Model UN gives student members awareness, international view
Jones Parry, Britain’s Ambassador to the United Nations, left, speaks with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Alejandro Wolff before a United Nations Security Council vote Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the UN headquarters.
The students of the Model United Nations spend their year preparing for two conferences, one in November, held Chicago and one in February, held in St. Louis. Students represent one country and are expected to be able to speak on in the interest of their country and its people.
“It’s not just about the country, it’s about how that country would respond in the UN,” said Dr. William Kumbier, professor of English and assistant advisor to Model UN students, “We learn to think and speak from perspectives that are sometimes very different than our own.”
In the past Missouri Southern students have represented counties like India and Peru, becoming more aware of the world as a whole.
“Simply learning about a particular issue, whether it’s AIDS or nuclear disarmament, these are things you read about in the newspaper or see on the news but you don’t really understand until you prepare for a Model UN conference,” said Dr. Paul Teverow, professor of history.
Students gain a high level of awareness of the worlds issues and attempt to derive a solution that will benefit everyone, not just the country the students represent.
“We try and come up with solutions to the worlds problems,” said Jeff Erman, senior English major, ” It really loosens everyone up to the idea of an international meeting place.”
In addition to being well acquainted with the issues surrounding their particular country delegates get a general overview of the world problems as a whole.
“It certainly deepens international awareness,” Kumbier said, “When you go to a Model UN conference, there are more than 100 countries represented, so you have a to know enough about the world.”
Though students aim to solve the problems of their particular country, the overall goal is to establish an intelligent argument that will persuade all delegates to make an informed and productive choice for the good of everyone.
“No matter what major you are, that’s a very useful skill to have,” Teverow said.
Though students gain a global perspective and get a sense of achievement for their participation, they also learn about the function of an international organization in a world sphere.
“The goal of the Model UN isn’t the destination,” Erman said. “It’s the journey.”
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