Virginia Wesleyan students represent the Syrian Arab Republic at annual National Model United Nations.
By Heather Templeton '10
Virginia Wesleyan College students put their own ideas and values aside as they represented the controversial Syrian Arab Republic at the National Model United Nations, held in New York City this April.
Six students, along with Dr. Brett Heindl, Model UN club advisor and assistant professor of political science, attended the National Model United Nations, the world's largest university-level simulation of the United Nations. The conference in New York brought together 2,500 students from over 150 colleges and universities worldwide for a five day simulation of the United Nations.
The delegates included: Head Delegate Sarah Tytler '09 from Cortland, N.Y.; Melissa Hendricks '09 from Norfolk, Va.; Marisa Postma '09 from Virginia Beach, Va.; Jessica Moehring '09 from Chesapeake, Va.; Heaven Bunting '12 from Virginia Beach, Va.; and Paige Murray-Harewood '12 from Lancaster, Pa.
"Our students took part in an extended simulation of the daily operations of the United Nations, devoting 40 hours over three days to mock committee sessions, educational seminars and a graduate school and career fair," said Heindl. "In the process, they learned a great deal about key issues in international affairs, the importance of interpersonal communication, and possible career paths with the United Nations."
With each school representing a different country, Virginia Wesleyan took on the prominent and controversial Middle Eastern politics of the Syrian Arab Republic.
"The Syrian Arab Republic is in conflict with Israel, one of the United States' greatest allies outside of Europe," said Postma. "At the conference, you have to put aside your own beliefs and ideas and try and represent the political ideas and belief of your country, even if they clash with your own."
After being assigned to a country, the team researched topics before the trip. Students focused on a particular area, such as the General Assembly Plenary, three subcommittees for the General Assembly, the League of Arab States, and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.
"As you do your research for your country and the committee you are assigned to, you have to get into the mind set of that country," said Postma.
Upon arrival in New York, the students immediately went to work attending committee sessions for eight to ten hours each day, negotiating resolutions and creating reports.
At the convention, student delegates drafted, sponsored and amended resolutions related to food security, nuclear proliferation and sustainable development. Students were also able to get a hands-on experience and actively participated in events that showed what it would be like to work with the United Nations.
Each year the delegates within each committee pick one or more individuals within the committee that they felt best represented the country in which they were assigned. Postma was awarded the Outstanding Delegate Distinction by members of her committee, the League of Arab States.
"It is a great feeling when your peers pick you for something like this," said Postma. "I was truly honored when I was one of the delegates chosen."
For Heindl, the conference is another experience Virginia Wesleyan offers to enhance student development.
"Virginia Wesleyan has been sending students to this conference for several years because of its close connection to the College's mission of exposing students to a variety of forms of teaching and learning, and to connect a liberal arts education with practical learning experiences," he said.
05.13.09