NEC has played an important role in supporting the international mission of the University. One of its main functions is bringing to campus eminent practitioners and experts in the fields of international business and diplomacy to speak to administrators, faculty and students. Distinguished visitors include: Dr. Viktor Chernomyrdin, former Prime Minister of Russia and Chair of the Board of Gazprom (Russia's largest gas company); Dr. Theo Ben Gurirab, President of the United Nations General Assembly and Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Republic of Namybia; Dr. Julio Macchi, Chair of the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange; Ms. Akmaral Arystanbekova, Vice Chairperson of UNICEF.

NEC was established in September 1996 by Dr. Stoyan Ganev, Distinguished Professor of International Studies at UB, Director of NEC, Adjunct Professor of Social Sciences at New York University, former- minister of foreign affairs of Bulgaria, 91-93, and president of the 47th UN General Assembly, 92-93.

NEC is also involved in activities outside the University. In the plans for the future is a program based on the United Nations Model that will help students from local high schools learn what is happening around the world. In 1998, Dr. Ganev co-chaired with representatives of Yale University's United Nations Studies program a symposium on the Future of the United Nations.