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CMU students Tracy Biskup, left, and Christopher Nylaan prepare to represent the United Kingdom during a simulation of a U.N. Security Council meeting at the National Model U.N. Conference in New York.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

A group of Central Michigan University students gained real-world experience as global ambassadors by stepping out of the classroom and into the United Nations headquarters in New York.

 Eighteen CMU students recently attended the National Model United Nations Conference as part of a model U.N. course offered through CMU's political science department. More than 4,000 college students from around the world served as delegates representing the various countries of the U.N. at the annual assembly.

At the beginning of the class, students from each participating university are assigned a country to research, represent and adopt the position of that country on various issues. This year, 16 CMU students represented the Republic of Kazakhstan, while two others acted on behalf of the United Kingdom.

"These students were truly assuming the role of a diplomat, down to the fact that they were sitting in the Great Hall of the General Assembly in the same seats ambassadors would," said David Jesuit, political science faculty member and model U.N. course adviser. "By adopting the role of another country, it gives students great experience with international relations and allows them to view important issues through a new perspective."

To prepare for the event, the students completed comprehensive research on their respective country, including information about the country's positions on various issues such as alternate energy, climate change, military matters, illegal drug use and the status of women. Through their preparation and involvement at the conference, students were able to gain experience in public speaking, debate, critical  thinking and dispute-resolution skills.

The Model U.N. is a simulation of the U.N. General Assembly and other multinational bodies such as the U.N. Security Council that is designed to educate students about the activities of the U.N., including current events, pressing international issues, international law and other diplomatic procedures. For more information about the Model U.N. and the annual conference, visit http://www.nmun.org.

Media Contact(s):
Heather Smith
989-774-3197

Program Contact(s):
David Jesuit
989-774-2795