October 24, 2008 - 6:27am
The international diplomacy skills of six Vancouver Island University (VIU) students will be put to the test in Washington, DC.
They're attending the National Model United Nations Conference at the Osgood Centre for International Studies October 31 to Nov. 2.
VIU, Queen's University and the University of Ottawa are the only Canadian post-secondary institutions taking part in the international conference. The 400-plus delegates will include students from Canada, the United States, Nepal, Nigeria, Italy and China.
"A Model United Nations conference is a simulation of the real United Nations," explained Rebecca Sangster-Kelly, a fourth-year Global Studies student and past president of VIU's Model United Nations club.
Student delegates represent specific countries, and after extensive research on their country's policies towards select topics, they work within Model UN committees to formulate resolutions and reports, and reach consensus on important global issues. Topics up for debate include poverty, illegal invasions, HIV/AIDS, sex trafficking and nuclear terrorism, to name a few.
VIU students will represent Belgium and Andorra on several UN committees at the conference. Andora is a small country located between Spain and France.
To prepare for this mock diplomatic exercise, Sangster-Kelly, who will represent Belgium on the International Atomic Energy Agency, wrote position papers on three different topics: Iran and Korea and transparency and accessibility to nuclear facilities, the role of inspectors in nuclear facilities, and nuclear terrorism. Sangster-Kelly's dedication is obvious - these non-credit papers are in addition to her regular studies at VIU.
"It's a lot of work but I enjoy it," she said. "It's fun. The Model UN conference is an opportunity to get into the skin of a diplomat. The experience is hands-on learning in how the world works, what the United Nations is all about and how and what it takes to make changes."
Model United Nations activities expand a student's knowledge of the world and gives them a chance to experience politics and international affairs from different perspectives, said Dr. Catherine Schittecatte, a VIU Global Studies and Political Science professor who mentors the VIU Model UN club.
Schittecatte added that participation in Model UN conferences complement classroom learning by enhancing students' skills in public speaking, negotiation and diplomacy. "Students quickly realize that studies in International Relations and Global Studies can be applied in the real world and potentially lead to interesting careers," Schittecatte said.
Sangster-Kelly, a graduate of Ballenas Secondary School in Parksville, joined Model United Nations activities during her second year at VIU. She helped reactivate the VIU Model UN club and served as president last year.
"I graduate in December so it's time to pass the torch," she said. "I'm stepping back this year as a new executive takes over. It's like watching my child go off to kindergarten. But I know the club will thrive.
A second group of club members will participate in the University of BC Model United Nations conference in January.
Students interested in joining VIU's Model United Nations club can contact the club's secretary, Janet Crawford, at janetcrawford42@gmail.com
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