A delegation from Mississippi Valley State University recently attended a one week conference at the United Nations in New York. MVSU students participated in the National Model United Nation’s Conference from April 3-8. The annual international conference was attended by over 5,000 students from 239 colleges and universities representing five continents ranging from Europe, Africa, America and Asia.
The five day conference “offered a diverse group of informed participants a forum for discussing global issues in a context that closely parallels the “real world.” According to the faculty advisor to the program Dr. Morgan Ero, “students served as delegates and proposed resolutions addressing regional conflicts such as peacekeeping, human rights violation, economic and social development and the environment.”
“The conference gave our students a better understanding of the inner workings of the Unites Nations as they built skills in diplomacy and compromise. They received an opportunity to represent countries, other than their own. Furthermore, the conference is an opportunity to expose our students to the sheer grinds of international diplomacy; the patience needed to reach consensus and the team work that reaps result,” said Ero.
According to Andrew N. Ludlow, the Secretary General of the 2012 National Model United nations Conference, “your experience may be a simulation of the United Nations, but is by no means an imitation. In the years to come many of you will fill the positions of decision and responsibility… and the skills, networks and global perspectives that you develop at this conference are what each of you will need to resolve the vital issues in your own countries by working together across borders.”
The objective of the conference is to further participant’s understanding of the United Nations and contemporary problems through experience-based learning opportunities by providing avenue for the simulation of the activities of the United Nations. Participants learned how to become better global citizens and the next generation of global leaders.
The conference opening and closing ceremonies were held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. This year, Miss. Valley State University represented the West African country of the Federal Republic of Togo.
“Our students had the rare opportunity to build lasting and valuable relationships with delegates from all over the world, enhance their writing and oratory skills and met with members of the diplomatic corps and ambassadors of the member countries of the United Nations,” added Dr. Ero.
The team from Mississippi Valley State University was included Mr. Rayshad Greene, De’Ryan Shanklin, L.E. Carter 111, Miss Jeana MCGee, Angela Lehman, Bianca Vigliante, Kayla Boyd, Dorien Jones, Zoraya Kentch and Kristin Swanson, head delegate. The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Morgan Ero, faculty advisor; Teneeshia Robinson and Margaret Clark who served as chaperons.
In past years, delegates from Mississippi Valley State University have represented the countries of Angola, Swaziland, Nigeria, Cyprus and Equatorial Guinea. Mississippi Valley State University has attended the conference consecutively for the past 6 years.