'Berg students take on MUNFW Conference in San Francisco

From April 10-15, Heidelberg students traveled to San Francisco, California, to participate in the Model United Nations of the Far West (MUNFW) conference. This conference gives students the opportunity to step into the role of diplomats, engage in global discussions, and collaborate with peers from other universities in a realistic simulation of the United Nations.

Representing the nations of Italy and Oman, Heidelberg students are working within four key committees throughout the conference: the General Assembly, the Third Committee, the Environment Assembly, and the World Press. Within these roles, delegates are drafting resolutions, presenting policy statements, and debating pressing global issues while working toward solutions.

Each year, MUNFW tackles new global challenges, with this year’s theme being “Between Chaos and Consensus: Moving the Sustainable Development Goals Forward.” The student delegates are discussing topics such as reforming the UN’s financial structure, combating rural poverty, mitigating the environmental effects of war, and responding to humanitarian crises.

The trip spans five days, with one day dedicated to exploring and sightseeing the city. Each day offers new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and adventure.

Follow along in this blog by senior Communication major Kami Stanfield ’25.

Day 1: Traveling and exploring the city

On the first day, students arrived in San Francisco, California, ready to begin their adventure. Their first stop was In-N-Out Burger, a California fast-food staple. Afterward, some students chose to unwind and enjoy the hotel’s amenities like the pool and jacuzzi, while others opted to explore downtown San Francisco. The group took the BART to the Civic Center to visit the iconic City Hall. Later that evening, students walked nearly 16 miles through the city, taking in the sights and soaking up the new atmosphere. Along the way, they visited landmarks such as Coit Tower, Chinatown, and Little Italy. It was a memorable start to the trip, filled with exploration, excitement, and a taste of San Francisco’s unique charm.

From April 10-15, Heidelberg students traveled to San Francisco, California, to participate in the Model United Nations of the Far West (MUNFW) conference. This conference gives students the opportunity to step into the role of diplomats, engage in global discussions, and collaborate with peers from other universities in a realistic simulation of the United Nations.

Representing the nations of Italy and Oman, Heidelberg students are working within four key committees throughout the conference: the General Assembly, the Third Committee, the Environment Assembly, and the World Press. Within these roles, delegates are drafting resolutions, presenting policy statements, and debating pressing global issues while working toward solutions.

Each year, MUNFW tackles new global challenges, with this year’s theme being “Between Chaos and Consensus: Moving the Sustainable Development Goals Forward.” The student delegates are discussing topics such as reforming the UN’s financial structure, combating rural poverty, mitigating the environmental effects of war, and responding to humanitarian crises.

The trip spans five days, with one day dedicated to exploring and sightseeing the city. Each day offers new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and adventure.

Follow along in this blog by senior Communication major Kami Stanfield ’25.

Day 2: No WiFi, no problem: Stepping into the world of diplomacy

Day two began bright and early for the 19 students, with a scenic visit to the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic structure offered a calm start to what would become an unexpectedly eventful day. After taking in the views, students had some downtime to rest and mentally prepare before the conference commenced. Just as anticipation began to build, the power went out, sending the venue into uneasy silence. With no electricity or WiFi, the hours leading up to the event grew tense. In that moment, it became clear: diplomacy begins with patience and a little improvising.

Minister Gustavo Aitaro officially opened the conference with an inspiring keynote address, welcoming all delegates. In his speech, Aitaro expressed his admiration for the young leaders present, sharing, “The youth is not tomorrow, the youth is today.” He emphasized the urgency of action in the global political sphere, stating, “The opportunity is now. You are the future of our world.” Following the keynote, delegates transitioned into their respective committees, where they delivered their opening speeches and began general debate. In the upcoming days, the conference will bring more action and policy.

Day 3: Voices in action

Day three kicked off with delegates hearing from seasoned experts who have worked within the United Nations. Among them was Gutaro Aitaro, a veteran diplomat who has represented Paulo in numerous high-stakes U.N. discussions. Aitaro offered the many delegates a valuable piece of advice as they prepared to draft resolutions and navigate consensus-building amidst rising tensions. He shared, “Sometimes it takes drastic measures, and it’s not personal issues, but we have to look at both sides of the story.”
As if on cue, chaos began to unfold. Delegates dove into committee work, quickly forming coalitions, pushing through general debate, and transitioning into the substantive debate phase. Interestingly, many countries began acting out of character, forming surprising alliances and adopting stances that diverged from their usual diplomatic values, adding a layer of unpredictability to the day’s proceedings. 
After an intense day of diplomacy, students enjoyed some well-earned downtime at Pier 39, taking in scenic views and enjoying a classic boardwalk dinner to unwind. Students were also able to take the San Francisco cable cars through the city at night to end their day.

Day 4: Shaping the future

Day four lived up to the conference theme, bringing more consensus amidst the chaos. Delegates began addressing the second agenda item within their committees, making significant strides in progress and finding solutions to the challenges at hand. It was a long day for the ’Berg delegates, who spent more than 10 hours working in their respective committees, diligently fulfilling their roles as diplomats. While demanding, the hard work ultimately brought the delegates closer to passing meaningful resolutions, proving that the most rewarding outcomes often arise from the most difficult endeavors.

As the day drew to a close, delegates entered the voting bloc – a period during which delegates could neither leave nor enter the room until a consensus was reached. Committees such as the Third Committee and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) successfully passed their resolutions and reached consensus. Members of the World Press finalized and published articles for the public to view, sharing their insights alongside their fellow esteemed delegates. Tomorrow, the delegates will embark on their final day of the MUNFW Conference, wrapping up their discussions and bidding farewell to San Francisco.