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MIAMI, Fla. (May 1, 2003)- For
the third consecutive year, Florida International University’s
Model United Nations Team won the first place for Outstanding
Delegation at the National Model
United Nations Conference.
Representing the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, FIU also won the first place award for Position
Papers, which reflect research, analytical,
and writing skills.
FIU represented Tajikistan in 2002 and Turkey in 2001.
Comprised of nearly 200 universities
from the United States and Europe, the Model United Nations
(MUN) conference is a simulation of the U.N. General Assembly
and other multilateral bodies that brings students into the world of diplomacy
and negotiation. In MUN, students become ambassadors from U.N. member states
to debate current issues on the organization's vast agenda. Student "delegates" in
MUN prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and challengers,
resolve conflicts, and navigate the U.N.'s rules of procedures — all in
the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve
problems that affect almost every country.
“
Our delegates worked extremely hard for three and a half months preparing their
research, knowledge of committee procedures, and negotiation skills and strategies
to participate in the New York College Model United Nations. Winning a first
place award as an Outstanding Delegation as well as an Outstanding Position Paper
award was the result of their dedication and commitment to our MUN program and
to their objective of presenting an image of excellence for FIU,” said
program director Jeanne Kates.
Before playing out their ambassadorial roles in MUN, students
research global problems to be addressed, drawn from today's
headlines. Students
who participate
in MUN find out how the international community performs on its concerns
about topics including peace and security, human rights, the environment,
food and
hunger, economic development, and globalization.
Led by Professor Kates, program
director and instructor in the department of political science,
the team consists of 16 delegates. The delegates
are: Alex
Alonso,
Christian Schoepp, Damion Dunn, Francisco Villalba, Gabriella Hartman,
Jennifer Rivero, Marika Krausova, Marilise Bastien, Michelle Kelleher,
Molena Mompoint,
Ralph Cadet, Sonia Ayala, Steffano Montano, Amelia Ali, Mandi Ruscher
(Head Delegate), and Eshefolade Matthews (Assistant Head Delegate).
MUN is a
three-credit course
offered by the Department of Political Science and is funded by the
Student Government Association, the College of Arts and Sciences, and
the Jack
Gordon Institute.
For more information, please
contact program director Jeanne Kates at 305-348-1095 or at
kates@fiu.edu.
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