Two Lynchburg College international relations majors, Megan Celuck '10 and Chelsea Parker '09, attended the Third Annual Global Forum at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C., July 9-11.
A diverse group of 200 young people spent three days exploring the effects of anti-corruption efforts and capacity building programs on economic development. Students heard from U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, resident ambassadors, senior experts from the World Bank, and representatives from international NGOs, and proposed new initiatives addressing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
"For all the concerns about the millennial generation, the Global Forum proves that our students are informed, involved, and really care about the shape of the world in which they live," said Dr. Marek Payerhin, associate professor of political science at Lynchburg College, who encouraged his students to attend. "The opportunity to rub elbows with influential politicians and diplomats as well as their fellow students from around the country made for an exciting and inspirational experience for our students.
"In turn, the need to arrive at a consensus about the best ways to solve a real-life global problem created an excellent exercise in international decision-making, coalition building, and diplomacy. The venue - the World Bank's headquarters - lent the event much authenticity. I hope the global financial institutions pay attention to the proposals generated by the meeting of these future movers and shakers of international affairs."
"It was such an eye-opener about the third world and issues with poverty, and how much the World Bank is (and sometimes isn't) doing about it," said Celuck of Moseley, Va., who served as head author for her group's business proposal.
The group targeted human trafficking in Thailand, where 80,000 women have been sold into the sex industry since 1990. Their model would have put women to work in electronic recycling through a cooperative that would have also provided housing, food, medical care, and counseling.
Parker, who hails from Branford, Conn., said she also learned a lot during the forum. "It broadened my insight into development policies and allowed me to see the results of small developmental projects," she said.
Both Celuck and Parker will attend the European Union Simulation in Washington, D.C., in November as part of LC's delegation and a course on EU leadership taught by Payerhin.