually, such as during their annual fireside with Tara Bench, aka Tara Teaspoon—a New York native and 26-year veteran in the food publishing industry. She drew from her extensive experience creating recipes, food styling for magazines, books, advertising, and brands—and her opportunity to serve as Stake Relief Society President, in Young Women and Primary organizations—to offer powerful life lessons.
Specifically, she encouraged the students to “keep the flywheel moving” by doing little things both in your work and spiritual life. She encouraged BYU students to learn how to pivot when challenges arise by “lengthening your cord” and “strengthening stakes to enlarge your tent.” She celebrated the diversity of the gospel in New York City—“I love the church here in the city, especially the people who I learn from”—and left a powerful, spiritual message that help set the tone for the conference and left an impact on the team.
Another learning opportunity came from a BYU Model UN alumni reception in SoHo, where former student “diplomats” and program alumni gathered to share some of the best pizza in the world, as well as advice from law, business, media, and non-profit careers. Lauren Neibaur, an International Relations major from Henderson, Nevada, did a lot of networking thanks to the conference, and thought it was useful “to get new perspectives and a lot of good contacts with people who are going to law school and have experience in other academic institutions.”
Now, this group of students will “graduate” from BYU Model UN with demonstrated skills and an enhanced global vision to make a difference on campus and worldwide—including in a global church.