Model UN gives experience in diplomacy
The Bobcat Model United Nations, a club that seeks to get students involved in international issues and debate, became an official Recognized Student Organization this month.
Two sophomores, Robert Buckley and Matt Elder, are responsible for getting the Model U.N. started at Georgia College & State University, handling formalities such as the RSO paperwork and writing a constitution. Buckley now serves as the club’s president while Elder is vice president. Dr. Catherine Moses, GC&SU political science professor and Model UN advisor, has also been instrumental in the organization’s take off.
“I am excited about the formation of the group,” Moses said. “It is really important to have a venue where students can discuss international affairs. It also provides a wonderful way to learn about the international community.”
Moses said that the club’s successful formation is the result of its student founders and an impressive amount of student enthusiasm.
“I was interested in getting a Model U.N. group started, but student interest is what makes a group possible.” Moses said. “Robert and Matt took the initiative, acting on their vision of what was possible. They have made this work. The enthusiasm of all the participants is tremendous, and I think it bodes well for the success of the group.”
The Bobcat Model U.N. gives students the opportunity to participate in conferences where members represent an assigned country in a simulated U.N. General Assembly session. During a session, members identify political issues, prepare policy papers, and negotiate, draft and vote on resolutions–much like the real United Nations would. The Model U.N. thus gives students a hands-on understanding of U.N.’s structure and rules of procedure.
“I think the club is extremely important because it not only enforces democracy and the concept of politics, but also
promotes diplomacy,” said Model U.N. member Amanda Toyer. “It allows people to think ‘out of the box.’ It gives us the opportunity to hear other people’s views and opinions about key political issues, and it also helps us refine our our own.”
Toyer is not alone in her enthusiasm for learning from diverse perspectives. Students interested in global affairs find the organization an exciting alternative to the classroom. The Model U.N. appears to be much more than “politics as usual.”
“The thing about Model U.N. is it’s not like a class where you sit and have someone dictate things to you in a boring manner,” said Kyle Jordan, another new member. “This way you get to be involved in an interesting environment and learn in a different way.”
Political science majors are not the only students getting involved in the Model U.N.; so far, members have come from diverse academic backgrounds. Moses said the first meeting included students majoring in everything from Political Science to English and Accounting. All shared an interest in international affairs.
“I think the ultimate goal of Model U.N. is to expose students to the international community. and I think many times, as Americans, we don’t realize what is happening in other countries.
Anderson said he began to understand contemporary affairs after visiting Guatemala two years ago, followed by a trip to Western Europe.
“It was through those experiences that I realized how really na?ve I was learning about positions other countries have on issues, and how they compare with those of Americans.”
Meetings are currently held every other Thursday in Arts & Sciences 1-67, with times fluctuating between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
As of now, Bobcat Model U.N. has 14 members and is open to anyone interested in learning more.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 1 2004. Filed under Other.
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