Author: Konoka Haattori | Major: International Studies and Political Science | Semester: Fall 2024

Me at the equator

In November 2024, I had the opportunity to participate in the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Conference hosted in The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. This program, part of a Model UN class led by Dr. Stapp, integrated international cooperation to environmental awareness with addressing crucial global challenges. The 10-day conference was an academic challenge furthering both my personal and professional growth. The Galápagos Islands have unique ecosystems and a significant role in biodiversity conservation, which the program aligned perfectly with my academic focus and my personal passion. As an international studies major concentrating on the coffee industry, I have been deeply invested in sustainable practices and biodiversity—topics central to this conference. Representing Ethiopia at the United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA), I prepared to discuss “Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure” and “Biodiversity and Health”. These themes directly informed my honors thesis on the cost of coffee production in biodiverse agricultural systems, making this experience highly relevant.

The National MUN Conference provided a platform for diplomacy and collaboration. Representing Ethiopia in the UNEA, I collaborated with students worldwide to draft resolutions addressing global environmental challenges. The experience demanded in-depth research, negotiation, and teamwork—skills central to my career goals of joining a UN agency like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Through cooperative writing sessions, I developed my ability to collaborate diverse perspectives and build trusts. These activities deepened my understanding of each nation’s policies on biodiversity and sustainable development. A standout moment was presenting proposals addressing environmental concerns. This integration of academic knowledge into practical solutions was both rewarding and transformative.

One thing I felt grateful for was that my speech was mentioned in other Member State’s speech. Everyone was mentioning the same kind of speech midway through the session, and our working group was not collaborating with Member States at all. So my first speech of the last day, I mentioned “as a spirit of UNEA and SDG17, we should not lose momentum, and find ways to collaborate with other Member States,” and later that day, one Member State rephrase my speech, and that was the moment I felt that my speech actually impacted someone and that Member State is also wanting to change the situation. By seeing the change, I finally felt more confident in my public speaking/ speech delivery. While the conference was my primary focus, the trip also allowed me to explore the natural and cultural wonders of the Galápagos Islands.

One particularly memorable experience was participating in a service-learning activity at Galápagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Thanksgiving day. Contributing to conservation efforts provided first hand insight into the challenges of protecting fragile ecosystems. Even Though there are strict restrictions on Plastic usage, there was tons of plastic waste on the road, and I even saw a baby sea lion trying to eat plastic. That was a heartbreaking moment, and also realized policy wasn’t necessary aiding conservation. Visiting and observing giant tortoise conservation efforts further reinforced my passion for biodiversity protection.

I also immersed myself in local culture by engaging with the galapagueños community and observing the islands’ unique wildlife by visiting a coffee farm on San Cristobal Island in Galapagos. I was not expecting to visit a coffee farm, but 4 different coincidences happened, which led me to encounter a specialty coffee shop who hosts a coffee farm visit. The farm was a community organized area, where people collaborated together to take care of the place. This was not the usual case, normally each farm is designated to each farmer group, which I thought was an interesting model. Also the owner taught us that the coffee grown on the Galapagos Island contains 0.25% more caffeine compared to the mainland coffee in Ecuador.

I was pleased to learn there was a genetic advancement as a lot of plants and animals on Galapagos Islands have their unique genetics. This study abroad experience was both academically enriching and personally fulfilling. The program strengthened my resolve to advocate for sustainability in coffee production and to collaborate on global environmental initiatives.