It has been a difficult year for our nation. Yet despite cascading crises, the Lebanese continue to shine both as individuals and communities, whether domestically or abroad.

This undaunted spirit was most recently displayed by six LAU students who defied the odds to participate in and secure two wins at the 2026 edition of the Harvard World Model United Nations (HWMUN) conference held from March 15 to 19 in Lima, Peru.

Described as the “Olympics” of the Model UN, this prestigious event is famed for its diversity, bringing together more than 2,000 students from over 110 countries for high-level diplomatic engagement, policy debate and cross-cultural exchange.

The road to Lima for the delegation, however, was far from straightforward. The first hurdle was obtaining visas, which, in the absence of a Peruvian consulate in Lebanon, meant sending the passports abroad. This was followed by repeated flight cancellations and uncertainty about safety and the ability to participate altogether.

Undeterred, the delegation remained committed to the goal it had worked so long to achieve, raising the Lebanese flag and returning with well-deserved recognition. In doing so, they not only did LAU proud, but also embodied their nation’s resilience and determination.

This School of Arts and Sciences initiative, led by the Department of Political and International Studies (POLIS), was organized for the second consecutive year in collaboration with the Outreach, Leadership, and Empowerment Office (OLE) and included students from the Department of Economics at the Adnan Kassar School of Business. The partnership brought together complementary academic, co-curricular, and leadership development strengths, reflecting a strong cross-institutional effort and a shared commitment to providing students with impactful, interdisciplinary learning experiences.

For Roy Abi Raad and Juneid Shayya, winners of the coveted Diplomacy and Verbal Commendation awards, respectively, LAU played a pivotal role in their success. Each had been initiated into the MUN as a high schooler, distinguishing himself at one of the university’s many educational simulation initiatives.

“Model United Nations is not just a competition, it is a source of life,” said Abi Raad, who is pursuing a BA in Political Science/International Affairs. That first award he won at LAU “changed everything,” he added, opening the door for him to continue his studies despite financial challenges. “Without it, I genuinely don’t know if I would be where I am today.”

Shayya, a BS in Business student, reflected on how that same experience “was a turning point” that allowed him to hone his ability to articulate his ideas on complex issues, and exposed him to the university’s culture, which made him “even more interested in joining LAU and continuing this journey.”

The two students’ passion, insight and eloquence stood out among the crowd gathered at Lima as they tackled questions of national sovereignty and institutional accountability in the course of their debates. Even though their topics focused on other parts of the globe, they hit close to home and carried emotional weight for our Lebanese representatives. 

Beyond winning awards, the conference had a profound impact on every member of the delegation, who came together to represent their country on the world stage at a time when its name only conjures images of strife and destruction.

As Deputy Director of OLE Richard Sanyour, who accompanied the students, said, “even in the face of uncertainty and disruption, it is still possible to show up, engage meaningfully, and compete at the highest level. That, in itself, is an achievement worth highlighting.”

For both our star students, receiving one of the highest honors at Harvard MUN was a deeply personal experience that they will carry with them going forward. Shayya described it as “emotional, humbling, and above all, meaningful.” Measuring how far he’d come, Abi Raad recalled how he had won his very first award at LAU wearing the very first suit he ever bought, and how it was in that same suit that he achieved international recognition in Lima.

In addition to Abi Raad and Shayya, the LAU delegation included Cyrine Hage and Sophia Haddad, both of whom are pursuing their BAs in Political Science/International Affairs, as well as BS in Economics students Lea Aoude and Roy Lebbos.

Around 80 years ago, Lebanon became one of the UN’s founding members, despite being one of its youngest. Today, it’s our brightest youth who keep that proud legacy alive.