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Park University Model U.N. Team Participates In National ConferenceBy Brad Biles - April 29, 2009 - 11:45 amEmail this article | Printer friendly page | Media Inquiries | Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter
The ambassador and four Kenyan diplomats spent a few hours briefing the Park students on Kenyan foreign policy, touching on such issues as global warming, nuclear proliferation and international trade policy. "The briefing was outstanding -- interesting, professional and very useful for the students, since they were role-playing as Kenyan diplomats at the NMUN conference," said Steven Youngblood, associate professor of communication arts and Park MUN adviser. "The students were impressed, especially that the ambassador spend the time with them. I know that our students felt more confident after the briefing." At the national conference, the Park team served on committees that mirrored actual United Nations committees, and dealt with pressing international issues like human trafficking, global trade, world health and African development. "Our team was well-prepared for the conference, and thus our delegates were engaged and active in their committees. Many took on leadership roles, and several students addressed their committees. I was very impressed with their efforts," said Youngblood. Model United Nations is an authentic simulation of the U.N. General Assembly, Security Council and other U.N. committees, which catapults students into the world of diplomacy and negotiation. In Model U.N., students step into the shoes of ambassadors of U.N. member states from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe to debate current issues on the organization's vast agenda. The student delegates prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the U.N.'s procedural rules. They do all this in the interest of mobilizing international cooperation to resolve major problems that affect every country. This year's NMUN conference included 2,500 students from 300 universities and 28 countries. Park's team was able to attend the conference through fundraising efforts and with donations from People to People International and the Parkville (Mo.) Rotary Club, along with funds provided by the Park Student Government Association. Park University team members participating in the conference were: Parkville Campus – seniors Azbilegt Chuluunbat, information and computer science major; Elizabeth Perry, social studies; J.D. Rowe (head delegate and club president), political science/international politics; sophomores Charif Hamidi, business administration/international business; Patrizia Pfefferkorn, political science/international politics; Wenjuan Zhao, business administration/finance; freshmen Nadia Bucsan, business administration/management; Fiona Mahfouf, communication arts/public relations; Natalia Tikhanovich, organizational communications; and Austin (Texas) Campus Center -- freshman Stoy Prioleau, social psychology; and junior Monica Zavala, management/marketing. The Austin MUN adviser is Jolene A. Lampton, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting and management.
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