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Head of Japanese Delegation to National Model United Nations
Taking the first step towards her dream of solving international issues!

Third year, School of Political Science and Economics
Eriko Kawashima

Some 5,000 students from around the world gather to participate in the National Model United Nations in New York, U.S.A. Participants represent their respective U.N. member nation or NGO and simulate a real U.N. session where members discuss pressing international issues.

Eriko Kawashima, who has wanted to participate in the Model U.N. since high school, became a member of the Model United Nations Waseda Branch immediately after enrolling at Waseda. Kawashima is improving her English writing and presentation skills, and participating in workshops sponsored by the United Nations. After receiving advice from a U.N. staff member, Kawashima easily passed the screening committee to become a member of the Japanese Delegation. Later after six months of preparation she stood on the stage she had yearned for.

“The Model U.N. isn’t a debate. The most important thing is to respect each other’s opinions as you work towards a holistic resolution. Having said that, while the participants from each country are amazingly skillful at delivering speeches, they’re not very good at listening to other people,” says Kawashima with a laugh. “I learned the importance of being able to communicate my ideas effectively and appeal to others in order to win over as many people as possible.”

Having won both individual and delegation awards, Kawashima says she would now like to make visible changes in the world. Kawashima is steadily advancing towards her dream of helping solve pressing international issues.

Eriko Kawashima

Originally from Saitama, Eriko Kawashima graduated from Shirayuri Gakuen Senior High School. Kawashima was one of nine selected for the 31st Japanese Delegation to the National Model United Nations in 2014 and participated as the ambassador to South Africa. She won the individual Outstanding Position Paper Award and the Honorable Mention Award as part of the Japanese Delegation. Kawashima’s method for improving her English ability is talking in front of people numerous times in order to get used to doing so. “I’ve never studied abroad but I was still able to participate in the Model United Nations. Therefore, I don’t think people who lack confidence speaking English should let the “English barrier” stop them from exploring the world.”